You've probably seen the ads. Or maybe you were just scrolling through a forum and someone told you to just get it on Chase because the points are better. It sounds simple. It's not.
Most people treat credit cards like a utility—something you use to buy groceries and then forget about until the bill comes. But if you're looking at Chase, you're likely looking at the "Ultimate Rewards" ecosystem. This isn't just about a plastic card in your wallet. It's about a specific financial architecture that, if you play it right, basically pays for your vacations. If you play it wrong? You're just paying high annual fees for a heavy metal card that does nothing but look cool at dinner.
The reality is that "getting it on Chase" requires navigating a minefield of rules, specifically the dreaded 5/24 rule. If you've opened five or more cards from any issuer in the last 24 months, Chase will almost certainly give you a cold, hard rejection. They don't care about your 800 credit score. They care about your velocity.
Why the Chase Trifecta is the Only Way to Fly
If you're going to do this, you have to do it right. You can't just pick a random card. Most experts, like those at The Points Guy or Frequent Miler, talk about the "Trifecta." This is a combination of three cards that work together to cover every single penny you spend.
Think about it this way. The Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve is your anchor. It lets you transfer points to airlines like United or Hyatt hotels. But the earning rates on those cards for everyday stuff? Kinda mid. That's why you pair it with the Chase Freedom Flex and the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
The Unlimited gets you 1.5% on everything. No thinking. The Flex has those rotating 5% categories that change every quarter—one month it's gas stations, the next it's Amazon. If you're just using one card, you're leaving thousands of dollars on the table. You earn the points on the "no-annual-fee" cards, then move them to your Sapphire card to "unlock" their value. Suddenly, those 50,000 points aren't just $500 in cash back; they're a $1,200 stay at a Park Hyatt in Tokyo.
The Hidden Trap of the Annual Fee
Let's be honest. The $550 fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve is terrifying for most people.
It feels like a lot of money because it is a lot of money. But you've got to look at the math. Chase gives you a $300 travel credit immediately. If you take an Uber, buy a train ticket, or stay in a hotel, they just pay you back. So the "real" fee is $250. Is the lounge access, the 10x points on Chase Dining, and the primary rental car insurance worth $250 to you? Maybe. For a lot of folks, the Sapphire Preferred at $95 is the sweet spot. It’s the "Get It On Chase" starter pack.
Navigating the 5/24 Rule Without Losing Your Mind
This is where things get sticky. Chase is notorious for this.
- They look at your credit report.
- They count every card you've opened in two years.
- If that number is 5, you're out.
Even if you're an authorized user on your spouse's card, that counts. You have to call the reconsideration line and beg a human being to ignore that specific entry. It’s a hassle. Honestly, if you’re planning to get it on Chase, you should stop applying for other cards immediately. Wait. Let your report cool off.
Why Hyatt is the Secret Weapon
Everyone talks about flying business class. It's the dream, right? Sipping champagne at 30,000 feet. But the real value in the Chase ecosystem—the thing that makes people obsessed—is World of Hyatt.
While Marriott and Hilton have "devalued" their points (meaning you need a billion points for a night at a Motel 6), Hyatt still has a fixed award chart. You can find high-end resorts for 25,000 points a night. Since Chase points transfer 1:1 to Hyatt, those points are worth way more than they would be if you just used them to buy a flight on the Chase portal.
The Logistics: How to Move Your Points
So, you've got the cards. You've spent the money. Now you have a pile of points sitting in three different accounts. You have to "Combine Points." It's a button in the app. You move the Freedom points to the Sapphire account.
Do not—and I cannot stress this enough—redeem your points for "Pay Yourself Back" or "Amazon" unless there's a massive promo. It's a trap. You're getting 1 cent per point. If you transfer to a partner, you can get 2, 3, or even 4 cents per point. It’s the difference between a free flight and a free toaster. Get the flight.
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Is the Ink Business Route Worth It?
If you have a side hustle—selling on eBay, tutoring, freelance writing—you can get a business card. The Chase Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Preferred have massive sign-up bonuses. Sometimes 100,000 points.
The best part? These don't show up on your personal credit report (though they do count towards 5/24 when you apply). This is the "pro move." It’s how people accumulate millions of points without spending a fortune. They just cycle through the Ink cards for their business expenses.
What Most People Get Wrong About Chase
People think because Chase is a big bank, the customer service for these cards will be like the local branch. It's not. If you have the Sapphire Reserve, you get a dedicated line. They pick up almost instantly.
Another misconception: "I'll just use the Chase Travel Portal."
Look, the portal is fine. It's powered by Expedia. But if your flight gets cancelled, Chase owns the ticket, not the airline. You'll be stuck on the phone with a portal agent instead of the gate agent. Only use the portal if the "point price" is significantly lower than the transfer price. Usually, it's not.
The Underestimated Perks
- Primary Rental Car Insurance: Most cards offer "secondary" insurance. Chase Sapphire offers primary. If you wreck a rental car, you don't even have to tell your personal insurance company. That alone saves you $15–$30 a day in "waver" fees at the rental counter.
- Purchase Protection: You buy a new iPhone and drop it a week later? Chase often covers the repair or replacement up to a certain dollar amount.
- Transfer Bonuses: Every few months, Chase will offer a 20% or 30% bonus when you transfer to Virgin Atlantic or Marriott. Patience pays here.
How to Get Started the Right Way
Don't go out and apply for three cards today. You'll get flagged for fraud and denied.
Space your applications out by at least 90 days. Start with the Sapphire Preferred if the bonus is 60,000 points or higher. That's the entry ticket. Once you hit the "minimum spend" requirement—usually $4,000 in three months—you'll have a massive chunk of points.
Then, wait. Use the card. Pay it off in full every month. If you carry a balance, the interest will eat your rewards for breakfast. No amount of points is worth 28% APR.
Actionable Steps for Your Chase Journey
- Check your 5/24 status. Use a free tool like Credit Karma to see how many accounts you've opened since this time two years ago. If you're at 4/24, you have one slot left. Use it wisely.
- Evaluate your spending. If you spend $1,000 a month on dining, the Sapphire cards are great. If you spend $0 on dining but $2,000 on office supplies, the Ink Business Cash (which gives 5% back at office supply stores) is your gold mine.
- Download the App. The "Chase Offers" section is basically free money. You "activate" a 10% discount at Starbucks or Lululemon, and it just hits your statement as a credit.
- Set up Auto-Pay. Missing one payment can tank your credit score and forfeit your points. Don't risk it.
- Research Transfer Partners. Before you spend a single point, look at United, Southwest, and Hyatt. These are the "Big Three" for Chase users. Understand how their booking systems work so you're ready when a deal pops up.
If you're going to get it on Chase, you're entering a high-stakes game of math and timing. It's rewarding, but it requires a bit of discipline. Keep your utilization low, keep your eyes on the transfer partners, and never pay a cent in interest. That's how you actually win.