Chase Trifecta: Is It Still Worth It?
Written by
Joshua Rodriguez
Edited by
Lindsey Kloosterman
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Rewards credit cards have been a hot topic for some time — and for a good reason. Everyone likes to get more bang for their buck, and rewards credit cards make that possible. In fact, savvy credit card users have realized that by combining multiple cards, they can squeeze more rewards out of every purchase, and you can, too. The Chase Trifecta is one opportunity to do so — here’s how it works.
What Cards Are in the Chase Trifecta?
Chase is a leading rewards credit card issuer with nearly 40 different offers in its lineup. However, if you travel often and own a business, there are three specific Chase rewards credit cards you should consider adding to your wallet. Those typically included in the Chase Trifecta are:
- Card
What Is Each Card in the Chase Trifecta Good For?
If you want to take full advantage of the Chase Trifecta, you’ll need to use each card for specific purchases. See the table below for information on which cards are best for which categories.
| Card | Use For |
|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | Everyday purchases |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Travel purchases |
| Ink Business Unlimited | Business purchases |
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is the one you’ll want to use for day-to-day purchases. You’ll earn 5% back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
The card also offers an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. There’s no annual fee, and you’ll enjoy 0% APR for the first 15 months, followed by an APR of .
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is the card you should use for travel purchases. That’s because you’ll earn five times the points when you make travel arrangements with this card through Chase Ultimate Rewards and — unlike the Freedom Unlimited — an additional two times the points on other travel purchases. You’ll also earn three times the points on dining, online grocery store purchases and some streaming service purchases, and one point per dollar otherwise.
This card also comes with a generous 60,000-point bonus when you spend $4,000 on your card within three months of opening your account. However, you’ll want to make sure to use your points, because you’ll have to pay a annual fee to have the card.
Finally, the Ink Business Unlimited credit card is the card you’ll want to use for all of your business purchases. The card gives you 1.5% unlimited cash back regardless of the purchase category and free cards for all of your employees.
The card also offers $900 in bonus cash when you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. There’s no annual fee, and the card comes with 0% APR for the first 12 months, after which the APR is .
Using the Chase Trifecta for Maximum Rewards
The point of having all three of these cards is to use them to generate as many rewards from your purchases as possible. To do so, follow these steps:
- Open the Chase Freedom Unlimited card first. Use the card to earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- Use your Chase Freedom Unlimited card for your daily purchases. Also, be sure to use the card for Chase travel to take advantage of the 5% cash back.
- Open the Chase Sapphire Preferred card next. Use the card to make $4,000 in purchases in the first three months to access your 60,000-point bonus.
- Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred card for all travel purchases, and make what travel purchases you can through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
- Open the Ink Business Unlimited credit card last. Use it to make $6,000 in purchases in your first three months to access your $900 bonus.
- Use the Ink Business Unlimited for all business purchases.
Who Should Take Advantage of the Chase Trifecta?
The Chase Trifecta is a great way to earn rewards, but it’s not for everyone. You should only use this method if:
- You are confident you can successfully manage three rewards credit cards and have a high level of financial discipline.
- You don’t typically carry a balance from month to month.
- You enjoy traveling.
- You own a business.
If you don’t travel a lot or own a business, you can swap one of these cards out for a different rewards card that maximizes on what you do spend. For example, if you order delivery a lot, consider the DoorDash Rewards Mastercard, or the Amazon Rewards Visa might be a good choice if you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods frequently.
How To Apply for a Chase Credit Card
It’s easy to apply for a Chase credit card. Follow the steps below:
What To Consider Before Applying for the Chase Trifecta Cards
Before you apply for the Chase Trifecta cards, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- You have to use credit cards often to enjoy the added rewards.
- Managing multiple credit cards can be difficult and lead to bad financial habits, so you’ll need to be disciplined.
- Promotional interest rates don’t last forever, so make sure you’ll be able to pay off all three balances monthly.
- You may have trouble navigating the rewards programs available.
Is the Chase Trifecta Worth It?
If you have the time and the desire to effectively manage three cards long-term, the benefits are quite significant. The Chase Trifecta is not the only card configuration out there, but it is a popular choice for the worth and flexibility of its points. If you’re interested in getting more from your credit cards, you travel often and you own a business, consider getting your hands on the Chase Trifecta.
FAQ
- Which Chase Trifecta card should I get first?
- The best card to start with is usually the Chase Freedom Unlimited, because it's the card you'll use for everyday purchases, and you'll probably earn the bonus fastest. However, if you're about to pay for a big vacation or do some significant spending for your business, it might make sense to start with the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Unlimited to earn those bonuses quickly.
- Is the Chase Trifecta better than the American Express Trifecta?
- The Chase Trifecta is better than many others, like the American Express Trifecta, because the points are worth more on average, they're more flexible and they're easier to use than American Express reward points.
- However, the better trifecta for you depends on which card partners with more airlines and hotels you like and which you're more likely to get the maximum value for your points with.
Kathy Evans contributed to the reporting for this article.
Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of March 6, 2023.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
The information related to the Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Ink Business Unlimited was collected by GOBankingRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of these cards. Product details may vary. Please see the issuer’s website for current information. GOBankingRates does not receive commission for this product.
