Chase Will No Longer Allow Ultimate Rewards Redemptions to External Bank Accounts (Starting March 27, 2026)
Chase is making a quiet but important change to how cardholders can redeem Ultimate Rewards points for cash back. If you currently redeem your points into a non-Chase checking or savings account, that option is going away soon.
Here’s what you need to know, what’s changing, and how this impacts your points strategy.
What’s Changing With Chase Ultimate Rewards?
Starting March 27, 2026, Chase will no longer allow cash-back deposits into external (non-Chase) bank accounts for points earned on the following cards:
Previously, Chase allowed Ultimate Rewards redemptions to be deposited into most U.S. checking or savings accounts, even if they weren’t held at Chase. That flexibility is ending.
What Redemption Options Will Still Be Available?
Even after this change takes effect, you’ll still have several ways to redeem your Chase points:
Still Allowed
- Cash back deposited into a Chase checking or savings account
- Statement credits applied directly to your credit card
- Transfers to travel partners (airlines & hotels)
- Pay Yourself Back (when available)
- Travel bookings through Chase Travel
No Longer Allowed (After 3/27/26)
- Cash-back deposits into non-Chase bank accounts
Why This Likely Won’t Affect Most Cardholders
For many people, this change will be a minor inconvenience at most:
- Statement credits work almost the same as cash back
- Many cardholders already have a Chase checking account
- Travel partner transfers remain the best-value redemption for Ultimate Rewards
If you were using external bank deposits mainly for simplicity, switching to statement credits should feel nearly identical in practice.
What You Should Do Before March 27, 2026
If this matters to you, consider the following:
- Redeem existing points to your external bank account before the deadline
- Open a Chase checking account if you prefer direct deposits
- Plan future redemptions around statement credits or travel partners
There’s no change to how fast points post or how much they’re worth—just where the cash can go.
Bottom Line
Beginning March 27, 2026, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can no longer be redeemed for cash deposits into external bank accounts. Redemptions will be limited to Chase accounts or statement credits, alongside travel and other existing options.
While it reduces flexibility slightly, this update is unlikely to impact most users—especially those already maximizing value through travel transfers.
If you rely on external bank deposits, make sure to redeem before the cutoff date.
