I've been accumulating Chase UR points and have no trips coming up anytime soon. My most exotic destination right now is the grocery store.
What's the best way to redeem these without booking a flight/hotel? Cash back vs gift cards vs something else?
Also, while I have you: I currently have the Freedom Unlimited and a Discover it Student card. What's a good next card to graduate to? Looking to build something more intentional.
I really appreciate any help you can provide.
Best ways to use Chase Freedom Unlimited points if you have no travel plans
byu/General-Conflict-352 inCreditCards
Posted by General-Conflict-352
3 Comments
Chase points cash out at 1¢, so that’s maybe optimal
> What’s a good next card to graduate to?
I think cash back is usually higher value than points. If you think different I’d highly recommend looking up actual flight costs in points before going down the road into collecting points. (Beware of credit card influencers on social media as their business is selling credit cards and the banks pay the platforms to push us these videos/posts)
I.e. your Freedom Unlimited Card is already pretty great and I wouldn’t necessarily suggest dinging your credit by replacing it.
So I think I know why you’re holding on to the UR Points. You have this dream in mind that in a few months or years, you will travel and use your points, with some amazing deal, costing you not a single penny. (If not, then this is how I originally thought.)
Here’s the reality, you won’t find amazing deals, and with the UR points you can’t really exceed 1.5 cents per point. And if that trip ever comes, you may not have enough point or the travel you are looking at is not available through chase.
My suggestion, and this is something that I have struggled with when owning a points card for the first time, is to cash out the points. Don’t make Chase UR your savings account for travel. You could even get a HYSA to put the UR cash out into, and make that your travel savings account!
For your next card, yeah, be intentional. What’s your goal, increasing credit line, getting more cash back on a specific category, or even getting a card because it’s metal? Whatever it is, do your research.
tldr; cash out points. research next card.
If you have a checking or savings account with Chase, the UR can be redeemed at 1 cent per point. If not, use as a statement credit and take the money you would’ve spent and put it into savings, investment, night out, etc.
As for something more “intentional”, without knowing your regular spending categories, tough to suggest options, though since it sounds like you’re Team Cashback at the moment, so maybe a flat 2% card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash or Citi Double Cash might be up your alley.