How to Combine Points on Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards points represent a flexible rewards currency, offering various redemption possibilities from travel to cash back. Optimizing the use of these points often involves combining them strategically. Understanding how to consolidate points can significantly enhance their value and help cardholders achieve their desired redemptions more efficiently.

Understanding Point Transfers and Point Pooling

Combining Chase Ultimate Rewards points typically involves two distinct methods: transferring points between your own Chase credit card accounts or pooling points with another eligible Chase cardholder in your household. Transferring points between your own accounts is beneficial for consolidating points onto a single card, especially a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred, which can unlock higher redemption values for travel through the Chase Travel portal or enable transfers to airline and hotel partners. For instance, points redeemed through the Chase Travel portal can be worth 1.5 cents per point with the Sapphire Reserve, or 1.25 cents with the Sapphire Preferred, compared to 1 cent per point for cards like the Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited.

Pooling points with another cardholder allows family members or partners to combine their individual point balances for a larger, shared redemption. This strategy is particularly useful for booking significant travel expenses, such as flights or hotel stays, that might otherwise require a substantial number of points beyond what one individual cardholder possesses. For example, a household might maintain one premium card for enhanced redemption options, with other members transferring points from their cards to this central account. This approach can help accumulate points faster for a specific travel goal.

Step-by-Step Process for Combining Points

The process for combining Chase Ultimate Rewards points is conducted through the Chase Ultimate Rewards online portal. Log into your Chase account at chase.com and navigate to the Ultimate Rewards section. Select any of your Ultimate Rewards-earning cards to proceed to the main rewards page. On this page, locate and select the “Combine Points” option, usually found under a “Rewards details” or “Manage points” dropdown menu.

If transferring points between your own Chase accounts, the “Combine Points” page displays all eligible cards. Select the “from” account (where points originate) and the “to” account (where points will be sent). Specify the number of points to transfer; there is no minimum transfer amount, and transfers are generally instant. Review the summary before confirming and submitting.

For pooling points with another eligible household member, an initial setup is required. The first time you transfer points to another person, call Chase customer service to link your accounts. This one-time call verifies both individuals share the same physical address and have eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards. Once the accounts are linked by a representative, which occurs instantly, subsequent transfers to that household member can be completed online through the “Combine Points” tool by entering the recipient’s last name and Chase card number.

Key Rules and Limitations

Points can only be transferred to another Chase card belonging to you or to one member of your household. This household member must share your physical address, and Chase generally limits point pooling to one designated individual at a time. For business cards, points can also be combined with a joint business owner.

When points are transferred to another account, they generally adopt the value and terms associated with the receiving card. For example, points transferred to a card without premium travel benefits, such as a Chase Freedom card, may lose the enhanced value they would have had for travel portal redemptions or transfers to airline/hotel partners. Once points are combined, the transfer is typically irreversible, so careful consideration of the receiving account’s benefits is advisable before initiating a transfer. While Chase Ultimate Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open, transferred points, especially to external travel partners, may be subject to the expiration policies of the receiving loyalty program.