Chase Ultimate Rewards points are a valuable asset for frequent travelers. Knowing how to effectively transfer them to travel partners can unlock significant savings and elevate your travel experiences. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of the transfer process and highlights the benefits of leveraging Chase’s partnerships.
Understanding Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfers
Chase Ultimate Rewards allows you to transfer points to participating airline and hotel loyalty programs, typically at a 1:1 ratio. This means one Chase point converts to one point or mile in the partner program. Transfers usually happen in increments of 1,000 points. Planning ahead is key, as transfers are generally irreversible and may take up to a week to process.
Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Chase Points
Here’s how to transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points:
1. Access the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal
Log in to your Chase account through the Chase website or mobile app. Once logged in, navigate to the Ultimate Rewards portal.
2. Find the “Transfer to Travel Partners” Section
Within the Ultimate Rewards portal, locate the “Transfer points to partners” option, usually found under the “Travel” section.
Alt text: Screenshot of the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal showing options for redeeming points.
3. Select Your Desired Travel Partner
Choose the airline or hotel loyalty program you want to transfer your points to. Chase Ultimate Rewards partners include:
- Airlines:
- Aer Lingus (AerClub)
- Air Canada (Aeroplan)
- Air France/KLM (Flying Blue)
- British Airways (Executive Club)
- Emirates (Skywards)
- Iberia (Iberia Plus)
- JetBlue (TrueBlue)
- Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)
- Southwest Airlines (Rapid Rewards)
- United Airlines (MileagePlus)
- Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)
- Hotels:
- IHG (IHG One Rewards)
- Marriott (Marriott Bonvoy)
- Hyatt (World of Hyatt)
4. Initiate the Transfer
Before transferring, confirm award availability with the airline or hotel and determine the exact number of points/miles needed. Then, follow these steps within the Chase portal:
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Select the partner program.
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Enter your loyalty account number for that program.
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Specify the number of Chase points you wish to transfer (in increments of 1,000).
If you don’t already have an account with the partner, you’ll need to create one on the partner’s website before proceeding.
Alt text: Example interface showing how to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United Airlines MileagePlus.
5. Confirm and Submit
Carefully review all transfer details before confirming. Ensure that the name on your Chase account matches the name on your travel partner loyalty program account. Discrepancies can cause transfer failures. Once confirmed, submit the transfer request.
Transferring Points to Others
Chase allows you to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to household members who are authorized users on your Chase credit card account. This is an external transfer to another person’s loyalty program account.
Internal transfers, from one Chase Ultimate Rewards account to another, are also possible.
Maximizing Value Through Transfers
Transferring Chase points can often yield higher value than redeeming them directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. The specific value depends on the card you hold:
- Chase Freedom: $0.01 per point
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: $0.0125 per point
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.015 per point
- Chase Ink Cards: Typically $0.01 per point, with the Ink Business Preferred offering $0.0125 per point.
By transferring to partners and strategically redeeming for high-value awards (like premium cabin flights or luxury hotel stays), you can often exceed these values.
Chase Sapphire Reserve card
Strategic Considerations for Transfers
- Have a Specific Redemption in Mind: Don’t transfer points speculatively. Always have a clear plan for how you’ll use the transferred points or miles.
- Compare Redemption Options: Evaluate whether transferring points or booking directly through the Chase portal offers better value for your specific travel needs.
- Be Aware of Transfer Times: Account for potential transfer delays when planning your travel bookings.
- Understand Partner Award Charts: Familiarize yourself with the award charts of Chase’s travel partners to identify sweet spots and maximize your redemptions.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to travel partners can significantly enhance your travel rewards strategy. By following this guide and considering the strategic factors outlined, you can unlock incredible value and elevate your travel experiences.
