If you have several Chase cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points, there’s usually no reason to leave those points scattered across multiple accounts.
Combining them takes only a few minutes and can unlock redemption options that aren’t available on every Chase card.
The reason for combining Chase points has changed. Moving points to a Sapphire card no longer automatically increases their value for every Chase Travel booking. However, combining points remains useful because it can unlock Points Boost offers and allow rewards earned with Freedom or Ink Cash cards to be transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Why Combine Chase Ultimate Rewards Points?
Cards such as the Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited earn Ultimate Rewards points. However, those cards don’t let you transfer points directly to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
To unlock partner transfers, you need an eligible premium Chase card:
By moving points earned with a no-annual-fee Chase card into one of these accounts, those points become eligible for transfers to participating airline and hotel programs.
That’s why I combine our Ultimate Rewards points. We can use one card, like the Ink Cash, for its 5X bonus categories, then move the points to the Sapphire Preferred when we’re ready to book a trip.
Using Combined Points Through Chase Travel
Combining points can also give you access to Points Boost offers through Chase Travel.
Instead of providing the same elevated value on every booking, Chase now offers higher redemption values on selected flights and hotels:
- Sapphire Reserve points can be worth up to 2 cents each on eligible Points Boost bookings.
- Sapphire Preferred points can be worth up to 1.5 cents each on eligible Points Boost bookings.
- Ink Business Preferred points can be worth up to 1.5 cents each on eligible Points Boost bookings.
The words “up to” and “eligible” matter. These values don’t apply to every reservation through Chase Travel. You’ll need to search for your trip and look for options marked with a Points Boost offer. Bookings without Points Boost are generally worth 1 cent per point.
Which Chase Cards Can You Combine?
You can combine Ultimate Rewards points between eligible Chase cards in your own name, including personal and business cards.
You can also transfer points to one authorized user or household member who lives at the same address. Chase may require you to call before that person’s account appears as an option online.
This only applies to Ultimate Rewards points. Miles and points earned with Chase co-branded cards, such as United, Southwest, Hyatt and Marriott cards, can’t be combined this way.
How To Transfer Points Between Chase Cards
Chase occasionally changes the layout of its website, but the process remains fairly straightforward.
- Log in to the Chase account containing the points you want to move.
- Find the appropriate card and click its Ultimate Rewards balance or the Redeem Rewards option.
- Enter the Ultimate Rewards portal.
- Open the rewards menu and look for an option labeled “Combine Points” or similar wording.
- Select the account you want to move points from and the eligible account receiving the points.
- Enter the number of points you want to transfer.
- Review the details carefully. Make sure the points are moving in the correct direction before submitting the request.
- Click “Confirm & Submit” or the equivalent button.
Transfers between your own eligible Chase accounts are typically completed immediately. There’s no need to move points after every purchase. We usually leave them where they were earned until we have a reason to consolidate them.
When To Use Chase Travel
Booking through Chase Travel can make sense when:
- You find a useful Points Boost offer.
- An airline doesn’t have award availability.
- You want to book an airline that isn’t a Chase transfer partner.
- You’re reserving a rental car or an independent hotel.
- You want to use points without having to deal with an airline or hotel rewards program.
Using Chase Travel also lets you pay with points, your card or a combination of both.
However, you should still compare the Chase price with the rate available directly from the airline, hotel or rental-car company. A higher redemption value doesn’t help much if Chase is charging more for the same reservation.
When To Transfer Points To A Travel Partner
Transferring Ultimate Rewards points can provide better value, although it requires more work and some flexibility.
Chase partners with several airline and hotel programs, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways, United MileagePlus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt.
Before transferring, confirm that the award you want is available and check the current transfer ratio. Chase transfers are final, and not every partner or eligible card necessarily offers a 1:1 ratio. For example, don’t assume that 10,000 Ultimate Rewards points will always become 10,000 Hyatt points.
Move Your Points Before Closing A Card
Combining points becomes especially important when you’re planning to close a Chase card.
Ultimate Rewards points don’t expire while the associated account remains open and in good standing. However, you could lose any remaining points when the card is closed.
Before closing the account, move the points to another eligible Ultimate Rewards card in your name or to an eligible household member. You can also transfer or redeem the points before closing the card.
Final Thoughts
Combining Chase Ultimate Rewards points remains a simple way to make rewards earned across several cards more useful.
Moving points to an eligible Sapphire or Ink Business Preferred account can unlock travel-partner transfers and Points Boost offers, while also making it easier to keep your rewards together before closing a card.
Transfers between your own eligible Chase accounts are generally instant and free, so there’s little reason to leave points scattered when you’re ready to use them.
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