Chase Sapphire Reserve

By-Jason Steele Chase Ultimate Rewards points are so valuable, that they may even live up to their name. Chase features several credit cards that offer Ultimate Rewards points, and these points can be redeemed in multiple ways. But how you choose to redeem your points will determine the value you receive from each point. Choose poorly, and you will only get one cent in value per point redeemed. But choose wisely, and you could find yourself realizing several times as much value, and enjoying luxury travel that you might not have been able to afford otherwise.  Which cards offer Chase Ultimate Rewards points? Among personal cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve are marketed as offering Chase Ultimate Rewards points. And while the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited are marketed as cash back cards, they actually offer Ultimate Rewards points that can be combined with your rewards from the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve. Once combined, you’ll be able to do all the things you could do if you had earned the rewards from your Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, including transferring your rewards to airline miles or hotel points.  Among business cards, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited and Sapphire Reserve Business feature Ultimate Rewards points. But just as with their Freedom cards, the Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited are marketed as cash back cards, but offer rewards that can be combined with points from the other Chase Ink and Sapphire cards.  How can you redeem Ultimate Rewards points? There are many ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points including: Redeeming for Amazon or PayPal purchases Cash back or statement credits, called Pay Yourself Back Gift cards Apple Store purchases Experiences Chase Travel  Point transfers Not all point redemptions are created equal To start off with, don’t ever redeem your points for Amazon or PayPal purchases. That’s because you’ll only receive 0.8 cents in value per point redeemed. That’s terrible considering that you could get 1.0 cents in value towards cash back or Pay Yourself Back statement credits. Just as good are gift cards, Apple Store purchases and experiences, which also offer one cent in value per point redeemed.  And frankly, if you were going to get just one cent in value per point redeemed, you might as well choose to redeem your points for cash back, and at least earn points from your purchases from Apple Store, or for gift cards or experiences.  Chase Travel  When it comes to purchases from Chase Travel, the value you receive will depend on the card you use to redeem the points. The Chase Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited all return just one cent in value per point redeemed. So a $500 ticket will cost 50,000 points.  However, the Sapphire Reserve (consumer and business) now feature something called Points Boost, which offers 2.0 cents in value on select hotels and flights with select airlines. The Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred cards offer Points Boost that returns up to 1.5 cents per point on select hotels and up to 1.75 cents per point on flights with select airlines. When you can use Points Boost, then you’ll find pretty good value from your points, but not the best.  The best way to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points.  Transferring rewards to airline miles or hotel points can offer ways to realize more than two cents in value per point redeemed. But it all depends on which transfer partners you use and how you redeem your rewards.  Redeeming rewards for hotel points  For example, if you transfer 15,000 Chase points to the World of Hyatt Program, and redeem those points for a hotel that costs $450 a night, then you’ll be receiving three cents in value per point redeemed, which is fantastic. Unfortunately, you’ll never receive that kind of value from Chase’s other hotel transfer partners, Marriott, IHG and Hilton, as their points are worth far less.  For example, it will frequently cost 40,000 to 80,000 points to redeem a similar award night stay using Marriott, IHG or Hilton points, leaving Hyatt as the best option for using points for hotel stays, in almost all cases. Furthermore, Hyatt won’t charge resort fees on award stays, unlike Marriott.  Redeeming rewards for airline miles Chase offers 10 different airline transfer partners: AerClub, loyalty program of Aer Lingus The British Airways Club Air France KLM – Flying Blue  Club Iberia Plus JetBlue TrueBlue  Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer  Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®  United MileagePlus® Virgin Atlantic Flying Club  Air Canada Aeroplan® When you can redeem your airline miles for expensive, last minute flights, or tickets in business or first class, then it’s possible to receive several cents in value per point redeemed. For example, both Iberia and Flying Blue (Air France and KLM) occasionally offer business class tickets to Europe for as little as 45,000 points, each way. Those tickets are worth at least $2,000, giving you a value of over four cents per point. Although not as spectacular, you can often find excellent returns by redeeming points from other programs such as United, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. Even Southwest Airlines points are worth about 1.4 cents each, which is better than average.  But achieving these superior values requires some skill. You first have to look through the frequent flier programs to find awards that are available at the lowest levels. Once you find the awards you want, you’ll need to transfer your miles from Chase to the airline program, and quickly book your award tickets. It’s strongly recommended not to transfer miles speculatively, hoping to find the best award at a later date. By keeping your rewards with Chase, you’ll keep your options open for when the right opportunity presents itself.  Bottom line By carefully considering how to redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can find the exceptional values that make having a Chase credit card extremely rewarding.  FAQS:  Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth the $795 annual fee?

When you’re living life on the road, your credit card isn’t just a payment method—it’s your travel partner. For digital nomads seeking a low-annual-fee travel card with premium perks, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card consistently stands out. It’s not only beginner-friendly, but also packed with benefits tailored to location-independent professionals. Travel Perks That Fit the Digital Nomad Lifestyle Unlike standard travel credit cards, the Sapphire Preferred offers robust travel protections that provide peace of mind—especially when your home changes with every new country. Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance Reimburses non-refundable expenses when unexpected events force you to cancel or cut your trip short. Trip Delay Reimbursement Covers meals and lodging if your flight is delayed more than 12 hours. Primary Auto Rental Coverage A major perk if you frequently rent cars abroad—it saves you from buying the rental company’s insurance. Baggage Delay Coverage Reimburses you for essentials if your checked luggage is delayed for over 6 hours. Rewards That Go Further with Travel Partners Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are some of the most valuable in the game—and here’s why they work perfectly for digital nomads: 2x Points on Travel and Dining From Airbnb to street food stalls, earn rewards on your everyday lifestyle. 25% More Value with Chase Travel℠ Your points are worth 25% more when you book flights, hotels, and experiences through the Chase Travel portal. 1:1 Transfers to Leading Travel Partners Transfer points to United, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, and more for international travel hacking and premium redemptions. No Foreign Transaction Fees, Ever One of the biggest drawbacks of many cards is hidden fees while abroad. The Sapphire Preferred has $0 foreign transaction fees, which means no extra charges when paying for coworking spaces in Bali or train rides in Europe. Big Welcome Bonus and Low Annual Fee Current offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That’s worth up to $750 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. All this with an annual fee of just $95—a steal compared to premium travel cards. Additional Lifestyle Benefits for Remote Workers This card also offers remote-friendly perks like a $50 annual hotel credit (when booking through Chase Travel℠), complimentary DashPass & Instacart+ subscriptions, and strong customer support—key for resolving issues while abroad. Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred Beats Other Travel Cards for Nomads While other cards offer luxury perks (e.g., Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve), those often come with hefty annual fees ($395–$695). The Preferred card hits a sweet spot: generous travel benefits and rewards without the premium price tag. Need Help Choosing the Right Card? At The Cards Guy, we help digital nomads and remote workers find the perfect card setup for their lifestyle. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned traveler, our team can guide you toward the right tools to earn more, travel smarter, and save big. 👉 Talk to a credit card expert today → Frequently Asked Questions Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred good for international travel? Yes! With no foreign transaction fees, worldwide travel protections, and flexible point transfers, it’s ideal for frequent international travelers. What’s the difference between the Sapphire Preferred and Reserve? The Reserve offers higher rewards and more perks, but comes with a $550 annual fee. The Preferred is better for budget-conscious travelers who still want premium value. Can I get approved as a digital nomad? If you have a U.S. address, SSN, and solid credit history, yes! Many nomads apply with a friend or family member’s U.S. address while traveling. How much is 60,000 Chase points worth? When redeemed through Chase Travel℠, 60,000 points = $750 in travel. Transfer to partners and you may get even more value! Final Thoughts: Travel Smarter with the Chase Sapphire Preferred For digital nomads who need flexibility, rewards, and protection without a massive annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a clear winner. Whether you’re booking flights, renting cars, or living abroad, it delivers big value with minimal hassle. Ready to apply or explore more options tailored for digital nomads? Visit The Cards Guy and get personal guidance to find the card that fits your journey.