Chase Credit Cards Rewards: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're considering applying for a Chase credit card, it's essential to understand their rewards program. Chase offers a wide range of credit cards with various rewards structures, so it's crucial to choose the one that best fits your spending habits and financial goals.

Chase credit cards offer rewards in the form of points, miles, or cash back. The most popular rewards program is Chase Ultimate Rewards, which allows you to redeem points for travel, gift cards, or cash back. You can earn 2X points on travel and dining purchases with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

One of the most significant benefits of Chase credit cards is the opportunity to earn bonus rewards in specific categories. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers 3% cash back on all purchases in your first year up to $20,000 spent, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Chase also offers a range of credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, making them a great option for international travel.

Chase credit cards are a type of credit card issued by JPMorgan Chase, one of the largest banks in the US.

These cards offer a wide range of benefits, including cash back, travel rewards, and purchase protection.

Chase credit cards are known for their generous sign-up bonuses, with some cards offering up to 60,000 bonus points after meeting certain spending requirements.

You can earn points or cash back on everyday purchases, such as groceries, gas, and dining, with some cards offering up to 5x points per dollar spent.

Some Chase credit cards also offer exclusive benefits, like airport lounge access and travel insurance.

Chase credit cards have no foreign transaction fees, making them a great option for international travel.

The Chase credit card application process is relatively straightforward, with most approvals happening within a few minutes.

Earning rewards with Chase credit cards is a great way to get something back for your spending. Rewards points are one of the most common ways credit card rewards are counted, and cards typically offer points per dollar spent on all purchases.

You can earn more points for your spending in certain purchase categories, such as dining, travel, and gas stations. Some rewards cards may offer more points for purchases in certain categories, so make sure that your card fits your spending habits.

A sign up bonus is another popular way to earn points, where you may be rewarded with significant rewards when you get approved for the card and meet the spending requirement.

Earning rewards points is a straightforward process, and it's a great way to get the most out of your credit card. You can earn points per dollar spent on all purchases, with some cards offering more points for specific categories like dining, travel, and gas stations.

To maximize your rewards, choose a card that fits your spending habits. For example, if you eat out frequently, a card with higher points for dining purchases would be a great choice.

You can also earn a significant sign-up bonus by meeting the spending requirement after getting approved for a new card. This bonus can be a substantial reward, making it a great incentive to sign up for a new card.

Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards is similar, with four personal cards and three business cards offering different benefits and earning rates. You can also earn rewards by referring friends, shopping online with Shop Through Chase, and using targeted spending offers.

Some cards offer welcome bonuses after meeting minimum spending requirements, so be sure to check the terms and conditions of your card to see what's available.

Cash back rewards are earned when you make purchases, usually a small percentage of the purchase amount.

You may receive a percentage of cash back for every purchase you make, but this depends on the card. Some cash back cards have rotating categories that change each quarter, while others offer the same rate year-round.

Flat rate cards earn you a set percentage of cash back per purchase, whereas other cash back cards include accelerated rewards depending on the category.

You can redeem cash back in two ways - as a statement credit or by deposit into a bank account.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points redeemed for cash back are worth 1 cent per point.

The Chase DoorDash Rewards Mastercard offers a free year of DashPass, which auto-renews at $96/year.

You can earn cash back on every purchase with this card, with rates ranging from 1% to 4% depending on the type of purchase.

Some Chase credit cards, like the Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Flex, offer cash back on certain purchases, but the rates and categories vary.

Here are some Chase credit cards that offer cash back on purchases:

If you're considering a specific card, you should know that some credit cards offer rewards points for making purchases in certain categories. These categories can include dining, where you can earn higher rewards points for every meal you buy with your credit card.

Some credit cards also offer higher rewards points for spending at gas stations, which can be a big plus for people who drive a lot. Travel rewards are another popular option, allowing you to earn points for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.

Credit card rewards programs can vary widely, so it's essential to choose a card that aligns with your spending habits and financial goals. By understanding the types of rewards available, you can make an informed decision about which card is right for you.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a no annual fee card that earns an unlimited 1.5x on all purchases. It's a great everyday card in the USA, perfect for those who prefer cash-back or want to pair it with another card.

You can earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy, up to $20,000 spent in the first year. The welcome offer is a great way to boost your rewards earnings.

The card has no annual fee, which means you won't have to pay extra for all the great features that come with it. You can enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.

To redeem your cash back rewards, you can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!

Here are some key features of the Chase Freedom Unlimited:

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great card to pair with other Chase cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, to maximize your rewards earnings.

The Southwest Priority card is a great option for those who want to earn points with Southwest Airlines. It offers a $75 annual Southwest travel credit and 7,500 anniversary points each year.

To earn the 50,000 bonus points, you'll need to spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This is a relatively low spend requirement compared to other cards.

The card has a $149 annual fee, which is applied to the first billing statement. This fee may be worth it for frequent Southwest flyers, but it's essential to consider whether the benefits outweigh the cost.

One of the best features of the Southwest Priority card is the ability to cancel flights up to 10 minutes before departure for a full refund of points and taxes paid. This is a significant advantage over booking with cash.

Here's a summary of the key benefits and requirements:

Overall, the Southwest Priority card is a solid choice for those who want to earn points with Southwest Airlines and enjoy some additional travel benefits.

The United MileagePlus program is a top transfer partner for Chase Ultimate Rewards, offering consistent and reasonable value for your miles. With award flights within the U.S. starting at around 5,000 miles, it's a great option for domestic travel.

Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United MileagePlus opens up a host of possibilities for booking flights on United Airlines' global network of partners. This includes Star Alliance and other airlines, with inventory set directly by the operating airline.

The Excursionist Perk is a sweet spot in the United MileagePlus program, allowing you to add a free one-way award onto some international round-trip itineraries. This can be a great way to score a free flight on a long-haul trip.

Iberia Plus awards are distance-based, making them a great option for booking premium cabin long-haul travel. Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Iberia Plus can yield outsized value, especially for travel from the East Coast to Europe.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is another top transfer partner for Chase Ultimate Rewards, offering a relatively good value for travel in a premium cabin. Awards in Virgin Atlantic Upper Class between the U.S. and the U.K. can be a great option for scoring transatlantic premium cabin travel.

Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia can also be a great option, with many of these airlines offering generous earning rates and award redemptions. For example, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Credit Card earns 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.

The Prime Visa is a solid choice for those who want rewards without the annual fee.

It earns unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership.

You'll also get unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.

The APR for this card is quite variable, ranging from 19.49% to 29.99% for some purchases.

Chase periodically sends cardholders targeted offers, which can include increased earnings on categories not usually bonus categories on their respective cards. These offers can be a great way to boost your rewards earnings.

You can check for Chase offers on your account by logging in to Chase.com and scrolling down to the right-hand side of the screen, where you'll find the Chase Offers panel. Here, you can find available offers, details on eligibility, and any limitations on earnings.

To be eligible for these offers, you typically need to have a Chase credit card, and the offers may be specific to your card type or spending habits. For example, Chase Freedom Unlimited cardholders have previously been targeted to earn 5% cash back on select purchase categories, rather than the usual offer of 1.5% cash back.

Chase also periodically offers additional promotions for new and existing customers to earn additional Ultimate Rewards points, such as 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spending at grocery stores. If you've recently applied for a Chase credit card, it's worth keeping an eye out for these increased welcome bonuses.

Chase credit cards offer a range of rewards and benefits that can help you earn points and redeem them for travel, cash back, and gift cards.

Earning rewards is a breeze with Chase cards, such as the United Club Business Card, which offers 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after qualifying purchases.

You can earn cash back rewards with Chase cards, but the rate varies depending on the card. Some cards offer a flat rate, while others have rotating categories or accelerated rewards.

Redeeming points for gift cards is a great option, and with Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can get a $100 gift card for 10,000 points, worth 1 cent each.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card is a top-tier option for those who want to earn points quickly.

It offers 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels (excluding The Edit) and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.

The annual fee for this card is $550, and each authorized user costs an additional $75.

If you're looking to add to your rewards game, consider pairing this card with a Chase Freedom Flex or a Chase Freedom Unlimited, as recommended by experts.

The United Club Infinite Card is a great option for those who want to earn rewards faster. Earn 90,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases.

Traveling in luxury is a breeze with this card, thanks to United Club membership and 2 free checked bags. Plus, you'll earn rewards faster with 4x miles on United purchases, and 2x miles on dining and all other travel.

The interest rates on this card are 20.99% Min. of (7.50+13.49) and 29.99%–27.99Min. of (7.50+20.49) and 29.99% variable APR.

Chase's Refer-A-Friend program allows you to earn bonus points by referring friends to apply for a Chase credit card.

To participate, simply enter your card information on Chase's Refer-A-Friend website, and if your card is eligible, you'll receive a link to share with your friends.

Referral bonuses and offers vary by card, so be sure to check the specifics for your card.

Not all cards are eligible for referral bonuses, so it's worth checking to see if your card qualifies.

Small business owners can also earn rewards through Chase's Refer-A-Friend program, with up to 200,000 bonus points per year available for referring other small businesses.

This breaks down to 40,000 points for each business approved for an eligible Chase Ink card, up to a maximum of five businesses.

You can redeem your cash back rewards for a statement credit or a deposit into a bank account. Both options are convenient, but the process is slightly different.

A statement credit is applied directly to the card you're redeeming your points from. This is a great option if you want to pay off your balance or make a purchase.

To deposit cash back into a bank account, you'll need to provide your bank's routing and account number to Chase. This may take a few business days to process, so plan ahead.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back, making it a straightforward and valuable option.

Air France-KLM's loyalty program, Flying Blue, is a solid choice for travelers looking to redeem miles for flights. Flying Blue offers reasonably affordable award options on SkyTeam flights.

One of the program's standout features is its monthly Promo Rewards, which can offer up to a 50% discount off the lowest miles price. This means you can sometimes score a business-class ticket from North America to Europe for under 30,000 miles each way, a significant bargain.

To maximize your Chase credit card rewards, focus on earning points in select categories that offer elevated rates, such as travel, dining, or office supplies.

Some cards, like the Capital One Venture X and American Express Platinum, offer 2 to 5 points per dollar spent in these categories.

By choosing redemptions that yield values of more than 1 cent per point, you can maximize your rewards. This can include travel booked through Chase, transferring points to partner airline and hotel programs, or some Pay Yourself Back categories.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a high redemption rate in Chase Travel, making it a great option for maximizing rewards.

Here are some Chase credit cards that can help you maximize your rewards:

Maximizing your rewards is all about making the most of your credit card spend. You can earn 2 to 5 points per dollar spent on select categories, such as travel, dining, or office supplies.

To maximize your rewards, use your credit card for purchases that earn at an elevated rate. For example, some cards, like the Chase Freedom Flex, earn 2 to 5 points per dollar spent.

You can also maximize your rewards by choosing redemptions that yield values of more than 1 cent per point. This can include travel booked through Chase, transferring points to partner airline and hotel programs, or some Pay Yourself Back categories.

Some cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, offer higher redemption rates in Chase Travel. You can also transfer your points to partner programs, like United, to access their award sweet spots.

Having multiple credit cards can also help you maximize your rewards. There is no preset limit on the number of cards you can keep with Chase, so you can carry multiple cards to earn rewards in different categories.

Here are some cards that can help you maximize your rewards:

By using these cards strategically and choosing the right redemptions, you can maximize your rewards and get the most value out of your credit card spend.

Combining your Chase Ultimate Rewards points is a great way to maximize your rewards earnings. You can combine points between two Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning cards by selecting the card to transfer points from, clicking the arrow next to your point total, and then clicking the arrow for Rewards Details and selecting Combine Points from the dropdown menu.

To do this, follow these steps: Select any card to proceed, click the arrow next to your point total to access available actions, click the arrow for Rewards Details and select Combine Points from the dropdown menu, click the card you want to transfer points from, click the card you want to transfer points to, and then click Continue. Once you've made your selection, click Review and then Submit to confirm.

You can also combine points with a household member by linking accounts if you aren't already linked with authorized user cards. This allows spouses, partners, or other household members to earn and redeem points toward a common goal.

Here are some key facts to keep in mind:

Points are combined instantly, and you will receive confirmation of completion. You'll also see the new balances on each card updated immediately.

Your rewards won't expire as long as you keep your account open and in good standing.

Closing your account before redeeming or transferring your rewards will result in forfeiting them.

If your account is closed for missed payments or any other reason initiated by the bank, your rewards will be forfeited as well.

Choosing the right Chase credit card is crucial to maximizing your rewards. The captain of your team should be a card that earns Ultimate Rewards that can be transferred, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Chase Ink Business Preferred.

These cards offer redemption options not available to points associated with no annual fee cards. It's best to get in the habit of moving points from your no annual fee cards to your premium cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Freedom Flex, to receive the most value when redeeming your points.

The Chase Freedom Flex offers quarterly rotating 5x category bonuses, capped at $1500 per quarter, making it a great choice if you spend a lot on specific categories. On the other hand, the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5x on every purchase without limit, making it a solid option if you don't have a specific spending category in mind.

To get the most value out of your Chase credit cards, it's essential to have a team of cards that work together. This team should have a captain that earns Ultimate Rewards, which can be transferred to unlock the potential of all your other cards.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great option for the captain of your team, with an annual fee under $100 and a 2x earning rate on dining and travel without a cap. You can also redeem your points for 1.25c in Chase Travel if you choose not to transfer them.

Having a Chase Sapphire Preferred paired with a no-annual-fee card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Freedom Flex can be a game-changer. This combination allows you to earn points on everyday purchases and redeem them for travel or other rewards.

If you have a small business, consider using the Chase Ink Business Preferred, which comes with a low $95 annual fee and offers cell phone insurance, great bonus categories, and points earned from personal cards can be combined with it.

To combine Chase Ultimate Rewards, log in to Chase Ultimate Rewards and move points from your no-annual-fee cards to your premium cards. This will allow you to receive the most value when redeeming your points.

You can also boost your Chase Ultimate Rewards balance by shopping through the Chase portal, which offers additional points on top of the points you typically earn from spending on your credit card.

The Explorer card from United is a great option for those who frequently fly with United. Earn 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases, making it an attractive choice.

With the United Explorer Card, you can earn 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, which is a great way to rack up points. Plus, you'll get a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and other United travel benefits.

The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95, making it a relatively low-cost option.

The Chase Freedom Flex offers quarterly rotating 5x category bonuses, capped at $1500 per quarter. This can be a great option if you think you'll spend a lot of money in those categories.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5x on every purchase without limit, making it a good choice if you don't spend a lot in specific categories.

Both the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited offer 3x/3% on Dining and Drugstore Purchases, in addition to their respective bonus categories.

Here's a breakdown of some of the bonus categories offered by the Chase Freedom Flex in prior years:

If you can take advantage of these rotating categories, the Chase Freedom Flex might be a good addition to your team.

Chase Ultimate Rewards typically post each month soon after your statement closes. This means you can expect to see your rewards accumulate around the same time you receive your statement.

If you're using a Chase credit card, you can earn rewards that post quickly and consistently.

Booking travel can be a breeze with Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can use the Chase Travel portal to book flights, hotels, rental cars, attractions, vacation rentals, and cruises.

The process is straightforward, and the website guides you through it. You can select any number of points to redeem, up to the total available in your account.

One of the best parts is that if your points aren't enough to cover the entire purchase, you can charge the remaining amount to your credit card. This card doesn't have to be the same one you're redeeming points from.

For example, if you're redeeming points from your Chase Sapphire Reserve, but you need to charge a portion of the balance, you could use your United℠ Explorer Card.

Here are a few things to remember when booking through Chase Travel:

It's also worth noting that you can earn frequent flyer miles and elite benefits are honored for airline tickets booked through Chase Travel. However, when booking hotels, elite benefits and points accrual are not applicable to reservations booked.

If you're loyal to a particular airline or hotel chain, you may want to consider a Chase credit card that earns points in that program, even if it doesn't earn Ultimate Rewards.

These cards, known as cobranded cards, can offer valuable benefits like elite status, free checked bags, and discounts on flights.

For instance, the Marriott branded cards can give you elite nights to help you get Marriott status quicker.

The United cards can offer Elite miles after hitting certain spend thresholds, and the Southwest cards can help you get closer to achieving a Companion Pass.

Cards like the British Airways card can offer a companion certificate after $20k spend in a year, which can be advantageous if you're sitting on a heap of BA Avios.

Chase offers cards from IHG and Hyatt, both of which offer free night certificates just for keeping the card, as long as you pay the annual fee.

These free night certificates can be incredibly valuable, and you'll also get targeted promos as a cardholder, like a 25% discount on award stays for Wold of Hyatt credit cardholders.