The Chase Trifecta

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The Chase Trifecta is a popular credit card setup among enthusiasts for its flexibility, rewards, and overall value. However, like any setup, it has its pros and cons. In this article, I'll break down the essential elements of the Chase Trifecta, explore alternate versions to suit your needs, and discuss why this setup might be perfect—or overrated—depending on your financial goals.

What Is the Chase Trifecta

At its core, the Chase Trifecta is a combination of three Chase Ultimate Rewards point-earning credit cards that work together to maximize your points and rewards.

The classic version includes:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Chase Freedom Flex®

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

I’ll walk you through each of these cards, followed by potential alternatives and variations of the setup.

Chase Freedom Unlimited: The Catch-All Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited (CFU) is often the backbone of the Trifecta due to its broad rewards categories and no annual fee.

Key Benefits:

• 5% cash back per $1 (or 5x points) on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠

• 3% cash back per $1 (or 3x points) on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service

• 1.5% cash back per $1 (or 1.5x points) on all other purchases

• No annual fee

Why It Stands Out:

Compared to competitors like the Wells Fargo Active Cash (2% back) or Citi Double Cash (no welcome bonus), the Freedom Unlimited often comes with solid welcome offers. For the Chase Trifecta specifically, the Chase Freedom Unlimited serves as the card you use outside of any elevated category amongst all the cards, so it's one that I've used heavily over time.

Chase Freedom Flex: The Rotating Rewards Powerhouse

The Chase Freedom Flex (CFF) is the ultimate “flex” in this trio, thanks to its rotating 5% categories that change quarterly.

Key Benefits:

• 5% cash back per $1 (or 5X points) on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories that rotate quarterly - Activation required

• 5% cash back per $1 (or 5X points) on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠

• 3% cash back per $1 (or 3X points) on drugstores and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services

• 1% cash back per $1 (or 1X points) on all other purchases

• No annual fee

Why It Stands Out:

Unlike the Freedom Unlimited, the Flex lets you tap into 5% rewards on specific categories that can add up fast. Also, it comes with solid welcome offers as well which you can stack with all other Chase Ultimate Reward point earning cards, making it an easy way to earn extra cashback or points.

Chase Sapphire Preferred: The Points Multiplier

The Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP) is the card that brings this setup to life with a $95 annual fee, mainly due to its ability to boost the value of your Chase points for travel redemptions and transfers.

Key Benefits:

• 5x per $1 on Chase Travel℠ purchases and qualifying Lyft rides (through 03/2025)

• 3x per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)

• 3x per $1 on select streaming services

• 2x per $1 on travel purchases

• 1x per $1 on all other purchases

• $50 statement credit for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠ every year

• 25% points boost when booking through Chase Travel℠ or certain Pay Yourself Back (PYB) categories

• 10% anniversary points bonus (earn 10% of your total spend in points) each account anniversary year

• DashPass membership (12 months free for DoorDash and Caviar if activated by 12/31/2027)

• Travel insurance such as primary rental car coverage, trip delay and cancellation insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection

Why It Stands Out:

The Sapphire Preferred unlocks Chase’s transfer partners, including companies such as Hyatt for hotels or Air Canada for flights, allowing you to redeem points for maximum value depending on your itinerary. This card also offers travel protections and insurances, such as a primary auto collision damage waiver, making it great for travelers.

Alternate Routes: Tailoring the Trifecta to Your Needs

The beauty of the Chase ecosystem is its flexibility, allowing you to tweak the Trifecta to suit your personal preferences. Here are some alternative setups:

For Beginners:

• Chase Freedom Rise®: This is a great starter card with no annual fee and 1.5x back on everything.

• Chase Ink Business Cards: The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (CIP) can replace the Sapphire Preferred if you’re running a small business. Its ability to transfer points to travel partners while offering useful business categories makes it a powerful option. You can also bring in one of the no-annual-fee Chase Ink cards (Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (CIC) and/or Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (CIU)) based on your needs.

• Note: The points earned on the Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card will not combine with your other Chase UR points making that card a cashback-only card, effectively.

For Higher-End Users:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: If you want more luxury, you can swap the Chase Sapphire Preferred for the Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR). With a $550 annual fee, you’ll get additional perks like airport lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, a 50% points boost in the travel portal, and more.

  
  

Why Is the Chase Trifecta So Popular?

1. Chase Ultimate Rewards Flexibility: Chase Ultimate Rewards points are often considered the most flexible out of all currencies, with options for cash back redemptions at 1 cent per point, travel portal bookings up to 1.5 cents per point, and transfers to valuable airline and hotel partners that can yield well over 2 cents per point.

2. Valuable Transfer Partners: Chase's partnership with Hyatt makes their points one of the most sought-after currencies since Hyatt consistently provides high redemption rates for your points. Plus, they have access to plenty of international airlines that can be used for high-value business or first-class redemptions.

3. Low Cost: The classic Trifecta only costs $95 annually (the Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee), making it an affordable setup for both beginners and experienced cardholders.

4. Great for Beginners: With no annual fees on two of the cards and easy-to-understand rewards categories, the Chase Trifecta is often a go-to recommendation for those just starting out in the credit card game.

5. Stacking Welcome Offers: Since Chase allows you to earn welcome offers on each Freedom, Sapphire, and Ink card multiple times after a cooldown period, you can maximize your points-earning potential by staying loyal to their ecosystem.

Is the Chase Trifecta Overrated?

While this setup is immensely popular, it’s not for everyone. If you prefer other travel partners or point ecosystems (e.g., Amex Membership Rewards), the Chase Trifecta may not be the best choice. Similarly, if you can’t take advantage of the higher points redemptions through Chase’s travel portal or transfer partners, other setups, like a flat 2% cash back card, might suit your needs better.

At the same time though, the Chase Trifecta is a versatile and powerful credit card setup that works well for many users, especially those looking to maximize their points for travel. By combining cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points in complementary categories, you can unlock significant value. Whether you stick with the classic Trifecta or explore alternatives, the key is finding the setup that aligns with your lifestyle and spending habits.

Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.