By admin 
When 16-year-old me set a aim to go to all 30 Main League Baseball stadiums, I knew it could 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 really 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 record is definitely the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), which is presently providing 60,00 bonus factors after spending $5,000 inside three months of account opening. TPG values these factors at $1,230 based mostly 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 record 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 all the time in main cities or “bucket record” cities, however that is precisely why money costs might be off-putting. With my CSP, I offset the fee by turning reward factors into high-value lodge stays.
Chase has three lodge transfer partners, however arguably, one of the best is World of Hyatt. The beneficiant award chart and 1:1 switch ratio make my factors stretch far and large.
A few of my finest redemptions have really come from mid-size cities with surprisingly excessive lodge costs. (I am taking a look at you, Cleveland.)
The Sapphire Preferred card additionally comes with an annual $50 hotel credit every anniversary 12 months. The one caveat is that it’s important to e book your keep by way of the Chase Travel℠ portal — however there is no such thing as a 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 understanding I am all the time lined 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 E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
Utilizing Chase’s switch companions to e book journey
In my most up-to-date MLB journey stint, I made a decision I needed to cross off two ballparks this 12 months — 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 house. As soon as I narrowed down my dates, I began trying to find a lodge.
I all the time 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 lease a automotive. In Cleveland, the Hyatt Regency Cleveland on the Arcade was centrally situated and near Progressive Subject. However once I regarded up money costs for my dates, it was popping out to $320.12 an evening. It is 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 facet, it was 12,000 Hyatt factors per night time — or a 2.7 cent redemption — which is properly 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 charge, 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 excellent spot and match my parameters for being shut sufficient to the Nice American Ball Park. It additionally went for a way more favorable charge — $174.18 an evening after taxes and charges.
My two-night itinerary was thought-about “peak” nights, making it 15,000 Hyatt factors an evening. Had I made that redemption, I’d have solely gotten a price of about 1.2 cents per level, which is underneath our 1.7-cent Hyatt valuation — so, not a great deal.
I rapidly checked my CSP advantages and realized I hadn’t used my $50 annual lodge credit score but. This appeared like the right alternative.
By reserving by way of the Chase portal, I’d finally obtain a $50 assertion credit score, lowering the fee 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 massive image: How far can 100k Chase factors take you?
Thus far, 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 might be surprisingly excessive.
1 of 3
GISELLE GOMEZ/THE POINTS GUY
Should you’d desire 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 set worth of 1.25 cents apiece. Simply take into account you’d seemingly get higher worth by transferring to considered one of Chase’s lodge companions as a substitute.
Listed below are some examples of 5 completely different ballpark cities and the way factors might collectively prevent virtually $2,500.
| Metropolis | Resort | Two nights on factors | Money Worth | Factors Worth* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, Maryland | Hyatt Regency Baltimore Interior Harbor | 24,000 (normal charge) | $582.80 | 2.4 cents |
| Phoenix, Arizona | Hyatt Regency Phoenix | 18,000 (off-peak charge) | $508.82 | 2.8 cents |
| Cleveland, Ohio | Hyatt Regency Cleveland on the Arcade | 24,000 (normal charge) | $620.24 | 2.6 cents |
| Houston, Texas | Hyatt Place Houston / Downtown | 18,000 (normal charge) | $326.17 | 1.8 cents |
| St. Louis, Missouri | Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch | 13,000 (off-peak charge) | $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 seemingly discover off-peak pricing in case you’re versatile in your journey dates (and stretch your factors even additional).
Associated: Who’s eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s 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 record merchandise like I’ve, redeeming factors slowly however certainly.
I’ve primarily stayed at Hyatt motels, however the flexibility to switch to different motels (or airways) or redeem by way of the Chase portal at a set choice provides you completely different selections within the metropolis you are visiting.
Should you’ve been fascinated about beginning your individual bucket record journey — or simply wish to get monetary savings on journey — think about 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