How to Maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards (Beginner‑Friendly Guide)
If you’re new to points and miles — or you just want a simple, powerful system that works — Chase Ultimate Rewards is the best place to start. Chase points are flexible, beginner‑friendly, and incredibly valuable when paired with transfer partners like Hyatt and Southwest.
For nearly eight years, our family traveled almost entirely on Hyatt stays and Southwest flights using Chase points. Once you understand how Chase works, you can apply the same strategy to any other bank program — but Chase is where the magic starts.
👉 See real trips we’ve booked on points: Real Points & Miles Adventures
Transparency Time: I’m not a credit card affiliate — I only share personal referral links for cards I personally hold and use. My recommendations are 100% authentic because they’re based on real trips I’ve booked for my family.
When you use my referral links, we both benefit, and it helps support No Point Left Behind.
Fun fact: you can do this hobby with as many or as few cards as your comfort level. There’s no “right” number — just what works for you.
⭐ Need help building your lineup?
You don’t have to figure this out alone. I created a full step‑by‑step series to help you build a lineup that fits your goals — not someone else’s.
👉Build Your Credit Card Lineup Series
And if you want support, encouragement, or a place to ask questions as you learn, come join my Facebook group — it’s truly here to help you every step of the way.
⭐ How to Maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
To get the most value from Chase Ultimate Rewards, focus on strategic earning, smart redemptions, and leveraging transfer partners for outsized value.
👉 New to credit cards? Start here: Beginner Points Guide
👉 Want to see which Chase cards I recommend? Best Chase Cards for Travel Hacking
1. Best Chase Cards to Maximize Ultimate Rewards
The Chase ecosystem works best when you pair a Sapphire card with one or both of the Freedom cards.
⭐ Chase Sapphire Preferred®
3x dining
2x travel
25% more value in the Chase Travel Portal
Access to all transfer partners
⭐ Chase Sapphire Reserve®
3x dining
3x travel
50% more value in the Chase Travel Portal
Premium travel perks
Not sure which one fits your family? 👉 Chase Sapphire Travel Cards Comparison
⭐ Pair with these earners:
Freedom Flex® — 5x rotating quarterly categories
Freedom Unlimited® — 1.5x on everything
This combo is often called the Chase Trifecta, and it’s the simplest, most effective setup for families who want to earn fast and redeem big.
👉 Want a simpler version? Try the Two‑Card Combo
2. Maximize Bonus Categories
Use each card where it earns the most:
Sapphire Preferred: 3x dining, 2x travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Updated Earning Structure)
Chase recently changed the Sapphire Reserve earning categories, so it’s no longer the simple “3x on travel” setup it used to be. Here’s the current breakdown in a way that’s easy to understand:
10x on hotels booked through the Chase Travel Portal
10x on rental cars booked through the Chase Travel Portal
10x on Chase Dining purchases
5x on flights booked through the Chase Travel Portal
3x on dining (worldwide)
3x on travel booked outside the Chase portal
1x on everything else
Even though the categories are more mixed now, the Reserve is still a powerhouse when paired with the Freedom cards — especially if you book flights or hotels through Chase Travel.
Freedom Flex: 5x rotating categories
Freedom Unlimited: 1.5x everywhere
This is how you earn points fast without changing your spending.
3. Shop Through the Chase Shopping Portal
Before you buy anything online, check the Chase Shopping Portal. You’ll often earn 3x–15x extra points at stores you already shop at.
This is one of the easiest ways to boost your balance without opening new cards.
4. Top Chase Transfer Partners: Hyatt, Southwest & More
Chase transfers 1:1 to:
Hyatt
Southwest
United
Air Canada
British Airways
Virgin Atlantic
Marriott
IHG
👉 Full list: Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners
⚠️ Important Update for October 2026 Chase Sapphire Preferred transfers to Hyatt will change from 1:1 to 0.75:1 starting in October.
This means your Hyatt points won’t stretch quite as far — a 12,000‑point Hyatt stay will now require 16,000 Chase points.
The good news? Chase Ultimate Rewards are still one of the best programs for beginners, and Hyatt remains one of the highest‑value partners. You’ll just want to be more intentional with your earning strategy going forward.
⭐ Why Hyatt is the sweet spot
Hyatt redemptions regularly deliver 2–4 cents per point, especially at:
Hyatt Place
Hyatt Regency
Thompson
Andaz
Alila
I love Hyatt so much that I have an entire page dedicated to every Hyatt we’ve stayed at on points. If you want real examples of how far Chase Ultimate Rewards can take you, you can browse them all here:
5. Refer Friends
Chase often offers 10,000–15,000 points per referral.
Want to support No Point Left Behind? 👉 Chase Sapphire Referral Link
6. Plan Big Redemptions Around Promotions
A few times a year, Chase offers 20–30% transfer bonuses to partners like:
Virgin Atlantic
Air Canada
British Airways
Use these for premium cabins or luxury stays.
7.⭐ What Not to Do With Chase Points (But Remember — They’re Your Points!)
These are the redemptions I personally don’t recommend because they usually give you the lowest value for your hard‑earned points.
But here’s the thing: these are your points. You get to use them in the way that makes you happiest.
I’m simply sharing what I’ve learned after years of booking real trips for my family — so you can stretch your points further if that’s your goal.
❌ I don’t recommend:
Amazon redemptions (usually ~0.8¢ per point)
Gift cards (rarely more than 1¢ per point)
Statement credits (also ~1¢ per point)
Low‑value portal bookings when transfer partners offer 2–4× more value
⭐ Why I avoid these:
They give you the lowest return on your points — and Chase points are simply too valuable to waste when Hyatt, Southwest, and airline partners offer such incredible redemptions.
💛 But again… your points = your rules.
If using points for a gift card make your life easier that month? Do it. If redeeming through Amazon brings you joy? Go for it.
My job is just to show you the smartest options — and you get to choose what fits your life.
⭐ Closing Thoughts
Chase Ultimate Rewards remains one of the most powerful tools in my travel‑hacking toolkit. Whether you’re leveraging bonus categories, pooling points across cards, or transferring to high‑value partners like Hyatt and Southwest, the key is to be intentional with every redemption.
Travel hacking isn’t just about saving money — it’s about creating experiences for your family that might otherwise feel out of reach. With a little strategy, those dream trips become possible.
👉 Explore more: Credit Card Strategy Hub
⭐ FAQ
Can you transfer Chase points to Southwest? Yes — Chase transfers to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio.
Is the Chase Trifecta worth it? Absolutely. It’s the easiest way to maximize bonus categories and pool points for high‑value redemptions.
What’s the best value for Chase points? Hyatt redemptions. Rooms that cost $300–$500 per night often start at just 12,000 points.
Can you use Chase points for cruises? Yes — through the Chase Travel Portal. Value varies, but it’s usually 1.25–1.5 cents per point depending on your Sapphire card.
⭐ About Julie Davis
Julie is the travel‑hacking mom behind No Point Left Behind, where she teaches families how to travel better for less using points, miles, and smart planning. She’s helped thousands of beginners learn how to book flights, hotels, and cruises using simple, repeatable strategies.
