Often, I receive messages from readers asking what cards I recommend, what cards are in my wallet, what card to apply for next or some combination of those questions.
I thought it would great to detail what cards I carry (by bank) and why. Let’s start with Chase.
CHASE CREDIT CARDS
Chase offers a plethora of cards but I carry 3 different Chase credit cards in my wallet. The reason that I like Chase is:
- they have cards that let you earn points quickly (important note: you should never earn just one point per dollar for your spending)
- they have some of the best co-brand relationships (airline and hotel cards)
- and they have valuable points of their own (Ultimate Rewards) which can be transferred to their airline and hotel partners too.
It’s important to understand that difference between #2 and #3. An example of a co-brand card is the World of Hyatt credit card. Although the card is issued by Chase, the points you earn are in your Hyatt account.
In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is issued by Chase but the points you earn (Ultimate Rewards points) are with Chase. These points are called transferrable points because they can be transferred from Chase to airlines or hotels and redeemed for flights or stays.
CHASE TRANSFER PARTNERS
First, let’s talk about their transfer partners. If you have a Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, or Ink Business Preferred, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points into valuable airline and hotel mileage currencies.
AIRLINE TRANSFER PARTNERS (transfer points at 1:1 ratio)
- Aer Lingus (OneWorld)
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue (Skyteam)
- British Airways (OneWorld)
- Emirates
- Iberia (OneWorld)
- JetBlue
- Singapore (Star Alliance)
- Southwest
- United Airlines (Star Alliance)
- Virgin Atlantic
HOTEL TRANSFER PARTNERS (transfer points at 1:1 ratio)
- Hyatt
- IHG
- Marriott/Ritz-Carlton
MY CARDS
Here are the Chase cards I’m currently carrying, and how I use each:
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card: You can earn up to 50,000 Bonus Points – 25,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus an additional 25,000 Bonus Points after you spend a total of $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of account opening.
The card comes with a free category 1-4 night each year, and another after $15,000 spend. Along the way this year I’ve earned a category 1-4 night when I hit 30 Hyatt elite nights, and a category 1-7 night when I requalififed for Globalist status.
- Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: The Ink Preferred has a fantastic, practical rewards structure. The card earns triple the points on travel, telecommunications, shipping and advertising on social-media and search engines.
The card has the best current initial welcome bonus of any card in my view at 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Chase Ink Cash: You can earn $500 (or 50,000 points) as a welcome bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
I use it to earn 5 points per dollar on internet and cable TV and at office supply stores.
This is a great card for small businesses, given that this card has no annual fee yet still accrues 5x points in several categories.
FINAL STAMP
Again, by transferring the Chase Ink Cash points to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, you can instantly turn them into airline miles or hotel points.
By spending on the Hyatt card and accruing Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the other cards, you can double up on your Hyatt points and stay at phenomenal resorts!
What Chase cards do you carry and enjoy?
1TattedPassport 