Chase Ultimate Rewards® Made Easy: The Trifecta, 5/24, and My 2025 Setup

#14 In this episode, I’m kicking off a 3-part mini-series all about how I use Chase Ultimate Rewards® to turn everyday spending into trips to Japan and beyond. I walk through why Chase is the bank I’ve relied on for most of my hotel stays, how I think about flexible points vs. co-branded cards, and why Hyatt is the star of the show for my style of travel.You’ll hear how Chase fits into my real life, to using Southwest for positioning flights out of Orlando and how I’m adjusting my strategy with a baby on the way. I also share what’s changed recently with Chase’s rules (including the Sapphire “once per lifetime” bonus and 5/24), plus some of the tools and habits I use to stay organized without getting overwhelmed.In this episode, we cover:What Chase Ultimate Rewards are and why flexible points matterChase’s airline and hotel transfer partners, and why I’m so loyal to HyattThe 5/24 rule, what counts, what doesn’t, and how I track it with the Travel Freely appThe “Chase Trifecta”: Freedom Flex℠, Freedom Unlimited®, and Sapphire Preferred® / Sapphire Reserve®How I’ve used Chase points for high-value hotel stays in Hawaii, Japan, South Korea, and around the U.S.Chase Ink business cards, why they’re so powerful, and why you don’t need a huge business to get startedUsing referrals and a “Player 2” strategy to earn even more points togetherCo-branded options with United, Southwest, World of Hyatt, and more  and how they fit into my bigger planWhen I downgrade cards instead of canceling, and how that can actually help your credit profileA quick preview of Part 2 (where to stay in Tokyo) and Part 3 (Hyatt hotels in Tokyo & around Japan you can book with Chase points)Links mentioned in this episodeHow to complete a Chase business credit card application (The Points Guy): https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/how-to-complete-chase-business-credit-card-application/Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card – I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for the card. Learn more: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/18s/9CW2RA0SQWSapphire Reserve® or Sapphire Preferred® – I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for either card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19u/HI7L7GXYA2Sapphire Reserve for Business®, Ink Business Unlimited®, or Ink Business Cash® – I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for the card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21a/TTH7YQHJJEAny Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Credit Card – I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for the card: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226c/E7NIVDKYLMYouTube: “Chase 48 Month Rule Gone?” by Ben Hedges https://youtu.be/9sBPZUS_ZxU?si=JvsEV_4_8IejjBwoRewarding Routes Stan Store  → https://stan.store/rewardingroutesInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/Email → [email protected]