--- title: Best Ways to Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points description: >- Get more from Chase points. Learn which United and Hyatt transfers are worth it, when Points Boost beats transferring, and which redemptions to skip. date: '2026-10-17' author: Jimmy Yoon, Laura Motta category: Insights - Blog Articles Home tags: - Trip Planning - Credit Cards - Loyalty Programs canonical_url: https://www.point.me/insights/best-ways-use-chase-ultimate-rewards-points/ source: point.me license: © 2026 point.me. All rights reserved. slug: best-ways-use-chase-ultimate-rewards-points id: 4DOdBPO4rHG86QeVipRy4S contentType: article --- # Best Ways to Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Written by: Jimmy Yoon Reviewed by: Laura Motta **Insights - Blog Articles Home** ![Featured image for Review: The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Its Big Changes for 2025](https://images.ctfassets.net/alwdzgjlz5qv/3iUN6vEevSvYUQEoVXAxpL/5b6e7700c684f508a74e6d3443726c21/chase-wallet.jpg?w=1280&fm=webp&q=75) ### Get amazing flight deals in your inbox, FREE See flights for 50-90% fewer points, plus **get a secret coupon** when you sign up. *Interactive embed: Rail CTA email.* ### Get amazing flight deals in your inbox, FREE See flights for 50-90% fewer points, plus **get a secret coupon** when you sign up. *Interactive embed: Rail CTA email.* Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most flexible, straightforward points currencies out there. But knowing how to use them – and any points currency – takes some practice and know-how. Here are the smartest ways to use your Chase points. **Chase Ultimate Rewards best uses at a glance:** - Chase points shine on two marquee redemptions that few other banks offer: United Polaris business class through United MileagePlus, and World of Hyatt hotel stays. - Chase points, sometimes called Chase Ultimate Rewards points, transfer to 14 airline and hotel transfer partners, mostly at a 1:1 ratio. - Unlike most issuers, Chase's travel portal can offer strong value, and is sometimes a better option than a points transfer. Chase’s Points Boost feature drive value up to 2 cents per point on select flights and hotels. - Check whether a Chase Travel booking is eligible for a Points Boost before you transfer your points. When it does, the portal can be the smarter move. - Award space comes and goes fast, and Chase transfers can be a bit slower than other banks. Confirm that your preferred award seat is bookable before you move points. Chase points offer two standout redemptions, and they’re available almost exclusively through Chase: United Polaris business class seats, and World of Hyatt hotels. And in general, the highest-value option is usually a points transfer to the right partner. A well-chosen award through a transfer usually beats the cash value offered through the travel portal. But Chase is the rare issuer where the portal itself can be the best option, due to its Points Boost function. This can lift the rate on select bookings. The best option depends on your route, your cabin, the cash fees, and seat availability. ### Explore our Chase hub For more on getting real value from your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, dive deeper into our guides. - [ Chase Transfer Hub](https://www.point.me/insights/chase-points-transfer-partners/) - [How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points](https://www.point.me/insights/how-to-transfer-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-to-airlines/) - [How Much Are Chase Points Worth?](https://www.point.me/insights/how-much-are-chase-points-worth/) - [Current Transfer Bonuses](https://www.point.me/insights/current-transfer-bonuses/) ## How do you get the most value from Chase Ultimate Rewards points? You get the most value by transferring Chase points to an airline or hotel partner. This is the way to book an award that costs far less than its cash price. Chase is unusual, though, because its travel portal can sometimes beat the value of a transfer. Always check both before you commit. ### Transfer Chase points to airline and hotel partners for the best value A Chase transfer drops your points straight into an airline or hotel loyalty account, ready to book. That beats cashing them in at a flat rate, which is what you’d get on the portal. The right business-class award costs a set number of miles whether the seat sells for a little or a lot. The higher the cash price, the harder your points work. Two Chase partners make it all worthwhile. World of Hyatt and United MileagePlus partner with relatively few bank programs, and Chase is one of them. (Bilt also reaches both.) For the full partner list and the exact ratios, see the [Chase transfer partners](https://www.point.me/insights/chase-points-transfer-partners/) page. For step-by-step instructions, see the guide on [how to transfer Chase points](https://www.point.me/insights/how-to-transfer-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-to-airlines/). When you’re ready to transfer, check the [current transfer bonuses,](https://www.point.me/insights/chase-points-transfer-partners/) because a live bonus can help determine which partner offers the best value. ### When the Chase travel portal can be the better choice Here is where Chase breaks ranks with other card issuers. Every point starts at a baseline value of 1 cent in Chase Travel. Points Boost, when it’s available, then adds a higher rate of up to 2 cents per point on a rotating set of flights and hotels. When a booking comes with that boost, the portal can beat the value of a typical transfer, with no award space to chase or high redemption rates. Be sure to check it on every booking. The portal can also be the best option in two other cases. Use it when you must fly a specific flight and can't wait for award space to appear. And use it when cash fares are low enough that transferring would waste your points. Just remember that you have to check Points Boost booking by booking. There’s no set value floor here. For more on understanding the value of your points, see our guide [how much Chase points are worth](https://www.point.me/insights/how-much-are-chase-points-worth/). For partner-by-partner strategies, see the [Chase points tricks and workarounds guide](https://www.point.me/insights/chase-tricks-workarounds-how-to-transfer-points-to-airlines-that-dont-partner-with-chase/). ## What are the best Chase Ultimate Rewards point redemptions? The table below sums up the redemptions that reliably offer strong value, plus advice for hotels and using the portal.  | **Best for** | **Example use** | **Program** | **Why it offers value** | **Key caveat** | | Star Alliance business | United Polaris to Europe | United MileagePlus | A United co-brand credit card unlocks Polaris saver seats that partner programs cannot see | These low prices only show up if you hold a United co-brand credit card or have status | | Off-peak transatlantic business | U.S. to Madrid on Iberia | Iberia Club | Off-peak award pricing on Iberia flights, with lower cash fees than British Airways charges | Off-peak dates only, and Iberia releases about two business seats per flight | | London, any cabin | Economy, premium economy, or business to London | Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Aggressive low pricing on Virgin's own flights, and it stacks with transfer bonuses | High UK carrier-imposed fees that are the worst in business class | | Transatlantic from a cities served by Aer Lingus | Nonstop to Dublin and Europe | Aer Lingus AerClub | No fuel surcharges to Europe with competitive redemption rates | Priced by segment, so connections can increase redemption rates | | Hotels | Well-priced and aspirational stays | World of Hyatt | The best-priced hotel partner, with elite benefits Hyatt actually delivers particularly for their top-tier members | Transfers at 4:3 unless you hold a Sapphire Reserve card; 2026 pricing raised peak rates | | Portal that beats a transfer | A flight with Points Boost or a hotel you can book now | Chase Travel with Points Boost | Up to 2 cents per point on select inventory, with no award space to hunt for | The boost is on select bookings only, so check each time | ### Want to see what's bookable on Chase's transfer partners right now? [Search live award availability on point.me for FREE](https://www.point.me/signup/basic) Our search shows you real deals across Chase's transfer partner roster for the next 60 days. ## What are the best ways to use Chase points for flights? Below are the Chase flights that most reliably beat the value you’d find on the portal. Pick the strategy that matches your trip. ### Fly United Polaris business class to Europe via United MileagePlus - **Best for:** Star Alliance travelers who hold a United co-brand credit card and want business class anywhere United flies. For United loyalists, this is the single redemption that justifies the use of Chase over any other bank. - **Route, cabin, and program:** United Polaris business class, booked through United MileagePlus. United belongs to Star Alliance, which means you can also use it to book seats on Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa, Swiss, and ANA. - **Why it offers value:** Since 2026, United has released its Polaris business saver seats mostly to its own members. You qualify if you hold an eligible United co-brand credit card or have status. Partner programs like Air Canada Aeroplan can now access far fewer Polaris seats on United. So a United co-brand credit card shows you seats that aren’t available to other programs. United also charges no fuel surcharges on any flight – its own or a partner's. And it charges no cancellation fees, so bookings are easy to undo. - **Fees and trade-offs:** The miles price is only half the bill, because award tickets still charge cash for taxes and airline fees. United's fee structure is one of the most straightforward of any program, though, with no fuel surcharges to inflate it. - **Availability and execution:** Without an eligible United co-brand credit card, you can access roughly the same Polaris space that a Capital One cardholder sees through Aeroplan. That is to say, not much. And it isn't reliably bookable. United no longer offers stopovers, so if a stopover matters to you, head to Aeroplan. ### Fly to Spain in business class off-peak via Iberia Plus - **Best for:** Solo travelers and couples flying to Madrid, Barcelona, or onward into Europe who can travel off-peak. - **Route, cabin, and program:** Business class to Spain on Iberia-operated flights, booked through Iberia Club. Iberia is a oneworld program, and it prices awards in Avios, a points currency shared by British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Qatar. - **Why it offers value:** For those who hold Chase points, Iberia is the off-peak Avios pick. Because Chase points transfer to Iberia, British Airways, and Aer Lingus, you can choose whichever Avios program prices your flight best, but note that each program has different partner airlines where you can redeem miles. Iberia uses an off-peak award chart, charging fewer Avios on off-peak dates. On its own flights, that pricing is a real sweet spot in the Avios family. It also passes on lower cash fees than British Airways. - **Fees and trade-offs:** Cash fees are lower than on British Airways, which is the main reason to book Iberia over its sibling airline. Iberia also releases only about two business-class seats per flight, so a family of four can't all sit up front. - **Availability and execution:** Iberia publishes its own peak and off-peak calendar, so check the dates rather than guessing. Off-peak availability on nonstop Iberia flights should be your target. Multi-segment trips price each leg separately, which erodes the value of the deal, so keep it to nonstops. ### Fly to London in any cabin via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - **Best for:** Travelers headed to London who want low miles pricing and can stomach higher cash fees, especially on a nonstop flight from their home airport. - **Route, cabin, and program:** Virgin Atlantic-operated flights to London in economy, premium economy, or Upper Class, the airline's business cabin, booked through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. - **Why it offers value:** Virgin prices its own flights aggressively on miles. Every major bank currency transfers to Virgin, and their rates drop further when a transfer bonus is running. That makes Virgin among the easiest balances to top up, and one of the best to pair with a bonus. - **Fees and trade-offs:** Here is the catch. Virgin passes on fuel surcharges, and UK departure taxes are high. So a round-trip business-class award to London can carry heavy cash fees. Whether that trade is worth it is a personal call. If you can earn points quickly, spending more miles elsewhere to save the cash can be the better move. If a nonstop from your home airport is on the line, the convenience often comes with a fee. - **Availability and execution:** Use Virgin points for own flights. Its partner space on ANA and Air New Zealand is nearly impossible to book, so don't plan on it. For international Delta flights, Air France-KLM Flying Blue usually beats Virgin on cash fees, so check that, too. ### Fly transatlantic from a smaller U.S. city via Aer Lingus AerClub - **Best for:** Travelers in second-tier U.S. cities with Aer Lingus service headed to Ireland or onward to Europe who want low cash fees and a nonstop flight. - **Route, cabin, and program:** Aer Lingus-operated flights from the U.S. to Dublin, booked through Aer Lingus AerClub. Aer Lingus is a oneworld program, and Avios is its awards currency. - **Why it offers value:** Aer Lingus flies nonstop to Dublin from smaller cities that British Airways and Iberia skip, such as Cleveland, Nashville, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Hartford. Aer Lingus also lets you avoid the steep fuel surcharges you’ll find on British Airways. So the cash portion of your ticket tends to be much lower than with a comparable British Airways award. - **Fees and trade-offs:** The low cash fees are the whole point. Aer Lingus prices flights segment by segment, so you’ll get the best value by focusing on nonstops. Add connections and the Avios cost climbs. - **Availability and execution:** Aer Lingus flies from a limited set of U.S. gateways. Several routes are seasonal or only fly a few times a week. So plan availability more carefully than with the bigger Avios programs. During off-peak periods, the economy pricing gets especially good. ## What are the best ways to use Chase points for hotels? When it comes to hotels, Chase has one exceptional transfer partner and one noteworthy premium card benefit. Chase's other hotel partners rarely beat the value you’ll find with flights. So move points to hotels only when a specific stay clearly beats the cash price. ### Book Hyatt stays via World of Hyatt - **Best for:** Travelers who want the most points-efficient hotel redemptions, from small-market properties to top-tier resorts. - **Hotel use and program:** Award nights at Hyatt properties, from Hyatt Place and Hyatt House up to Park Hyatt and Andaz, booked by transferring Chase points to World of Hyatt. - **Why it offers value:** Hyatt asks fewer points per night than Marriott, IHG, or Hilton for comparable properties. It's the one hotel partner that competes with paying cash. Its elite benefits for top-tier members, like a 4 p.m. late checkout, breakfast, and suite upgrades, are among the most reliably delivered in the industry. Hyatt also waives resort and facility fees on award stays. So compare the all-in cash price against the points price. Small-market Hyatts are reliable winners. - **Limitations:** The value of your Hyatt transfer now depends on which card you hold. Chase transfers to Hyatt at 4:3 on the Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred, which means 1,000 Chase points become 750 Hyatt points. Only the Sapphire Reserve cards keep the full 1:1  rate. So Chase's edge with Hyatt is with the Sapphire Reserve rate. A 2026 pricing change also raised peak rates at top properties.  A top-tier stay during a peak period is worth comparing against the portal. ### Use The Edit for luxury stays you would pay cash for - **Best for:** Sapphire Reserve cardholders booking a luxury hotel they were going to pay for anyway. - **Hotel use and program:** This one uses your Chase Sapphire Reserve card. The Edit is Chase's cash-rate luxury hotel program, and it’s a way to capture real value. However, there are times when The Edit-participating properties can be  “boosted” via Points Boost for even better value. - **Why it offers value:** Every stay booked through The Edit comes with perks: a food and beverage credit, a hotel credit, and breakfast. When you're paying cash for a luxury property anyway, those credits are real money back. - **Limitations:** The Edit is limited to Chase's premium cards, and not every hotel takes part. It doesn't discount the room itself, so compare the rate first and use it only when the nightly rate makes sense on its own. ### More Chase points tricks and workarounds Just because Chase doesn’t directly partner with your airline of choice, that doesn’t mean you can’t use Chase points to book it. You can reach American Airlines by transferring to British Airways or Iberia and booking American flights through them. You can combine points across your own Chase accounts, or with another Chase cardholder in your household. And when you’re ready to book, always check to see if there’s a transfer bonus running. This can really help stretch the value of your points. For more tips for using your Chase points, head to the [Chase points tricks and workarounds guide.](https://www.point.me/insights/chase-tricks-workarounds-how-to-transfer-points-to-airlines-that-dont-partner-with-chase/) ## What Chase point redemptions should you avoid? A few Chase moves don’t reliably deliver as much value as they should. Skip them. - Don't redeem Chase points for cash back, gift cards, or checkout-with-points. All of them return less than what you’d find on the travel portal, and the portal itself is usually bested by a transfer or a Points Boost booking. - Skip Southwest Rapid Rewards unless you're already a Southwest regular. Their 2025 program changes made it worse, including dynamic pricing and the end of free-for-all seating and free checked bags. It only makes sense if you hold a Southwest card with the Companion Pass or you live in a Southwest-focused city. - Don't transfer to Marriott or IHG on a hunch. Always check the value first. Their rates run high, so a direct transfer rarely pays off except to top up an existing balance. - Skip Singapore KrisFlyer for its partner flights, including Lufthansa. KrisFlyer passes on heavy fuel surcharges there, so a business seat can carry very high cash fees. Use KrisFlyer to book Singapore's own flights. - Never move points until you've confirmed a bookable seat or room. Chase transfers are one-way and can't be reversed. They can also run slower than other banks, so a seat can vanish while your points are in transit. ### Frequently asked questions about using Chase Ultimate Rewards points #### Can I use Chase points to book travel for someone else? Yes. Once your points sit in a partner account, you can book award travel for someone else, subject to that program's rules. You can also move Chase points freely between your own Chase accounts, and combine them with one other Chase cardholder in your household. #### Is the Chase travel portal ever better than transferring points? Sometimes, yes. Every point is worth a baseline of 1 cent in the Chase Travel portal, but Points Boost can shift select flights and hotels up to 2 cents per point in value. When a booking carries that boost, the portal can beat a transfer, so check for it before you move points. #### If I book a Chase award that I can’t use, can I cancel it cheaply? That depends on how you book the award. For a booking made via Chase Travel, the cancellation/change fees vary for each reservation. In the case of points transfers, it’s worth knowing that United, Chase's marquee partner, charges no award cancellation or change fees, which makes a booked flight, even on Polaris, easy to undo. Most other programs do charge, so check the partner's rules before you book. ## Summary and expert verdict The best way to use Chase points is to transfer them to United MileagePlus or World of Hyatt. Those two partners are what keep people with Chase. The other move is to catch a Points Boost rate that beats a transfer outright. And remember to confirm a bookable award, and check Points Boost, before you transfer. ### point.me take *— Jimmy Yoon, Head of Points Intelligence, point.me* Chase Ultimate Rewards is the most flexible currency. They have a decent lineup of airline transfer partners, but they also have one of the best hotel transfer partners in the world in World of Hyatt. On top of that, they offer some of the best travel portal redemption values of any flexible currency out there. That combination makes Chase a great option for anyone who wants flexibility and likes having good options all around - not just points transfers, but portal redemptions and hotels too. ### Learn more about Chase - [How Much Are Chase Points Worth?](https://www.point.me/insights/how-much-are-chase-points-worth/) - [How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points](https://www.point.me/insights/how-to-transfer-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-to-airlines/) - [Do Chase Points Expire?](https://www.point.me/insights/do-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-expire) - [Current Transfer Bonuses](https://www.point.me/insights/current-transfer-bonuses/) ### Ready to put your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to work? [Sign up for point.me and search award availability across every Chase transfer partner.](point.me/signup/basic) See real deals on real dates before you transfer.