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Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points are a highly sought-after point system that connects a number of Chase credit cards. Their buying power can be increased based on how you redeem them, making it one of the most attractive credit card rewards systems. With valuable points, the goal is to always keep earning to be able to reap big rewards.
However, there is always a lingering concern that those points could expire. This concern is valid. Most airline and hotel-based travel rewards have an expiration ranging anywhere from 12 months to 36 months. Of course, some never expire.
Do Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Expire?
Ultimate rewards on your account do not expire as long as your account is open and you stay in good standing with Chase. The Ultimate lives up to its name – it sits amongst the points that will never expire.
Tip: you can earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which is also one of the best credit cards for travel miles.
How do I keep my Chase Ultimate Rewards from expiring?
The dreaded expiration or loss of points comes about when your account closes. If your account closes, then your points will immediately expire, and there is no way to recover them. To avoid this, you simply have to ensure that your account stays open.
Be sure to pay any applicable annual fees on the card and pay your balance according to the terms of the card. In addition, be sure not to abuse or misuse the points program. Don’t be a fraudster, as any of these actions could, of course, cause the closure of your account.
Another obvious one is to avoid personal bankruptcy. That will do you no good with your lenders and your points will disappear, though that might be low on your list of concerns in that case.
You may also want to intentionally close your Chase credit card if you are trying to take advantage of a different bonus offer or rewards system and want to limit your active cards. If so, you simply need to redeem your points before closing your account OR combine them with another Ultimate Rewards account.
Points can be redeemed for cash, travel, or gift cards through online redemption. Keep in mind that if you’re looking to take it out directly as cash, you may have to have at least 2,000 points to redeem.
Transferring Your Ultimate Rewards to a Travel Partner
You should also note that you are able to transfer your Ultimate Rewards to partner frequent travel programs. If you have your Ultimate Rewards in a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Ink Business Card account, you will be able to transfer your points to United MileagePlus and many other transfer partners. However, airline and hotel loyalty programs often have expiration dates.
If you’re transferring points, you’re likely doing so for a reason. If you transfer and redeem your points, then there’s no concern. However, if you’re saving your points for a big trip in a couple of years, you’re better off keeping those points in your expiration-proof Ultimate Rewards balance.
Transferring to Another Chase Ultimate Rewards Card Holder
If you’d like to close your account but save the points, you can transfer the points to another Chase Rewards card you own or to your spouse or common-law partner. If your points are in good standing, you can transfer them, and they won’t expire.
Of course, we need to consider the fact that rewards companies can change their policies at any time.
RELATED: How to Share Capital One Miles With Another Account
Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Chase offers several personal cards that can collect Ultimate Rewards. The most popular option is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, particularly for travelers.
Sapphire Preferred cardholders earn:
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 1x on all other purchases
A premium card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, also earns Ultimate Rewards. Cardholders can earn:
- 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠
- 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on other travel and dining (after using the $300 annual travel credit)
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
If you prefer a business option that will earn Ultimate Rewards, consider the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Cardholders earn 3x points per $1 spent (on the first $150,000 spent annually, then 1x point) in the following categories:
- Travel Purchases
- Shipping Purchases
- Advertising on search engines and social media
- Select internet, cable, and phone services
All other purchases, plus additional purchases made from the bonus categories after maximizing the spending bonus, will earn 1x point per dollar spent.
Conclusion
The delightfully simple answer to the question “Do Chase Ultimate Rewards points expire?” is no. Chase Ultimate Rewards points do not expire as long as you keep your card account open. If you maintain your Chase credit card, you maintain your points. By keeping your account open, paying your annual fee, and following the payment terms, you’ll have an ongoing collection of points. The freedom from expiration concerns is a big bonus in Chase’s own reward system.
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