When 16-year-old me set a purpose to go to all 30 Main League Baseball stadiums, I knew it will take time — and cash. What I did not know was how far one bank card would take me. And the way little cash I might truly spend.
And no, I am not speaking a few premium journey card loaded with perks and a excessive annual charge. The MVP of my ballpark bucket checklist is definitely the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), which is at the moment providing 60,00 bonus factors after spending $5,000 inside three months of account opening. TPG values these factors at $1,230 primarily based on our Might 2025 valuations.
Utilizing Chase Ultimate Rewards points has helped me minimize my lodge bills and plan annual baseball journeys. So, with my CSP in hand, this is how one bank card helped me chase my MLB ballpark bucket checklist and already knock out 20 of 30 stadiums.
Why the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked card hits it out of the park
Ballparks aren’t at all times in main cities or “bucket checklist” cities, however that is precisely why money costs may be off-putting. With my CSP, I offset the price by turning reward factors into high-value lodge stays.
Chase has three lodge transfer partners, however arguably, the perfect is World of Hyatt. The beneficiant award chart and 1:1 switch ratio make my factors stretch far and vast.
A few of my greatest redemptions have truly come from mid-size cities with surprisingly excessive lodge costs. (I am you, Cleveland.)
The Sapphire Preferred card additionally comes with an annual $50 hotel credit every anniversary yr. The one caveat is that it’s a must to e book your keep by way of the Chase Travel℠ portal — however there isn’t any minimal spend, and it really works on one-night getaways.
Lastly, this card comes with journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage, baggage delay insurance coverage, and auto rental protection. Subsequently, I’ve peace of thoughts figuring out I am at all times coated if my bag does not arrive with me, one thing occurs with my automotive rental, my travels are interrupted, or I’ve to cancel the trip outright.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits: Everything you need to know
Every day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
Utilizing Chase’s switch companions to e book journey
In my most up-to-date MLB journey stint, I made a decision I wished to cross off two ballparks this yr — so Ohio match the invoice, because the state homes each the Cleveland Guardians and the Cincinnati Reds.
First issues first, I needed to discover a weekend when each groups have been taking part in at dwelling. As soon as I narrowed down my dates, I began trying to find a lodge.
I at all times like to remain inside a 10-15 minute stroll of the ballpark so I haven’t got to fret about paying for an Uber and/or Lyft or driving if I hire a automotive. In Cleveland, the Hyatt Regency Cleveland on the Arcade was centrally situated and near Progressive Subject. However after I seemed up money costs for my dates, it was popping out to $320.12 an evening. This can be a bit steep, in my view, for a Category 3 property within the Midwest.
1 of 4
GISELLE GOMEZ/THE POINTS GUY
Nevertheless, on the rewards aspect, it was 12,000 Hyatt factors per evening — or a 2.7 cent redemption — which is nicely above our 1.7 cent valuation of World of Hyatt factors, per our Might 2025 valuations. My three-night keep in Cleveland simply went from $930.36 to 36,000 Hyatt factors.
Since Chase factors switch to Hyatt at a 1:1 fee, I simply transferred 36,000 factors to my Hyatt account to e book my keep.
Associated: Should I get the World of Hyatt Credit Card or transfer points from Chase instead?
Chase’s Underrated $50 annual lodge credit score
It was time to e book my Cincinnati lodge. The Hyatt Regency Cincinnati was in an incredible spot and match my parameters for being shut sufficient to the Nice American Ball Park. It additionally went for a way more favorable fee — $174.18 an evening after taxes and charges.
My two-night itinerary was thought of “peak” nights, making it 15,000 Hyatt factors an evening. Had I made that redemption, I might have solely gotten a worth of about 1.2 cents per level, which is below our 1.7-cent Hyatt valuation — so, not a very good deal.
I rapidly checked my CSP advantages and realized I hadn’t used my $50 annual lodge credit score but. This appeared like the proper alternative.
By reserving by way of the Chase portal, I might finally obtain a $50 assertion credit score, decreasing the price from $348.36 to $298.36 for my two-night keep. Per the phrases of the profit, the credit score posts between one to 2 billing cycles, however mine solely took 48 hours.
Plus, since cardholders earn 5 factors per greenback spent on Chase journey bookings, I earned over 1,400 Chase factors on this transaction, serving to me stash factors for a future journey.
Associated: The 8 best credit cards with annual fees under $100
The large image: How far can 100k Chase factors take you?
Up to now, I’ve seen video games at 20 out of the 30 MLB ballparks. Throughout the board, Chase-to-Hyatt transfers have been an enormous assist, particularly in cities the place lodge costs may be surprisingly excessive.
1 of 3
GISELLE GOMEZ/THE POINTS GUY
Should you’d favor to remain at a boutique lodge (or one other model), it’s also possible to redeem your factors by way of Chase Journey for a hard and fast worth of 1.25 cents apiece. Simply be mindful you’d possible get higher worth by transferring to one in every of Chase’s lodge companions as a substitute.
Listed here are some examples of 5 completely different ballpark cities and the way factors may collectively prevent virtually $2,500.
| Metropolis | Resort | Two nights on factors | Money Worth | Factors Worth* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, Maryland | Hyatt Regency Baltimore Internal Harbor | 24,000 (normal fee) | $582.80 | 2.4 cents |
| Phoenix, Arizona | Hyatt Regency Phoenix | 18,000 (off-peak fee) | $508.82 | 2.8 cents |
| Cleveland, Ohio | Hyatt Regency Cleveland on the Arcade | 24,000 (normal fee) | $620.24 | 2.6 cents |
| Houston, Texas | Hyatt Place Houston / Downtown | 18,000 (normal fee) | $326.17 | 1.8 cents |
| St. Louis, Missouri | Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch | 13,000 (off-peak fee) | $356.86 | 2.7 cents |
*Worth is predicated on our TPG April 2025 valuations.
Though the desk is a mixture of normal and off-peak charges, baseball season runs for a number of months, so you’ll be able to possible discover off-peak pricing should you’re versatile in your journey dates (and stretch your factors even additional).
Associated: Who’s eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s 100,000-point bonus?
Backside Line
You need to use factors to redeem for once-in-a-lifetime travel, or you’ll be able to chip away at a distinct segment bucket checklist merchandise like I’ve, redeeming factors slowly however certainly.
I’ve primarily stayed at Hyatt inns, however the flexibility to switch to different inns (or airways) or redeem by way of the Chase portal at a hard and fast possibility offers you completely different decisions within the metropolis you are visiting.
Should you’ve been excited about beginning your individual bucket checklist journey — or simply need to lower your expenses on journey — take into account making use of for the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
Apply now: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Trending Merchandise
