When 16-year-old me set a purpose 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 couple of premium journey card loaded with perks and a excessive annual payment. The MVP of my ballpark bucket listing is definitely the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), which is at present 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 lower my resort bills and plan annual baseball journeys. So, with my CSP in hand, here is how one bank card helped me chase my MLB ballpark bucket listing 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 listing” 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 resort stays.
Chase has three resort transfer partners, however arguably, the very best is World of Hyatt. The beneficiant award chart and 1:1 switch ratio make my factors stretch far and extensive.
A few of my greatest redemptions have really come from mid-size cities with surprisingly excessive resort costs. (I am taking a look at you, Cleveland.)
The Sapphire Preferred card additionally comes with an annual $50 hotel credit every anniversary yr. 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 realizing I am at all times lined if my bag would 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
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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 residence. 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 lease a automotive. In Cleveland, the Hyatt Regency Cleveland on the Arcade was centrally positioned and near Progressive Subject. However once I appeared 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.
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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 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 resort credit score
It was time to e book my Cincinnati resort. The Hyatt Regency Cincinnati was in a terrific 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’d have solely gotten a worth of about 1.2 cents per level, which is below our 1.7-cent Hyatt valuation — so, not a superb deal.
I shortly checked my CSP advantages and realized I hadn’t used my $50 annual resort credit score but. This appeared like the right alternative.
By reserving by way of the Chase portal, I’d ultimately 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.
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The large 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 may be surprisingly excessive.
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When you’d desire to remain at a boutique resort (or one other model), you can even redeem your factors by way of Chase Journey for a set worth of 1.25 cents apiece. Simply bear in mind you’d seemingly get higher worth by transferring to one in every of Chase’s resort companions as an alternative.
Listed below are some examples of 5 completely different ballpark cities and the way factors may collectively prevent nearly $2,500.
| Metropolis | Resort | Two nights on factors | Money Worth | Factors Worth* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, Maryland | Hyatt Regency Baltimore Interior Harbor | 24,000 (customary 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 (customary charge) | $620.24 | 2.6 cents |
| Houston, Texas | Hyatt Place Houston / Downtown | 18,000 (customary 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 is a mixture of customary and off-peak charges, baseball season runs for a number of months, so you may 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 should utilize factors to redeem for once-in-a-lifetime travel, or you may chip away at a distinct segment bucket listing merchandise like I’ve, redeeming factors slowly however certainly.
I’ve primarily stayed at Hyatt accommodations, however the flexibility to switch to different accommodations (or airways) or redeem by way of the Chase portal at a set possibility offers you completely different decisions within the metropolis you are visiting.
When you’ve been interested by beginning your personal bucket listing journey — or simply need to get monetary savings on journey — take into account making use of for the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
Apply now: Chase Sapphire Preferred
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