As a business owner, the intricacies of managing expenses while maximizing rewards require a strategic approach. For those venturing into the realm of credit card benefits, a formidable duo to consider includes the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Ink Business Unlimited, both from Chase Bank. Individually, these cards shine with their distinct advantages; however, their combined power elevates the game of earning and redeeming rewards. This article explores the synergistic potential of these two cards, unveiling why their tandem is an astute choice for business owners aiming to maximize their Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: A Premium Choice for Travel and Dining
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a PERSONAL card, and remains a premium travel credit card offering a wealth of benefits. With a generous welcome bonus and points that are valued at 1.6 cents each when redeemed for travel through Chase’s portal – but that’s not the best use of points.
Perks With This Card:
- $300 Annual Travel Credit: Automatically applies to travel purchases, effectively reducing the annual fee.
- Priority Pass Membership: Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Expedite your security screening process.
- Special Benefits: Enjoy privileges at luxury hotels and resorts.
- 3x Points on Travel and Dining: These are earned globally.
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Primary car rental coverage when paying for your rental car with card.
- Trip Interruption/Cancellation Insurance when paying for flights with card.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited: The Ultimate Cash Back Card for Businesses
The Chase Ink BUSINESS Unlimited card, a no annual fee card, is perfect for business expenses. This usually comes with a strong welcome bonus after spending a minimum amount over a certain amount of months.
Perks With This Card:
- 1.5% Cash Back on All Purchases: No categories to track or limits to worry about.
Synergizing Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Unlimited
Here’s where the strategy gets exciting. Points earned on the Ink Business Unlimited (1.5 points per dollar spent) are technically cash-back only, however when you have the personal Sapphire Reserve card these points can be transferred from your INK account to your Sapphire account at any time. This transfer not only boosts their value when redeemed for travel as Chase Ultimate Reward Points.
Do these points expire?
The straightforward answer is no, as long as you maintain at least one active Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points. It’s crucial to remember that if you decide to close all your Ultimate Rewards-earning cards, you should redeem or transfer your points beforehand to avoid losing them.
Understanding the Value of Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
The value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points can vary. However, the value can differ based on the redemption method you choose. And options like Chase Pay Yourself Back or special offers for Apple products or gift cards might provide enhanced value.
You Want to Travel First Class and Stay at 5-Star Hotels?
The best value with Chase Ultimate Rewards points is to transfer them to an airline and hotel partner and book through their respective platforms to maximize your points. Chase offers a 1:1 transfer ratio in 1,000-point increments. The airline partners include:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- British Airways Executive Club
- Emirates Skywards
- Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
- United Airlines MileagePlus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
For hotel stays, the partners are:
- IHG One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- World of Hyatt
Why Is Chase Ultimate Rewards The Best Platform To Earn Points?
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are the most flexible of any points platform. Maybe you don’t care about transferring to travel partners, then you have other choices to use your points:
- Fixed-Value, Non-Travel Redemptions: This includes cash back, gift cards, and Apple products.
- Book Directly with Chase Travel Portal: Use points at a fixed cash value for plane tickets, hotel stays, rental cars, or experiences.
- Transfers to Travel Partners: If you love travel, this is still the most valuable option, where you can transfer your points to a range of airline and hotel partners.
- Cash Back: If you’re not into travel, then you can always cash out these points at any time.
The flexibility to pick-and-choose how you want to spend your points is why the Chase Ultimate Rewards platform is the best to start out with in the points game.
Why Is the Chase Southwest Card Not As Good?
There is nothing wrong with spending on the Chase Southwest Card if you’re spending enough to meet the Companion Pass. However, if you spend more or less than the required Companion Pass minimum, putting spend on this card is not as lucrative.
Why? You are always only earning 1x per dollar on all spend.
Using the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you are earning 3x per dollar spent on all Travel and Dining.
And with the Chase INK Business Unlimited, you are earning 1.5x per dollar on all charges.
And the great thing about the Ultimate Rewards platform is that these points transfer to Southwest Airlines 1:1. So, instead of earning 1x per dollar with the Southwest Card, you are now earning 1.5x per dollar on your business charges that now earns you 50% more points on the same dollar spent.
Conclusion
With Ultimate Rewards sitting in your account, now you only transfer points to Southwest Airlines for the exact amount you need to book tickets, leaving you with additional points to transfer to Marriott, Hyatt or IHG to book your hotel reward nights too. That’s why accumulating points in the Ultimate Rewards platform is more lucrative and flexible to meet whatever travel and spending needs you have.
Acquiring miles & points for lifetime experiences to blog about 