ultimate rewards chase travel booking

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Competitive rates.

Take advantage of competitive rates at thousands of hotels and resorts, with no booking fees.

Seamless booking

Smoothly plan and book your whole trip, from coveted hotels and convenient flights to cars and must-do local experiences.

Premium benefits

Make the most of your card rewards. Access exclusive benefits and earn and redeem like never before.

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Don’t just dream it. Discover your next adventure with help from fresh trip recommendations and curated picks for unforgettable stays.

Get rewarded

Earn and redeem Ultimate Rewards points with your eligible Chase card, including Chase Sapphire, Freedom, Ink Business credit cards and more.

Earn up to 8,000 bonus points or more

Eligible cardmembers can purchase a trip through Chase Travel with their eligible Chase credit card and get rewarded with 5,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points when purchasing 2 qualifying travel components, or 8,000 when purchasing 3. Choose from hotels, flights, cars and cruises.

Haven’t traveled with us in a while? You may be eligible for an extra 2,000 bonus points.

Activate and book March 1 to May 31, 2024 for stays through the end of the year.

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How to use the chase travel portal, you can use chase points to book flights, hotels, car rentals and more through its travel portal..

With the right amount of planning, it's possible to book your entire vacation, including flights , hotels , cruises , car rentals , tours and other activities, entirely on points through the Chase Travel SM portal.

But are you getting the best deal by doing this instead of transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to travel partners and booking directly? It turns out there's a lot more to consider — everything from travel date flexibility and brand variety to the credit card you're using — if you want to get more value for your points by booking through Chase Travel SM .

Below, CNBC Select breaks down the best ways to book flights, hotels, cruises, tours and vacation activities through the Chase Travel SM portal with Ultimate Rewards® points.

How to use the Chase Travel SM Portal

• How to earn and redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points
• How to get started with the Chase Travel portal
• How to book flights through the Chase Travel portal

How to book rental cars, cruises, and other travel activities

What to know about chase's airport lounges, bottom line, how to earn and redeem chase ultimate rewards® points.

To access Chase Travel SM , you'll need to have a credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , Chase Sapphire Reserve® , Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card , Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card , Ink Business Cash® Credit Card , Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex® .

The easiest way to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points quickly is by taking advantage of the lucrative welcome bonuses offered by certain rewards cards: 

• You'll earn 75,000 points by signing up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and spending $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account. That's worth over $900 when redeemed through Chase Travel SM
• With the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card 's welcome bonus, you'll earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel SM.
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve 's welcome bonus gives you 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That's worth $1,125 when redeemed through Chase Travel SM .

The card you're using to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points will also affect your point redemption value . For instance, if you're using the Chase Sapphire Preferred to book through the Chase Travel SM portal, points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents per point). But if you're booking through Chase Travel SM with the Chase Sapphire Reserve , points are worth 50% more (1.5 cents per point) — the other $0 annual fee Chase cards each carry a redemption rate of 1 cent per point.

That means the bonus points you'd earn from either the Chase Sapphire Preferred's welcome bonus is worth over $900 towards travel and the Chase Sapphire Reserve's is worth $1,125 towards travel.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Welcome bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each account anniversary year (travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines), 1X point per $1 on all other purchases

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

21.24% - 26.24% variable

Good/Excellent

Read our Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card review.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

22.49% - 29.49% variable

5%, minimum $5

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.

How to get started with the Chase TravelSM portal

To reach the Chase Travel SM portal, log into your Chase account, then click the area near the right side of the screen where it says the amount of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Depending on how many Chase credit cards you have, you may be asked to choose which one you want to proceed with.

The next screen is your credit card's main dashboard, showing how many Ultimate Rewards points you currently have, as well as any deals or bonus opportunities. On the top of the page, you'll see several menus with redemption options.

While not the best redemption in terms of overall value, you could choose to use your Chase points for Apple and Amazon purchases, cash them in for gift cards and experiences. You can transfer points directly to one of Chase's 14 travel partners if you have a specific flight or hotel in mind. Otherwise, click "book travel" to enter the Chase Travel SM portal.

From here, you'll be able to search for flights, hotels, rental cars, activities and cruises. Simply choose your category, plug in your desired dates and details, and book with points, cash or some combination of the two.

Chase's travel partner programs

Currently, you can transfer your points to the following airline and hotel programs:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• British Airways Executive Club
• Emirates Skywards
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
• United Airlines MileagePlus
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• IHG One Rewards
• Marriott Bonvoy
• World of Hyatt

How to book flights through the Chase TravelSM portal

There are a few pros and cons to consider when booking flights through the Chase Travel SM portal. You won't have to worry about blackout dates or limited award availability, which makes it great if you're not flexible with dates and flight times. Just make sure you compare the number of points needed through the Chase Travel SM portal with how many points the airline would require if you were using its own miles, especially if you're hunting for a good deal on economy seats.

The catch with using the Chase Travel SM portal is you won't be able to shop for tickets on low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, or Allegiant Air — you can search for flights on Alaska, Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, American, and United. You'll also be able to book flights on most international carriers.

Remember that you can still earn miles and elite credits on flights, as tickets booked through the Chase Travel SM portal are categorized as "paid" rather than as an award flight since you're "paying" for them with points instead of cash. Consider the taxes and fees you might have to pay if you were to transfer the points straight to one of Chase's travel partners versus booking directly through the portal, and to calculate and compare how many points and miles you'd earn by booking with either method.

You'll be able to search, filter, and sort by price, airline, booking class, departure time, arrival time, and departure airport. For this example, below, consider a round-trip flight from Seattle to Austin booked through the travel portal with a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (redemptions are worth 1.25 cents per point):

Results included 107 results with an economy mix-and-match United and Delta fare for $370 or about 29,600 points being the most affordable option. For comparison's sake, the points price is about the same as what United and Delta are currently charging if you were to book the awards directly through the airlines, but Delta isn't a transfer partner of Chase. You also won't earn miles if you were to book these awards through the airlines, whereas you will earn miles when booking through Chase.

To finish booking your flight through the travel portal, select your route(s), review the details, choose how many points you'd like to use and complete your purchase.

Remember that if you're booking with money rather than points, you can earn extra rewards on your booking. In our example, if you paid $370 for a flight, you'd earn 1,850 Ultimate Rewards points with your Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve card. Either card earns 5X points on flight purchases through Chase Travel SM .

Booking travel with Southwest

In 2023, Chase also added the ability to use Ultimate Rewards points to book Southwest flights directly through the issuer's travel portal. To do so, simply search for the flight using the process described above. Your search results will only show Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares. However, when you proceed with the booking, you'll also have the option to select an Anytime or Business Select fare.

How to book hotels through the Chase TravelSM portal

While the best redemption rates are usually realized when you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio to hotel partner World of Hyatt, if you're not a huge fan of chain hotels or prefer boutiques or brands like Hilton, Choice Hotels, or Wyndham, it can be a good idea to book them through the travel portal. 

As with flights, you won't have to worry about blackout dates or limited award night availability. However, keep in mind that hotels treat the Chase Travel SM portal as a third-party booking agency, so you won't be able to earn hotel points on stays as you might by booking your stay directly with the hotel.

Hyatt hotels usually offer better deals when you book directly, and since it's one of Chase's hotel partners, you can transfer UR points instantly at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott and IHG are usually more varied, so you may score a better deal by booking via the Chase Travel SM portal instead of transferring points over. For this reason, it's a good idea to ring up how much your hotel stay would cost in points through the portal as well as the hotel's website.

Start by searching by destination so you can see a list of all the available hotels. For this example, let's try looking for hotels in downtown Austin. Once the results appear, you'll be able to narrow down your search with filters based on price, star ratings, guest ratings, amenities and neighborhood.

Let's go over a couple of options within the Chase Travel SM portal, each booked with a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. One option is the Four Seasons Hotel Austin, which is listed for $556 or about 44,500 points per night through Chase. If you book through Four Seasons, directly, you'll pay $561 per night. The hotel chain also doesn't have a rewards program but going through Chase provides a way to pay with points.

Another example is the Hyatt Place Austin Downtown for $288 or about 23,000 points per night through Chase. If you were to book this directly through Hyatt, you'd pay $279 per night as a member of its loyalty program or just 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night if you booked with points. Since you can transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, in this case, transferring would make more sense.

As you can see, it's worth comparing points required by the travel portal and each hotel's website, as the time of year, location, and other factors may play a part in pricing. To book your stay through the travel portal, select your room type, review the details, choose how many points you'd like to use and complete your purchase.

If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you also get access to The Edit by Chase Travel SM — a premium travel booking platform offering complimentary benefits at featured properties. These perks include a room upgrade (if available), $100 property credit and daily breakfast for two, to name just a few.

It's a pretty similar process if you want to book rental cars, tours and other travel activities through the Chase Travel SM portal. Cruises can also be booked as well, but you'll need to call.

As far as car rentals, make sure you're booking through the travel portal with points that are connected to Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve to take advantage of extra perks like primary rental car insurance — you'll also need to decline the rental car company's auto collision damage waiver when you book to activate this. You'll want to charge at least a few dollars to the card and not use points to cover the entire booking which ensures that you're still "paying" for the car rental with your Sapphire card, which means you'll be entitled to the card's rental car insurance.

Beyond that, simply plug in your itinerary and search. Here's an example for a rental in Austin booked with a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card:

You'll be able to filter your search by capacity, car type, price per day, company, and car options (like air conditioning and automatic transmission). For a seven-day rental, it would cost around 24,800 points or $310 for the cheapest option. As with other travel portal purchases, you'll be able to enter how many Chase Ultimate Rewards points you wish to put toward the final price. It works the same way for booking tours and other travel activities, so you could potentially enjoy a free — or nearly free — vacation solely on Chase points if you were to plan it all out properly.

When it comes to Chase, your travel benefits don't end with booking. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you also enroll and get access to two airport lounge networks: Priority Pass and Chase's Sapphire Lounge by The Club.

The Sapphire Lounge network officially consists of four lounges:

• Boston (BOS)
• Hong Kong (HKG)
• New York City (LGA)
• New York City (JFK)

Chase also manages and operates a lounge at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on behalf of Etihad Airways. This lounge isn't branded as a full-fledged Sapphire Lounge, but it features a similar design and follows similar access rules.

Chase is planning to open four more Sapphire lounges in the future: in Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix and San Diego.

Separately, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders also receive access to Sapphire Terrace at the Austin-Bergstrom airport in Austin, Texas.

Priority Pass, on the other hand, is a vast network with over 1,500 airport lounges around the world.

Booking through the Chase Travel SM portal can be a great use of your Ultimate Rewards® points, but make sure to compare the rates against booking directly with an airline or hotel itself. Finally, consider transferring your points to one of Chase's travel partners, especially if you're looking to book a luxury hotel or flight in business class.

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Information about the Chase Freedom Flex ® has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

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How to Maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards

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When it comes to flexible rewards points, Chase bank's credit card rewards program, better known as Chase Ultimate Rewards®, is regarded as the gold standard by many points collectors and travelers. With excellent credit card options, powerful points earning opportunities and valuable transfer partners, there are many reasons to love this program.

Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be more lucrative and versatile compared with other travel rewards cards.

Here's what you need to know to get the maximum value from your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.

How to get started using your points

To begin redeeming your points, log in to your account. You can access your Chase Ultimate Rewards® account directly from your Chase online account or through this link .

Once you're logged in, you can view all redemption options through the "Earn / Use" tab in the top menu. Click it to see a drop-down menu with the various redemption options, along with some quick links to your card’s benefits, travel alerts and more.

★ LIMITED TIME OFFER

Heads up! For a limited time, both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are offering elevated sign-up bonuses that can be worth more than $900 for the Preferred card and more than $1,100 for the Reserve. Learn more and apply here.

Two ways to maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards® points

While booking through Chase’s online portal is the easiest way to use Chase Ultimate Rewards® for travel, this strategy may not get you the best value overall.

1. Transfer your points to a partner

If maximizing the value of your points is the priority, transferring points to one of Chase’s travel partners is likely your best bet. You can transfer points to more than a dozen airline and hotel programs at a 1:1 ratio in increments of 1,000 points.

» Learn more: The best Chase transfer partners — and ones to avoid

Here's a quick rundown of the full list of Chase's transfer partners. Bookmark this list to refer back to in the future when you're ready to redeem.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® airline transfer partners:

Aer Lingus AerClub.

Air Canada Aeroplan .

Air France/KLM Flying Blue.

British Airways Executive Club (Avios).

Emirates Skywards .

Iberia Airlines Iberia Plus.

JetBlue TrueBlue .

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards .

United Airlines MileagePlus .

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® hotel transfer partners:

IHG Rewards Club .

Marriott Bonvoy .

World of Hyatt .

The value of each of these partners’ points varies. In general, you can often get close to 2 cents per point in value when you transfer them to an airline program, then redeem for award flights.

For example, a one-way business class flight on United Airlines from Los Angeles to New York in May cost $725 on a recent search. But if you transferred points from Chase to United, this same flight would set you back 38,000 points. Divide $725 by 38,000 and you’ll see you’re getting 1.9 cents worth of travel for every point if you transfer your points to United miles.

Expect lower value when transferring to hotel programs, with Hyatt being an exception as those points are among the highest valued hotel points .

You have plenty of other options for redeeming the Chase Ultimate Rewards® points you've earned beyond transferring your points to Chase partner programs — but some offer more value than others.

» Learn more: Helpful tips for earning Chase Ultimate Rewards®

2. Book in Chase's travel portal

Your points are most versatile when you use them to book flights, hotels, rental cars or experiences directly through its portal.

This is where you can redeem points for travel from nearly any provider — almost every major airline, hotel group, car rental company and more. Just search your dates and destination, and you’ll see cash prices from a whole range of providers, with a corresponding price in points for each.

The per-point value you get redeeming them this way depends on which credit card is in your wallet.

Here's how your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points values differ based on the card you hold:

Chase Freedom® , Chase Freedom Unlimited® , Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card , Ink Business Cash® Credit Card : 1 cent per point.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : 1.25 cents per point.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® : 1.5 cents per point.

Here's how it works

For example, a hotel room that costs $199 a night in cash can be booked by cardmember with a Freedom-branded or Ink-branded card for 1 cent per point, or 19,900 points. But with Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , you get 1.25 cents per point in value and would pay 15,920 points for that same room.

A Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmember, who gets 1.5 cents per point in value, pays 13,267 points for the same hotel stay.

» Learn more: Should Chase cardholders use points or cash to book flights?

Redemptions to avoid

While there are several ways to redeem your points, if your goal is to extract the most value, avoid the temptations of the following redemptions.

Cash back or gift cards

You can redeem your points for cash back as a statement credit or a deposit into your bank account, or redeem points for gift cards at a wide variety of retail stores.

With both of these options, you will receive a flat rate of 1.0 cent per point in value, which may not be the best use of your points.

Amazon or Apple purchases

You can use your points to pay for Amazon purchases, but you’ll get only 0.8 cent per point. You're better off making the purchase with your card and redeeming points as a statement credit or cashing in points for a gift card.

You can also use points to shop at Apple, where you’ll get a value of 1 cent per point, but that’s useful only if you need very specific products.

If you want to maximize your Chase Ultimate Rewards® ...

In terms of sheer dollar values, some Chase Ultimate Rewards® redemption options are worth far more than others.

If flexibility and ease of use are important to you, redeeming points directly through Chase's travel portal is straightforward. If you want to use your points to buy merchandise, remember that statement credits and gift cards will usually get you more value than redeeming your points with Amazon or Apple.

In general, you’ll get the highest Chase Ultimate Rewards® points value by transferring them to their airline or hotel partners.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1%-5% Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

$200 Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

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A traveler’s guide to the Chase Travel portal

Tamara Aydinyan

Julie Sherrier

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Updated 5:23 p.m. UTC Nov. 28, 2023

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For qualifying Chase cardholders, the easy-to-use Chase Travel℠ portal offers a flexible and convenient way to book hotels, flights, rental cars, cruises and more using points or a combination of points and cash.

What is the Chase travel portal?

A favorite among frequent travelers for its versatility and redemption options, Chase Ultimate Rewards® (UR) is one of the major transferable credit card rewards points programs and UR points are Chase’s flexible rewards currency.

The Chase travel portal works much like an online travel agency (OTA) similar to Orbitz or Priceline where you can book hotels, flights, cars, activities and cruises. But unlike a traditional OTA, with the Chase travel portal you can book travel with your Chase card’s rewards points, cash or a combination of the two.

Who can use the portal?

A handful of exclusively Chase-issued credit cards grant cardholders access to the Chase travel portal, but how you can utilize the portal and the value you can receive is card-specific.

The following credit cards are the only cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points outright:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card * The information for the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

But if you or a household member own at least one of the cards above, the rewards on the following cash-back credit cards can be combined with any of the cards listed above and used as Chase Ultimate Rewards points:

• Chase Freedom Flex℠ * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

And while the points earned cannot be combined with any of the UR-earning cards, the following pay-in-full card does have access to the Chase travel portal:

• Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card * The information for the Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Is the portal worth using?

It’s often said that having the right travel credit card is important, but knowing how to redeem your miles and points can be as paramount as which card you use to earn them. However, not everybody has the patience or interest to learn the intricacies of different rewards programs to maximize the value of every mile and point.

So while transferring UR points to individual loyalty programs is still one of the best ways to get the most cents per point at a 1:1 basis, for those who value simplicity, the Chase travel portal offers a straightforward way to book travel, earn and redeem points and still receive a great deal. Best of all, you won’t be limited by any loyalty program or award space availability.

When transferring points, the minimum you can transfer is 1,000 points to the following UR travel partners with either the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Ink Business Preferred cards:

Regardless of how you’re using the Chase travel portal, it’s worth considering the pros and cons.

• The standard rate for Ultimate Rewards points when redeemed for travel through the Chase travel portal is 1 UR point = 1 cent, but can be worth significantly more with the UR-earning cards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve gets a redemption value of 1.5 cents per point through the Chase Travel℠ portal while the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Ink Business Preferred cards each get 1.25 cents per point.
• Since you’re not limited to any loyalty programs, you can use your UR points to book boutique hotels that you’d otherwise only be able to book with cash.
• Flights booked through the Chase travel portal can earn frequent flyer miles and can be used toward advancing your elite status.
• You can earn a substantial amount of bonus points when booking through the Chase portal depending on the card you’re using.
• You can use a combination of points plus cash to purchase your reservation.
• Hotels booked through the Chase travel portal do not earn hotel points or credits toward elite status. Any elite status perks you’d receive if booking directly with the hotel will likely be forgone.
• If you experience any issues while traveling, you’d have to go through Chase to resolve the issue. For example, if there is a problem with your hotel reservation, you’ll have to contact a Chase representative for help resolving it since you didn’t book directly with the hotel. Dealing with a middleman during travel emergencies is less than ideal and something to be wary of when considering booking through the portal.
• Southwest Airlines flights do not show up in the UR travel portal, but can be reserved by calling the Chase Travel Center at 855-233-9462.

How to book travel through the Chase travel portal

You can access the Chase travel portal by logging into your Chase account and clicking on the Rewards balance on the right or by going to the Chase Ultimate Rewards website .

Once you’re logged in, if you have more than one UR-earning Chase card, you’ll be asked to select one to proceed with — a crucial step as each card has different earning and redemption rates.

After clicking on your selection, you will be taken to the Ultimate Rewards dashboard. If you click on the Earn / Use dropdown button, all of your Ultimate Rewards options will be presented. Click on Travel to proceed to the portal.

Once in the travel portal, you’ll  have the option of selecting the type of booking you’d like to make.

From there, your user experience will be similar to any other OTA where you can search your travel options.

Because the Chase travel portal doesn’t limit you to transfer partners or loyalty programs, you’ll be able to search almost all major airlines. One notable exception is Southwest Airlines, which is still bookable using UR points but will require a phone call to the Chase Travel Center to reserve your flight.

One difference compared to a traditional OTA is the option to buy in cash, points or a combination of both.

If you’re short on points or if you’d like to offset the cash price with some points, you’re given the option to choose how to pay.

After that, you’ll be prompted to enter your traveler information and you’re all booked. However, you will have to log into the specific airline with your reservation code in order to reserve seats.

Booking hotels through the Chase travel portal is a similar process. And with the portal’s easy-to-use search function, you can find boutique hotels that would otherwise be unbookable with loyalty-program-based points.

However, if you have elite status with a hotel chain, you’ll want to book directly rather than going through the Chase portal in order to access status benefits and have that hotel stay count toward achieving a higher status. Or, you can transfer UR points to one of three UR hotel loyalty program transfer partners, including Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt or IHG One Rewards.

Rental cars can also be booked through the portal in a similar fashion. And as in many cases, being aware of which card you’re booking your car rental with can make a big difference in case of an accident as both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred offer primary car insurance , an uncommon, money-saving benefit, which saves you from having to file a claim with your private car insurance carrier first.

A quick guide to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program

As some of the most sought-after flexible points, Chase Ultimate Rewards can be accrued through several avenues. The most lucrative way is by applying for Chase credit cards and earning their respective welcome bonuses — but be wary of Chase’s 5/24 rule , which blocks applicants from opening a Chase credit card if they’ve opened five or more cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.

If you have two Chase cards that earn UR points, you can then transfer the rewards earned to the card that carries the most redemption value. For example, you can open the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and then the Chase Freedom Flex and move any points earned on the Flex card to the Preferred card, which has a boosted value of 25% more when redeemed through the portal.

Looking to add more than one new credit card to your wallet? Here’s why you shouldn’t apply for multiple cards at the same time.

Outside of regular credit card spending, you can also grow your Ultimate Rewards pile by using the Chase shopping portal. By adding just one extra step to your online shopping, you can earn bonus points for your future travels.

While transferring points to partners is one option to maximize the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, there are numerous other ways to use the Chase Ultimate Rewards program to your benefit. Whether it’s redeeming your points as a statement credit for eligible, rotating categories throughout the year through the “Pay Yourself Back” feature, booking special dining experiences with your points or using the portal to book your next vacation, the Chase Ultimate Rewards program’s flexibility makes it a great option regardless of your lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) are Chase Bank’s flexible rewards currency that can be earned on several of its credit cards.

The Chase travel portal can be accessed through the Chase app or the Chase website. After logging in, you can select the option to book travel.

You can use your Chase travel credit, like the up to $50 annual hotel statement credit offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred, by booking your travel through the Chase travel portal. The statement credit will automatically be applied to your account within one to two billing cycles after your purchase posts to your account — up to an annual maximum accumulation of $50.

You can redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards directly through the travel portal with almost all major airlines with the exception of Southwest Airlines, which can be booked over the phone. With Southwest, select the flight you want at Southwest.com and then call Chase Travel Center at 855-233-9462 with the flight details.

The value you receive from the Chase travel portal will depend on the credit card you’re using. For example, if you have either the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred, your points are worth either 50% or 25% more, respectively, when redeemed for travel.

*The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Tamara Aydinyan has been traveling the world with the help of miles and points for over a decade and enjoys teaching others to do the same. When she's not on the move, you can find her in Los Angeles or New York City, or on Instagram @deadlytravel.

Julie Stephen Sherrier is a personal finance writer and editor based in Austin, TX. She is the former senior managing editor for LendingTree, responsible for all credit card and credit health content. Before joining LendingTree, Julie spent more than a decade as the managing editor and then editorial director at Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She also served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Texas at Austin.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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The Complete Guide To Using the Chase Travel Portal — Maximize Your Options

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

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Table of Contents

Why book travel through the chase travel portal, cards that earn chase ultimate rewards points, what are chase ultimate rewards points worth, earning chase points by booking travel, how to access the chase travel portal, how to book a flight through chase travel, how to book a hotel through chase travel, how to book a rental car through the chase travel portal, how to book activities through chase travel, how to book a cruise through the portal, how do the prices compare to other sites, other ways to use the chase travel portal, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the major transferrable points programs and a favorite among many travelers. Points are easy to earn and can be transferred to many different hotel and airline partners. But you can also book travel directly through Chase’s travel portal using Ultimate Rewards points.

Booking travel through the Chase Travel portal is simple and can be a great way to use your points.

We’ll show you everything you need to know about how to redeem your points, including the benefits, how to know what your points are worth, and how to book airlines, hotels, and more through the Chase Travel portal.

Generally, you can get maximum value from your Chase Ultimate Rewards points by transferring them to the Chase airline and hotel partners , so why are we talking about using points through a travel portal? While it’s true that the only way to get the highest value redemptions is by transferring, there is still a lot of value to be had by booking directly through the Chase Travel portal.

Flexibility

Flexibility is not often available with points bookings. Unlike an award booking, booking through Chase Travel is like using any other online travel agency (OTA) . There are no blackout dates or limited inventory award seats. If a flight or hotel is available, you can book it with points through the Chase travel portal.

You Can Earn Frequent Flyer Miles

One of the major bummers of booking flights with frequent flyer miles is that you don’t earn miles on award bookings. You can end up doing a lot of travel without earning miles. However, any booking you make with your Chase Ultimate Rewards points through the Chase Travel portal will earn frequent flyer miles and accrue status points. Unfortunately, hotel and car rental bookings still won’t earn points.

We have talked to so many people over the years that love the idea of collecting points and miles but don’t want to deal with the hassle. While many don’t mind putting a little work into getting an awesome redemption, others are just looking for a simple way to book travel and hopefully save some money in the process.

That’s where the Chase Travel portal comes in. With this method of redeeming points, there is no transferring, comparing points values, blackout dates, limited award availability, or multiple travel accounts. You only have to deal with 1 type of point and 1 travel portal but can still retain many of the benefits of collecting points and miles in the first place.

Bottom Line: You can book flights, hotels, rental cars, activities, and cruises through the Chase Travel portal.

If you like the idea of using the Chase Travel portal, you’ll need a credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points:

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel SM .
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel SM , 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel SM . For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Chase Ultimate Rewards

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel SM .
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel SM  immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel SM . For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass TM  Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  $0

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

The Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases , especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance , rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• APR: 21.24%-26.24% Variable

There are also some great cash-back cards from Chase that can be used to book travel through Chase Travel. The points earned on these cards can be converted into cash-back or alternatively, they can be used in the Chase travel portal.

• Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Chase Freedom Unlimited ®
• Chase Freedom ® card (no longer open to new applicants)
• Ink Business Cash ® Credit Card
• Ink Business Plus ® Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants)
• Ink Business Unlimited ® Credit Card
• Ink Business Premier ® Credit Card

It’s easy to earn lots of Chase Ultimate Rewards points , but do you know how much they are worth ? If you’re transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to a travel partner, their value will go up or down depending on the type of redemption.

However, when you are booking your travel directly through Chase’s travel portal, each Chase Ultimate Rewards point has a set value that won’t change . The credit card you have will determine the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Transfer Your Points Between Credit Cards for Maximum Value

If you have multiple Chase credit cards, it makes sense to transfer your points to the card with the most valuable redemption rate. The only exception to this is the Ink Business Premier card because points earned on this card can’t be transferred to any other card.

1. To transfer your points between 2 cards, log on to the Chase dashboard and select Combine Points .

2. Then you will be able to select the card you want to transfer points from and the card you want to receive the points. After you choose, click Next.

3. You can transfer all of your points or just what you need. Click Review to continue.

4. Double-check the details and click on the Submit button to complete the transfer.

Bottom Line: Your credit card will determine the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Your points are worth between 1 to 1.5 cents each depending on which credit card you’re redeeming points through. 

What if you’d prefer to pay for your travel with a Chase credit card to earn Ultimate Rewards points? The number of points you’ll earn through the Chase travel portal is dependent on which credit card you have and what type of travel you’re purchasing.

You can log into your account in 2 ways.

First, you can go directly to the Ultimate Rewards website to log in or you can log in through your Chase account .

If you’re in your Chase account, click on one of your Ultimate Rewards credit cards and then click on Redeem next to the card’s Ultimate Rewards balance.

Then choose the card you want to use.

From here you can access Chase Travel by clicking on Travel  in the top search box or you can switch to another card’s account by clicking on the 3-line icon in the upper left-hand corner.

1. In the Travel section of your Ultimate Rewards account, click on Flights to start your search for a flight. As with any other OTA, you begin your search by inputting basic information such as departure and arrival city, travel dates, and the number of passengers.

2. Next, you will be able to narrow your search results . At the left-hand side of the page, you can filter your results by things like airline or flight times. Then you can sort your results by price, trip duration, or times using the drop-down box at the top of the search results.

3. For each flight option, you’ll be able to see the price in dollars and in points on the right-hand side of the results box.

4. Once you’ve found the flight you want, click the blue Select button. Next, you can choose your return flight using the same process as you did for selecting the outbound flight. Click the blue Select button once you have made your choice.

5. From here you can confirm your flight details and select a fare upgrade if you wish. Then, you’ll be able to choose how to pay for your flight . You can pay for the entire purchase with points or a Chase credit card, or you can split your payment between points and a Chase credit card.

6. Finally, input your passenger information next. Don’t forget to add a frequent flyer number, a Known Traveler Number, or a Redress number if you have them.

Hot Tip: When purchasing travel through the Chase travel portal, you can split your payment between Chase Ultimate Rewards points and a Chase credit card.

1. To book a hotel through the Chase Travel portal , you’ll need to start by clicking on the Hotels tab in the main search box. Then, input your destination, check-in and check-out dates, and the number of travelers. Next, click on the blue Search button.

2. Your search results will look like other sites that you may be familiar with. You’ll see filtering options to the left and sorting options above your search results.

3. Each search result will show the price in both dollars and Chase Ultimate Rewards points. These prices include taxes and fees with the exception of resort fees.

4. Once you select your hotel, click on Add to Itinerary . You can choose to pay for all or part of your hotel cost using Ultimate Rewards points. Click Begin Checkout to input your reservation details and finalize your booking.

Hot Tip: When booking a hotel through the Chase Travel portal, you won’t be eligible to earn points in the hotel’s loyalty program or take advantage of any elite status you may have.

The Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection

The Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection (LHRC) is exclusively for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders. From the Ultimate Rewards travel home page, just click on The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection tab.

Once you are on the LHRC homepage, type in your destination and click Search to view available properties. Each listing will display the property’s unique cardmember benefits. Click on the listing for more information and to continue the booking process.

When booked through the Chase Travel portal, these properties offer the following benefits:

• Daily breakfast for 2
• Special amenity (varies by property)
• Room upgrades (based on availability)
• Early check-in and late checkout (based on availability)

The Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection properties are reservation-only bookings. You’ll make your reservations online and payment doesn’t happen until you check out from the hotel. These bookings will not take Chase Ultimate Rewards points as payment.

Bottom Line: Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection properties are only available to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers. These properties can’t be booked with points.

1. To rent a car through the Chase Travel portal, start by clicking on the Cars tab in the main search box. Then, input your pick-up location, drop-off location, dates, times, and age of the driver. Click on the blue Search box to continue.

2. You can then narrow your search with the filtering options on the left-hand side of the page.

3. For each car option, you will be able to see the car details, rental company, and price in both dollars and Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Once you have selected the car you want to rent, click on Add to Itinerary .

4. You can pay for the entire purchase with points or a Chase credit card or split your payment in any amount. Double-check all of the details before completing your purchase.

Did you know you can also book activities through Chase Travel?

1. Click the Activities tab on the Ultimate Rewards travel homepage to get started. Then, input your destination and travel dates and click the Search button to continue.

2. You can narrow your search by selecting 1 or more categories at the left-hand side of the page. Categories can include things like:

• Classes & workshops
• Cruises & sailing
• Food & drink
• Outdoor activities
• Seasonal & special occasions
• Tickets & passes
• Tours & sightseeing
• Transfers & ground transport
• Unique experiences

3. Each activity will show the price in both dollars and points to the right side of the screen. Click on Show Details and Pricing for more information and to book the activity.

6. Double-check all of the details on the final page before completing your purchase. Click the box confirming you understand the travel disclosures, then click Complete Checkout to finish your purchase.

Bottom Line: You can book lots of activities through the Chase Travel portal, including airport transfers!

If you’re a fan of cruises, you’ll be pleased to know you can book them through your Chase Travel portal. To get started, click on the Cruises tab on the Ultimate Rewards travel homepage.

This will bring up a list of available cruises, but there’s also a search box at the top of the screen, so you can input a specific destination or cruise line.

Each listing will display the cruise line, ship, ports of call, sailing dates, and baseline pricing for an interior or oceanview cabin. Unfortunately, if you want any more specific information or if you want to book, you will need to call 855-234-2542 .

You’ll notice that only cash prices are listed for cruises, however, they can be booked using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, too.

Hot Tip: You can book a cruise through Chase Travel but you’ll have to call to make your reservation as they can’t be booked online.

Are you getting a good deal by booking through Chase? Let’s look at how the prices available through the Chase Travel portal stack up to other OTAs and search engines including Hotwire , Kayak , and Expedia .

We did some flight searches and found there’s no clear-cut pattern on prices between the Chase portal to other websites.

Example #1: Round-trip flight between Philadelphia (PHL) and San Francisco (SFO) for 1 person in economy.

We searched this route in the Chase travel portal and the cheapest option was a flight that was split between Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines for $526.20. This worked out to be the cheapest price we found, and Priceline had the same low price. Expedia and Hotwire both charge booking fees, making the price a little higher. Each airline’s own website couldn’t split the itinerary between different airlines, so those ended up being much more expensive.

If you are in doubt or would like to check prices yourself, Kayak is a great place to start. Kayak will show you prices for a flight on all of the OTAs as well as the airline’s website. It’s a great one-stop shop to compare flight prices.

Example #2: Round-trip flight between New York City (JFK) and Paris, France (CDG) for 1 person in economy.

We searched this route in the Chase travel portal and the cheapest option was a flight that was split between American Airlines and British Airways for $689.78. This wasn’t the overall best price we found, though. That award goes to Expedia and Priceline.

Hot Tip: You will earn frequent flyer miles when you book your flight through the Chase Travel portal.

Example #1: Here’s how prices looked for a week-long stay at the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa in Mexico for 2 people including all taxes and fees. The $291.55 resort fee can’t be paid with points.

In this example, the best cash rate by far was through Marriott. However, if you wanted to pay with points, booking with Chase Ultimate Rewards points through the travel portal would be your best bet.

Keep in mind that Marriott doesn’t have an award chart, so different time periods can have different point costs. A 7-night stay at this hotel can dip down to 240,000 points for a 7-night stay. If you’re going to pay for your hotel stay in points, it’s always smart to calculate how many points it would cost to book through Chase versus transferring points . This information can help you make the best and least expensive choice.

Hot Tip: You won’t earn hotel loyalty points when booking a hotel through Chase and any elite status you have may not be recognized.

Example #2: Let’s look at an example of a hotel that doesn’t have a loyalty program. We priced out a 2-night stay at Almond Tree Inn Hotel in Key West, FL for 2 people. The highest prices were direct via the hotel with all other websites surveyed being cheaper.

Here’s how the prices stacked up:

Chase’s low price matched the other online travel websites and was actually lower than the hotel’s own website, so it would be a great option in this case. It also affords the opportunity to use points for a hotel that doesn’t have its own loyalty program.

Car Rentals

In many cases, car rental prices found through the Chase Travel portal were similar to prices found on the rental agency’s own website.

The main difference in booking through Chase vs. directly through a car rental agency is that the car rental agency often has the ability to book the car without paying up front. With the Chase portal, you will be paying at the time of booking and there may be change or cancellation fees if you need to modify your reservation.

In both of these examples, Chase Travel didn’t offer the lowest price, however, that won’t always necessarily be the case. Of course, the advantage of booking through Chase is the ability to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. It’s always a good idea to price out your car rental on a few different websites before booking to ensure you’re getting the best price.

Chase actually offered the lowest prices on activities for both examples:

Earn Bonus Ultimate Rewards Points

The Chase Travel portal also helps you earn bonus points.  With the Shop through Chase feature, you can earn extra Ultimate Rewards points through your online shopping.

Just click Earn Bonus Points in the top search bar to access the shopping portal. Click on a featured store or search for a specific one. Then simply click through the portal to your website of choice to make your purchase. Your bonus points will be added to your Chase Ultimate Rewards points total within 3 to 5 days in most cases.

Pay With Points

Did you know you can use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to make purchases at Amazon and PayPal? Click on Pay with Points in the top search bar, then select either Amazon or PayPal to enroll and shop.

Unfortunately, the redemption value you get when shopping through Amazon or PayPal is pretty bad — only 0.8 cents per point. While it’s great to have this as an option, we don’t recommend using points to shop at Amazon or PayPal as your main use of Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Bottom Line: The value of using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to shop through Amazon or PayPal isn’t great: you will only get 0.8 cents per point!

Apple Purchases

By clicking on Apple in the main search box in your Ultimate Rewards account, you can use your Chase points to make purchases. Normally, you’ll get 1 cent per point in value when using your points for Apple purchases, but there are occasional bonuses offered to get a better redemption rate.

You can also redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for cash-back. To do this, simply select Cash-back from the main search bar at the top of the screen. You will then be able to see choose how many points you’d like to redeem for cash-back at a value of 1 cent per point .

You can choose to have your cash direct deposited into a checking or savings account or as a statement credit. The deposit or statement credit will be posted within 3 days.

Bottom Line: Your Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed as cash-back. We do not recommend this as a primary redemption option because you can get more value via the Chase Travel portal, and a lot more when transferring to airline and hotel partners.

Experiences

This is a really cool section of the Chase Travel portal. When you click on Experiences in the main search bar, you’ll see a list of exclusive events, preferred seating, and other offers for select Chase cardmembers.

Experiences can be purchased with a credit card or with points. You will get 1 cent per point in value when redeeming points for experiences. Some experiences are only available to cardholders of specific cards so be sure to check all of your cards if you have more than 1 to make sure you don’t miss anything.

If you prefer gift cards, you can purchase them through the Chase Travel portal using points. Just click Gift Cards in the main search bar to get started. From here, you will be able to scroll through all of the available gift cards. You’ll get 1 cent per point in value, with occasional sales offering better redemption rates.

Hot Tip: Points redeemed for gift cards have a 1-cent per point value. However, you might notice some cards offer discounts, so there is the opportunity to get a bit more value!

Pay Yourself Back

Another way to use your Ultimate Rewards points is through the Pay Yourself Back feature. This allows you to redeem your points for a statement credit for purchases in select categories. The current categories include groceries, dining, select charities, credit card annual fee, internet, cable, phone, and shipping and the redemption value varies by card.

Transfer To Travel Partners

Transferring points to travel partners is the best way to get the most value out of your points . By transferring, you can potentially get 2, 3, or more cents per point value.

Chase Airline Transfer Partners

Chase Hotel Transfer Partners

To transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to any of the above airline and hotel partners, log on to your account and click on Transfer To Travel Partners in the top search box. Choose your airline or hotel and then select Transfer Points . You’ll need to fill out your frequent flyer information or hotel loyalty membership number to complete the transfer.

Bottom Line: You can currently transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to 14 different hotel and airline partners.

There are many ways to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. While transferring points to one of Chase’s airline and hotel travel partners can get you maximum value, there are a lot of benefits for booking travel directly through the Chase Travel portal .

In addition to hotels and flights, you can book car rentals, activities, and cruises. Or, you can use your points for cash back, shopping, gift cards, or Chase exclusive experiences. With so many ways to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, your next trip is only a few clicks away!

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Freedom ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Ink Business Plus ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do chase ultimate rewards points expire.

No. As long as you keep your Chase credit card open, your points will not expire.

Can I transfer my Chase points to someone else?

Yes. You can transfer your points to another member of your household who also has a Chase Ultimate Rewards account.

What are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth?

When redeeming points through the Chase travel portal, the credit card you hold will determine your points’ value.

When redeeming for travel, your points have the following value:

• 1 cent : Freedom card, Freedom Flex card, Freedom Unlimited card, Ink Business Cash card, Ink Business Premier card, Ink Business Unlimited card
• 1.25 cents : Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Ink Business Preferred card
• 1.5 cents : Chase Sapphire Reserve card

When using your points to shop through Amazon or Chase Pay, they are worth 0.8 cents per point.

When redeeming your points for cash back, gift cards, or experiences they are worth 1 cent per point.

What airline partners can I transfer my Chase Ultimate Rewards points to?

Chase airline partners include Air Canada, Air France-KLM, British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Emirates, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

What hotel partners can I transfer my Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to?

You can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to the following hotels at a 1:1 ratio: IHG, Marriott, and Hyatt.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

My first redemption: How I used Chase Ultimate Rewards points to vacation in Hawaii

As anyone at TPG will tell you, one of the best ways to maximize your award travel is by using credit cards that earn transferable points . You can often get the most value out of these points when you transfer them to hotel and airline transfer partners .

That's what I did in 2022 when I made my first award redemption, using 105,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to spend a week at Hyatt's Lahaina Shores Beach Resort on Maui — entirely free. Here's how I did it and how you could plan a similar trip.

Related: How to book flights to Hawaii with points and miles

Why I chose to open a Chase credit card

When I initially planned this trip in late 2021, I was a newbie to the world of points and miles. I recently got my first travel card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , because of its valuable and versatile Chase Ultimate Rewards points .

At the time, the Sapphire Preferred was offering a welcome bonus, and currently, it is offering an elevated bonus: You can earn 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in your first three months of card opening. After a few months with the card, I had accumulated roughly 107,000 Chase points. My partner and I decided to use them toward a week-long beach vacation to celebrate our anniversary.

So, armed with my brand-new stash of Chase points and a basic grasp of points and miles, I got to work on researching how to best maximize my points to book my dream vacation.

Related: Best credit card welcome offers

Why Hyatt is my favorite hotel chain

While you can book and redeem Ultimate Rewards points for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠, my points would only be worth a fixed rate of 1.25 cents apiece. Therefore, using one of Chase's transfer partners is the best way to maximize points.

I started by researching Chase's hotel transfer partners: Marriott Bonvoy , IHG One Rewards and World of Hyatt . I soon zeroed in on World of Hyatt, which is popular for its high-value redemptions. Unlike its competitors, Hyatt still operates using an award chart (as opposed to dynamic pricing ), which can lead to some great redemption opportunities.

The only downside is that Hyatt's footprint is significantly smaller than that of the competition (IHG and Marriott) which meant my hotel choices were limited.

When researching Hyatt properties in Hawaii, I found a few affordable options, including Lahaina Shores Beach Resort on Maui. Rooms were going for $330 or 15,000 points per night in February, providing a solid value of 2.2 cents per point. ( TPG values Chase points at 2.05 cents each.) Seven nights would cost me a grand total of 105,000 points — right in my budget. Plus, since Hyatt waives resort fees on award stays, I didn't have to pay a dime.

Well, I still had to pay for flights, but since I'd just saved more than $2,000 on my hotel stay, I didn't mind booking the flights with cash.

Related: Hyatt's new partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith

Transfer Chase points to Hyatt

From what I'd read, transferring Ultimate Rewards points to travel partners seemed easy. Still, it was a little nerve-wracking the first time I did it.

First, I had to set up a World of Hyatt account (since I'd never stayed at a Hyatt) and link it to my Chase account. Then, I transferred 105,000 Chase points. I watched with bated breath as they disappeared from my Chase account and waited for them to appear in my Hyatt account, worrying that the internet would somehow swallow my points in the process. Plus, point transfers are almost always irreversible.

Thankfully, the points were in my Hyatt account within a few minutes, so I booked my seven-night reservation at Lahaina Shores completely free.

Related: Everything you need to know about Chase's transfer partners

Was it worth it?

A small part of me still wondered if it was too good to be true and if my free hotel would end up being a dump. However, Lahaina Shores Beach Resort did not disappoint.

Though you might get more value from your points at Hyatt's luxury hotels , Lahaina Shores was the perfect fit for me and my partner. It was on the edge of downtown Lahaina, Maui's historic district, within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants and Banyan Tree Park. It was right on the beach and in an area that was great for snorkeling (complete with friendly sea turtles). Plus, each room had a full kitchen, so we saved even more money by buying groceries and eating on our private balcony.

Related: 8 great US beach hotels you can book with points

Book a Hyatt hotel in Hawaii using points

After my experience, I would hands-down recommend Lahaina Shores Beach Resort to other travelers. Sadly, this gem has since closed due to the devastating Maui fires in 2023. Lahaina Shores survived the blaze but suffered severe smoke damage, so it may be months or years before it reopens.

Until then, here are some other Hyatt properties worth considering for a similar Hawaiian getaway:

• Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach (Oahu): from $263 or 15,000 points per night
• Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach (Oahu): from $331 or 20,000 points per night
• Hana-Maui Resort : from $674 or 25,000 points per night
• Hyatt Vacation Club at Ka'anapali Beach (Maui): from $723 or 30,000 points per night

Related: Best hotels in Hawaii

How to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Credit card welcome bonuses are a great place to start if you want to earn Chase points. The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve® are both offering elevated welcome bonuses of 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points right now.

There are plenty of other ways to build your points balance, like booking travel through Chase Travel℠ , shopping through the Chase portal and referring friends to your Chase cards.

Related: Who's eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus?

Bottom line

Chase points have a reputation for being one of the most valuable transferable points currencies, and now I know why. Chase has 14 transfer partners, including airlines and hotels, so you can find a redemption that fits your goals. Other TPG staffers have recently used Chase points for a last-minute trip to Greece and a Mexican getaway for two .

There's no need to worry about the transfer process — but remember that when you transfer credit card points to travel partners , it's irreversible. Make sure you have a redemption lined up before transferring your hard-earned points.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve 2024: Which Is Best For You?

T hese two travel credit cards are hard to beat since they both earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to airlines and hotels, yet their rewards and perks set them apart.

Expert Take: Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® earn highly sought after Chase Ultimate Rewards points, so what sets them apart? While the Preferred is more affordable with its $95 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers perks like airport lounge access and annual travel credits for a higher annual cost of $550.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is frequently considered one of the best mid-tier travel rewards credit cards on the market due to its perks and flexibility of its rewards. Not only do users earn bonus points in everyday spending categories like dining, online groceries and select streaming services, but the card gives users 25% more value for travel booked with Chase and still gives the option to transfer points to Chase airline and hotel partners.

• Earns rewards on travel and select everyday purchases
• Excellent benefits for a mid-tier travel rewards card
• Get 25% more value when using points to book travel through Chase
• Must book travel through Chase to earn best rewards rate
• Everyday spending categories may be too narrow for some

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium travel rewards card with a different earning structure and a higher rewards rate for travel purchases. Plus, it has benefits worth hundreds of dollars in additional value each year. Cardholders get access to the exact same redemption options through Chase, but instead of a 25%, they get 50% more value when using points to book travel through Chase Travel.

• Earns bonus rewards in several popular categories
• Premium travel perks include lounge access and travel credit
• Get 50% more value when using points to book travel through Chase Travel
• Robust selection of travel insurance benefits and consumer protections
• High $550 annual fee 
• Excellent credit recommended

Vault’s Viewpoint On the Chase Sapphire Preferred® vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

These are two of the best travel cards . Both offer a valuable welcome bonus, high rewards rates and plenty of additional benefits to justify their annual fees. They both also give cardholders access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, where the value of your rewards can be much higher than other rewards programs. 

The Sapphire Preferred is the more cost-effective of the two. For a $95 annual fee, occasional and frequent travelers not looking for airport lounge access will enjoy a wide selection of bonus categories to help quickly earn rewards. But travelers looking for premium features, including airport lounge membership will find the Chase Sapphire Reserve® a more rewarding experience. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Highlights

Earning rewards with the chase sapphire preferred®.

While the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a lower rewards rate on travel purchases, its overall rewards rate can make sense for people who use their cards for regular spending and bills.

Cardholders earn:

• 5X total points on travel booked through Chase Travel
• 5X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025)
• 3X points on dining (includes eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out)
• 3X points on online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
• 3X points on select streaming services
• 2X points on other travel purchases
• 1X points on other purchases

Other Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Major benefits that come with this card include:

• Annual hotel credit: $50 annual credit in statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
• Points boost: 25 percent more value for points when redeemed for travel through Chase
• Anniversary points bonus: 10 percent annual rewards bonus each year based on previous year spending
• Instacart+ membership: Complimentary Instacart+ membership for six months and up to $15 in quarterly statement credits if activated by July 31, 2024, subject to auto-renewal
• DoorDash DashPass: Complimentary DashPass membership for at least one year when activated by December 31, 2024
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Up to $10,000 per covered person and $20,000 per trip reimbursement for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short due to illness, severe weather or other protected situations
• Primary auto rental coverage: Auto rental collision damage waiver reimburses you for theft or collision damage for most rental cars when you decline coverage from rental service
• Baggage delay coverage: Up to $100 per day for up to five days reimbursed for essential purchases to cover baggage delays of more than six hours
• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket for expenses like meals and lodging if common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours and requires an overnight stay
• Travel and emergency assistance services: Emergency assistance, including legal and medical referrals while away from home
• Purchase protection: 120 days of coverage against damage or theft for eligible purchases ($500 per claim and $50,000 per account)
• Extended warranty protection: An additional year of warranty protection on eligible warranties of three years or less

Vault’s Viewpoint: Our Thoughts On the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Value 

Based on our Newsweek valuation, points earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred are worth an average of 1.38 cents each with access to partner redemptions. While transferring your points to the right transfer partner could get you the most value, the Preferred still earns an above-average 1.25 cents per point when redeeming for travel through the Chase portal. This is higher than the value you get for many other rewards programs. 

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Highlights

Earning rewards with the chase sapphire reserve®.

The rewards rates on the Chase Sapphire Reserve are more focused on travel purchases, although plenty of categories earn more than the standard rate of 1X points on regular purchases.

• 10X total points on car rentals and hotel stays* purchased through Chase Travel
• 10X total points on Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal
• 10X total points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025)
• 5X total points on airfare* purchased through Chase Travel
• 3X points on dining
• 3X points on other travel worldwide*
• 1X points on all other purchases

*Travel-related rewards kick in after the $300 travel credit is spent each year on travel purchases.

Other Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits include:

• Annual travel credit: $300 in annual statement credits reimbursed for travel purchases charged on the card 
• Points boost: 50 percent more value for points when booking travel through Chase Travel
• Lounge access: Priority Pass Select membership with access to over 1,300 airport lounges
• Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck membership credit: Automatic statement-credit reimbursement for the application fee up to $100 once every four years.
• Instacart+ membership: Complimentary Instacart+ membership for one year and up to $15 in quarterly statement credits if activated by July 31, 2024
• Primary auto rental waiver: Auto rental collision damage waiver reimburses you for theft or collision damage for most rental cars
• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 reimbursement per passenger for checked or carry on luggage that’s lost or damaged by the carrier
• Emergency evacuation and transportation: Up to $100,000 in coverage for medical services and transportation if you or a family member become sick or injured while far from home 
• Purchase protection: 120 days of coverage against damage or theft for eligible purchases ($10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year)

Vault’s Viewpoint: Our Thoughts On the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Value

Newsweek values Chase Sapphire Reserve points at up to 1.62 cents apiece if you take advantage of one of Chase’s valuable transfer partners. That rate is much higher than the points and miles valuations of most competitors, including American Express Membership Rewards points (1.19 cents apiece) and Capital One Venture miles (1.21 cents apiece) by our estimates. 

What also helps set Chase Sapphire Reserve apart from the competition is that you don’t have to take advantage of transfer partners to get exceptional value. With the Sapphire Reserve, points are worth 1.50 cents apiece just for booking travel with Chase. That’s a 50-percent boost above competitors that typically only provide a value of 1 cent apiece for points and miles redeemed through travel portals.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve® Differences

Who is the chase sapphire preferred® best for.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a versatile rewards card fit for most travelers. You earn flexible bonus rewards for travel, dining and select everyday purchases, which is a step above many travel cards that only offer rewards for travel and dining. The card also comes loaded with outsized perks that go above and beyond other mid-tier travel cards. This includes annual hotel credits, anniversary bonus points, and plenty of travel and purchase protections.

The Sapphire Preferred also offers exceptional redemption value. Points for travel could be worth up to 1.38 cents on average based on our valuation. And while other issuers like American Express drop the value of their points and miles to below one cent for non-travel redemption options, Chase points are typically worth one cent for non-travel redemption options, including cash back and most gift cards. 

Who Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Best For?

The Sapphire Reserve goes above and beyond the Sapphire Preferred. Because it’s loaded with premium benefits for travel, it’s best for people who fly frequently and want perks like airport lounge access. While the $550 annual fee is on the high side, the annual travel credit of $300 and the Priority Pass Select membership more than make up for this fee if you use them to the fullest.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

If you don’t want to pay an annual fee, there are a lot of entry-level travel cards that offer solid rewards and the chance to cut down on travel costs. Some of the top no-annual-fee cards to consider include:

• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
• Bilt Mastercard®

Based on how you travel, you may want to consider different rewards programs. If you’re looking for complimentary lounge access, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a more extensive range of lounges to choose from compared to the Sapphire Reserve. And since it earns American Express Membership Rewards points, you also get access to 18 airline and three hotel transfer partners. This could be a good fit if you’re thinking about transferring your points or miles but Chase doesn’t offer your favorite hotel or airline as a transfer partner. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i get both the chase sapphire preferred and chase sapphire reserve.

By Chase’s rules, you can only hold one Sapphire card at a time, so you can’t simultaneously have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. However, you can downgrade or upgrade your card (pending approval) if you so desire, or look into canceling one card and applying for the other after any waiting period that may apply. Just note that you won’t qualify for a welcome bonus on either card if you’ve received a new cardmember bonus on a Sapphire card in the past 48 months as a previous cardholder or if you currently hold any Sapphire card.

Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve Have a Larger Welcome Bonus?

Currently, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred have the same elevated welcome bonus: 75,000 points earned after spending $4,000 in the first three months (up from the 60,000-point bonus for both cards prior). In the past, Chase typically staggered the times when each card would have a welcome bonus, so this may be a rare chance to pick up what may be a higher-than-usual bonus—no matter if you get the Preferred or Reserve.

What Is Chase’s 5/24 Rule?

Chase’s 5/24 rule is an unofficial but widely reported policy that says you won’t be approved for a new Chase credit card if you’ve opened five or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. Most business credit cards (including those issued by Chase) do not count towards your 5/24 limit.

The post Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve 2024: Which Is Best For You? first appeared on Newsweek Vault .