Why I choose to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points over Amex Membership Rewards points

04.06.2024 - 17:55 / thepointsguy.com

The American Express® Gold Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are always in my wallet — both are favorites here at TPG. Aside from the benefits of these cards, both the Sapphire Preferred and the Amex Gold earn transferable points, allowing me to transfer my hard-earned points to partner airlines and hotels to maximize my redemptions.

However, one program reigns supreme after utilizing both cards and their points currencies. Let's look at why I prioritize earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points instead of American Express Membership Rewards points.

Amex and Chase both have flexible currencies that are extremely valuable. TPG values Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents per point and Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents a point.

Chase points can sometimes be more valuable when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. As a Sapphire Preferred cardholder, my points are worth a fixed rate of 1.25 cents per point. Note that if you hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, your points are worth 1.5 cents per point.

However, when you redeem Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal, your points are only worth 1 cent apiece.

Aside from booking through the respective portals, I tend to maximize my points by transferring them to airline and hotel partners. Though Amex has 21 partners and Chase has 14, each program offers customers valuable hotel and airline transfer options, which allows you to maximize your rewards for sweet spot redemptions.

Another redemption option is to redeem points for cash back. Amex points are only worth a meager 0.6 cents per point, compared to Chase points, which are worth 1 cent per point.

While both programs have positives and negatives, I prioritize earning Chase points over Amex.

Related: Amex Membership Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards: Which is the best?

Amex Membership Rewards points are some of the most valuable flexible point currencies you can earn. Some of my favorite ways to utilize Amex points are transferring them to Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan for redemptions on Star Alliance metal. Despite these valuable transfer partners, I don't find value in Amex's other transfer partners and rarely use them.

The bulk of my spending on cards is dining, and that's why my Amex Gold always stays in my wallet, as it earns 4 points per dollar spent on worldwide dining at restaurants, including eligible takeout and delivery purchases in the U.S. Furthermore, the Amex Gold earns 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked with airlines or AmexTravel, and has been my main card for booking flights.

However, I am now prioritizing Chase points over Amex because I have a stockpile of Amex points. At TPG, we recommend not hoarding points, as airlines