Attention Ultimate Rewards Collectors – USE TRANSFER PARTNERS!
I am sick and tired of being sick and tired (I currently have the sniffles and it ain’t cool). I am also sick and tired of people not educating themselves on the power of Chase Ultimate Rewards and the ability to transfer to Travel Partners!
ONE: You applied for the right card – Chase Sapphire Preferred OR Chase Sapphire Reserve!
TWO: You earned the 50,000 sign-up bonus by meeting minimum spend requirements.
THREE: You even go and maximize your earning in the 2x (Preferred) or 3x (Reserve) travel and dining categories!
GO YOU!
FOUR: You settle for the minimum. Second place. A participation trophy.
Redeeming all of your hard earned Ultimate Rewards via the Ultimate Rewards Travel portal and MAXING OUT at a value of 1.25 cents per point (Sapphire Preferred) or 1.5 cents per point (Sapphire Reserve) should be considered the bare minimum. Sure it’s always an option, and in certain situations (i.e. huge fare sales to Europe) it can make for a really good redemption. But why settle for once in awhile goodness, when you can have achieve GREATNESS!
I mean you are like 3/4 the way there already!?
Do you remember the last Super Bowl? Where the Falcons balled out for 3 quarters, and then decided to settle for 2nd place?
I mean yes, they made it to the Super Bowl. And yes, they were able to score some points and have a good time for awhile… but then they just BLEW IT!
What a bummer to be the Falcons, right?
Well, you are the Falcons in this scenario when you go an redeem all of your Ultimate Rewards at the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal!
There is so much more you can do with your oh so valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards…
Don’t believe me? I’ll show you!
Transfer 1:1 to Airline Partner Programs
Wanna Fly Star Alliance?
There is so much you can do with United MileagePlus, including flying domestic and international award flights on United Airlines, as well as flying on other Star Alliance Partners with little to no fuel surcharges added!
Believe it or not, KrisFlyer Miles can be redeemed for much more than you may think! They can be redeemed for travel on Singapore Air (which flies in/out of New York, San Francisco & Los Angeles), or they can be redeemed for travel on United Airlines and other Star Alliance Partners. In fact, there are many cases in which you can achieve more value (i.e. stretch your points farther) out of the Ultimate Rewards transfer by transferring to points to Singapore Airlines and then redeeming Singapore miles for United flights. It sounds a bit wonky, but I have done it in the past and it makes for a great value!
Wanna Fly Sky Team?
The reasoning behind this suggestion to transfer to the Korean Air frequent flyer program – that most of you have never dealt with – has little to do with Korea, and a lot to do with Hawaii. This is because the way that the Korean Air Award Redemption chart allows you to fly on Delta from anywhere in the US mainland to Hawaii for only 25,000 points in Economy or 45,000 miles in Business Class (when transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Korean Air SKYPASS). This is all made possible since Korean Air and Delta are both part of the SkyTeam Alliance, and work together in order to make travel possible across the world.
Additionally, the SKYPASS program should be your go-to if you have a premium cabin (First & Business) redemption in mind, since there is usually some great availability on Korean’s own flights!
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards directly to your Flying Blue Frequent Flyer account at a 1:1 ratio. This can make for great redemption with Flying Blue promo awards, or for travel on SkyTeam partner Delta Airlines!
There are some very creative and rewarding things you can do with Elevate points – including premium travel on ANA, as well as Delta!
Wanna Fly oneworld?
Book award flight flying American Airlines (or other oneworld partners) using the Avios from Chase! British Airways mileage program is distance based, making this a great use of Chase Ultimate Rewards points for short haul within the US and Europe! Keep in mind that for longer-haul flights, British Airways Avios might not always provide the best value considering their distance based chart.
Wanna Get Away (Fly Southwest)?
Transfer points to Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
Given Southwest Rapid Rewards redemption structure, this transfer may not provide you the most value per point, but it will probably provide you with the most flexibility! Southwest is one of my favorite airlines operating the skies these days, and since they operate a number of direct routes out of my home airport (TPA) I find myself flying them more often than not. With cancellable flights for full refunds and no bag fees, Southwest Rapid Reward points great to have in your pocket in order to take those domestic US trips you’ve been thinking about (although Southwest does have some International destinations too!).
And if you are a Companion Pass holder… well then a transfer of Ultimate Rewards to provides you an instant 3+ cent per point value!
Transfer to 1:1 Hotel Partner Program (singular, not plural!)
Transfer points to Hyatt Gold Passport
Hyatt Gold Passport points are one of the more valuable hotel point currencies, since a standard room at a top tier hotel can be redeemed for 30,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points, compared to IHG and Marriott who may charge 60,000 points or more for a one night stay at top-tier property.
You: “But I prefer Marriott properties and want to accumulate all my points there…”
Me: Go ahead and take a look at Marriott Rewards & Ritz Carlton award charts…
And compare to the Hyatt award chart…
You should notice right away the obvious fact that the Hyatt Award chart provides for much lower point redemption opportunities – especially at the highest hotel category! AKA – More bang for your points!
Final Thought
You can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards through the Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal. You will be able to redeem for travel at 1.25 cents per point (Sapphire Preferred Cardholders) or at 1.5 cents per point (Sapphire Reserve cardholders).
That is just one option though…
Don’t be lazy and don’t settle for good when there is greatness to be had if you just use that big ‘ol brain of yours and research transfer partners and all they have to offer!
There are at least 8 airline partners and 1 hotel partner that can provide you with significantly greater value than the Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal!
Are you a habitual portal user or have you explored all that Chase Transfer Partners have to offer!?
Happy Travels!
DW
I believe you are confusing Virgin Atlantic with Virgin America – no?
Duh… thanks! Been a long week…
DW
Virgin Atlantic isn’t becoming part of Alaska Airlines. That’s Virgin American.
You are 100% correct. Updated. Thanks for the note!
DW
I am a Delta frequent flier. And I have chase freedom card. What should I upgrade to? Will it help for my Delta travel. Presently I use Delta Amex card for most of my expenses.