Chase Rewards?

[Toastmaster]

Hi everyone!  Why does everyone want to get Chase cards? (Including the “Trifecta” that I’ve read about online)

When I look at the cards…Chase Rewards seem “regular”.  Am I missing something pretty significant?  Thank you so much for your help and insight!

[Anonymous]

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@Toastmaster wrote:

Hi everyone!  Why does everyone want to get Chase cards? (Including the “Trifecta” that I’ve read about online)

When I look at the cards…Chase Rewards seem “regular”.  Am I missing something pretty significant?  Thank you so much for your help and insight!

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The major popularity of the Ultimate Rewards system (used by Chase "core" cards) is due to the ability to be transferred to travel partners (as can Amex MR, Citi TYP) to get increased value.  In addition, a UR can always be cashed out at 1cpp, unlike Amex (and only on some combinations of Citi cards).   There can also be other "easy" valuable redemptions from time to time, such as Pay YourSelf Back on the CSR, giving 1.5cpp for some purchases.   

Others also value the protections on the cards, particularly the CSR.

But cards/families/times vary.  Chase Trifecta is a "thing" that people see, but may not make much sense for them.   There are lots of cards out there that may make much more sense for your particular needs.  Or Chase may be just be the thing!

[DONZI]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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In addition, a UR can always be cashed out at 1cpp, unlike Amex (and only on some combinations of Citi cards).

 Right, amex platinum for schwab can always cash out MR for 1.1cpp

[ngoaa]

Them Hyatt point transfers. Stayed at Park Hyatt New York which typically cost $1k a night and was redeemed for 30k points ($300).

My quadfecta only has one card that has an annual fee (CSR, which is very lenient when it comes to earning points for travel). 

I think Amex trifeca has like eight different annual fees or something lol 

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[K-in-Boston]

In addition to what longtimelurker wrote, a trifecta with either CSP or CSR also offers a very simple path to easy redemption via their travel portal with 25% and 50% bonuses respectively, with no real effort involved as can be the case when maximizing partner airline and hotel rewards transfers.  The cards can work together well to amass points.  

With CSP that essentially makes CSP earn 2.5% back on travel and dining, Freedom/Freedom Flex earn 6.25% back on rotating categories, and Freedom Unlimited earns 1.875% on all purchases.  With CSR that becomes 4.5% on travel and dining on CSR, 7.5% on the rotating Freedom/Freedom Flex categories, and 2.25% on all purchases with Freedom Unlimited. 

[Hoben02]

As others have pointed out the rewards are for the traveling public that's the reason people are heavily invested in the chase trifecta. It's really not ideal for the cashback types. In my case I'm a heavy user of swa a transfer partner for leisure purposes I enjoy skiing in the winter and with swa no penalty for cancellations/changes I will book multiple flights but use only a few

[jcooks]

I think the Chase trifecta would be much easier for me to take on if they had a multiplier for grocery spend.  

I also agree with the Hyatt comment about it being my top Hotel of choice.

I'm in a strange and expensive mutli-fecta...

Amex Business Plat, Amex Gold, Amex BBP to acrue MR points for flights.

Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Hyatt to acrue UR points to transfer to Hyatt (of course Hyatt card is for Hyatt paid stays)

Barclays Wyndham Business Earner's card (to match to Caesars Diamond, to match to MGM Gold, and then to match to Hyatt Explorist)

[Toastmaster]

Thank you everyone!  Now things make more sense.  So these are at the heart, travel cards!  And you can get more value than Cashback if you tranfer out to certain travel partners like Hyatt.  Makes sense.  Thank you all!

[Credit12Fico]

Why? Because they are the ultimate rewards 

[ptatohed]

I have no interest in travel cards or "points".  I am strictly a cash back guy.  I think Chase has some good offerings for us CB folk.  

freedom unlimited has a $200 bonus, 5% CB on gas for year 1, 3% on dining and drugstores, 1.5% CB all else.  Not a bad card.  Obvously less value after the bonus and first year of 5% gas.  

freedom flex has a $200 bonus, 5% CB on gas for year 1, 5% CB on rotatong categories, 3% on dining and drugstores, 1% all else.  Now that's a darn good card.  I still have the original freedom.    

The freedom student isn't a bad starter card.

There are a few business CB cards but I don't think they are that great.  

There are a few Disney cards that Disney fans may enjoy.

What's not to like about the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa?  Gift card bonus, 5% CB at amazon and Whole Foods.  2% CB dining, gas, and drugstores.  

The card I liked until it got transfered to Barclays was the AARP MC.  It had 3% CB gas and dining.