#

Unlocking Maximum Value: Why Combining Chase Ultimate Rewards Points is a Smart Move

Chase Ultimate Rewards are, without a doubt, one of the most valuable and flexible currencies in the world of travel rewards. Personally, I love the Ultimate Rewards program because it offers not only a wide array of redemption options, but also the ability to easily move points between my Chase credit cards and even to my wife’s account. By combining points into a single account, you effectively amplify the value of your rewards and unlock even greater travel possibilities. I find this flexibility especially useful when planning a large family trip, as I can pool all of our points together to cover flights and hotels.

With the array of compelling offers across the Chase card portfolio, now is the perfect time to learn how to leverage this strategy to maximize your Chase points.

#

A Quick Overview of the Chase Ultimate Rewards Ecosystem

Before diving into the how-to, let’s take a quick look at the major players in the Chase Ultimate Rewards game. Here are the cards that participate in the program:

* Chase Sapphire Reserve® * Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card * Chase Freedom Flex® * Chase Freedom Unlimited® * Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card * Ink Business Cash® Credit Card * Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

It’s worth noting that while the Ink Business Premier® Credit Card is also issued by Chase, you cannot combine those rewards with other cards; they remain as cash back.

Now, some astute readers will notice that several of these cards (the Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, Ink Cash, and Ink Unlimited) are often considered cash-back cards. However, the beauty of the Ultimate Rewards program lies in its interconnectedness. While these cards technically earn cash-back rewards, they become incredibly valuable when you pair them with a premium card like the Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, or Ink Business Preferred.

This is because you can combine all the rewards you earn across all your Ultimate Rewards cards into a single account. Therefore, you can transform the cash-back rewards earned by the Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, Ink Cash, and Ink Unlimited cards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you also hold a Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, or Ink Business Preferred.

This is why I’m such a big fan of what I call the “Chase Power Combo.” It includes a mix of cards that earn both great bonus categories and a solid return on everyday spending.

#

Two Types of Ultimate Rewards Transfers

When it comes to combining Ultimate Rewards points, there are two main types of transfers you can make:

1. Transferring points between two accounts where you are the primary cardholder. 2. Transferring points between an account where you’re the primary cardholder and one where someone else is the primary cardholder (i.e., a household member).

I’ll walk you through each scenario step-by-step.

#

Getting Started: Linking Your Cards to Your Online Account

The first step is to ensure all your Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards are associated with the same online account. If you haven’t already set up online access, head to the Chase website and click “Not enrolled? Sign up now.”

If you already have a Chase account and recently applied for a new Ultimate Rewards card, it should appear automatically after approval. To double-check, log in to your account and click on “Account Activity.” Scroll down to find your new card.

I also find it useful to keep other (non-Ultimate Rewards) Chase accounts associated with the same online username. This makes managing all my cards a breeze.

#

The Nitty-Gritty: How to Combine Your Ultimate Rewards Points

Once your online account is set up, the process is mostly the same for both types of transfers. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log in: Start by logging into the Chase account from which you want to transfer points, whether it’s yours or a household member’s. 2. Select a card: Click on an Ultimate Rewards card from the homepage. 3. Redeem: Click “Redeem” next to your rewards balance. This will launch the Ultimate Rewards portal. 4. Rewards Details: At the top, click on “Rewards details” to reveal the “Combine points” option.

Now, here’s where the process diverges slightly depending on whether you’re combining points between your own accounts or transferring them to someone else.

##

Transferring Points Between Your Own Cards:

This is the simpler of the two scenarios. After clicking “Combine points,” follow these steps:

1. Choose accounts: Select the account you want to transfer points from and the account where you want the points deposited. 2. Select points: On the next page, enter the exact number of points you want to move. Unlike transferring Ultimate Rewards points to travel partners, you don’t have to stick to multiples of 1,000. 3. Review and Submit: Review the details (including the terms and conditions), and then click “Submit” to process the transfer.

The transfer is instantaneous, and your new balance will be reflected at the top of the page. I’ve done this many times, and it’s always been seamless.

##

Transferring Points to Another Person:

You can also use this feature to transfer points to (or from) another person’s account. However, before you do, it’s extremely important to understand the terms and conditions.

Chase explicitly states that you can only move points to another Chase card with Ultimate Rewards belonging to you or one member of your household. If they suspect any fraudulent activity or misuse of Ultimate Rewards, they may prohibit you from earning or using points.

When transferring points to someone else’s account, they must be a member of your household.

Here’s how it works:

Currently, the first time you transfer points to another individual’s account, you need to call the number on the back of your card. Explain to the agent that you want to combine your points with a household member and provide their card number.

After the call, the household member’s account should appear as an eligible account for online transfers. Therefore, you should only have to call once unless you or your household member removes the account.

Once you’ve added a household member’s account, the process is the same as transferring between your own cards. Choose the number of points to transfer, review, and submit.

#

When Should You Transfer Ultimate Rewards Points?

Now that you understand the mechanics of combining Ultimate Rewards points, let’s discuss when it makes sense to do so:

##

Converting Cash-Back Rewards to Ultimate Rewards Points:

As I mentioned earlier, cards like the Freedom Unlimited are not just cash-back cards. If you also hold a premium card like the Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred, you can convert your cash-back rewards into valuable Ultimate Rewards points.

For example, let’s say you have both the Sapphire Preferred and the Freedom Unlimited. The Freedom Unlimited offers bonus categories that the Sapphire Preferred doesn’t, such as:

* 3% cash back on drugstore purchases * 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

If you convert those cash-back rewards into Ultimate Rewards points (thanks to your Sapphire Preferred), you effectively earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar at drugstores and 1.5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on everything else. That’s a better return than using the Sapphire Preferred for those purchases (which would only earn 1 point per dollar).

The redemption options are even better. With a cash-back card like the Freedom Unlimited, your rewards are typically worth 1 cent apiece. However, with the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred, your points are worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. This increases to 1.5 cents for the Sapphire Reserve.

However, the real value lies in the potential to transfer points to airline and hotel partners. If you can redeem them effectively, you can significantly boost your rewards.

I use this strategy frequently in my household. My wife has an Ink Business Cash and a Freedom Unlimited, and we periodically transfer her rewards into my Chase Sapphire Reserve account. This allows me to use those points for higher-value redemptions than she could achieve on her own.

##

Boosting Accounts for a Specific Redemption:

Another common scenario is when you have a specific redemption in mind but not enough points in a single account. Maybe you’re eyeing a business-class flight to Europe or a luxurious hotel stay. If your household member has some extra points, they can transfer them to you so you can make your dream redemption a reality.

##

When Canceling a Card:

Finally, combining points is a smart move if you’re planning to cancel a card. For instance, if you want to upgrade from the Sapphire Preferred to the Sapphire Reserve, you can’t have both at the same time. While downgrading to a card like the Freedom Unlimited might be a better option, you might choose to cancel instead.

Before you do, make sure to transfer your rewards to another account (either yours or your household member’s) to avoid losing them.

#

The Bottom Line

The Ultimate Rewards program is remarkably valuable, largely due to its flexibility. You can transfer to various travel partners and combine points across your accounts or transfer them to a household member.

If you’ve recently applied for a new Ultimate Rewards-earning card, I hope this post has shown you how to maximize your points even further. By combining your rewards strategically, you can unlock incredible travel experiences and make the most of your Chase credit cards.