If you're fortunate enough to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® with your credit card, you have a wide range of redemption options available to you. One popular choice is to redeem your rewards for gift cards from various retailers, restaurants, and other service providers. In this article, we'll guide you through the simple process of redeeming your Chase Ultimate Rewards for gift cards, ensuring that you get the most value out of your hard-earned points.
Step-by-Step Guide to Redeeming Ultimate Rewards for Gift Cards
Step 1: Log Into Your Online Chase Ultimate Rewards Account
To begin the gift card redemption process, you'll need to log in to your online Chase account that earns Ultimate Rewards. This includes cards from the Freedom, Sapphire, and Ink families. Once you're on the main rewards homepage, look for the "Earn/Use" button at the top of your screen, which displays your available balance. Click on this button to reveal a menu of reward redemption options. On the right side of the menu, you'll find the option for gift cards.
Gift Card Redemption
Step 2: Browse Available Gift Cards and Select Your Favorite Brand
Chase Ultimate Rewards partners with a wide range of retailers, restaurants, hotels , and other stores or services. You'll have nearly 200 different gift card options to choose from. Whether you're looking for rewards with Airbnb, Amazon.com, Lowe’s, Speedway, or Starbucks, you'll find the perfect gift card to suit your preferences.
Gift Card Options
You can scroll through all the available options or use the search bar to find a specific brand. Additionally, you have the ability to filter your options based on your preferences. For example, you can focus on gift cards on sale to get the most value out of your points.
Filter Options
Furthermore, you can filter by the type of gift card, dollar amount, or whether you prefer a physical or digital card. Digital gift cards are often delivered more quickly, while physical gift cards make for great tangible presents.
Step 3: Customize and Redeem Your Reward
Once you've chosen your desired brand, you'll be taken to a page where you can customize your gift card. Select the dollar amount you want for your gift card, and the points required for redemption will be automatically updated accordingly. For example, a $25 gift card may require 2,500 points.
Customize Gift Card
You may also have the option to choose between digital e-gift cards or physical card delivery. Once you've added your gift card(s) to your cart, proceed to checkout as you would with any online retailer. Your payment will be made using points, and please note that all redemptions are final.
Checkout and Delivery
Keep in mind that Chase will automatically fill in the delivery address with the contact information on file for your card account. If you want to send the gift card to someone else, you'll need to handle the delivery personally rather than having it shipped directly from Ultimate Rewards.
Should You Redeem Ultimate Rewards for Gift Cards?
Now that you know how to redeem your points for gift cards, it's important to consider whether or not it's the right choice for you.
Most gift card redemptions yield a value of 1 point per cent, meaning a $25 card will typically require 2,500 points, while a $100 gift card would cost 10,000 points. However, Chase occasionally offers discounts on gift card purchases, increasing the value of your points. For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards points redeemed for gift cards with a 10% discount are worth 1.11 cents per point.
Gift Card Sale
If there isn't a sale, it might be more advantageous to buy gift cards directly from the merchant and use your points as cash back to offset the purchase. By doing so, you'll earn new rewards with the initial gift card purchase and have access to an unlimited range of gift card options, not just those provided by Chase. Furthermore, you'll receive the gift card instantly when buying in-store or as an e-gift card online, compared to potential processing and shipping delays with Chase Ultimate Rewards redemptions.
Bottom Line
Redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards for gift cards is a straightforward process. Simply log into your account, choose your preferred gift card, select the dollar amount, and submit your request. Most of the time, gift card rewards are available at the same value as cash back (1 point equals 1 cent), but occasional sales can make it an even better option for maximizing your Ultimate Rewards. Start making the most of your Chase Ultimate Rewards today!
