{"id":246416,"date":"2026-06-15T17:32:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T17:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/15\/6-ways-to-get-strong-value-from-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T17:32:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T17:32:44","slug":"6-ways-to-get-strong-value-from-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/15\/6-ways-to-get-strong-value-from-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"6 ways to get strong value from Chase Ultimate Rewards points – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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If you feel like you sometimes need a Points PhD to make the most of your credit card rewards, you aren’t alone.<\/p>\n

While some rewards enthusiasts love diving into airline alliances and transfer sweet spots, that’s not the only way to get strong value from your points. In fact, Chase Ultimate Rewards points offer several easy redemption options that don’t require learning a single transfer partner. Chase’s ecosystem is one of the most flexible, allowing you to get more value from your points in more places.<\/p>\n

Whether you want to book a trip, offset everyday expenses, redeem for gift cards or simply pocket some extra cash into your Chase checking account, there are plenty of straightforward ways to put your points to work.<\/p>\n

And with the current Chase Sapphire Preferred\u00ae Card<\/a><\/span> (see rates and fees<\/a><\/span>) welcome offer to earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, the value can add up quickly. Depending on how you redeem, those points can easily be worth $1,000 or more \u2014 all on a card with a $95 annual fee. That means the value of the welcome bonus alone can potentially exceed the annual fee by more than 10 times.<\/p>\n

Here are six easy ways \u2014 outside of transfer partners \u2014 to easily redeem your Chase points and reap some excellent rewards.<\/p>\n

Book trips through Chase Travel<\/h2>\n

If you want a simple way to redeem your points without transferring them to an airline or hotel partner, Chase Travel\u2120 is one of the easiest options available.<\/p>\n

Through the portal, eligible cardmembers can use Ultimate Rewards points to book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and more directly through Chase. There’s no need to worry about award availability, airline alliances or complicated redemption charts.<\/p>\n

And with Chase Sapphire Preferred, your points can also be worth more when redeemed this way. You can redeem your points through Chase Travel for up to 1.5 cents apiece for some redemptions, thanks to Chase’s Points Boost offers.<\/p>\n

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CHASE TRAVEL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That means a 100,000-point welcome bonus could potentially provide as much as $1,500 in travel value through Chase Travel \u2014 an impressive return for a card with a $95 annual fee.<\/p>\n

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One of my best redemptions to date was with points through Chase Travel. I snagged a three-night stay at Hotel Indigo Florence by IHG, a property that would have cost nearly $800 in cash. Thanks to a Points Boost offer in the travel portal, I was able to book the three-night stay for just over 49,000 points plus $49.26 in fees.<\/p>\n

Another major advantage is that flights and some hotels booked through Chase Travel can still earn program-specific rewards and elite-status credits. That creates a double win: You can redeem points for travel while still taking advantage of your airline or hotel loyalty program benefits.<\/p>\n

And unlike some airline programs that require you to have enough miles for an entire booking, Chase allows you to combine points and cash. That makes it easy to use even a small balance of leftover points toward a trip. Plus, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardmembers now get a $100 hotel credit annually for hotel bookings through Chase Travel \u2014 letting your points go even further.<\/p>\n

Use Pay Yourself Back for everyday purchases<\/h2>\n

Pay Yourself Back gives Chase cardmembers another easy redemption option that doesn’t involve booking travel.<\/p>\n

The feature allows eligible cardmembers to redeem Ultimate Rewards points for statement credits against select everyday purchases, often at an elevated redemption rate. Plus, the annual fee is included as a Pay Yourself Back option for Sapphire Preferred, allowing cardmembers to cover it with points.<\/p>\n

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THOMAS BARWICK\/GETTY IMAGES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Current eligible categories include pet supply stores and veterinary services, where some cardmembers can receive 25% more value for their points \u2014 equal to 1.25 cents per point. Select charitable donations may qualify for 50% more value, or 1.5 cents per point.<\/p>\n

And for Q3, we already know that one of these categories will be public transit (excluding ride-hailing services).<\/p>\n

The eligible categories can change periodically, so it’s worth checking Chase’s current offers to see what’s available.<\/p>\n

This Pay Yourself Back can provide excellent value in a simple format \u2014 even more value than you’ll get from similar redemption options with other issuers. Plus, the option to cover your annual fee this way gives you the chance to enjoy your card benefits and have the card pay for itself.<\/p>\n

Save on gift cards<\/h2>\n

Gift cards are another easy way to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and Chase frequently runs limited-time promotions that can improve the value even further.<\/p>\n

You can redeem your points for gift cards at a base rate of one cent per point \u2014 well above the gift card redemption rates of some issuers.<\/p>\n

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THOMAS BARWICK\/GETTY IMAGES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And even better, cardmembers can find some special redemption offers on certain gift cards, allowing you to get even more value from your points when you redeem this way. Current offers include discounts of 10% to 15% on select gift cards from brands like Apple, Chili’s, Spafinder and Fandango.<\/p>\n

For example:<\/p>\n