Airlines and hotels regularly devalue their programs and increase the number of points and miles needed for flights and award stays — this is nothing new.
However, credit card experts continually remain loyal to Chase for two main reasons: High-value Chase Ultimate Rewards points are flexible, and Chase offers a pairable card lineup that allows you to maximize both your earning and redemption strategies.
While all Chase cards have stand-alone value, combining three complementary ones can unlock a ton of value across spending categories.
There are more than three cards you can create a trifecta from, but the typical setup that maximizes rewards includes the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees).
Here’s how these cards work together to create a great credit card strategy.
What is the Chase Trifecta?
The Chase Trifecta is a pairing of three of Chase’s rewards-earning credit cards that help you maximize your earnings through spending.
Despite some of these cards earning cash back, you can convert cash back to points since your trifecta options always include an Ultimate Rewards-earning card.
To maximize the value of your rewards, we recommend converting all your rewards to Ultimate Rewards points, as TPG’s August 2025 valuations peg them at 2.05 cents apiece.
What cards are in the Chase Trifecta?
The Chase Trifecta generally consists of three cards:
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Note that you can also pair a Sapphire card with two Freedom cards if you don’t qualify for or want a business card.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee: $795.
Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points and a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This welcome offer is worth up to $2,550 (including the statement credit) based on TPG’s August 2025 valuations.
Note that the promotional credit is valid for one-time use only. If you apply it to a transaction less than $500, you will forfeit the remaining balance.
This card earns 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly, plus 3 points per dollar spent on dining (including takeout and delivery).
Its hefty $795 annual fee is offset by its $300 annual travel credit and up to $500 annual The Edit credit ($250 biannually) when booking a two-night minimum stay. Other credits and perks, like a Priority Pass Select membership and access to Chase’s growing network of Sapphire lounges, more than make up for the steep annual fee.
You can transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 partners for maximum value. The Sapphire Reserve’s flexibility and earning power make it an excellent travel companion and everyday earner.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Annual fee: $95.
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This offer is worth $1,538 based on TPG’s August 2025 valuations.
If you want a Chase product with a significantly lower annual fee, opt for the Sapphire Preferred. It’s one of the best starter travel rewards cards and has multiple bonus-earning categories.
You’ll receive most of the travel protections and insurances that are on the Sapphire Reserve, like primary rental car insurance and trip cancellation insurance (an often underrated but useful benefit), but at lower levels of coverage.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
Annual fee: $795.
Welcome offer: Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. This offer is worth $4,100 based on TPG’s August valuations.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business is the issuer’s first premium business card. Like its personal counterpart, the Sapphire Reserve, it carries a $795 annual fee. However, that fee can be offset by the laundry list of perks and over $2,000 annually in statement credits.
You’ll also receive lounge access via Sapphire and Priority Pass lounges and a suite of purchase and travel protections.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Annual fee: $0.
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
For the second part of the trifecta, you could choose the Freedom Unlimited. This card is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a catchall card for purchases that don’t fall into bonus-earning categories with other cards, as it earns at least 1.5% back on all purchases.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Flex
Annual fee: $0.
Welcome offer: Earn $200 after spending $500 on eligible purchases within the first three months of account opening.
With the Freedom Flex, you’ll earn 5% back on rotating quarterly categories (on up to $1,500 of combined spending per quarter, then 1% thereafter; activation required).
These quarterly categories are typically very easy to use and have previously included electric vehicle charging stations, Instacart and live entertainment.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Annual fee: $95.
Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This offer is worth $1,845 based on TPG’s August 2025 valuations.
To round out the trifecta, you’ll need an Ink Business card.
With the Ink Business Preferred, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (on up to $150,000 in combined spending each account anniversary year, then 1 point per dollar).
Along with primary rental car insurance on cars rented for business purposes, the Ink Business Preferred also offers cellphone protection. This will replace your cellphone if it’s stolen or damaged (up to three times per year) with just a $100 deductible, as long as you pay your monthly cellphone bill with your card.
You can even protect your employees’ cellphones if their service lines are included on the same bill. Just note that the limit is $1,000 per claim and a total of $3,000 (or three claims) per 12-month period.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
How does a Chase Trifecta work?
When choosing a Chase Trifecta, consider what you’re willing to pay in annual fees, your general travel and spending habits and whether you are eligible for a business card.
Based on these factors, it might make sense to replace one of the business cards listed above with another Chase product. Each of these cards covers a distinct spending area and offers unique perks as part of a well-rounded credit card strategy.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
Beginners who are wary of the $795 annual fee on the Sapphire Reserve can replace it with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
The Sapphire Preferred features a lower redemption bonus with Points Boost and doesn’t offer lounge access. However, you’ll enjoy a $50 annual statement credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel, plus a 10% points bonus on your anniversary based on your previous year’s spending.
Lastly, you could skip the personal Sapphire cards and go with the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business.
Regardless of which Sapphire card you select, you’ll have access to Chase’s transfer partners.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve: Should you go mid-tier or premium?
Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
If you already have the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) — both of which earn at a higher rate on nonbonus spending — it might make more sense for you to have the Chase Freedom Flex instead of the Chase Freedom Unlimited for the rotating quarterly categories.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a card that earns more than 1 point per dollar spent or 1% back on your nonbonus spending, the Freedom Unlimited may be a better choice than the Freedom Flex.
Related: Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited comparison: Rotating categories or flat cash back?
Ink Business card or Sapphire Reserve for Business?
If you opt for the Chase Sapphire Preferred as your main Sapphire card, you may still want a premium travel card with benefits like lounge access and statement credits. The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business can fill that gap.
Additionally, if you have high advertising spending, you may want to opt for the Sapphire Reserve for Business, as it earns an uncapped 3 points per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising, whereas the Ink Business Preferred‘s advertising bonus category is capped at $150,000 in combined annual spending.
However, if you don’t need lounge access or premium perks, have high advertising spending or want a lower annual fee, you should opt for an Ink Business card.
Not eligible for an Ink card? No problem
You can also create a Chase Trifecta without an Ink Business card. Since Chase doesn’t restrict you to only having one Freedom card, you can carry the Freedom Flex and the Freedom Unlimited.
With this setup, you would use your Sapphire card for travel and dining purchases, the Freedom Flex for 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories and the Freedom Unlimited for anything else that doesn’t fall into those bonus categories.
This is also one of the most cost-effective trifectas if you opt for the Sapphire Preferred, as the combined annual fees would be just $95.
Meanwhile, you could hold both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Sapphire Preferred, plus the Freedom Unlimited. While this is an expensive setup, with combined annual fees costing $890, you would cover all bonus spending categories, especially with travel, hotels and flights booked directly and earn at least 1.5 points per dollar spent.
Other Ink Business options
The Ink Business Preferred is the most common pick for the Chase Trifecta, but it isn’t the only option.
You could also opt for a no-annual-fee Ink Business card, like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees) or the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees).
The Ink Business Cash earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 you make in combined purchases each account anniversary year at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services. The Ink Business Cash is a good option for those with high spending in business-related bonus categories.
The Ink Business Unlimited earns 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases, making it a great catchall card for those who don’t spend much on bonus categories.
However, the Ink Business Preferred is the only card that provides cellphone protection, so if you drop your phone often, this may be something to consider.
Related: Chase Ink Business Unlimited vs. Ink Business Cash: Battle of the cash-back business cards
Bottom line
The ultimate goal of building a Chase Trifecta is to maximize every dollar you spend by putting your purchases on the right credit cards. When building your own version of the trifecta, consider Chase’s 5/24 rule and how much time you’re allotting between Chase applications.
For more details on how to increase your approval odds, check out our guide to credit card application rules and restrictions.
Related: Better together: The ultimate guide to the best credit card combinations
