The option for using UR points is to book through the UR portal (essentially a travel agent) instead of the airline directly. Using this method UR points book cash tickets at 100 UR point = $1.25 for Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa holders and 100 UR point = $1.5 for Chase Sapphire Reserve Visa holders respectively.

Potential upside: You are buying a cash ticket not dependent on award availability and potentially earning Frequent Flyer miles.

Potential downside: In event of the need to change or cancel or in IRROPS situations you may have to deal with the UR affiliated travel agent that issued the ticket rather than the airline directly.