When 16-year-old me set a aim to go to all 30 Main League Baseball stadiums, I knew it might take time — and cash. What I did not know was how far one bank card would take me. And the way little cash I would truly spend.
And no, I am not speaking a couple of premium journey card loaded with perks and a excessive annual price. The MVP of my ballpark bucket record is definitely the Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and charges), which, for a restricted time, is providing 100,00 bonus factors after spending $5,000 inside three months of account opening. TPG values these factors at over $2,000 primarily based on our April 2025 valuations.
Using Chase Final Rewards factors has helped me minimize my resort 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 popular card hits it out of the park
Ballparks aren’t at all times in main cities or “bucket record” cities, however that is precisely why money costs will be off-putting. With my CSP, I offset the price by turning reward factors into high-value resort stays.
Chase has three resort switch companions, however arguably, the most effective is World of Hyatt. The beneficiant award chart and 1:1 switch ratio make my factors stretch far and large.
A few of my greatest redemptions have truly come from mid-size cities with surprisingly excessive resort costs. (I am taking a look at you, Cleveland.)
The Sapphire Most popular card additionally comes with an annual $50 resort credit score every anniversary 12 months. The one caveat is that you must guide your keep by means of the Chase Journey℠ 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. Due to this fact, I’ve peace of thoughts figuring out I am at all times 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 journey outright.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Most popular advantages: All the pieces it’s essential to know
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Utilizing Chase’s switch companions to guide journey
In my most up-to-date MLB journey stint, I made a decision I wished 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 had been enjoying at house. As soon as I narrowed down my dates, I began trying to find a resort.
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 positioned and near Progressive Discipline. However after I appeared 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 Class 3 property within the Midwest.
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Nevertheless, on the rewards facet, it was 12,000 Hyatt factors per night time — or a 2.7 cent redemption — which is effectively above our 1.7 cent valuation of World of Hyatt factors, per our April 2025 estimation. 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 guide my keep.
Associated: Ought to I get the World of Hyatt Credit score Card or switch factors from Chase as a substitute?
Chase’s Underrated $50 annual resort credit score
It was time to guide my Cincinnati resort. The Hyatt Regency Cincinnati was in an awesome 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 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 deal.
I rapidly checked my CSP advantages and realized I hadn’t used my $50 annual resort credit score but. This appeared like the proper alternative.
By reserving by means 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 greatest bank cards with annual charges below $100
The massive image: How far can 100k Chase factors take you?
To this point, 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 resort costs will be surprisingly excessive.
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When you’d choose to remain at a boutique resort (or one other model), you may also redeem your factors by means of Chase Journey for a set worth of 1.25 cents apiece. Simply bear in mind you’d possible get higher worth by transferring to one among Chase’s resort companions as a substitute.
With 100,000 Chase factors, I might theoretically cowl 10 nights at a number of Hyatt properties across the U.S. This is how:
| Metropolis | Lodge | 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 relies on our TPG April 2025 valuations.
Though the desk above is a mixture of normal and off-peak charges, baseball season runs for a number of months, so you may possible discover off-peak pricing if you happen to’re versatile in your journey dates (and stretch your factors even additional).
Associated: Who’s eligible for the Chase Sapphire Most popular’s 100,000-point bonus?
Backside Line
You should use factors to redeem for once-in-a-lifetime journey, or you may chip away at a distinct segment bucket record merchandise like I’ve, redeeming factors slowly however absolutely.
I’ve primarily stayed at Hyatt lodges, however the flexibility to switch to different lodges (or airways) or redeem by means of the Chase portal at a set possibility provides you totally different decisions within the metropolis you are visiting.
The Chase Sapphire Most popular 100,000-point bonus supply will not final endlessly. When you’ve been excited about beginning your individual bucket record journey — or simply need to lower your expenses on journey — the time to use is now.
To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Chase Sapphire Most popular card.
