Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures. However, it can also be one of the most expensive endeavors. Flights, accommodations, activities, and dining can quickly add up. Fortunately, savvy travelers know how to leverage credit card points and rewards programs. They use these tools to make their travel dreams come true without breaking the bank. If you’re looking to earn travel points, you’ve come to the right place!
By following these tips, you’ll be able to take full advantage of your credit card rewards. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or someone who travels occasionally, this guide will help you maximize your points. It will also help you make the most out of every travel opportunity.
Why Travel Points Matter
Before diving into how to earn and redeem travel points, it’s important to understand their value. Travel points are like currency that can help lower your travel costs. By accumulating points through spending on specific credit cards, you can book flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and even experiences. Best of all, you can do all this at little or no cost to you.
While different rewards programs exist, some stand out for their exceptional value and flexibility. One such program is Chase Ultimate Rewards®. It is known for offering lucrative redemption options and a wide range of travel partners. If you want to earn travel points , understanding how these programs work and how to use them effectively is key.
How to Earn Travel Points
Earning travel points may seem straightforward, but there are strategies you can employ to supercharge your point accumulation. Here’s how to earn travel points :
Choose the Right Credit Cards
The first step to earning travel points is selecting a credit card that rewards you with points for your purchases. Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are one of the most valuable types of travel points, and several Chase credit cards allow you to accumulate them. Some of the best options include:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
This card is perfect for those who want to earn travel points without a high annual fee. You’ll earn 2 points on travel and dining, 5 points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, and 3 points on select streaming services. The sign-up bonus is a major perk. You can earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
For those who want to maximize their points accumulation, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the premium option. You’ll earn 3 points on dining and travel, 5 points on flights and 10 points on hotels and car rentals when booked through Chase Travel. You’ll also receive a 50% bonus when you redeem points through the Chase Travel portal, which is a huge advantage for frequent travelers.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
If you’re a business owner, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a great option to earn more points. You can earn 3 points on the first $150,000 spent in certain business categories, including travel, internet, and advertising. This card offers a large bonus of 90,000 points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months.
Chase Freedom Flex®
If you prefer no annual fee but still want to earn substantial travel points, the Chase Freedom Flex® is a fantastic option. It offers 5% cash back on rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) and 3% on dining and drugstore purchases. The Freedom Flex® also allows you to transfer your points to a Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Sapphire Reserve® card for travel redemptions.
By using these cards and focusing on maximizing the bonus categories, you can accumulate a significant amount of travel points quickly.
Take Advantage of Sign-Up Bonuses
Credit cards that offer lucrative sign-up bonuses are an excellent way to earn travel points . When you meet the spending requirement within the first few months, you can quickly rack up thousands of points. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, while the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Card offers 90,000 points after spending $15,000.
These bonuses can often be enough for a round-trip flight or a few hotel nights. Make sure to keep track of the spending requirements and budget accordingly to earn these valuable bonuses.
Leverage Rotating Categories and Bonus Offers
Many credit cards offer rotating bonus categories or limited-time promotions that can help you earn more points. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex® card offers 5% cash back (which can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points) on up to $1,500 in purchases on rotating categories every quarter. Categories might include grocery stores, gas stations, or online shopping.
By strategically using your card for purchases in these bonus categories, you can rack up more points in a short period.
Maximize Everyday Spending
To earn travel points , it’s important to consider all your spending categories. Use your rewards cards for everyday purchases such as groceries, dining out, gas, and online shopping. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® earn 3 points on dining, which adds up quickly if you eat out regularly. The key is to make sure you’re using your rewards cards for as many purchases as possible, without incurring unnecessary debt.
Use Shopping Portals and Bonus Promotions
Most rewards programs, including Chase Ultimate Rewards®, offer shopping portals where you can earn extra points for making purchases at select retailers. For example, you might earn additional points when you shop through Chase’s online portal at stores like Amazon, Apple, or Walmart. By taking advantage of these offers, you can rack up points even when you’re making everyday purchases.
How to Redeem Travel Points
Now that you know how to earn travel points , it’s time to learn how to redeem them effectively. Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are known for their flexibility, allowing you to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities through the Chase Travel Portal or transfer points to airline and hotel partners. Here’s how to make the most of your points:
Book Travel through the Chase Travel Portal
One of the simplest ways to redeem your points is to book travel through the Chase Travel Portal. If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, your points are worth 1.5 cents each when you book travel this way. For Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Ink Business Preferred® cardholders, your points are worth 1.25 cents each.
This option provides a straightforward way to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and activities without the complexity of transferring points to travel partners. Plus, the Chase Travel Portal is an excellent option for booking flights to destinations that may not be available through the airline partners.
Transfer Points to Airline and Hotel Partners
One of the most valuable ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards® points is by transferring them to one of Chase’s 11 airline and 3 hotel partners. Chase points transfer at a 1:1 ratio, which means that every point you transfer equals one point with the airline or hotel program.
Airline partners include major carriers such as United Airlines, Southwest, Singapore Airlines, and British Airways, while hotel partners include Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, and IHG Rewards. Transferring points to these partners often yields the best value.When booking first-class or business-class flights, or luxury hotel stays.
For instance, transferring your Chase points to Singapore Airlines could allow you to book business class flights from the U.S. to Southeast Asia for a fraction of the price you’d pay in cash. If you’re planning a luxurious vacation or want to experience premium cabins, this is the way to go.
Use Pay Yourself Back for Everyday Purchases
Chase has introduced a feature called Pay Yourself Back, which allows you to redeem points for non-travel purchases, such as groceries, home improvement, or dining. When you use Pay Yourself Back, the value of your points varies depending on the card you have.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, points are worth up to 1.5 cents per point when you redeem them for eligible categories. This is not as valuable as transferring points to travel partners. However, it’s a great option when you don’t have upcoming travel plans but still want to use your points to offset expenses.
Book Experiences and Activities
Another way to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards® points is by using them for experiences. Chase offers access to unique experiences, such as VIP tickets to concerts, sports events, and even culinary experiences. These experiences are often once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that can add value to your travels.
Although the point value for these experiences can vary, they are a fun and memorable way to use your points, especially if you’re looking for something beyond just flights and hotels.
Redeem Points for Gift Cards and Merchandise
If you’re not planning to travel anytime soon, you can redeem your Chase points for gift cards or even merchandise. This option usually offers 1 cent per point. However, you can sometimes find deals for specific retailers where your points stretch further. For example, Apple or Panera Bread may offer gift cards at a better rate, such as 2,250 points for a $25 card.
Tips for Getting the Most Value Out of Your Points
To earn travel points, it’s essential to use your points wisely when it comes time to redeem them. Here are some pro tips for maximizing your points:
- Transfer Points to Airline Partners: Transferring points to airline partners is often the best way to get the most value out of your points. First-class flights or long-haul business class tickets can provide significantly more value than booking through the Chase Travel Portal.
- Book Flights Early: Award flights are often cheaper if you book early, especially for popular destinations. Start looking for award availability as soon as your travel dates are set to lock in the best deals.
- Use the Chase Travel Portal for Deals: If you’re looking for a more affordable option, check for special deals or discounts available through the Chase Travel Portal.
Conclusion
By strategically choosing the right credit cards, you can earn travel points. Taking advantage of bonus categories and redeeming points wisely further boosts your rewards. Whether you prefer to use points for flights, hotel stays, or unique experiences, Chase Ultimate Rewards® offers incredible flexibility and value. With these tips, you’ll save money on your next adventure while enjoying the luxury of travel rewards!