Chase Trifecta 2024 Ultimate Guide: Freedom + Sapphire

The Chase trifecta is a collection of three powerful credit cards from Chase Bank that allow you to earn extra Chase Ultimate Reward points in a variety of spending bonus categories. The three Chase cards of the Trifecta are:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve^®
• Chase Freedom Flex^℠ Credit Card
• Chase Freedom Unlimited^® Credit Card

Thanks to the Chase interpretation of the Military Lending Act, Chase waives annual fees on all of their personal credit cards for active duty, militay spouses, and Guard and Reserve on 30+ day active orders.

This fee waiver includes the ultra-premium Chase Sapphire Reserve^®.

You can confirm your eligibility for MLA fee waivers by checking the MLA database.

American Express also offers a similar Amex Trifceta that allows you to earn a ton of Membership Rewards points.

What is the Chase Trifecta?

You can pool all of your Chase Ultimate Reward points between accounts and even between household members, such as your spouse or partner.

With these 3 cards, you are guaranteed to always earn at least 1.5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points per transaction with the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® Credit Card.

You can then redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for at least 1.5 cents in the Chase Travel portal through the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, meaning your earning an effective cash back of 2.25% on every transaction.

But it gets even better! For instance, if you use your Chase Freedom Flex^℠ Credit Card to earn 5% cash back on quarterly rotating categories.

The 5% cash back is paid in Ultimate Reward Points, which you can transfer to your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, and cash out for 1.5 cents per point, meaning you're earning an effective 7.5% cash back!

If you transfer your Ultimate Rewards points from your Chase Sapphire Reserve to a travel transfer partner, such as Hyatt Hotels or United Airlines, you can earn 2 or 3 cents per point, making your 5% cash back now worth effectively 10-15% cash back.

The 3 cards you need for the Chase Trifecta are:

Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• $550 annual fee waived to $0 for US military + spouses with Chase MLA policy
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
• 3x Points on other Travel (airfare, hotels) after earning the $300 travel credit
• 3x Dining restaurants, takeouts, delivery
• Chase Ultimate Reward Points redeemed through Chase Travel℠ are worth 1.5 cents, a 50% bonus.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• Priority Pass lounge and restaurant access with over 1300+ airport lounges worldwide
• Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry every 4 years
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Primary coverage with Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• No foreign transaction fees, Member FDIC
• Learn more in the Chase Sapphire Reserve review

Chase Freedom Flex^℠ Credit Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• Earn $200 cash back (20,000 Ultimate Reward points) when you spend $500 in 3 months
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through the Chase Travel℠ portal
• 3% on dining at restaurants, takeout, and delivery
• 3% back on drugstore purchases
• 1% back on all other purchases
• 5% on up to $1,500 of purchases in specific bonus categories each quarter
• No annual fee
• Compare the Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase Freedom Unlimited^® Credit Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• INTRO OFFER: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, the premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open
• No annual fee
• Compare the Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Chase Freedom Flex
• Member FDIC

By leveraging this trio of powerful credit cards from Chase, you can unlock an impressive array of benefits, maximize your rewards, and make your travel dreams a reality. In this article, we'll delve into the details of the Chase Trifecta and show you how to make the most of this potent combination.

The Foundations: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Trifecta starts with the foundations: the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Card. These premium travel rewards credit cards offer robust earning potential and valuable perks.

With the Sapphire Preferred, you earn 2X points on dining and travel, while the Sapphire Reserve elevates that to 3X points. Both cards grant you access to the renowned Chase Ultimate Rewards program, where your points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, and more.

The Synergy of the Trifecta: How It Works

Now that we've introduced the key players of the Chase Trifecta, let's see how they work together harmoniously to maximize your rewards. By strategically utilizing these cards, you can earn points at an accelerated rate in various spending categories.

For instance, you may use the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve for travel and dining purchases, the Freedom Flex for quarterly bonus categories, and the Freedom Unlimited for everyday spending. This synchronized approach allows you to accumulate points quickly across different categories.

Pooling and Transferring Chase Points

One of the most significant advantages of the Chase Trifecta is the ability to pool and transfer your Ultimate Rewards points. By consolidating your points into a single account, you gain flexibility and access to Chase's impressive list of travel partners.

You can transfer your points to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a 1:1 ratio, opening up a world of redemption possibilities and potentially enhancing the value of your points.

Maximizing Ultimate Rewards Redemption Options

When it comes to redeeming your hard-earned points, the Chase Trifecta offers a multitude of options. You can book travel directly through Chase's travel portal, transfer points to loyalty programs, or even redeem for statement credits, gift cards, or merchandise. By leveraging these options, you can stretch the value of your points and enjoy unforgettable experiences at a fraction of the cost.

Remember, the Chase Trifecta is not limited to seasoned travelers or business owners alone. It's a strategy that can be tailored to your individual lifestyle and spending habits, allowing you to earn and redeem rewards that align with your personal goals and aspirations.