The Ultimate Guide to Maximizing Chase Ultimate Rewards Points for Travel
If you’re a cardholder with a premium Ultimate Rewards card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you have the opportunity to earn points every time you use your card. These points can be used for various transactions, but one of the most lucrative options is travel. By transferring your points to outside loyalty programs, you can potentially maximize the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase offers 14 outside loyalty programs for point transfers, including 11 airline partners and three hotel partners. This provides cardholders with a wide range of options when it comes to travel. Some of the major airlines that are included in the transfer program are United and Southwest Airlines, giving you even more choices for your travels. To make the most of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, it’s important to review the list of Chase travel partners and determine the best transfer values.
Here is a list of the current point values for various Chase partners as of August 2023:
– Singapore Airlines: 2.2 cents
– World of Hyatt: 2.1 cents
– Iberia Plus: 1 cent
– Southwest Airlines: 1.5 cents
– JetBlue Airways: 1.4 cents
– United Airlines: 1.1 cents
– British Airways: 0.7 cents
– Emirates Skywards: 1.8 cents
– Air France/KLM: 1.3 cents
– Aer Lingus: 1.2 cents
– Aeroplan: 1.2 cents
– Virgin Atlantic: 2.6 cents
– Marriott Bonvoy: 0.7 cents
– IHG Rewards Club: 0.7 cents
It’s important to note that when you transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to an outside loyalty program, you are subject to the rules, fees, and price charts of that program. Unlike the Ultimate Rewards portal, which doesn’t enforce any seating limitations, there may be blackout dates and other restrictions on rewards seats when transferring points.
Before transferring your points, it’s advisable to check for availability as point transfers are not reversible. There is a possibility that the seat you were planning to book may disappear before you have a chance to complete your rewards flight reservation.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that your flight options extend beyond the list of airline partners. Chase’s airline partners are part of major airline alliances, which give you access to a wider network of airlines. By using the rewards charts and an airline’s loyalty program, you can use your points to book flights on any of the partners within that airline’s alliance. This opens up the possibility of traveling to almost anywhere in the world.
Here is a breakdown of the airline alliances that Chase Ultimate Rewards partners are a part of:
– British Airways: oneworld Alliance
– Singapore Airlines: Star Alliance
– Iberia Plus: oneworld Alliance
– Southwest Airlines: None
– United Airlines: Star Alliance
– Aeroplan: Star Alliance
– Air France/KLM: SkyTeam Alliance
– Aer Lingus: Codeshares with multiple alliances
– Virgin Atlantic: Codeshares with multiple alliances
To maximize the value of your points, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the guidelines and restrictions of each transfer partner. Each program has its own set of rules and limitations, such as blackout dates, seating restrictions, routing restrictions, hidden costs, and fees. Some airlines may include fuel surcharges that can equal the cost of your airfare. By understanding these guidelines, you can find the best value for your points or miles.
In conclusion, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners are among the best in terms of flexibility and options. Chase offers access to more domestic airlines than other travel programs and partners with programs that are not available for transfer elsewhere, including Southwest Rapid Rewards, United Airlines, and World of Hyatt. If you’re considering a Chase credit card and wondering how to use your points, chances are one of Chase’s partners can help you get to your desired destination.
Please note that the editorial content of this article is based on the objective assessment of our writers and is not influenced by advertising dollars. The information provided has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.
About the Authors:
Robin Ratcliff is a former CreditCards.com rates and reviews reporter.
Ana Staples is a staff reporter and young credit expert reporter for CreditCards.com. She covers product news and credit advice. In her free time, Anastasiia writes romance stories and plans a trip to the French Riviera she’ll take one day—when she has enough points, that is.