Point-Based Travel: Expenses And Strategies

Chase Ultimate Rewards® is a transferable points currency that offers high value and flexible redemption options. There are several ways to redeem your points for travel expenses. You can book travel directly through the Chase travel portal, transfer your points to Chase travel partners such as airlines and hotels, redeem your points for gift cards or statement credits, or pay for merchandise.

Booking travel through the Chase portal

Step 1: Login to Your Chase Account

Access the Chase travel portal by logging into your Chase online account. You will need to navigate to the 'Travel' or 'Rewards' section to find the portal.

Step 2: Select Your Chase Ultimate Rewards Account

Once you are logged in, you will see your Chase Ultimate Rewards account balance on the right side of the screen. Click on this balance, and then select the card account that gives you the most value through the travel portal.

Step 3: Choose Your Travel Options

After selecting your card, you will see different travel options at the top of the page, including flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and activities. Choose the type of travel you want to book and enter the relevant details such as destination, dates, and number of passengers.

Step 4: Search and Filter Results

The portal will display available booking options based on your search criteria. You can then filter these results according to your preferences, such as fare class, price, hotel star rating, neighbourhood, etc.

Step 5: Confirm and Pay

Select your desired travel option and follow the prompts to confirm and pay for your booking. You can choose to pay with points, cash, or a combination of both.

Benefits of Booking Travel Through the Chase Portal

There are several advantages to using the Chase Travel portal:

• Convenience and Flexibility: The portal is easy to use and functions like other popular online travel booking platforms. It allows you to search for and book travel in one place, without having to deal with multiple loyalty programs.
• Bonus Miles: Some Chase cards offer bonus points or better redemption values when you use them to book travel through the portal. For example, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can earn 5 points per $1 on travel bookings made through the portal.
• Not Limited to Transfer Partners: The portal allows you to book with a wide range of travel providers, including those that are not Chase partners. This gives you more flexibility in choosing the travel arrangements that best suit your needs.
• Multiple Payment Options: You can pay for your travel bookings using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, your credit card, or a combination of both.
• Earn Airline Miles: When you book flights through the portal, you will still earn airline miles and work towards elite airline status, as long as your frequent flyer number is attached to the reservation.

Downsides of Booking Through the Chase Portal

While the Chase Travel portal offers many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:

• Value: You may not always get the best value or price when booking through the portal. It is important to compare prices with booking directly or transferring your points to a travel partner.
• Customer Service: Since the portal is a third-party booking platform, it can be challenging to get prompt customer service if issues arise during your travels.
• Limited Rewards Program Points: As a third-party platform, you may not be able to earn rewards points through the airline or hotel's loyalty program when booking through the portal.

In conclusion, booking travel through the Chase portal is a convenient and flexible option for Chase cardholders. It offers a wide range of travel options and payment methods, as well as the potential to earn bonus points. However, it is important to compare prices and consider the limitations before booking to ensure you are getting the most value from your Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Transferring points to airline programs

Transferring points to airline partners is a great way to redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Chase has partnered with 14 leading airline and hotel loyalty programs, including 11 airline programs, to enable the direct transfer of Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio. Points can be transferred in increments of 1,000 and can take up to a week to process. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to transfer your Chase points to airline partners:

• Log in to your Chase account and enter the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal using your secure login/password. You can do this on your mobile phone or computer.
• Within the portal, access the "Transfer to Travel Partners" section, usually located at the top of the dashboard.
• Choose your preferred airline partner from the list of travel partners. Airline partners include AerClub (Aer Lingus), Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Executive Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
• Transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points by selecting the amount you wish to transfer in increments of 1,000. You will need to provide the name of the primary account user and the loyalty account number. If you don't have an account with the partner, you may need to create one before transferring points.
• Confirm the transfer and visit your chosen partner's website to book your travel. Ensure that the name on your Chase account matches the name on the account you are transferring to.

Remember, point transfers are final, so make sure you have a specific use in mind before transferring your Chase points.

Using points for car rentals

If you're looking to book a rental car for your next trip, you may be able to use your Chase points to cover the cost. Here's what you need to know about using your points for car rentals:

Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

First, you'll need to make sure you have enough Chase Ultimate Rewards points to cover your rental car expenses. You can earn these points by applying for the Chase Freedom or Chase Sapphire credit cards. Using these designated Chase credit cards for daily purchases can earn you rewards that can be redeemed for travel expenses, including car rentals.

Redeeming Points for Car Rentals

There are a few ways to redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for car rentals:

• Chase Travel Portal: You can book car rentals directly through the Chase travel portal. The value of your points can vary depending on which card you have. For example, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, your points are worth 1.5 cents each when booking rental cars through the portal, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a rate of 1.25 cents per point.
• Transfer to Car Rental Partners: You can also transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to car rental partners. Avis, National, Hertz, and Budget are some of the major car rental companies that have loyalty programs allowing you to redeem points for car rentals. For example, with Avis Preferred, you can earn 1 point per dollar spent on rentals and redeem points for free rental days starting at 700 points.
• Statement Credits: Another option is to redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for statement credits, which can then be used to pay for your rental car expenses.

Tips for Maximizing Your Points

When it comes to maximizing the value of your points, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Compare Redemption Options: Compare the different redemption options to get the most out of your points. For example, transferring your points to car rental partners or booking through the Chase travel portal may offer better value than redeeming points for statement credits.
• Book in Advance: Car rental rates tend to increase as the travel date approaches. By booking your rental car as early as possible, you may be able to secure a better rate and maximize the value of your points.
• Consider Alternative Options: Before redeeming your points for a car rental, explore alternative options such as Turo or locally-owned rental companies, as they may offer more favorable rates.

By following these tips and utilizing your Chase points, you can make the most of your rewards and enjoy a hassle-free car rental experience on your next trip.

Redeeming points for cash back

Chase Ultimate Rewards® is a credit card rewards program that allows you to earn points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards, and Amazon or Apple purchases. The value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points will differ depending on the credit card that you have and the category that you're redeeming in.

Step 1: Log in to Your Online Chase Ultimate Rewards Account

Access an online Chase account that earns Ultimate Rewards. This includes cards from the Freedom, Sapphire, and Ink families. On your main rewards homepage, you will find a tab labeled "Convert to Cash". Click on this tab, and a menu with your reward redemption options will appear, including "Cash Back".

Step 2: Determine the Size of Your Redemption

Converting your points to cash is straightforward. One point is worth one cent, and there is no minimum redemption amount required. You can cash out a single penny or your full balance, or anything in between.

Step 3: Choose Between a Statement Credit or Account Deposit

You can choose to receive your cash-back rewards as a statement credit or as a deposit into your bank account. If you choose a statement credit, the credit will be applied to the card you are redeeming your points from, and the credit will typically post to your account within three business days. If you choose to deposit cash back into a bank account, you can add a new account or use an existing account linked to your credit card. Similar to statement credits, your cash back should arrive in your bank account within three business days. Both types of cash-back reward redemptions are final and cannot be reversed.

It's important to note that while cash back gives you flexibility, Ultimate Rewards provides other redemption options that may offer more value for your points. For example, redeeming points for gift cards or transferring points to airline and hotel partners can sometimes yield more than one cent per point. Additionally, the Pay Yourself Back® program, introduced during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, allows you to receive a statement credit on eligible purchases.

Booking hotels through the Chase portal

On the travel homepage, you can search for hotels by destination. You can narrow your search by filtering for price, amenities, ratings, type of property, number of bedrooms, neighbourhood, and more.

Once you've found a hotel that suits your needs, select your room option, then continue to confirm your booking using your Chase card or redeeming your Ultimate Rewards points. You can use your points to pay for the reservation in full or partially.

It's important to note that the value of your points within the Chase travel portal may vary depending on which card you have. For example, with the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, your points are worth one cent each, while with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred cards, your points are worth 1.25 cents each. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers the highest value, with each point worth 1.5 cents in the travel portal.

Additionally, cardholders with multiple eligible Chase credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards can pool their points together to get the most out of them. When you book your hotel through the Chase travel portal, you can also earn points on reservations paid with your Chase card, such as up to 10x points on hotels with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Another option for using your Ultimate Rewards points for hotel bookings is through Chase's transfer program. Booking your hotels this way may allow you to enjoy additional benefits of the loyalty program, such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, or complimentary nights.

Keep in mind that prices on the Chase Travel portal may not always match those on the hotel's website or other online booking platforms, so it's recommended to compare rates to ensure you're getting the best deal.

Frequently asked questions