The Chase Trifecta is one of the most popular credit card setups in the rewards community, and for good reason. It consists of three Chase cards that work together to maximize your Ultimate Rewards points earning across every spending category. The three cards are the Chase Sapphire Preferred (or Reserve), the Freedom Flex, and the Freedom Unlimited.
Why These Three Cards Work Together
Each card in the Trifecta covers different spending categories, and because they all earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, those points pool together in one account. Here is the breakdown.
The Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% (1.5x points) on everything. This becomes your default card for any purchase that does not have a better earning rate elsewhere.
The Freedom Flex earns 5x points in rotating quarterly categories (groceries, gas, Amazon, restaurants, etc.) up to $1,500 per quarter. It also earns 3x on dining and drugstores. Use this card whenever the current quarter's bonus category matches your purchase.
The Sapphire Preferred (or Reserve) earns 3x on dining and 2x on travel, plus gives you the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. Without a Sapphire card, Freedom points cannot be transferred to partners and are worth less.
The Application Order
Order matters because of the Chase 5/24 rule. Each of these three cards uses one 5/24 slot (they are all personal cards), so you need three open slots to complete the Trifecta.
Step 1: Chase Sapphire Preferred. Start here because it has the highest sign-up bonus, typically $750 or more in value. The $4,000 spending requirement in three months is manageable for most people. This card also unlocks the ability to transfer your pooled points to travel partners.
Step 2: Freedom Flex. Wait two to three months after the Sapphire, then apply for the Freedom Flex. The bonus is usually $200 to $300, and the 5x quarterly categories start earning immediately. Meet the spending requirement with normal purchases.
Step 3: Freedom Unlimited. Another two to three months later, complete the Trifecta with the Freedom Unlimited. Its bonus is similar to the Flex. Once you have this card, every dollar you spend on any of the three cards earns at least 1.5x, with much higher rates in specific categories.
How the Points Stack Up
Once you have all three cards, here is how a typical month might look for a household spending $4,000 per month total:
Groceries ($800): 5x on Freedom Flex during a grocery quarter = 4,000 points. Dining ($400): 3x on Sapphire Preferred = 1,200 points. Travel ($200): 2x on Sapphire Preferred = 400 points. Everything else ($2,600): 1.5x on Freedom Unlimited = 3,900 points. That is roughly 9,500 points per month from spending alone, on top of the sign-up bonuses.
Trifecta vs. Quadfecta
Some churners extend the Trifecta into a "Quadfecta" by adding a fourth Chase card, often the Ink Business Preferred. Since business cards do not count toward 5/24, this does not use an additional slot. The Ink Preferred earns 3x on the first $150,000 in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, phone, and advertising, and it comes with its own substantial sign-up bonus.
After the Trifecta: What Next?
With three 5/24 slots used on the Trifecta, you have two remaining for other cards in the next 24 months. Many churners use these on high-value personal cards from other issuers, or add business cards (which do not count toward 5/24) in between personal applications.
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