I got rounded up about $5000 worth of points spread across most of my chase cards ($500 of which is Amazon Prime Chase). Should I cash out or is there better deals to be used for through chase? I’ve noticed Chase travel/hotel the price is more expensive than if I just book myself most of the time.
Which chase cards do you have? If it’s just the Freedom cards then yes, they’re only worth cash back but if you have either of the Sapphire cards you can get more value transferring them to Chase’s travel partners, with the best value usually being Hyatt. Don’t have the Amazon card but pretty sure those points are just worth Amazon credit.
@Zayn
I’ve read something about transferring your freedom card points to your chase sapphire? Is that how it goes? Thank you.
Pip said:
@Zayn
I’ve read something about transferring your freedom card points to your chase sapphire? Is that how it goes? Thank you.
Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve.
@Zayn
The only chase card I have is the Amazon card. You can spend the points as cash back, for Amazon purchases, on gift cards, or you can also spend it on the travel portal.
Unfortunately, the gift card offerings are mediocre compared to Discover, the point value is exact, not discounted like Discover’s is.
@Eleanor1
Is it separate from the UR gift cards? Just scrolled through it and there’s some 10% off gift cards for some decent stores.
Zayn said:
@Eleanor1
Is it separate from the UR gift cards? Just scrolled through it and there’s some 10% off gift cards for some decent stores.
I’m not sure, I only briefly looked but I only have the Amazon card no other Chase cards so I can’t compare. I’ll double check.
Edit: Nope lol all 1:1 redemption rates, they’re trash. Only 6 different cards too.
Cash out the Amazon points for a statement credit. Don’t use them for a purchase on Amazon as you’ll miss out on the 5% back you’d normally get with the card.
For the UR points, I’d pick up a Sapphire Preferred (or Reserve), get the sign up bonus, and then use that card (the Sapphire) to pool all your UR points and transfer them (when you are ready to book travel) to the transfer partner of your choice. You have a ton of UR points, these could really go far.
@Cassian
Ah, I see what you’re saying, because with the statement credit you still get the 5% back but at the same rate.
I will say, they often do promos where if you spend points to pay for a purchase you get a large discount up to a certain dollar amount (usually 30%-60% off max $10) but to activate that you can just spend 1 point and then pay the rest in cash.
I would suggest gift cards as well if you need to get someone a gift card but they’re not a good redemption value imo. I’m unsure of the travel portal, I never looked at it.
Yeah like the others are saying, get the Sapphire Preferred and transfer them out for travel. There’s an elevated sign up bonus right now for 60,000 UR points + $300 in travel credit statement.
Jem said:
Yeah like the others are saying, get the Sapphire Preferred and transfer them out for travel. There’s an elevated sign up bonus right now for 60,000 UR points + $300 in travel credit statement.
I have the preferred right now already. I forget what perks it came with, but I use it when I’m traveling.
@Pip
Just adding some background information that might be helpful. There are three Chase cards that will allow you to transfer directly to travel partners (think airlines like Air France or hotels like Marriott). These three cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, and Business Preferred. Log into your account, click on your UR portal, and search for “combine points” and move them to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card. You can then transfer your points to travel partners by connecting your flyer/hotel number to your Chase account.
@Kale
Thank you! I threw everything into my Sapphire card just for safekeeping just in case I need to book a hotel. Cashed out my Amazon points.
Chase Amazon card is just straight points, not UR. Cashing out, statement credit, gift card, or redeem for travel it’s all the same value.
Zander said:
Chase Amazon card is just straight points, not UR. Cashing out, statement credit, gift card, or redeem for travel it’s all the same value.
It is definitely not all the same. Gift cards are a loss since you don’t earn points on those purchases or have any protections that most credit cards offer; statement credit is better. With 450k UR, it would be way better to get a CSP/CSR/CIP and use it for travel, unless OP has no interest in travel.