9 Chase Credit Cards that Earn Ultimate Rewards

BySamantha Hawrylack Last Updated:

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Chase offers one of the largest selections of credit cards, each with different benefits. There are cards for everyone, whether you want cash back, travel rewards, or a business credit card. 

Why choose a card that earns Ultimate Rewards? If you travel even just a few times a year, we’ll explain how you can get excellent value from one or more of these credit cards.

credit cards that earn chase ultimate rewards

Why Choose a Credit Card That Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards?

Chase Ultimate Rewards allows some Chase credit card holders to earn and redeem rewards points. You can redeem your points for cash back, travel, or gift cards. Most Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards pay at least one point per dollar spent. But many cards offer opportunities to earn elevated rewards in certain categories, including travel, dining, streaming services, and drugstore purchases. A few Chase cards also offer 25% to 50% more value for your points when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

If you have a Chase Ultimate Rewards card that offers bonus value, you can get 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point, whereas redeeming for cash back or gift cards offers a value of 1 cent per point. The three credit cards that offer bonus value are the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. We’ll tell you more about each card in the next section.

You can also transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to Chase travel partners to get more value for your points. Chase’s travel partners include:

  • Aer Lingus, AerClub
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Emirates Skywards®
  • Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM
  • Iberia Plus
  • JetBlue TrueBlue
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®
  • United MileagePlus®
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • IHG® Rewards Club
  • Marriott Bonvoy®
  • World of Hyatt®

9 Credit Cards That Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards

1. Chase Freedom Flex(SM)

Chase Freedom Flex(SM) is great for anyone because of its 5% cash back categories on everyday purchases, including groceries, restaurants, and other necessities. It’s a great card to earn cash back on your basic expenses, but you must be organized enough to track the bonus categories each month to ensure you use your Freedom Flex card to maximize your earnings.

Rewards:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
3% cash back
Drugstores
3% cash back on drugstore purchases
3% cash back
Dining
3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
5% cash back
Rotating Categories
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
5% cash back
Travel
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

0% APR: Get 0% on purchases and transfers for the first 15 months months. After that, your rate will be 20.49%–29.24% variable, depending on creditworthiness.

Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Read our Chase Freedom Flex(SM) Review

2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers elevated cash back on purchases in three categories, plus an elevated 1.5% cash back on other purchases (most other cards offer just 1% for this category). There aren’t any revolving categories to track; you get the same cash back year-round. This card works well for those who don’t want the hassle of rotating categories and want above-average cash back on everyday purchases.

Rewards:

1.5% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
3% cash back
Drugstores
Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
3% cash back
Dining
Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
5% cash back
Travel
5% cash back on all travel purchased through Chase Travel(SM)

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

0% APR: Get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. After that, your rate will be 20.49% - 29.24% variable, depending on creditworthiness.

Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review

3. Chase Freedom Rise℠

The Chase Freedom Rise℠ replaces the former Chase Freedom Student card. This is an entry-level credit card for anyone new to credit, not just students. The card offers rewards, which you can use to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can earn a $25 statement credit if you sign up for autopay in the first three months. If you use the card responsibly, Chase will consider you for a credit line increase in as little as six months.

Rewards:

1.5% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.

Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Read our Chase Freedom Rise℠ Review

4. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

25% more value when you redeem your rewards for travel through Chase

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card does charge an annual fee but also offers travelers more perks. For example, if you redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal, you’ll get 25% more value for your points. For example, if you have 50,000 points, they’d be worth $625 in Chase Ultimate Rewards versus $500 when you redeem them for cash back.

Cardholders also get up to $50 in statement credits each anniversary for hotel stays booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. 

Rewards:

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
1x points on all other purchases
2x points
Travel
2x points on all other travel purchases
3x points
U.S. supermarkets
Earn 3x points on online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
3x points
Streaming services
Earn 3x points on select streaming services
3x points
Dining
3x points on dining
5x points
Travel
5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel(SM)

Annual Fee: $95

Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Foreign Transaction Fee: $0

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review

5. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase

If you travel frequently, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers 50% more value for points you use to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The annual fee is steep, but for frequent travelers who prefer premium perks like unlimited airport lounge access, the annual fee can be worth it.

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders also get up to $300 in travel credits per year for travel charged to the card.

Rewards:

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
3x points
Dining
Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
5x points
Travel
Earn 5x points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Travel(SM) immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
10x points
Travel
10x on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel(SM) immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.

Annual Fee: $550, plus $75 for each authorized user

Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Foreign Transaction Fee: $0

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® Review

6. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

 If you run a business and like the idea of cash back, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card can help you reach your cash back goals quickly. You’ll earn rewards on the basics of running a business, along with cashback at gas stations and restaurants.

Rewards:  

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
2% cash back
Dining
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.
2% cash back
Gas
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.
5% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.

0% APR: Get 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months months. After that, your rate will be 18.49% - 24.49% variable, depending on creditworthiness.

Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Read our Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Review

7. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

 If you prefer a flat percentage of cash back, no matter the category, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card card is for you. There are no categories to remember or activate; instead, you earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, and the earnings are unlimited.

Rewards:

1.5% cash back
All eligible purchases
1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases with no limits to the amount you can earn

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

0% APR: Get 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months; after that, your rate will be 18.49% - 24.49% variable, depending on creditworthiness.

Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Read our Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Review

8. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

25% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase

If you travel for business, you can make the most of your cash back by using your points for travel through Chase. With the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you’ll get 25% more value from your points by redeeming them for travel through the Chase portal. 

Rewards:

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
3x points
All eligible purchases
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.

Annual Fee: $95

Welcome Bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Foreign Transaction Fee: $0

Read our Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Review

9. Ink Business Premier® Credit Card

 If you prefer to pay your credit cards in full, the Ink Business Premier® Credit Card is for you. This is a pay-in-full card, though some purchases may be paid over time. In addition, there’s no cost for employee cards, and you’ll get fraud and purchase protection. However, you can’t combine these points with the points you earn from other Chase cards, and you can’t transfer them to travel partners. 

Rewards:

2% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases
2.5% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more
5% cash back
Travel
Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel(SM)

Annual Fee: $195

Welcome Bonus: Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Foreign Transaction Fee: $0

Read our Ink Business Premier® Credit Card Review

How Does Chase Ultimate Rewards Work?

Chase Ultimate Rewards offers cardholders many options to redeem their points, including:

  • Cashback
  • Amazon points
  • Gift cards
  • Travel

With the exception of the Ink Business Premier® Credit Card, you can transfer your points from one Chase card to one of the three cards that offer bonus value to get more for your rewards.

You can also transfer your points to a travel partner. You’ll need a minimum of 1,000 points to transfer and can use the points to book airline or hotel stays.

Pro Tips for Using Chase Ultimate Rewards

Taking advantage of Chase Ultimate Rewards can be lucrative if you do it right. But first, you must get approved. Chase has a strict unwritten rule called the 5/24 rule, which means if you opened more than five credit cards anywhere in the last 24 months, you likely won’t be approved for a new Chase card.

Once approved, here are a few ways to make the most of your points.

  • Use your no-annual-fee credit cards, like Chase Freedom Flex, to earn elevated rewards on rotating categories and drugstores and transfer the points to a card that earns bonus points for booking travel through Ultimate Rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
  • Take advantage of bonus offers on the Shop through Chase portal by logging into your Chase account, clicking on ‘Rewards,’ and scrolling down to access the Shop through Chase portal.
  • Take advantage of Chase Pay Yourself Back rewards. If you don’t want to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, consider the Pay Yourself Back program that pays 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point for certain categories on your credit card statement, such as gas, groceries, or dining.

Read more: 14 Ways to Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards

FAQs

Which Chase Card gets you into airport lounges?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card gets you access to 1,300+ airport lounges in over 500 cities. Each cardholder is allowed a total of two guests, and any other guests will pay a fee.

How much are 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points worth?

60,000 Ultimate Rewards points are worth $600 for standard rewards, but if you have a card that offers bonus points for Ultimate Rewards travel, they could be worth as much as $750 to $900.

Do Chase points expire?

Chase Ultimate points do not expire unless you close your credit card account.

Final Thoughts

Chase Ultimate Rewards offers many ways to secure the best rewards, especially when you redeem your points for travel through Chase or transfer to a travel partner. If you have several Chase credit cards, transfer your rewards to the card that gets bonus points to maximize the value of your rewards.

Samantha Hawrylack is the owner of SJ Digital Solutions and How To FIRE. She writes about finance, investing, real estate, credit, and many more topics. Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur, she was a brokerage investment professional in the financial services industry.