If you’ve got more than one Chase card, you’re already earning cash back and points. The part most people miss is what happens next: how to pool points, how to combine points across cards, and when to redeem through the Chase Travel portal, Points Boost, or transfer partners.
And yes, Chase rules and redemption mechanics can change. That’s exactly why the best version of this article is not a list of “current” redemption rates that will be outdated next quarter. The best version is a framework: a strategy you can run every time you book a trip, even if the details shift. That’s what this article gives you.
What the Chase Trifecta actually is (and what it’s not)
The Chase Trifecta is a simple idea with a lot of hype around it: use three Chase cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards, so you earn points quickly across everyday spending, then move those points into one card that unlocks the best redemption options.
This is not about collecting cards for status or bragging rights. It’s about building a system where each card has a job:
One card is your “hub” for redemptions and partner transfers
One card is your everyday workhorse
One card is your category booster (where you earn extra points in specific areas)
When it works, you earn more points on the same spending and give yourself more ways to redeem those points for higher value.
The core requirement: you need Ultimate Rewards compatibility
To use any Trifecta strategy, your cards need to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points. That’s what allows you to consolidate rewards into one place and keep your options open.
Some cards are great at earning points, but not all cards are equally powerful for redemptions. That’s why the “pooling” step matters. You want to earn widely, then redeem from the card that gives you the best leverage.
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The common Chase Trifecta setup (and why it’s popular)
A popular Trifecta-style stack uses:
Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve as the hub
Chase Freedom Unlimited as the everyday earner
Chase Freedom Flex as the rotating category booster
This combo gets mentioned constantly because it covers a lot of real-world spending:
Dining, drugstores, general purchases
Quarterly rotating categories (if you actually track them)
A central place to combine points and decide how to redeem
But the “best” setup isn’t universal. The best setup is the one that matches how you spend and how you travel.
If you don’t want three cards, the “Chase Duo” can be smarter
Not everyone wants multiple cards or annual fees. That’s fine. The “Chase Duo” approach typically means:
One hub card: Chase Sapphire Preferred
One earner: Chase Freedom Unlimited
This still gives you the main advantage that matters: you can pool points into the Sapphire account, then choose the best redemption path when you’re ready. If you’re not tracking rotating categories and you don’t want complexity, the Duo is often the cleanest “set it and keep it” strategy.
Points Boost and why you should treat portal value as variable
Here’s the issue with many Chase rewards articles: they lock themselves to a set of redemption values, and then the article becomes fragile the moment Chase changes how the portal works.
With Points Boost, Chase creates situations where certain bookings can produce higher value through the Chase Travel portal. The important point is not the marketing. The important point is that portal value is no longer something you should assume.
The rule that keeps this article evergreen is simple:
Treat portal redemptions as “check at checkout”
Treat Points Boost as an opportunity, not a guaranteed baseline
Compare portal versus transfer partners every time you book
That one shift keeps you from building your strategy on numbers that might change.
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The real strategy: earn everywhere, pool points once, then decide at booking time
This is the system that makes Trifecta setups actually useful. It’s not complicated, but it has to be followed in order.
Step 1: Earn points using the right card for the purchase
Use the card that matches your category, so you earn faster.
Use an everyday earner for non-category spending
Use a category card where it’s clearly better
Keep it simple and repeatable, not “perfect”
Step 2: Combine points into your hub card
This is where you pool points and unlock flexibility.
Move points from your earning cards into the hub card
Do this when you’re ready to redeem, not constantly
Step 3: Price your trip three ways
Before you redeem, compare the same trip using:
Cash price
Chase Travel portal price (including any Points Boost)
Partner award price after transferring to transfer partners
You are not looking for the “maximum possible theoretical value.” You’re looking for the best real option you can actually book today.
Why transfer partners are still the highest ceiling for value
When people say “you’ll usually get more value from transfer partners,” what they really mean is this: some partner redemptions can outperform portal redemptions by a lot, especially when you’re booking premium cabins or high-value hotel nights.
Transfer partners are the upside path. But they are not the simplest path.
If you want maximum value, you’ll need to accept some trade-offs:
You may need to search for award availability
You may need flexibility on dates or routes
You should avoid transferring points until you’re ready to book
The best approach is not “transfer every time.” The best approach is “transfer when it clearly wins.”
Portal vs Points Boost vs transfer partners (a simple decision rule)
This decision rule keeps your strategy stable even if Chase changes the details again.
Use the Chase Travel portal when convenience is the priority and pricing is competitive.
Use Points Boost when it clearly improves value for the exact booking you want.
Use transfer partners when you can confirm availability and you’re getting meaningfully better value.
If you only remember one thing, remember this: don’t assume any redemption path is best. Compare them quickly, then book.
Which Chase cards matter most for maximizing rewards
| Chase card | Who it’s best for | What it does best | Why it matters in a Trifecta setup | Read Full Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
People who want solid travel value without a high annual-fee lifestyle | Best value transfer hub | Acts as the main place to pool points and unlock transfer partners while keeping costs reasonable | ||
Travelers who will actually use premium credits and benefits | Best premium perks hub | Best fit when you’ll consistently use credits/perks enough to justify the annual fee, and still want a hub for Chase Ultimate Rewards | ||
Anyone who wants simple, reliable earning on most purchases | Best everyday points earner | Feeds the hub with steady points across general spending with minimal effort |
How to stack cards without getting blocked by the 5/24 rule
If you’re planning to build a multi-card setup, you can’t ignore the 5/24 rule. Even if you’re not obsessed with optimization, you still want to avoid applying in the wrong order and slowing yourself down.
A simple approach:
Start with the hub card if partner transfers matter to you
Add one everyday earner next
Add a category booster only if you’ll actually use it
Plan applications so you don’t accidentally lock yourself out
The mistakes that make the Chase Trifecta feel “not worth it”
Most people don’t fail because they chose the “wrong” card. They fail because they build a complex setup, then don’t run it consistently.
Watch for these problems:
Paying annual fees for benefits you don’t use
Forgetting to activate rotating categories on Freedom Flex
Transferring points before confirming award availability
Treating Points Boost like a guaranteed redemption rate
Building a Trifecta when a two-card setup would be easier and just as effective
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can you transfer Chase points to another person?
Yes, you can usually transfer points to a spouse or household member on eligible accounts. Always confirm eligibility inside your account settings before moving points.
How do I use the Chase Trifecta?
Use your earners for purchases, then combine points into your hub card when you’re ready to book. Compare portal, Points Boost, and transfer partners before redeeming.
Is the Chase Trifecta still good?
Yes, as a framework. The value comes from earning across categories and keeping redemption options open, not from memorizing a fixed redemption rate.
Do I need three cards?
No. A two-card setup can be easier to manage and still unlock most of the value if you’re pooling points into a hub card.
When should I use transfer partners?
Use transfer partners when you’ve confirmed award availability and the redemption value clearly beats the portal for the same trip.
What is the 5/24 rule?
It’s a common approval constraint people plan around when stacking cards. If you want multiple Chase cards, you should plan your application order.