How I turned my pet's emergency vet bills into a free night in London
Pet parenthood is one of life's most fulfilling experiences, but as many pet parents will tell you, it can also be one of the most expensive. While I'd do anything in the world to ensure my dog's health and safety without hesitation, it often takes a pretty penny — even with a pet insurance policy in place.
That's the situation I found myself in this past December when my pup needed emergency care while traveling. Here's how using the right credit card in an unfortunate situation helped me earn thousands of additional points and ease a bit of the financial sting.
The emergency
The day before I planned to leave on a pet-friendly road trip, my dog, Stevie, developed a serious-looking limp. I brought her to my local emergency vet, who immediately noticed one of her toes was swollen. Thinking the issue was orthopedic, the vet ordered X-rays, and nearly $700 later, I had a prescription for a pain reliever, confirmation that there was no fracture and the all-clear to head out on the trip.
Unfortunately, two days after leaving home, Stevie's entire leg had swelled up, and a second emergency vet trip — this time to an animal hospital along our road trip route — confirmed that it was seriously infected. After prescribing several more medications and a cone of shame, the vet scheduled an emergency drainage procedure for the following day, and costs quickly escalated.
Unfortunately, the emergency vet visits didn't end there. After the procedure, we had to bring Stevie in three more times for dressing changes and wound care. The fact that we were on the move as part of our road trip, coupled with the difficulty of securing a vet appointment, meant that those visits happened at three different clinics, and establishing care as a new patient each time wound up pushing costs higher than they would have been if we had been returning to the same clinic for follow-up appointments.
Thankfully, the infection fully cleared after about four weeks of antibiotics — but not before racking up bills well into the four-figure range.
Related: The best credit cards for pet expenses
Using the right cards
I've had the Chase Freedom (no longer available to new applicants) in my wallet for years, and more recently, I added the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) by downgrading a different Chase card. Both the Freedom and Freedom Flex offer the opportunity to earn 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) on up to $1,500 of spending in rotating quarterly bonus categories (after activation). And because my husband also has a Freedom Flex, we can collectively earn bonus points on up to $4,500 in spending each quarter.
As luck would have it, last quarter's bonus categories included pet shops and veterinary services for the first time since TPG began tracking them back in 2012. Between the vet visits on the road and some follow-up appointments at home — plus multiple rounds of antibiotics and a slew of other medications for pain, inflammation and anxiety — I was able to max out the bonus on all three cards, earning 5 points per dollar on $4,500 of spending for a grand total of 22,500 points.
The information for the Chase Freedom has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Chase Freedom Flex card review: Incredible earning with no annual fee
That's a sum far higher than I would have earned had I not used the Freedom and Freedom Flex cards. When not working toward a sign-up bonus, I typically use my Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) at the vet to earn 1.5% cash back (or 1.5 points per dollar). In this case, doing so would have resulted in just 6,750 points — a difference of 15,750 points.
Redeeming the points
The Freedom and Freedom Flex are advertised as cash-back cards, meaning they don't offer the ability to transfer points to Chase's airline and hotel partners. Thankfully, there's a workaround. If you have another Chase card that earns fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points — such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) — you can combine the rewards from your Freedom cards with those in your other accounts, instantly unlocking the potential to transfer them and substantially increasing their value. The information for the Ink Business Preferred Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
As a self-professed hotel fanatic, I wind up transferring a good portion of my Chase points to World of Hyatt for free hotel stays, which is where my recent Chase Freedom haul ultimately went. Not long after the ill-fated road trip, I began planning my next getaway: a long weekend in London this April. For this trip, I chose the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, part of Hyatt's Unbound Collection, based on its walkability to major sites and shopping.
The 22,500 Chase points from the vet bills put me just shy of the 25,000 points needed to cover the first night of my stay, which would have otherwise cost 384 pounds — or about $484 based on current conversion rates — for World of Hyatt members. The redemption rate came out to 1.94 cents per point, which is slightly below the 2.05 cents per point that Chase Ultimate Rewards are worth, according to TPG's February 2025 valuations. But in this case, I was more than happy to sacrifice a little potential value for the chance to cut down my travel spending after an expensive couple of months.
Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value
Bottom line
Surprise expenses are never fun, especially when it comes in the form of a medical emergency. But a simple credit card swap can greatly amplify your rewards-earning potential, helping you turn unexpected bills into your next vacation. Even a no-annual-fee card such as the Chase Freedom Flex can rack up substantial rewards when used to its full potential, making it all the more important to have the right tools in your wallet — and the knowledge to deploy them effectively.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.