Chase is one of the top credit card issuers, offering a variety of Chase Ultimate Rewards or co-branded credit cards. Combined with a wide net of partnerships with major brands such as United Airlines, Marriot, Hyatt, and IHG, Chase Ultimate Rewards is arguably the most valuable program for miles and points travelers. Here are 3 reasons why you should obtain access to this valuable program.
How to get access to Chase Ultimate Rewards?
Chase points are earned with a variety of cards, from no-fee options such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited to more premium cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve. In order to fully utilize the program and take advantage of transfer partners, you need 1 of the 3 travel cards offered by Chase: Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Ink Preferred. All 3 cards unlock the powerful ability to transfer points from Chase directly to the corresponding program.
1: Chase has several unique hotel Transfer Partners that offer profound value
Chase has a partnership with my favorite hotel brand of all time Hyatt, but also offers the ability to transfer points to IHG (Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, Six Senses, Kimpton). In addition, Chase also offers the ability to transfer points to Marriot (Poor Value) giving members a variety of options that beats out its competitors. Both Hyatt and IHG offer solid value, with Hyatt still retaining what’s left of an award chart. I have personally stayed at a few Kimpton and Holiday Inns in the last decade and can safely say that both brands are solid!
Side Notes:
Six Senses and Intercontinental are both wonderful luxury brands that have properties in breath taking locations across the globe such as Switzerland, Maldives, Bali, and Ibiza. Some of their properties are on my bucket list for 2023 travel and beyond.
Hyatt is one of my favorite brands as I currently hold top tier status, but there are plenty of luxury hotels for under 25,000 points per night.
2: Chase Ultimate Rewards offers the ability to get a minimum redemption value of 1.25 Cents per point
The ability to redeem points for above 1 cent per point is often overlooked, yet should be an important part of the planning process. In certain situations where award flights are scarce, having the option to redeem points in the Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal for flights at a fixed albeit discounted rate is unparalleled. This is where I think Chase does exceptionally well as Chase Sapphire Reserve holders can get 1.33 cents per point when using points to make booking in the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal.
3. Vast Network of Airline Partners and Southwest ( Access to all 3 Alliances)
Having good airline partners is one thing. Having the ability to redeem award flights with every major airline alliance is next level. Did I also mention that Chase also has Southwest as a transfer partner(Southwest’s select your own seat upon boarding is not for me so I avoid flying them at all cost)? Chase points can be transferred to U.S. based airlines such as Southwest, United, and Jet Blue. Those points can also be transferred to Star Alliance members Singapore and Air Canada, One-World Members British Airways and Air Lingus, and Sky Team member Air France. For a bonus, the program also has Virgin Atlantic as a partner. Virgin Atlantic has a strange program and while it isn’t part of an airline alliance, the company does have close ties with Delta. Due to this partnership, Delta One flyers get access to the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Wing as London Heathrow Airport.
The ability to book tickets with all major alliances allows Chase holders to have the utmost flexibility when finding award tickets.
Final Thoughts
Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most powerful programs in the world of miles and points. Wether its the ability to redeem points at a fixed rate of at least 1.25 cents per point or the potential to get great redemptions. The program offers a no-nonsense way to earn massive amount of points via its collection of other Chase Points earning cards, but remember in order to fully unlock the power of Chase Ultimate Rewards, you need one of the 3 travel cards offered ( mentioned in the first section). Even after 5 years of miles and point, Chase Ultimate Rewards is still the #1 must have rewards program for every traveler!
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