Why I’m Prioritizing Chase Ultimate Rewards Points for 2026 Travel

Updated: April 15, 2026, 7:09am CDT

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Table of Contents

My Current Chase Ultimate Rewards Setup
How a 200,000-Point Welcome Offer Boosted My Balance
Why World of Hyatt Is Driving My Strategy This Year
How I’m Using Points To Requalify for Hyatt Globalist Status
Final Thoughts

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Some years, I spread my points strategy across multiple programs. This isn’t one of those years.

With several big trips on the calendar and a few ambitious hotel stays, I’ve found myself focusing heavily on a specific points program: Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

It’s not because other programs suddenly stopped being valuable. I still earn plenty of American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Bilt Rewards points. But when I looked at my travel plans for the next 6 to 12 months, Ultimate Rewards were consistently the best (and most valuable) option.

And since points don’t magically appear when you need them, I’ve decided to go all in on building a large stash of Ultimate Rewards this year, and here’s the strategy behind that decision.

My Current Chase Ultimate Rewards Setup

If you’ve been earning points for a while, you know that not all rewards are created equal. Some programs lock you into a single airline or hotel brand.

Chase Ultimate Rewards are a lot more flexible. You can transfer them to a wide range of airline and hotel partners, including United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and World of Hyatt.

EVA Air Royal Laurel 787 10 seat 9A — I’ve transferred Ultimate Rewards to Aeroplan to book expensive Star Alliance flights, such as EVA Air business class. Image Credit: Ehsan Haque

That flexibility is one of the main reasons I’ve relied on Ultimate Rewards over the years. Another is how easy it is to build a large balance if you structure your credit card setup within the Chase ecosystem.

Right now, my Chase lineup includes the following cards:

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

U.P. Rating

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

Apply Now

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and access more than $7,000 in total business and travel value in your first year.
200,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$4,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.74% - 28.49%

Credit Recommended

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card is a great pick for business owners who can easily make use of the annual credits for travel, Google Workspace, ZipRecruiter, and more. Plus, it offers helpful bonus categories such as ad spend and offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges — including Chase Sapphire Lounges.

Pros & Cons

Pros

8x points on Chase Travel purchases
4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
3x points on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (uncapped)

Cons

$795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening.
$7,000+ in value your first year. 200K points, valued at $4,000 for select flights and hotels through Chase Travel℠, plus $3,000+ in annual value through travel and business benefits.
Earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club network and Priority Pass™ Select membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.74% - 28.49%
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

LIMITED-TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

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

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

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

Welcome OfferEarn 75,000 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
75,000 100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$2,000

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.24% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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, gas, EV charging, vacation homes, 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 and emergency evacuation. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation homes (such as Airbnb and Vrbo), and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.24% - 27.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating

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.

Apply Now(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.

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

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$2,000

Annual Fee

$95

APR

17.74% - 26.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

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

Cons

No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
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
Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
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
Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 17.74% - 26.74% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating

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

Apply Now(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.

Welcome OfferEarn $750 $1,000 when you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first four months after account opening.
$750 $1,000

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$1,000

Annual Fee

APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 16.74% - 24.74% variable thereafter.

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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; 16.74% - 24.74% variable thereafter. , you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.

Pros & Cons

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 on dining and gas, and 1% back on all other purchases
Travel insurance and purchase protection

Cons

Spending caps in bonus categories
Low points earning outside of bonus categories

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn ~~$750~~ $1,000 when you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first four months after account opening
Earn 5% cash back at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year on the first $25,000 in combined spend
Earn 2% cash back on dining and gas each account anniversary year on the first $25,000 spent in combined spend.
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.
Earn 5% total cash back on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
As a Chase cardmember, you’ll be automatically checked for a credit line increase at least every 6 months.
Complimentary three-month lnstacart+ membership.
No Annual Fee
0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 16.74% - 24.74% variable thereafter.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Freedom Flex^®

U.P. Rating

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.

Welcome OfferEarn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

Pros

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%
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

Cons

3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

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 Travel℠, 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 use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States.
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
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

APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Each of these cards earns Ultimate Rewards in different bonus categories, so a significant portion of my everyday spending funnels into the same pool of transferable points. This year, I’m leaning into that strategy even more, because I know these are the points I’ll actually use.

How a 200,000-Point Welcome Offer Boosted My Balance

Earlier this year, I applied for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card when it launched with a massive 200,000-point welcome offer.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Business Pink Background — I couldn’t pass up the 200,000-point welcome offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

Whenever possible, I try to apply for cards during elevated welcome bonus offers, since they can dramatically boost your points balance compared to standard offers. This was one of the strongest offers we’ve seen from Chase in quite some time.

The goal was simple: Build a much larger balance of Ultimate Rewards, quickly.

Between the welcome offer and the points I’ll earn from spending on the card, I’ll get a significant increase in transferable points, which I know I’ll need for the trips I have planned. And many of those trips revolve around a particular hotel program.

Why World of Hyatt Is Driving My Strategy This Year

When it comes to hotel loyalty programs, World of Hyatt is easily my favorite.

Not only does the program consistently offer some of the best redemption value, but it is also one of the most valuable transfer partners of Ultimate Rewards, with points moving over at a 1:1 ratio.

For the remainder of the year, I’m already eyeing several properties where points will likely deliver solid value, including:

Hyatt Regency Maui for a family trip to Hawaii
Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée for summer travel in Europe
Park Hyatt Tokyo, which recently reopened after renovations
Grand Hyatt Taipei, a property I’ve been wanting to revisit

Hyatt Regency Maui Pool and Beach Shot — My family and I are returning to the Hyatt Regency Maui for spring break this year. Image Credit: Juan Ruiz

These are the kinds of hotels where nightly rates can easily exceed $600 during peak travel periods. Using points instead of cash can make those stays far more feasible.

How I’m Using Points To Requalify for Hyatt Globalist Status

There’s another reason Hyatt plays such a big role in my strategy: Award stays count toward elite status. That means that when I redeem points for a Hyatt stay, those nights still help me requalify for Globalist status, Hyatt’s top-tier elite level.

Globalist benefits are some of the best in the industry — free breakfast, suite upgrades when available, waived resort fees on award stays, and late checkout. To requalify, I need to earn 60 elite nights this year. One way I work toward that goal is by booking inexpensive award stays at Category 1 Hyatt properties, which can cost as little as 3,500 points per night during off-peak pricing.

These stays help me stack elite nights while saving cash for other parts of the trip. And that’s where Ultimate Rewards come into play, since they transfer to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.

Ultimate Rewards not only help me requalify for Globalist status, but they also make it possible to book aspirational properties that would otherwise be far too expensive. In other words, my Ultimate Rewards strategy this year is really all about unlocking more Hyatt stays.

Hot Tip:

In addition to Ultimate Rewards, I earn Bilt Rewards points, which also transfer to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. That’s one of the reasons I applied for the Bilt Palladium Card (rates & fees) when it was offering a 50,000-point welcome bonus offer, which I plan to use to boost my Hyatt balance even further.

Final Thoughts

Every year, my points strategy shifts depending on the trips I have planned. This year, many of those trips revolve around Hyatt hotel stays, which is exactly why I’m prioritizing Ultimate Rewards.

Between the large welcome offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card, everyday spending across my Chase cards, and the ability to transfer those points directly to Hyatt, the goal is simple: Build a points balance I know I’ll actually use. Whether that’s Hawaii, the French Riviera, or Asia, having a healthy stash of Ultimate Rewards gives me the flexibility to book high-value stays without paying steep cash rates.