Top 10 Chase Ultimate Reward Questions


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This is post #11 of a series regarding the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.

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Over the past month or so, I’ve gone through an entire series on the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. This program has received much publicity over the past year and it is definitely a top program for flexible travel. So with these posts, I’ve received MANY comments and questions that I think would be great to broadcast for all my readers. Here you go!

Question 1: I recently got approved for a Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Plus card. So I am hoping to get the full Ultimate Reward points after I fulfill spending requirements in given time. Since 50,000 UR points can be used for booking air-ticket worth $625, can I use 100,000 points to book an air ticket worth $1250??

Answer 1: Yes, you are absolutely able to combine your points into one account and then redeem the entire your combined points. While all the points do not get clumped into the same bucket, you are able to easily transfer points from one account to another – for free.

Question 2: Any tips for getting BOTH the Chase Ink Plus and Chase Sapphire Preferred at the same time? Is there a two browser trick?

Answer 2: There really is no two browser trick, however, you can absolutely apply for both card. Just be prepared to initially get declined for the 2nd one you apply for. Chase has gotten strict recently about the amount of Chase applications in a short time period. However, a quick call to the reconciliation department and having them transfer some lines of credit around will probably work and get you approved for the 2nd applied card. Of course there is no guarantee.

Question 3: If you book a hotel with UR Points, do you get your hotel program points for the cost of the stay? What about credit toward status?

Answer 3: Absolutely! When using your Ultimate Rewards points it is as if you paid with cash. Thus, you get your points, credit towards status, and any perks you get if you have status with the airline/hotel.

Question 4: Are transferred UR points to Southwest Rapid Rewards good toward the companion pass?

Answer 4: Unfortunately Southwest points transferred over do not count towards companion pass status.

Question 5: Is it possible to transfer points from my wife’s Ultimate Rewards account to my Ultimate Rewards account? She doesn’t have the Sapphire Preferred card yet and wants me to manage all points for us both.

Answer 5: Yes, Chase allows you to transfer points from a spouses account. This means if you have the Chase Freedom card and you spouse has the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, for example, you can transfer the points from a non-Premier account to a Premier account and then transfer points to a partner program.

Question 6: Do points transferred from my Freedom account to my Sapphire Preferred account get the 7% bonus?

Answer 6: Technically no, but awhile ago many reported being able to get the 7% bonus on those transferred points. However, I have not heard of this in awhile, so this is most likely no longer a nice glitch in the system.

Question 7: If you combine your Freedom points with the Sapphire Preferred points do you need to use them prior to canceling the Sapphire Preferred card when the annual fees comes due? Or can you transfer any remaining points back to the Freedom account? Can they go back and forth?

Answer 7: Since all points earned remain in their own individual account, if you cancel a card you must use the points or transfer the points to a cards account that is not being cancelled. So in this example, you must transfer your Chase Sapphire Preferred account to your Chase Freedom account. All your points will then be linked to your Chase Freedom card and you will not be able to transfer those points to partner loyalty program.

Question 8: When I signed up for the Freedom card 2-3 years ago, I did not receive any sign up points. Do you think if I call them they will give me points or is that a waste of time?

Answer 8: While there is no definite answer to this, it is absolutely worth calling and finding out. Typically Chase will match a new offer bonus within 90 days of applying for your card. What you will probably have to do is re-apply for the card to receive the bonus points since you never received any the first time.

Question 9: Is there anyway to apply for the Chase Ink Bold card?

Answer 9: Unfortunately, Chase got rid of this card late in 2014 and while there were still some links available, those have been taken away.  So the short answer is No, there is currently no way to apply for the Chase Ink Bold credit card. If you already have the card though, you can still use it as you normally would.

Question 10: Does it make more sense to transfer points to an airline program for redemption or book travel through ultimate rewards?

Answer 10: It really depends on your travel desires, however, typically the best redemption value will come from transferring your points to Hyatt, United, or British Airways. You can learn more about my take on the redemption values for airlines here and hotels here.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links where I get paid commission if you apply and get approved for a credit card. I will only list the best credit card offers as my goal is for you to travel for free! As always, your support is much appreciated!

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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ArizonaGuy
ArizonaGuy
11 years ago

Question 5 – while it does work to transfer between any two accounts, the terms and conditions do say it’s intended for spouses to consolidate. I’ve taken advantage of the lax control on this but it may eventually go away. One never knows.

ArizonaGuy
ArizonaGuy
11 years ago

To find that restriction, you can click the Help link near the top once logged into the Ultimaterewards.com site. From there you’ll open the FAQ and the first question under “Combine Points” has this:

Once points are transferred, they cannot be credited back. Transfers may only be used to combine points belonging to the same individual or business in the program; or for the purpose of enabling spouses or domestic partners to combine points. Chase will not make the transfer if the credit card account(s) or checking account(s), as applicable, are in default at the time of the transfer.

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Alex
Alex
11 years ago

When should I apply for the Sapphirre Preferred card? I’ve been trying to find a good travel VISA card and I like what this card has to offer. I just got approved for the Amex Gold card. Do you think if I got this Gold card that I would have a good enough chance to get the Preferred card?

dealswelike
dealswelike
11 years ago
Reply to  Alex

@Alex – You should be able to get the Preferred card. Just make sure to get it during a time when you will be able to spend $3,000 in 3 months.

Sarah
Sarah
11 years ago

Has anyone had any luck opening a Chase checking account if you live in a state that doesn’t have a Chase branch? I just tried to open one over the phone and was told I couldn’t because I live in a state (NH) that doesn’t have a Chase branch.

dealswelike
dealswelike
11 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

@Sarah – did you try to open one online?

Sarah
Sarah
11 years ago

Yes, I tried online first and was denied as soon as I put in my zip code, after that I tried the phone and was told I could only open an account if I lived in a state with a branch.

Devon
Devon
11 years ago

The Chase Terms states you can’t already have a rewards card in the same program and you aren’t eligible for a 2nd bonus. But it seems many of you have both the Sapphire Preferred(which I have) and the Ink, so am I missing a workaround or can I just apply for the Ink with no worries?

dealswelike
dealswelike
11 years ago
Reply to  Devon

@Devon – These are two different programs so we are able to get the bonus for each card. Chase Sapphire Preferred is a personal card, where Chase Ink Bold is a business card. No workaround at all. You can apply with no worries!

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thewhitezone
thewhitezone
11 years ago

making sure I understand your answer to #3. If I redeem UR points for air travel, I still earn miles for the flight? Are these EQM? What if I book an AA flight via BA, do I get AAdvantage credit for the flight?

dealswelike
dealswelike
11 years ago
Reply to  thewhitezone

@thewhitezone – Redeeming UR points for air travel gets you the same miles/EQMs as you would if you book directly with the airline. For booking AA flights via BA, typically you get the credit, but it depends on the fare class booked.

kat
kat
11 years ago

do i have to use the ultimate reward site to book travel/use my points or can i do so by simply using my card for a purchase?

dealswelike
dealswelike
11 years ago
Reply to  kat

@kat – you must use the ultimate reward site to book travel using your points.

Larry S
Larry S
9 years ago

Chase rewards SUCKS!

W just spent an hour and half choosing a hotel, entered ALL the required info into the web site, and with the last key stroke required, the site comes back to say our selected room is not available through the rewards program. When we called Chase Cust. service the response was “We know,” that’s how our site works.

Why on earth wouldn’t they have their site reject your request in the first page? Or better yer, not even show unavailable rooms in the first place. Now we how to go through the whole process of finding another suitable room, go through the whole ordering process just to find out if what we want is available. UNACCEPTABLE!! We will blow out our points and move to another card ASAP!

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

Please forgive me if this has been answered elsewhere- I haven’t found an answer. How quickly do UR sign-up bonus points post? Is it like Membership Rewards where they post almost immediately after the spend is completed, or is it more like Citi where the points post after the first statement closes?

I have a redemption in mind that is available, so I’ll spend immediately if it posts quickly. But if I need to wait until the statement close date, then I have a slightly different spending strategy.

Thanks for the help!

dealswelike
dealswelike
9 years ago
Reply to  Mike

@Mike – It has been awhile since I was approved so I cannot recall from personal experience, but I remember it being quite quick. Not sure though.

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