In this series, we’re going to cover ways to stock up on miles with different programs. Not only are there several ways to accumulate Ultimate Rewards points, but because of the nearly dozen transfer partners, they’re a great asset for topping off other reward accounts, including:

• British Airways Executive Club
• Korean Air SkyPass
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• United MileagePlus
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• Amtrak Guest Rewards
• Hyatt Gold Passport
• IHG Rewards Club
• Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards

Aside from the many transfer partners and abundant credit card offers (some of the highest sign-up bonuses out there), there are various other benefits of ultimate rewards.

Barring certain category bonuses, Ultimate Rewards effectively replace 10 credit cards. In some cases, the sign-up bonus for the Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards are higher than those co-branded by Ultimate Rewards transfer partners.

Here are all the ways you can stock up on Ultimate Rewards points:

Credit Cards. 

Chase Ink Plus (50,000 points). A business card offering one of the most generous sign-up bonuses, the Chase Ink Plus card pays out 50,000 points after $5,000 spent within three months.

Assuming the $5,000 spending requirement is met with regular spend (and not category bonuses), this results in 55,000 Ultimate Reward points.

The Ink Plus is most beneficial for its 5 point category bonus payout at office supply stores, cell phone, landline, internet, and cable tv services. These payouts are limited to the first $50,000 spent annually.

You can easily maximize your earnings further on things like dining, entertainment, gas, and travel by picking up gift cards from these categories with your Ink Plus and earning 5 points per $1. Aside from this, cardholders also earn 2 points per $1 at gas stations and on hotel accommodations (on the first $50,000 spent annually).

The card does have a $95 annual fee, which is waived the first year. For some the bonus category payouts cancel out the annual fee. There are also no foreign transaction fees, making this a great card for traveling abroad.

What’s more, these cards will soon be converted to Visa Signature cards, entitling cardholders to a variety of discounts and perks.

Chase Ink Bold (50,000 points). The sign-up bonus, category payouts, and most other features of this card are the same as the Ink Plus. What differentiates this card from the Ink Plus is that it is a charge card with no pre-set spending limit.

Chase Ink Classic (20,000 points). The Ink Classic one also the lowest sign-up bonus of the Ink cards, but no annual fee. After $3,000 in spending requirements are met within three months, cardholders will end up with 23,000 points (at a rate of 1 point per $1 spent). Cardholders also get 0% APR for the first 6 months.

Much like it’s counterparts, the Ink Classic offers 5 points per $1 spent at office supply stores, cell phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services – though this is capped at the first $25,000 spent annually.

Equally, gas station and hotel accommodations earn 2 points per $1.

Chase Sapphire Preferred (40,000 points). This card tops our list as the most rewarding personal card. Offering 2 points per $1 on travel and dining (with an extra point on First Fridays). This card pays out an annual 7% dividend on all earned points, which is one of its biggest perks.

The initial sign-up bonus is 40,000 points after $3,000 spent within three months. Assuming the spend is met through non-bonus category spend, this would bring your total to 43,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending requirements are met.

The card charges no foreign transaction fees and comes with a $95 annual fee, which is waived the first year.

Chase Sapphire Card (10,000 points). This version of the card rarely gets talked about, but it’s an alternative to the Sapphire Preferred if you want a card with no annual fee.

The sign-up bonus is low at 20,000 points after $500 spent within three months, but the card carries to annual fee. You will still earn 2 points per $1 on dining, though you’ll miss out on the travel bonus and 7% annual dividend.

Chase Freedom ($100/10,000 points). If you have an ultimate rewards-earning card, you can convert the cash back earned from the Freedom card to points, making this a very flexible card.

Another great feature of the Freedom card is the ability to earn 5% cash back/5 points per $1 at rotating quarterly categories, which can include gas, grocery stores, department stores, and others. The bonus category payout is capped at the first $1,500 spent each quarter.

The card pays out $100 (or the equivalent of 10,000 points) after $500 is spent within three months. As an added perk, the card offers 0% APR on purchases for the first 15 months. Even better, the Freedom card has no annual fee.

Ultimate Rewards Mall. The Ultimate Rewards Shopping Portal consistently has some of the highest shopping payouts at various popular merchants. A great tool for comparing shopping portal payouts is Evreward. It’s not completely accurate, as I’ve been told topcashback is constantly left out of the results – begging the question as to how many other merchants are left out as well. Still, it is the best option as far as I know and covers the majority of shopping portals.

With an Ultimate Rewards credit card and the generous payouts of the Ultimate Rewards Mall, it is easy to accrue lots of miles and put them to good use.

If you have questions about this or other topics, please email us or leave a comment below.