Reader Question: Can you transfer Chase Freedom cash back to an authorized user’s Ultimate Rewards account?
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Here’s a reader question from someone I didn’t expect to answer points and miles of questions: My mom. Ever since I got into this hobby in 2011, my mom has let me manage her loyalty and credit card accounts. I tell her which cards to apply for and she uses them for daily spending and pays them off every month. When it’s time to travel somewhere, she asks me to handle all the point transfers and redemptions.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Well, recently, she brought up an interesting redemption question that I thought I’d share with all of you:
“Can I transfer my cash back rewards from the Chase Freedom Unlimited to an Ultimate Rewards account that I’m an authorized user on?”
To give you some context, my mom has her own Chase Freedom Unlimited that she uses for daily spending. She is also an authorized user on my dad’s Chase Sapphire Preferred Card account. It’s been like this for years and she’s perfectly content not paying the $95 annual fee while still getting the perks of this card.
My mom had tried to transfer her Freedom Unlimited rewards by using the “combine points” tab online. However, she got a slightly confusing error message that she couldn’t make sense of.
Related: Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know
How to transfer Freedom cash back rewards to an authorized user’s Ultimate Rewards account
I’m glad my mom checked with me because the answer is yes – you can convert your Freedom cash back rewards to Ultimate Rewards points, even if you’re just an authorized user on the latter account. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible online. You’ll have to call Chase and ask to speak to someone in the Ultimate Rewards department.
When you speak with an agent, you’ll need to confirm information for your own account as well as the authorized user account you’re transferring points to. Once the agent verifies that you are, in fact, an authorized user on the receiving account, they can complete the transfer in a matter of minutes. The points post pretty much instantly once the transfer is complete.
If you’re a Chase Freedom cardholder who happens to be an authorized user on an Ultimate Rewards credit card, you can transfer your rewards just like you would if both accounts belonged to you. It’s a great feature that can open up a world of redemption opportunities, helping you maximize your rewards further.
Related: Does being an authorized user prevent you from applying and earning a sign-up bonus?
The cons of being an authorized user
Being an authorized user on a significant other’s travel rewards card is a great way to save on credit card annual fees. However, in the short-term, you’ll lose out on a pretty substantial sign-up bonus. For example, at the moment the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is offering a bonus of 80,000 points after $4,000 spent within the first three months of account opening. TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at two cents each, making this bonus worth up to $1,600.
Eventually, my mom will take herself off my dad’s account and get her own card. But in the meantime, it’s good to know that she can transfer her Freedom Unlimited cash back rewards to his Ultimate Rewards account if she needs to.
Featured photo by oatawa/Getty Images
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,650
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases within your first year of account opening.
- Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.