How I Earned $3K with Chase Credit Cards in 2019

People laugh when I geek out about credit cards - but the travel rewards are REAL and are part of the reason I’m able to travel as much as I do. With 2019 coming to a close, I wanted to do a little summary of what I paid in credit card fees this year vs what I earned in credit card points to help exemplify how lucrative this can be if you play your cards right.

(I’m doing this a month early because I will be traveling all next month, but 11 month roundup was still very strong!)

First off, let’s look at what I paid in credit card fees:

Chase Sapphire Reserve Yearly Fee: $450

Chase Bold Ink Business Preferred Yearly Fee: $95

Chase Freedom Unlimited: $0

So I spent $545 to keep all my Chase cards open. Now let’s look at what I got in return. The first thing I want to highlight is the $300 Travel Refund that is a benefit of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

So right off the bat, that brings my cost down to $245.

Now let’s look at how much money I made from my regular everyday spending (as well as some business spending.)

I’m gonna show you some screenshots so you know I’m not lying. Let’s start with my main credit card for the entire year, the Chase Sapphire Reserve. To read my review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve make sure to check out my previously article HERE.

Nov 20

How I Earned $3K with Chase Credit Cards in 2019

Travel, Travel Hacking

People laugh when I geek out about credit cards - but the travel rewards are REAL and are part of the reason I’m able to travel as much as I do. With 2019 coming to a close, I wanted to do a little summary of what I paid in credit card fees this year vs what I earned in credit card points to help exemplify how lucrative this can be if you play your cards right.

(I’m doing this a month early because I will be traveling all next month, but 11 month roundup was still very strong!)

First off, let’s look at what I paid in credit card fees:

Chase Sapphire Reserve Yearly Fee: $450

Chase Bold Ink Business Preferred Yearly Fee: $95

Chase Freedom Unlimited: $0

So I spent $545 to keep all my Chase cards open. Now let’s look at what I got in return. The first thing I want to highlight is the $300 Travel Refund that is a benefit of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

So right off the bat, that brings my cost down to $245.

Now let’s look at how much money I made from my regular everyday spending (as well as some business spending.)

I’m gonna show you some screenshots so you know I’m not lying. Let’s start with my main credit card for the entire year, the Chase Sapphire Reserve. To read my review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve make sure to check out my previously article HERE.

As you can see, my year to date points is 91,765. I’ve had this card open for a couple years so this doesn’t include ANY sign on bonus, this is simply from my REGULAR personal spending or reimbursements from work.

Now let’s look at my next card, the Chase Bold Ink Business Preferred. This card was only opened in September—when I started my own S Corp, so it’s the newest card in my wallet. And it is used for all business purchases (new laptop, business meals, flights for work, etc.)

You can see that I did receive the 80,000 point bonus this year when I opened the card, as well as earned another 15.5K points in the last month and a half - bringing my total on this card to 95,526 in just 2 months of being opened.

Then lastly let’s look at my Chase Freedom Unlimited card. I opened this card in July, so it’s a bit on the newer end as well. It has become my go-to* card for NON travel/dining purchases - as you get 3x points per dollar on ALL purchases up to $20,000 per year (after you hit $20K in spending it goes to 1.5x points per dollar on all purchases). I still put travel and dining purchases on my Chase Sapphire Reserve - which earns 3x points per dollar in those categories - and doesn’t count towards my $20K threshold.

*Note, I often times forget to use this card when making online purchases since my CSR # is memorized, however, I’m hoping to be better about this in 2020 and maximize my 3x points per dollar opportunities!

Read my full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited card HERE.

Per above, I earned 28,338 points from this card in the last 5 months. Not bad.

Now let’s put this all together…

Chase Sapphire Reserve - 91,765

Chase Bold Ink Business Preferred Points - 95,526

Chase Freedom Unlimited Points - 28,338

= 215,629 Points

That is equivalent to $2,156.29 in cash back rewards or transfer points to other airlines. OR can be redeemed thru the Ultimate Rewards Portal at a value of 1.5 (the Chase Sapphire Reserve redemption rate) - which means I basically have $3,234.44 to spend on flights or travel.

Now let’s put that all together - spent $245 in credit card fees and received $3,234.44 to spend on travel.

I’m coming out ahead by $2,989.44 - that’s pretty darn sick. Is everyone signing up for these cards yet?

WELL, when you’re ready here’s my referral link to the Chase Freedom Unlimited: ZERO annual fee and earns 3 points per dollar for EVERY dollar you spend (up to 20K per year; after that it earns at 1.5 points per dollar). Sign up HERE!

A referral link to the Chase Bold Ink Preferred: 80K sign on bonus. 3x points per dollar on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and advertising, 1.25x redemption rate thru the Ultimate Rewards Portal, and much more for a $95 fee. Sign up HERE!

And a regular link to the Chase Sapphire Reserve: 50K sign on bonus, $300 travel credit each year, 3x points per dollar on travel and dining, Global Entry Reimbursement, lounge access, 1.5x redemption rate thru the Ultimate Rewards Portal, and much more for a $450 Fee.

Well I hope this article was enlightening….if you have any questions about credit card points or travel hacking please reach out!! I love this stuff :)

xo

Lauren