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In 2025, Chase Ultimate Rewards is a solid credit card rewards program, particularly for those interested in travel, shopping, or obtaining everyday financial benefits that offer flexibility. Points earned with Chase-branded cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Ink Business Preferred® can be used for various options. These include booking travel, obtaining cash back, acquiring gift cards, and transferring money to airline or hotel partners.
Financial sites such as NerdWallet and The Points Guy indicate that Chase Ultimate Rewards points may be valued at around 2.0 cents each when transferred to travel partners effectively. This is more than the typical 1 cent per point when you redeem them for cash. The way users utilize those points can influence their overall value. Knowing how to best use Chase points can make a big difference in how they help you reach your financial and lifestyle goals. Here are 12 good ways to get the most out of Chase Ultimate Rewards in 2025.
- 1. Redeem for Travel Through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal
- 2. Transfer Points to Airline Partners
- 3. Book Exclusive Experiences
- 4. Redeem for Cash Back via Statement Credit
- 5. Use the “Pay Yourself Back” Feature
- 6. Shop with Points at Retailers Like Amazon
- 7. Trade Points for Gift Cards
- 8. Combine Points with Authorized Users or Family Members
- 9. Take Advantage of Point Boost Promotions
- 10. Donate Points to Charitable Organizations
- 11. Book Luxury Hotel Stays with Hyatt or Ritz-Carlton
- 12. Earn More Through the Ultimate Rewards Dining Program
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recommended Reads
1. Redeem for Travel Through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal
Booking flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal offers enhanced point value. For example, points are worth 25% more with the Chase Sapphire Preferred and 50% more with the Chase Sapphire Reserve when redeemed for travel.
Advantages
- Higher redemption value
- No blackout dates
- Transparent price comparisons
2. Transfer Points to Airline Partners
When you transfer points to one of Chase’s airline partners, like United, Southwest, or Air Canada Aeroplan, you usually get the most points, especially for premium cabin tickets.
Benefits
- Potentially higher redemption rates (up to 2.0 cents/point)
- Access to exclusive award seat availability
- Stopover and open-jaw booking flexibility
- Seasonal bonus transfer offers
3. Book Exclusive Experiences
Chase Ultimate Rewards can be used to book dining events, concerts, and special cultural experiences through the portal or Chase Experiences platform.
Common Options
- Chef-hosted dinners
- Concerts and backstage passes
- Art shows or sporting events
4. Redeem for Cash Back via Statement Credit
Chase points can be redeemed for statement credits, typically valued at 1 cent per point. While not the highest-value redemption, this offers flexibility and immediate value.
Advantages
- No restrictions
- Instant account credit
- Useful for budgeting and bill offsetting
5. Use the “Pay Yourself Back” Feature
This feature lets cardholders use their points to buy things that are eligible for a higher value, usually between 1.25 and 1.5 cents per point, by using categories like groceries, dining, and charitable donations.
Features
- Higher redemption rate than cash back
- Flexible timing
- Useful for essential purchases
6. Shop with Points at Retailers Like Amazon
You can use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to pay for things on Amazon and Apple.com. This method is easy to use, but it usually gives you less value, about 0.8 cents per point.
Pros and Cons
- Convenient for immediate purchases
- No minimum point redemption required
- Lower point value than other methods
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7. Trade Points for Gift Cards
Chase offers gift cards from major retailers such as Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and Macy’s. These are often available at face value (1 cent per point) and occasionally discounted.
Use Cases
- Seasonal gift-giving
- Budgeting for known purchases
- Avoiding out-of-pocket costs
Chase allows point transfers between household members or authorized users on eligible cards. Pooling points helps maximize redemptions for joint travel or large bookings.
Tactical Uses
- Booking group travel
- Consolidating for first/business class redemptions
- Joint budgeting for shared experiences
9. Take Advantage of Point Boost Promotions
Chase occasionally offers bonus redemption values during promotional periods or on specific categories (e.g., dining, tech, or holiday shopping).
Tips
- Subscribe to email alerts or check the portal
- Align large purchases with promo periods
- Watch for portal bonuses with partners like Apple or Peloton
10. Donate Points to Charitable Organizations
Chase allows redemptions of points toward charitable donations, particularly during disaster relief or end-of-year giving campaigns.
Impact Areas
- Local nonprofits
- International relief organizations
- Educational initiatives
11. Book Luxury Hotel Stays with Hyatt or Ritz-Carlton
Transferring points to Chase’s hotel partners like Hyatt or Marriott Bonvoy can offer excellent value, especially for luxury stays. Hyatt redemptions, in particular, are often rated among the highest-value options.
Why It Works
- Suite upgrades and club lounge access
- High redemption value for award nights
- Premium locations for less out-of-pocket spending
12. Earn More Through the Ultimate Rewards Dining Program
By dining at participating restaurants and registering a Chase card with the rewards dining portal, cardholders earn bonus points on eligible purchases.
Program Highlights
- Automatic point accrual when enrolled
- Local and national restaurant partners
- Works for dine-in and takeout
Conclusion
Chase Ultimate Rewards is still one of the best and most flexible credit card rewards programs in 2025. The value of points depends on how they are used. For example, you can use them to pay for luxury travel, everyday expenses, or meaningful donations. Cardholders can get a lot more out of their rewards by knowing what their options are and using better ways to redeem them, like transfer partners, promotions, and travel portals. This can help them personally and financially.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is one Chase point worth?
The average value is about 1 cent per point, but it can go up to 1.25–2.0 cents depending on how the points are used, especially when they are used for travel transfers or the Pay Yourself Back program.
Can Chase points expire?
Chase Ultimate Rewards points do not expire as long as the card account remains open and in good standing.
What is the best Chase card for earning travel rewards?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Chase Sapphire Reserve® are two of the most popular options, offering increased value when redeeming points for travel or transferring to partners.
Can Chase points be used with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Chase points cannot be spent directly through Apple Pay or Google Pay, but you can redeem points as statement credits against purchases made through those platforms.
Are there any fees when transferring points to travel partners?
Chase does not charge a fee for point transfers. However, each transfer must be made in 1,000-point increments and is subject to the partner’s program availability.
How do I combine points with a family member?
Chase allows points to be transferred to a household member or authorized user on the same account. This can be done through the Ultimate Rewards dashboard under the “Combine Points” option.
Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.
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Article Title: Best Way to Use Chase Points
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