While cash-back credit cards don't offer the optimal way to earn travel rewards, there are some situations where they work.
If you have a premier Chase travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example, it can be smart to pair your card with a no-fee cash back card like the Chase Freedom or Chase Freedom Unlimited.
This is because Chase lets you pool all your points in one account, making it easier to make optimal travel redemptions through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. Once you pool your points in a Chase travel credit card account, you then have the option to transfer points 1:1 to popular loyalty programs like Air France/Flying Blue, Southwest Airlines, British Airways, Hyatt, Marriott and IHG Rewards, among others.
The Chase Freedom card especially can be very complementary since it doles out 5 percent back on up to $1,500 in spending in categories that rotate every quarter. If you use this card for category bonuses and use your premier Chase travel card for its bonus categories (like 3x points on travel and dining with the Chase Sapphire Reserve), then you can optimize your spending and earn more travel rewards over time.
While the Chase Freedom categories tend to be fairly predictable, the card brand is ushering in a new wave of bonus categories for 2018. For the first quarter of the year, you'll earn 5 percent back on your first $1,500 spent on gas stations, internet, cable and phone services and mobile wallet purchases via Android Pay, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay and Chase Pay.
And remember, this is on top of the charges you plan to make for gas and internet/cable/phone services. You get 5 percent back on the first $1,500 spent in these categories combined through January and March next year, plus an unlimited 1 percent back on everything else.
If you play your cards right and utilize mobile wallet, more free travel could be yours.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
