The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is a favorite among travel enthusiasts for good reason. It unlocks a world of travel rewards through its generous points earning and, most importantly, its valuable transfer partners. Understanding and utilizing these transfer partners is key to maximizing the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points and turning everyday spending into extraordinary travel experiences.
What are Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners?
Chase Ultimate Rewards is the loyalty program associated with several Chase credit cards, including the popular Chase Sapphire Preferred. One of the most powerful features of this program is the ability to transfer your earned points to a select group of airline and hotel loyalty programs, known as transfer partners. Think of these partners as gateways to a wider array of redemption options beyond what you can directly book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
When you transfer points, Chase converts your Ultimate Rewards points into miles or points with the partner program, typically at a 1:1 ratio. This means 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points become 1,000 partner miles or points. Once transferred, your points reside within the partner’s loyalty program and are subject to their specific award charts, redemption rules, and availability.
Why Transfer Points to Partners Instead of Booking Directly?
While the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal offers a convenient way to redeem points for flights, hotels, car rentals, and cruises, transferring points to partners often unlocks significantly greater value, especially for flights and premium hotel stays. Here’s why:
- Potentially Higher Redemption Values: Airline and hotel programs frequently offer award flights and hotel nights that, when booked with points transferred from Chase, can provide a value far exceeding the fixed value you get when redeeming through the Chase portal. This is especially true for premium cabin flights (business or first class) and luxury hotels.
- Access to Award Sweet Spots: Each airline and hotel program has its “sweet spots” – redemption opportunities where you can get exceptional value for your miles or points. Transferring to partners allows you to take advantage of these sweet spots, which are often unavailable through the Chase portal.
- Greater Flexibility and Control: By transferring points, you gain more control over your travel redemptions. You can leverage the specific rules and benefits of each partner program, potentially finding better flight availability, routing options, or hotel perks than what’s offered through the Chase portal.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Transfer Partners: Your Options
The Chase Sapphire Preferred boasts a robust list of transfer partners, providing a diverse range of options for your travel aspirations. These partners are categorized into airlines and hotels:
Airline Transfer Partners: Soar to New Destinations
- Aer Lingus AerClub: Ideal for flights to Ireland and Europe, particularly during off-peak times. Aer Lingus offers reasonable award pricing for transatlantic flights.
- Air Canada Aeroplan: A Star Alliance member, Aeroplan provides access to a vast network of destinations globally. It’s excellent for redemptions on Air Canada, United Airlines, and other Star Alliance partners. Known for its flexible routing rules and generally good award availability.
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue: Part of the SkyTeam alliance, Flying Blue is useful for flights on Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, and other SkyTeam partners. Keep an eye out for their Promo Rewards, offering discounted award tickets.
- British Airways Executive Club: Valuable for short-haul flights, especially within North America and Europe, due to its distance-based award chart. Also useful for transatlantic flights on British Airways and partner airlines.
- Emirates Skywards: Great for experiencing Emirates’ luxurious cabins and flying to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
- Iberia Plus: Similar to British Airways, Iberia Plus is beneficial for flights to Spain and Europe, particularly during off-peak seasons.
- JetBlue TrueBlue: A good option for flights within the US and to the Caribbean. JetBlue points values are typically tied to cash fares, but can still offer good value.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: Offers access to Singapore Airlines’ award-winning premium cabins and a wide network across Asia and beyond. A valuable program for aspirational travel.
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards: Excellent for domestic US travel, especially if you value flexibility and free checked bags. Southwest points values are also linked to cash fares.
- United Airlines MileagePlus: Another Star Alliance member, United MileagePlus provides extensive domestic and international flight options. Useful for flights within the US, to Europe, and beyond.
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Best known for Virgin Atlantic’s transatlantic routes and partner awards on Delta Air Lines and ANA (All Nippon Airways), particularly for ANA business and first class to Japan.
Hotel Transfer Partners: Luxurious Stays and Comfortable Nights
- Hyatt World of Hyatt: Consistently considered the most valuable hotel transfer partner. Hyatt offers excellent value redemptions at its diverse portfolio of brands, from budget-friendly to luxury. Known for its generous award chart and aspirational properties.
- IHG One Rewards: Provides access to a wide range of hotels globally, including brands like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and Kimpton. IHG often has points sales and promotions, making it a potentially cost-effective option.
- Marriott Bonvoy: Offers the largest hotel portfolio globally, with brands ranging from budget to luxury. Marriott points can be used at a vast number of properties, but redemption values can vary.
How to Use Chase Sapphire Preferred Transfer Partners Effectively
Transferring points is generally a straightforward process:
- Log in to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account.
- Go to “Transfer to Travel Partners.”
- Select the partner program you want to transfer to.
- Enter your loyalty program account number.
- Choose the number of points you want to transfer.
- Confirm the transfer.
Tips for maximizing your transfers:
- Research Award Availability: Before transferring points, always check award availability on the partner airline or hotel’s website. Points transfers are typically irreversible, so ensure award seats or rooms are available before transferring.
- Understand Award Charts and Sweet Spots: Familiarize yourself with the award charts of your chosen partners to identify sweet spots and maximize point value. Websites like AwardHacker and Point.me can help with this research.
- Consider Transfer Bonuses: Chase and its transfer partners occasionally offer transfer bonuses, where you receive more miles or points than the standard 1:1 ratio. Take advantage of these bonuses when available to stretch your points further.
- Plan in Advance: Award availability, especially for popular routes and hotels, can be limited. Plan your travel in advance and book award travel as early as possible.
- Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations: Flexibility can significantly increase your chances of finding award availability. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons or being open to alternative destinations.
Choosing the Right Transfer Partner for You
The “best” transfer partner depends on your individual travel goals and preferences. Consider these factors when making your choice:
- Your Desired Destination: Which airlines and hotels have a strong presence in the regions you want to visit?
- Travel Style: Do you prefer budget travel, luxury experiences, or something in between? Choose partners that align with your travel style.
- Point Redemption Goals: Are you aiming for economy flights to visit family, business class upgrades for long-haul flights, or luxurious hotel stays?
- Award Availability: Check award availability for your desired routes and dates before committing to a specific partner.
- Transfer Bonuses: Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses that can make certain partners more attractive at specific times.
Conclusion: Unlock a World of Travel with Transfer Partners
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Transfer Partners are the secret weapon for savvy travelers looking to maximize their travel rewards. By understanding how these partnerships work and strategically transferring your Ultimate Rewards points, you can unlock significantly greater value, access aspirational travel experiences, and turn your everyday spending into unforgettable journeys. Take the time to explore the possibilities and start planning your next adventure using the power of Chase Sapphire Preferred transfer partners.
