Ben’s Big Deal Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards: How to Take Your Family on Vacation for Less

If you’re a busy mom looking for an easy way to take your family of four on a dream vacation without breaking the bank, Chase Ultimate Rewards® points might be your new best friend. These points offer flexibility, value, and the chance to turn everyday spending into unforgettable trips. Whether you’re dreaming of a beach getaway, a theme park adventure, or a cozy cabin in the mountains, Chase points can help you get there. Let’s break it all down so you can start planning your next family vacation with confidence.

What Are Chase Ultimate Rewards Points?

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are a type of travel currency you earn by using Chase credit cards. Think of them as little travel tokens you collect every time you swipe your card for groceries, gas, or even streaming services. These points can be redeemed in a variety of ways, from booking flights and hotels to transferring them to airline and hotel partners for even more value.

The best part? Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most user-friendly and valuable rewards programs out there. It’s perfect for beginners and pros alike, making it a great place to start if you’re new to travel rewards.

How to Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Earning Chase points is as easy as using the right credit card for your everyday spending. Here are some of the best options:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Why You’ll Love It: A fan favorite for families, earning 3x points on dining, streaming services, and online grocery purchases. Plus, it earns 2x points on travel.

• Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months — that’s $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel.

• Annual Fee: $95

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Why You’ll Love It: If you travel frequently, this card is worth the splurge. It earns 3x points on dining and travel, and points are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed through Chase Travel

• Important Disclosure: Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel, as this amount goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.

• Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months — worth $900 toward travel.

• Annual Fee: $550

Chase Freedom Flex®

• Why You’ll Love It: This no-annual-fee card earns 5% cash back on rotating categories and 3% on dining and drugstores. Cash-back rewards can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points if you also have a Sapphire card.

• Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 after spending $500 in the first three months.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Why You’ll Love It: Earns 1.5% cash back on everything, plus 3% on dining and drugstores. Like the Freedom Flex, cash-back rewards can be converted into points if you have a Sapphire card.

• Welcome Bonus: Earn an extra 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year — worth up to $300.

  

How to Redeem Chase Points for Maximum Value

Now that you’ve earned your points, it’s time to put them to work! Here are the best ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for your family vacation:

1. Transfer to Airline and Hotel Partners

This is where the magic happens. Chase partners with 11 airlines and 3 hotel programs, allowing you to transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio. Some of the best partners for families include:

• World of Hyatt: Book hotels for as few as 3,500 points per night.

• Southwest Airlines: Great for domestic flights, especially for families.

• United Airlines: Ideal for international travel, with options to book flights for the whole family.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses! Sometimes airlines like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, British Airways Avios, and Flying Blue offer 25% to 40% bonuses on transferred points.

2. Book Through Chase Travel

If you’re not ready to dive into transfer partners, Chase Travel is a great option. You can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and even activities like theme park tickets.

• Points are worth 1.25 cents each with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

• Points are worth 1.5 cents each with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

This is a fantastic option for families who want simplicity and flexibility.

3. Use Pay Yourself Back

Chase’s Pay Yourself Back feature allows you to redeem points for statement credits toward select categories. However, with recent reductions in redemption value, it’s no longer the best way to use your points.

For example, Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can now only redeem points at 1.25 cents each, compared to 1.5 cents per point for travel booked through Chase Travel. If maximizing your rewards is your goal, transferring points to high-value travel partners or using Chase Travel will give you much better value.

Pay Yourself Back Categories (Until 3/31/25):

• Sapphire Reserve®: Utilities, insurance, fitness clubs, gas stations, select charities (1.5 cents per point for charities).

• Sapphire Preferred®: Select charities.

• Freedom Cards & Ink Business Cards: Select charities.

While this feature provides flexibility for everyday expenses, it diminishes the potential value of your Ultimate Rewards points. If you’re serious about getting the most out of your points, stick with travel redemptions instead.

Bottom Line

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are a game-changer for families who want to travel more and spend less. By choosing the right credit cards, earning points on everyday spending, and redeeming them strategically, you can turn your dream vacation into a reality.

So, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip, start earning and redeeming Chase points today. Your family’s next adventure is closer than you think!