Chase Ultimate Rewards points are a powerhouse currency for savvy travelers. Earned through a range of popular Chase credit cards, these points offer incredible flexibility when it comes to redemption. While you can use them for cash back, gift cards, or through the Chase Travel portal, transferring them to Chase’s travel partners often unlocks the highest value for your hard-earned rewards.
In a landscape where transferable points programs are fiercely competing – including American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Capital One Miles – Chase Ultimate Rewards remains a top contender. This is largely thanks to valuable card offerings like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, and their robust network of transfer partners.
With 14 diverse transfer partners across airlines and hotels, Chase provides a wealth of options for maximizing your points. The beauty of the program is that you can strategically hoard your points in your Ultimate Rewards account until the perfect redemption opportunity arises with a partner.
This guide dives deep into the world of Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners, highlighting the best options to elevate your travel experiences.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Chase Credit Cards for Travel Rewards
Navigating the Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partner Landscape
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Chase Ultimate Rewards partners with a curated selection of travel brands, offering a mix of airlines and hotels to suit various travel styles and destinations.
You can transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to 11 leading airline loyalty programs:
Chase also provides access to three prominent hotel programs:
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A key advantage of the Chase program is the straightforward 1:1 transfer ratio across all partners. Keep an eye out for occasional transfer bonuses, which can further amplify the value of your points. Transfers are typically processed in increments of 1,000 points.
Understanding Transfer Times for Ultimate Rewards
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The speed of transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points is a significant benefit. The majority of transfers to partner programs are instantaneous, meaning you can book your award flights or hotel stays almost immediately after transferring. However, it’s worth noting that in recent tests, transfers to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer have taken approximately 48 hours.
It’s also important to consider that transfer bonuses can sometimes introduce processing inconsistencies. For instance, when TPG’s senior editorial director, Nick Ewen, leveraged a 20% bonus for transfers to Aeroplan, the base points arrived instantly, but the bonus points took three days to appear in his account.
While most transfers via the Chase portal are swift, potential delays can occur. To ensure a smooth transfer process, verify that the name on your Ultimate Rewards account precisely matches the name on your chosen loyalty program account. Additionally, it’s advisable to create an account with the partner loyalty program before initiating the transfer, as setting up a new account during the transfer process might lead to delays.
Step-by-Step Guide: Transferring Chase Points to Partners
Transferring your Chase points to partner programs is a user-friendly process done entirely online.
- Log in to your Chase Account: Access your Chase account and navigate to the Ultimate Rewards portal.
- Access Transfer Page: Under the “Travel” dropdown menu, select “Transfer to Travel Partners.” This will take you to the dedicated transfer page.
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Image alt text: Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer to Partners Portal: Access the transfer page via the Travel dropdown.
Screenshot of the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, highlighting the “Travel” dropdown menu and the “Transfer to Travel Partners” option.
- Choose Your Partner: Browse the list of transfer partners, noting any ongoing transfer bonuses. Select your desired partner program.
- Link Accounts (If Necessary): If you haven’t linked your Chase and partner accounts previously, you’ll be prompted to do so. Follow the on-screen instructions to securely link your accounts.
- Specify Transfer Amount: Enter the number of Ultimate Rewards points you wish to transfer. Remember that transfers are in 1,000-point increments.
- Complete Transfer: Review your transfer details and submit the transfer request.
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Image alt text: Select Transfer Partner and Initiate Transfer: Choose your airline or hotel and enter point amount.
Screenshot showing the selection of a transfer partner and the input field for the number of points to transfer.
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Image alt text: Confirmation Page for Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer: Review details before finalizing the point transfer.
Screenshot of a confirmation page, emphasizing the irreversible nature of Ultimate Rewards transfers.
Crucially, remember that Ultimate Rewards transfers are irreversible. It’s best practice to confirm award availability and have a specific redemption in mind before you transfer your points. This prevents points from being stranded in a partner program if your travel plans change or award space disappears.
Identifying the Best Chase Transfer Partners for Maximum Redemption
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Determining the “best” Chase transfer partners is subjective and depends on your individual travel goals. However, some partners consistently offer exceptional value and are favored by points and miles experts.
For hotel redemptions, World of Hyatt is widely considered the top choice among TPG staff and travel enthusiasts alike. Hyatt’s award chart, coupled with relatively low redemption rates, makes it possible to unlock luxurious stays for fewer points compared to other hotel programs.
When it comes to airlines, the “best” option often depends on your preferred destinations, airline alliances, and travel style. Many airline partners offer unique “sweet spots” – opportunities to redeem points for significantly less than the typical cost. These sweet spots are especially valuable in programs that have maintained traditional award charts, offering more predictable redemption rates.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most compelling Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner sweet spots:
World of Hyatt: Unbeatable Hotel Value
The World of Hyatt award chart stands out for two key reasons. Firstly, Hyatt has an award chart at all. Most major hotel programs, including Chase’s other hotel partners (IHG One Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy), have shifted to dynamic pricing models, making point redemptions less predictable and often less valuable.
Secondly, Hyatt’s award rates are remarkably competitive. You can experience stays at top-tier Park Hyatt properties, such as the Park Hyatt New York and Park Hyatt Sydney, for as low as 35,000 points per night during off-peak dates. Considering TPG’s valuation of Hyatt points at 1.7 cents each (October 2024 valuations), 35,000 points equates to approximately $595 in value. This is an exceptional deal for hotels often priced near $1,000 per night, even during slower travel periods.
The value extends beyond luxury properties. Hyatt’s Category 1 hotels, bookable for just 3,500 to 6,500 points per night (depending on peak/off-peak dates), offer incredible value at the lower end of the award chart as well.
Iberia Plus: European Flights on a Budget
Transferring Chase points to Iberia Plus opens up a fantastic sweet spot for flights to Madrid, Spain. Round-trip, off-peak flights from New York-JFK, Chicago-ORD, and Boston-BOS to Madrid can be booked for a mere 34,000 Avios in economy, 51,000 in premium economy, or 68,000 in business class. Given that many airlines charge upwards of 60,000 miles for a one-way business-class award to Europe, this Iberia sweet spot delivers substantial savings.
Related: Unlock Incredible Savings: 7 of the Best Airline Award Chart Sweet Spots
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Image alt text: Iberia Airbus A350 Business Class Cabin: Experience premium travel to Europe with Iberia Plus Avios.
Image of the spacious and comfortable business class cabin on an Iberia Airbus A350 aircraft.
British Airways Avios: Hawaii on American or Alaska Airlines
By transferring Ultimate Rewards to British Airways Executive Club, you gain access to award bookings on Oneworld partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Leveraging British Airways’ distance-based award chart, you can fly round-trip from West Coast gateways to Hawaii for just 40,000 Avios (after a December 2023 and July 2024 devaluation). This applies to nonstop flights under 3,000 miles each way, subject to saver-level award space availability.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: ANA First and Business Class to Tokyo
For aspirational premium cabin travel, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club unlocks access to incredible award redemptions on All Nippon Airways (ANA). A round-trip first-class flight between the West Coast and Tokyo on ANA can be booked for just 145,000 Flying Club points. Flights from other U.S. gateways are only slightly more at 170,000 points round-trip. Business-class redemptions are even more appealing, ranging from 105,000 to 120,000 points round-trip, depending on your departure airport in the U.S. For the ultimate experience, aim for routes through New York-JFK to experience ANA’s renowned “The Room” business class, available on select routes. However, be aware that award availability for these coveted flights can be challenging to secure.
Aeroplan: Short-Haul Flights to Canada and Star Alliance Access
Air Canada Aeroplan retains an award chart for partner redemptions, even while adopting dynamic pricing for Air Canada flights themselves. This combination often yields excellent value for short-haul flights from the U.S. to Canada. For example, flights between New York and Toronto can frequently be found for under 6,000 miles one-way.
Beyond Air Canada, Aeroplan provides access to the extensive Star Alliance network, including partners like Lufthansa, Swiss, and EVA Airways, offering a wide range of destinations and redemption opportunities.
Related: Your Comprehensive Guide to Star Alliance Benefits and Loyalty Programs
Understanding the Value of Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
TPG’s current valuation (October 2024) places Chase Ultimate Rewards points at approximately 2.05 cents per point. This valuation is based on the potential value you can achieve by transferring points to airline and hotel partners and redeeming them strategically for high-value travel.
While transferring to partners offers the highest potential value, Chase points offer versatility in redemption. Through the Chase Travel℠ portal, points are worth 1.5 cents each for Sapphire Reserve cardholders and 1.25 cents each for Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred cardholders when booking travel. Features like Chase Pay Yourself Back and occasional promotions for using points for Apple products or gift cards offer alternative redemption avenues at varying values. Finally, points can always be redeemed for cash back at a value of 1 cent per point.
Maximizing Your Chase Ultimate Rewards Earning Potential
Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points is achieved through spending on various Chase credit cards. Earning rates range from 1 to 10 points per dollar spent, depending on the specific card and spending category.
The following cards are key for accumulating transferable Ultimate Rewards points:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: A versatile travel card with strong bonus categories and a solid welcome bonus.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: A premium travel card with enhanced earning and luxury travel perks.
- Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: A top business card offering bonus rewards on common business expenses.
The following “cash-back” Chase cards can also contribute to your Ultimate Rewards balance when paired with one of the cards above:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Chase Freedom Flex®
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
By holding a combination of these cards, you can strategically maximize your points earning across different spending categories and then pool your rewards into a single Ultimate Rewards account for transferability.
Read more: Chase Ink Business Credit Card Family: Which Card is Right for Your Business?
Bottom Line: Unlock Exceptional Travel with Chase Transfer Partners
Chase Ultimate Rewards stands out as a premier credit card rewards program due to its flexibility and high-value transfer partners. In an era of loyalty program devaluations, accumulating Ultimate Rewards points provides a strategic advantage. By earning points through credit card spending and welcome bonuses, and holding them until you’re ready to transfer and book, you can consistently unlock exceptional travel experiences through Chase’s valuable transfer partners.
