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19 Best Ways To Earn Lots of Chase Ultimate Rewards Points [2024]

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Christine Krzyszton
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Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

305 Published Articles

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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, deta...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...

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Chase Ultimate Rewards points rival Amex Membership Rewards points as the “holy grail” of credit card rewards.

This is evidenced by the fact that Ultimate Rewards points offer everything you’d want from a rewards currency, including the ability to earn a lot of points without limits and the option to select from a wide variety of flexible redemption options.

Chase issues a powerful collection of credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points, so there’s a card (or combination of cards) for every spending profile, whether personal or business.

In fact, you may need a primer on how many ways you can earn Ultimate Rewards points. So, in this article, we’ll cover why you’d want to earn Ultimate Rewards points, which personal and business Chase credit cards earn Ultimate Rewards points, and all of the ways you can earn Ultimate Rewards points.

Let’s get started!

Why Ultimate Rewards Points?

Credit cards offer several reward currencies, but the most valuable are those with flexible redemption options that are relatively easy to earn.

Ultimate Rewards points are valuable because they have both of those key characteristics.

Flexibility of Ultimate Rewards

Flexible redemption options for your Ultimate Rewards points result in rewards that you can actually use!

  • Redeem rewards at any time with no minimum or maximum redemption amount per transaction
  • Transfer rewards to the loyalty programs of the Chase travel partners
  • Transfer rewards between business and personal Ultimate Rewards accounts
  • Use a combination of points and cash for travel purchases
  • Have the option to redeem points for cash, gift cards, and more

Ease of Earning Ultimate Rewards

Earning Ultimate Rewards points on your purchases is easy when your spending mix matches the reward-earning categories on your Chase credit card.

  • Every purchase made earns Ultimate Rewards points
  • Bonus category purchases allow you to earn up to 10x rewards
  • Generous welcome offers jumpstart your earnings
  • Earn up to 20x Ultimate Rewards or more through the Shop through Chase shopping portal

With all the ways available to earn Ultimate Rewards, you may need some assistance sorting through all of the options.

Let’s look at which Chase credit cards earn Ultimate Rewards points and the many ways to earn them.

Bottom Line: Earning a lot of valuable Ultimate Rewards points creates an asset that can be used to fund a family vacation, offset business expenses, or redeem for immediate cash in an emergency.

Earn Lots of Chase Ultimate Rewards With Chase Personal Cards

Honolulu Sunset beach
Chase personal credit cards earn Ultimate Rewards that can be used to fund a dream vacation. Image Credit: Christine Krzyszton

There are plenty of ways to earn Ultimate Rewards points with Chase personal credit cards. Whether your greatest spending is on travel, dining out, or shopping at wholesale clubs, you’re going to earn rewards on every purchase.

Let’s take a look at all the ways to earn Ultimate Rewards points with Chase personal cards.

Chase Personal Cards That Earn Ultimate Rewards Points

There are a number of personal Chase credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points. Each has features, benefits, and earning structures that reward specific spending patterns.

POPULAR FIRST CARD
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
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 Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros

  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
  • 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel worldwide
  • $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
  • 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
  • Excellent travel and car rental insurance
  • 10% annual bonus points
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
  • 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 Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
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.
60,000 points
$1,200
$550
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros

  • 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
  • 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
  • 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
  • 5x points on airfare booked through Chase TravelSM
  • 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • Priority Pass airport lounge access
  • TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
  • Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
  • Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

  • $550 annual fee
  • Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
  • 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℠.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
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.
Up to $300 cash back
$0
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros

  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
  • Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
  • Ability to pool points

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. 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!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros

  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Excellent cell phone insurance
  • Ability to pool points
  • Mastercard World Elite benefits

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. 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!
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

1. Earn a Welcome Bonus Offer

The fastest way to earn plenty of Ultimate Rewards points is to sign up for a Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, complete the initial spending requirement, and earn a welcome bonus offer.

All Chase credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points offer a welcome bonus offer, and some can be quite generous. Although offers can differ, the bonus is generally earned after reaching an initial spending level in the first 90 days after you’re approved for the card.

2. Purchase Travel

Fortunately, Chase defines “travel” very broadly, so nearly any travel-related purchase you make will earn extra rewards.

The merchant code assigned by the credit card network will determine eligibility, but Chase lists the following examples of purchases that qualify as travel:

  • Airlines
  • Buses, limos, taxis, ferries
  • Campgrounds
  • Car rental agencies
  • Cruise lines
  • Highway and bridge tolls
  • Hotels and motels
  • Parking lots/garages
  • Passenger trains
  • Timeshares
  • Travel agencies and discount travel sites

Let’s take a look at the earning power of making travel purchases with your personal Chase credit card:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Chase Personal Credit Card for Travel PurchasesRewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  • 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel
  • 3x points on other travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
  • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • 2x points on all other travel
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • 5% cash-back (through Chase Travel)
Chase Freedom Flex℠
  • 5% cash-back (through Chase Travel)

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers the highest rewards for travel purchases (and for redemption), it does come with a $550 annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers up to 5 points per $1 spent on travel, has a lower $95 annual fee, and still delivers 25% more value when redeeming points for travel on the Chase travel portal.

Bottom Line: If you have a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to those accounts and redeem them for greater value (up to 50% more) through the Chase travel portal. 

3. Use Chase Travel

While many use Chase Travel to redeem Ultimate Rewards points, you can also earn points by purchasing travel through the portal.

A convenient way to do this is to pay for a portion of your travel purchase with Ultimate Rewards Points and the remainder using your Chase credit card. You will earn the corresponding Ultimate Rewards points for the amount of travel charged on your card.

4. Buy Groceries

The Freedom Unlimited card earns 1.5% cash-back on every purchase, making it a good choice for everyday purchases, including groceries.

5. Dine Out

Chase Sapphire Preferred Upgraded Points LLC 11 Large
Pay for your meal with your Chase credit card and earn lots of Ultimate Rewards points. Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Do you dine out a lot? Several Chase credit cards earn elevated rewards on purchases made at restaurants:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Best Personal Chase Card for DiningRewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®3x points on dining
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card3x points on dining
Chase Freedom Unlimited®3% cash-back

6. Fill Up Your Tank

The Freedom Unlimited card earns 1.5% cash-back on every purchase, including purchases made at gas stations.

7. Pay Your Household Bills

Since all Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards earn rewards on every purchase, you’ll earn points for paying your household expenses.

SCROLL FOR MORE
Personal Chase Card for Paying Household BillsBonus Spending CategoryRewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®All purchases1 point per $1 spent
Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardAll purchases1 point per $1 spent
Chase Freedom Unlimited®All purchases1.5% cash-back

8. Earn on Quarterly Bonus Spending Categories

Freedom Flex 2023 Q2 5 bonus categories
Earn 5% cash-back at quarterly bonus merchants. Image Credit: Chase

The Freedom Flex card has a unique earning structure with quarterly bonus categories that earn 5% cash-back!

Each quarter, there’s a different lineup of bonus category merchants. Previous bonus merchants have included department stores, restaurants, gas stations, wholesale clubs, and theaters. There is a limit of $1,500 in purchases per quarter that earn 5% — any additional spending in the bonus category will only earn 1%.

While we don’t yet know the 5% bonus categories for all of 2024 just yet, we do know the bonus categories for the first quarter of this year. You can earn 5% cash-back on up to $1,500 in purchases at grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart); fitness clubs and gym memberships; and self-care and spa services between now and March 31, 2024, as long as you activate the bonus category by March 14, 2024.

Hot Tip: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Chase Sapphire Reserve card allow you to earn 5x to 10x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025.

Earn Lots of Chase Ultimate Rewards Points With Chase Business Credit Cards

Chase Ink Business Preferred Upgraded Points LLC 2 Large
Every purchase your business makes can earn Ultimate Rewards points with a Chase business credit card. Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Chase Business Cards That Earn Ultimate Rewards

If you have a business (small or large), there’s a Chase business credit card that will match up with your business spending mix to earn the most Ultimate Rewards points possible.

NEW OFFER
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel
100,000 points
$2,000
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

Pros

  • 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
  • Cell phone protection
  • Purchase protection
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
  • Rental car insurance
  • Extended warranty coverage

Cons

  • No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
  • Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
  • Member FDIC
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
$750
$750
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.

When you factor in that the card has no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.

Pros

  • Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
  • Travel insurance and purchase protection
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Spending caps in bonus categories
  • Low points earning outside of bonus categories
  • 3% foreign transaction fees
  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • 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
  • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$750
$750
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter

Pros

  • 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • Earn flexible rewards

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
  • No Annual Fee
  • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card

Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn up to 5% cash-back for your business without complex bonus earning categories!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card

Earn up to 5% cash-back for your business without complex bonus earning categories!
Earn $1,000 bonus cash-back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$1,000
$195
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

Chase has introduced the Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card to its business credit card lineup. With straightforward cash-back earnings on everyday purchases and large expenses, tools to help you monitor your business, and multiple ways to redeem your rewards, this is a great card option to consider.

Pros

  • Earn 2.5% total cash-back on purchases of $5,000 or more
  • Earn 2% cash-back on all other business purchases
  • Unlimited 5% total cash-back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
  • No additional cost for employee cards
  • Cell phone protection
  • Primary rental car coverage
  • Purchase protection
  • Extended warranty coverage

Cons

  • $195 annual fee
  • Some purchases need to be paid in full each month and don’t qualify for Flex for Business APR
  • Rewards cannot be pooled with Chase cards that offer access to transfer partners
  • Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
  • Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
  • The only business credit card with 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
  • For businesses who prefer to pay their balance in full each month, Ink Business Premier gives access to increased spending power, rich rewards, and premium benefits.
  • Pay off eligible purchases over time with interest up to assigned Flex for Business limit. All other purchases must be paid in full each month.
  • Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
  • There's no additional cost for employee cards. Monitor spend with digital tools like purchase alerts, set spending limits, reporting, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Maximizing the Ink Business Unlimited Card

If you have a premium Chase credit card (i.e., a card that carries an annual fee) such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can transfer the rewards earned on your Ink Business Unlimited card over to those cards. You’ll then receive up to 50% more value when redeeming for travel through Chase Travel.

Bottom Line: With multiple Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning business credit cards, finding one that matches your business spending patterns and earns the most rewards is easy.

9. Pay for Travel Expenses

Those expenses add up quickly if your business involves a lot of travel. Earning Ultimate Rewards on those purchases delivers tremendous value back into your business — or can help fund that much-needed family vacation.

Hot Tip: The definition of “travel” for Chase purchases is the same for personal and business credit cards.

SCROLL FOR MORE
Chase Business Credit Card for Travel ExpensesRewards for Travel Purchases
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card3x points per $1 spent
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card1.5% cash-back
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card1% cash-back

Whether you’re purchasing an airline ticket, staying at an Airbnb, or taking a taxi across town, all your travel-related purchases (up to $150,000 per year) earn 3 points per dollar spent on the Ink Business Preferred card.

Read our guide to find out how you can redeem Chase points for Airbnb rewards.

10. Earning Through Chase Travel

Redeeming your Ultimate Rewards points through Chase Travel with the Ink Business Preferred card gives you 25% extra value. Additionally, you can purchase travel via the portal and earn 3 points per dollar spent when you pay with your Ink Business Preferred card.

Chase Travel also allows you to pay partially with points and the remainder with your Chase credit card. You’ll earn Ultimate Rewards points on the portion you pay with your card.

11. Pay Other Business Expenses

Your business has many different expenses that may or may not fall into a particular bonus-earning category. Selecting the business credit card that closely matches your largest expenses will ensure you’re earning maximum rewards.

Here’s a sample of how Chase business credit cards earn on common business expenses.

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Chase Business CardBusiness Expense CategoriesBusiness Expense Rewards
Ink Business Cash® Credit CardOffice supplies, internet, cable, phone5% cash-back, up to $25,000 in combined purchases in 5% categories every cardmember year
Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardShipping, advertising, internet, cable, phone3x points per $1 spent, up to $150,000 in combined purchases in 3x categories every cardmember year
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit CardAll business purchases1.5% cash-back

Hot Tip: If your business maximized the $150,000 limit for 3x earnings on the Ink Business Preferred card, your business would realize $5,625 worth of travel when redeeming points through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal!

12. Purchase Gift Cards

Many Ultimate Rewards bonus category merchants (such as office supply stores and gas stations) sell gift cards you can purchase to use for non-bonus category spending.

For example, you may be able to purchase grocery store, gas, hotel, and department store gift cards at an office supply store or gas station and receive an elevated 3% to 5% bonus on the purchase.

13. Dine Out

All those restaurant business meetings, late-night hotel dinners, and quick bites during your road trip could also earn you Ultimate Rewards points!

Use these business Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards for multiple rewards per dollar spent on dining:

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Chase Business Credit Card for DiningRewards
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card2% cash-back on the first $25,000 spent (including combined purchases on gas)
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card1.5% cash-back
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card1 point per $1 spent

14. Fill Up Your Tank

The Ink Business Cash card is your go-to card for gas purchases. If you’re a road warrior, you’ll earn 2% cash-back on the first $25,000 spent at the pump (including combined purchases on dining).

Using the Ink Business Unlimited card would also be a good option, as it earns 1.5% on every purchase (including gas)!

More Ways To Earn Ultimate Rewards on Chase Credit Cards

No matter which Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card you have, you can earn multiple points per dollar spent on your card.

15. Go Shopping in the Chase Ultimate Rewards Shopping Portal

Shop through Chase featured stores
Earn multiple Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent via Shop through Chase. Image Credit: Chase

An excellent way to earn Ultimate Rewards points is to utilize Chase’s shopping portal: Shop through Chase.

You can log in to the Ultimate Rewards shopping portal using your Chase account online password.

Click on Earn Bonus Points at the top of the Ultimate Rewards home page, and you’ll see the shopping link.

Hot Tip: Earn big on dining out by purchasing Restaurant.com certificates on Shop through Chase to earn up to 20 points per dollar spent or more during special promotions.

16. Everyday Purchases

Every purchase on your Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card earns at least 1 point per $1 spent.

17. 90-Day Second Chance Welcome Offer

If you’ve signed up for a Chase credit card offer and see a higher offer is now available, you can contact Chase; they may match that offer.

For example, say you were approved for a Chase credit card with a welcome bonus offer of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points, but you now see that a 75,000-point welcome bonus offer is available.

You might be able to get that offer matched by Chase. Within 90 days of approval, just call or send a secure message via your Chase online account to see if they’ll consider granting the higher welcome bonus offer.

18. Refer-A-Friend for a Chase Credit Card

Chase Refer-a-Friend
Earn big when referring friends for a Chase credit card. Image Credit: Chase

The Chase Refer-A-Friend bonus is another great way to earn more Ultimate Rewards points without spending. If you have an Ultimate Rewards-earning Chase credit card, you can refer a friend to sign up — and you’ll both receive a bonus. Once they meet the offer requirements, they will earn the stated welcome offer on the card, and you’ll get a bonus once they’re approved and make a purchase!

Bonus amounts vary depending on the card and whether an existing offer is available. There is also an annual limit to how many points you can earn.

19. Add an Authorized User

Ultimate Reward bonuses for adding an authorized user to your credit card come and go.

Once you’re approved for your new Chase credit card, you may receive a bonus offer for adding an authorized user. You can also call the number on the back of your card to see if a bonus is available.

Everything Else You Need To Know

There is no set limit to how many Chase credit cards you can have, but Chase does have a rule about how many total credit cards you can open within 24 months.

Hot Tip: Be sure to review the Chase 5/24 rule before applying for any Chase credit card.

As Chase allows you to have only 1 Sapphire credit card, you’ll need to decide between the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Both cards are personal credit cards.

Final Thoughts

While there are plenty of ways to earn lots of valuable Ultimate Rewards points, the real fun starts at redemption time.

If you have a premium Chase credit card, such as the Ink Business Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Preferred card, or Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you’ll receive 25% to 50% more value when redeeming points on the Ultimate Rewards travel portal (depending on the card).

You’ll also experience enhanced value when you transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Chase’s travel partners.

Check out our complete guide for other ways to redeem your Ultimate Rewards Points for maximum value.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Chase points?

Chase’s points program is called Ultimate Rewards. The points you earn, redeem, and transfer are called Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

What are Ultimate Rewards points worth?

The value of Ultimate Rewards points depends on the redemption. A poor redemption, such as cash-back, will result in a value of about 1 cent per point.

You can redeem points with many Chase partners, including frequent flyer and hotel loyalty partners. For some of these programs, the value can be as high as 7 cents per point, depending on your redemption!

That’s like getting a $100 ticket for the equivalent of about 1,428 points.

How do I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United, Southwest, British Airways, and other airlines?

To transfer your points to airlines:

  1. Sign in to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account.
  2. Select Go to Ultimate Rewards on the right side of your account under your Ultimate Rewards points.
  3. Hover over Use Points at the top and select Transfer to Travel Partners.
  4. Choose from one of the listed airlines by selecting Transfer Points next to its name.
  5. Select your name or the recipient’s name from the drop-down menu and enter the member ID associated with the partner to which you are transferring points (e.g., British Airways).
  6. Enter the number of points (in increments of 1,000) you wish to transfer from your Ultimate Rewards account to the partner account and press Continue.

When do Ultimate Rewards points update in your account?

Points earned will appear in your Ultimate Rewards account at the end of each monthly billing cycle.

How do I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to a spouse?

You must add a spouse or member of your household as an authorized user before you can transfer points to them. After you’ve done this, go to your Ultimate Rewards account, hover over your points on the top right, and select Combine points.

Then you will see your spouse listed on the loaded page. Select your spouse’s name and press Continue to enter in the number of points you want to transfer.

When do Chase Ultimate Rewards points expire?

Chase points do not expire. The only way you can lose points is if you or Chase closes your account.

Christine Krzyszton's image

About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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