What to do with 65K Ultimate Rewards?
Aug 30, 2017, 2:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 4
What to do with 65K Ultimate Rewards?
Semi-newbie here (experienced at gathering points, but not in spending them).
I have 65000 Ultimate Rewards points with Chase. I am about to close my account and need to transfer them before I do so.
What's the best airline partner for: low/no transfer fees, good award availability/cost, and available business or first class award tickets?
I travel to Asia and Europe at least 1-2 times a year, so I'm probably most interested in long-haul flights from SFO to either Eu/Asia.
I've seen that Krisflyer can be good to Asia, but not sure about the business/first award availability. I like saver awards, obviously. :P
Please feel free to make suggestions, and thank you!
I have 65000 Ultimate Rewards points with Chase. I am about to close my account and need to transfer them before I do so.
What's the best airline partner for: low/no transfer fees, good award availability/cost, and available business or first class award tickets?
I travel to Asia and Europe at least 1-2 times a year, so I'm probably most interested in long-haul flights from SFO to either Eu/Asia.
I've seen that Krisflyer can be good to Asia, but not sure about the business/first award availability. I like saver awards, obviously. :P
Please feel free to make suggestions, and thank you!
Aug 30, 2017, 4:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
Semi-newbie here (experienced at gathering points, but not in spending them).
I have 65000 Ultimate Rewards points with Chase. I am about to close my account and need to transfer them before I do so.
What's the best airline partner for: low/no transfer fees, good award availability/cost, and available business or first class award tickets?
I travel to Asia and Europe at least 1-2 times a year, so I'm probably most interested in long-haul flights from SFO to either Eu/Asia.
I've seen that Krisflyer can be good to Asia, but not sure about the business/first award availability. I like saver awards, obviously. :P
Please feel free to make suggestions, and thank you!
I have 65000 Ultimate Rewards points with Chase. I am about to close my account and need to transfer them before I do so.
What's the best airline partner for: low/no transfer fees, good award availability/cost, and available business or first class award tickets?
I travel to Asia and Europe at least 1-2 times a year, so I'm probably most interested in long-haul flights from SFO to either Eu/Asia.
I've seen that Krisflyer can be good to Asia, but not sure about the business/first award availability. I like saver awards, obviously. :P
Please feel free to make suggestions, and thank you!
I flew CNX-ICN-LAX on Korean Air in J class for 75K points in July (one way). ICN-LAX would have been 62,500 in J. (Singapore cost me 88K points in J for BKK-LAX.)
Last edited by Diplomatico; Aug 30, 2017 at 6:55 pm Reason: Edit to clarify the ticket on KE was one way.
Aug 30, 2017, 6:53 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
Yes, those J seats where every seat has access to the aisle are very convenient with a bit more privacy, IMO.
Aug 31, 2017, 1:14 am
#5
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, HA Plat
Posts: 1,268
Remember that the points are only valuable if you have enough for the award you want to redeem. You don't want orphan points in an account without enough for a redemption and no way to replenish. So when you look at programs, think in terms of what you'd redeem for and what other sources you have for accumulating into that program if you need to. That could mean that something pedestrian like UA or Hyatt is a better bet than a program that's harder to top off (Korean) or has a restrictive expiration policy (Krisflyer).
Personally, I find plenty of value in paying the annual fee to keep at least one premium UR card so that I don't have to transfer until I know where I need points. YMMV, obviously.
Personally, I find plenty of value in paying the annual fee to keep at least one premium UR card so that I don't have to transfer until I know where I need points. YMMV, obviously.