Mar 30, 2018, 8:02 am
Last edit by: 747FC
This thread covers how to use Ultimate Reward points for booking all types of travel via the Ultimate Rewards portal.
In 2018 Chase changed the outsourced booking portal operator from Connexions to Expedia. Posts from January to mid-October 2018 have been archived to a separate thread. Those posts discussed the portal as operated by Connexions, -and- the transition process to Expedia.
There is another thread to discuss booking by transferring to airline of hotel programs: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chas...tc-2017-a.html
Pay special attention to booking via Chase UR/Expedia with regard to rewards and benefits. Chase UR + Expedia is considered OTA (Online Travel Agency). Travelers purchase or pre-pay travel with the OTA and is subject to the T&C from the OTA. In general, travelers receive miles rewards on flights, but do not receive night credit on hotel stays. Also, in general, travelers lose the airline or hotel status and do not receive the associated benefits (free breakfast, room upgrade etc).
1) How do I book a ticket? Choose my airfare class?
Login to ultimaterewards.com
Click: Use points > Explore and Book Travel
Click the button that defaults to [1 Traveler, All]
Change "Class" (the first entry in the pull-down) from All to Business
Click: Close
2) How far in advance can I book?
In mid-November 2017 it was reported that airline reservations are available only 270 days in advance. Read HERE.
3) How do I book hotels?
Follow the steps above to log on. There are standard looking search engines offered for airfare, hotel, etc at that point.
3.5) How to book cruises?
Chase outsources this to a travel agency specializing in cruises. (I believe they are available solely by telephone.) Agents there can book cruises for you using your URs for payments from initial deposit to final payment. It's also possible to transfer an existing cruise booking to that travel agency. That agency can then make payments (full or partial). However, to transfer a booking, there are some constraints to be aware of. A) The booking and deposit has to be made directly with the cruise line. If you use another agency, you're out of luck. B) The cruise lines limit the window when you can transfer a booking from their control to an agency's. It closes as early as 30 days after initial deposit up to final deposit due date (typically 75-120 prior to sail date) depending on the particular cruise line's rules (which are subject to change).
4) How do I get the better redemption rate offered on some Chase cards?
The upper left corner of the UR page will show you which card you are logged in with. If you hold a Chase Sapphire Reserve or JPMR card, you will be shown a better price on points bookings, as a 1.5 redemption rate is offered as one of the benefits of this card. If you log in to the UR portal from a different UR card, such as the Ink, you will not be offered this rate.
4.5) How do Refunds Work?
When cancelling a booking (and a refund is due), points will be added back to your UR balance and dollars will be refunded to the credit card account used.
5) Where else can I find information?
This thread is a consolidated resource which covers topics including:
Fare buckets, here
Price differences between open market air fares and UR bookings, here
Selecting seat classes
Using cash and points to pay for tickets
and more.
The previous discussion, through 2017, can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chas...14-2017-a.html
In 2018 Chase changed the outsourced booking portal operator from Connexions to Expedia. Posts from January to mid-October 2018 have been archived to a separate thread. Those posts discussed the portal as operated by Connexions, -and- the transition process to Expedia.
There is another thread to discuss booking by transferring to airline of hotel programs: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chas...tc-2017-a.html
Pay special attention to booking via Chase UR/Expedia with regard to rewards and benefits. Chase UR + Expedia is considered OTA (Online Travel Agency). Travelers purchase or pre-pay travel with the OTA and is subject to the T&C from the OTA. In general, travelers receive miles rewards on flights, but do not receive night credit on hotel stays. Also, in general, travelers lose the airline or hotel status and do not receive the associated benefits (free breakfast, room upgrade etc).
1) How do I book a ticket? Choose my airfare class?
Login to ultimaterewards.com
Click: Use points > Explore and Book Travel
Click the button that defaults to [1 Traveler, All]
Change "Class" (the first entry in the pull-down) from All to Business
Click: Close
2) How far in advance can I book?
In mid-November 2017 it was reported that airline reservations are available only 270 days in advance. Read HERE.
3) How do I book hotels?
Follow the steps above to log on. There are standard looking search engines offered for airfare, hotel, etc at that point.
3.5) How to book cruises?
Chase outsources this to a travel agency specializing in cruises. (I believe they are available solely by telephone.) Agents there can book cruises for you using your URs for payments from initial deposit to final payment. It's also possible to transfer an existing cruise booking to that travel agency. That agency can then make payments (full or partial). However, to transfer a booking, there are some constraints to be aware of. A) The booking and deposit has to be made directly with the cruise line. If you use another agency, you're out of luck. B) The cruise lines limit the window when you can transfer a booking from their control to an agency's. It closes as early as 30 days after initial deposit up to final deposit due date (typically 75-120 prior to sail date) depending on the particular cruise line's rules (which are subject to change).
4) How do I get the better redemption rate offered on some Chase cards?
The upper left corner of the UR page will show you which card you are logged in with. If you hold a Chase Sapphire Reserve or JPMR card, you will be shown a better price on points bookings, as a 1.5 redemption rate is offered as one of the benefits of this card. If you log in to the UR portal from a different UR card, such as the Ink, you will not be offered this rate.
4.5) How do Refunds Work?
When cancelling a booking (and a refund is due), points will be added back to your UR balance and dollars will be refunded to the credit card account used.
5) Where else can I find information?
This thread is a consolidated resource which covers topics including:
Fare buckets, here
Price differences between open market air fares and UR bookings, here
Selecting seat classes
Using cash and points to pay for tickets
and more.
The previous discussion, through 2017, can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chas...14-2017-a.html
Booking Flights, Rooms, Cars, Cruises, Activities through Chase/Expedia portal.
Jun 4, 2019, 8:45 am
#391
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,992
All of these programs come with add on cost, the trick is to minimize them certainly booking direct is one, especially if you have any form of status with that particular flag. Many of the chains are offering wifi etc if you book direct. I am finding that with Ultimate Rewards booking non flagged unique properties in Europe such as Florence or Cingue Terre often a good use of points but not major hotels there I use my hotel points so I get the maximum value/benefits. In any event these programs are in a downward spiral of devaluation one recently being Hertz, which is being hurt by the likes of Uber and Lyft I see business and personal travel less and less rental car the car companies pound you with taxes/fees and their keeping cars much longer in the fleet.
Jun 5, 2019, 4:00 pm
#392
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
Chase would not even match what is shown on Expedia that is what I am told, let alone the prices shown on hotel's own site. The reps claim the UR runs by Expedia has different inventories than the Expedia for the general public. The reps can only book what are shown in UR system at the prices shown. The reps are more than willing to file a complain on your behalf, but said complain does not do anything as we all understand it too well.
Jun 8, 2019, 1:46 pm
#393
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 930
Will Chase "Advance" UR Points?
I want to book a hotel but don't currently have enough points. However, I will have enough points by the time I travel. Will Chase advance me the points to book the hotel now like Marriott does?
Jun 8, 2019, 6:18 pm
#394
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: The place where it gets so hot in the summer some planes can't take off.
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, WoH Globalist, National EE, United Platinum
Posts: 1,446
They don't advance points. Another post said you used to be able to purchase UR points a long time ago, but no longer.
If you're using the Chase portal to book travel with points you can pay whatever balance is left on your credit card. If you want to use all points (I'm guessing for the 1.25/1.5x bonus) or transfer to a partner you have to wait until you are awarded the points through spend.
If you're using the Chase portal to book travel with points you can pay whatever balance is left on your credit card. If you want to use all points (I'm guessing for the 1.25/1.5x bonus) or transfer to a partner you have to wait until you are awarded the points through spend.
Jun 10, 2019, 11:36 am
#395
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist Marriott Gold AA EXP
Posts: 1,019
I want to book a one way UA award flight from DEN to SNA or Burbank. 12,500 UA miles or I can use the UR points to apply to the fare - I have the Ink Preferred so I should get the 1.25 cpp I think. What is the breakeven for using the UR vs transferring to UA pts - and do I still earn base miles, segments, and EQM on the UR purchase? I have only member status.
Jun 10, 2019, 8:49 pm
#396
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,089
I want to book a one way UA award flight from DEN to SNA or Burbank. 12,500 UA miles or I can use the UR points to apply to the fare - I have the Ink Preferred so I should get the 1.25 cpp I think. What is the breakeven for using the UR vs transferring to UA pts - and do I still earn base miles, segments, and EQM on the UR purchase? I have only member status.
Last edited by philemer; Jun 10, 2019 at 8:54 pm
Jun 10, 2019, 10:55 pm
#397
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 58
I'm trying to search for flights on the portal, but when I put in the information about when and where...it just times out. Anybody else have this issue tonight/today?
Jun 11, 2019, 11:23 am
#398
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 30
I booked a flight from Toronto Pearson airport, but it's unclear if it's through Air Canada or United. I have confirmation numbers for both. I know they're partners, but which counter should I look for when checking in? Air Canada or United?
Jun 11, 2019, 11:38 am
#399
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
Jun 11, 2019, 11:53 am
#401
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
If you go to united.com and look for a YYZ-PHL flight at 12:35pm you see this:
Operated By Air Canada Express - Sky Regional
....which is a commuter airline. I would check-in at the Air Canada counter, BUT I have no direct knowledge of AC/UA's arrangments at that airport., and you will probably receive a more authoritative response.
Operated By Air Canada Express - Sky Regional
....which is a commuter airline. I would check-in at the Air Canada counter, BUT I have no direct knowledge of AC/UA's arrangments at that airport., and you will probably receive a more authoritative response.
Jun 11, 2019, 12:27 pm
#403
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
Very easy to find out . You can also pull up the reservation from UA website using UA PNR or from AC website using AC PNR.
I would bet your flight is operated by AC therefore you check in with AC at YYZ. And I assume on the confirmation email there are information there telling you WHO is the operating airline and that is where you should check in.
Jun 11, 2019, 12:31 pm
#404
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
If you go to united.com and look for a YYZ-PHL flight at 12:35pm you see this:
Operated By Air Canada Express - Sky Regional
....which is a commuter airline. I would check-in at the Air Canada counter, BUT I have no direct knowledge of AC/UA's arrangments at that airport., and you will probably receive a more authoritative response.
Operated By Air Canada Express - Sky Regional
....which is a commuter airline. I would check-in at the Air Canada counter, BUT I have no direct knowledge of AC/UA's arrangments at that airport., and you will probably receive a more authoritative response.
Apparently the ticket is in 016 stock issued by UA, hence there is a UA PNR. Luckily UA always gives you the OPERATING airline's PNR (that is needed if you want to make sure your reservation is correctly reflected in the Operating airlines system).
For future note - UNLESS UR porter would only sell you UA issued ticket, but not the Operating airline's (in this case, it is AC), I would ALWAYS buy ticket from the operating airline if the price is the same. (often it is lower than codeshare price).
Jun 11, 2019, 12:55 pm
#405
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,992
What I have found out is that the Chase Rewards or whatever the name de jour is their especially good at booking non major flag hotels internationally and which is where I use mine the most. Also "topping of the tank" in my AF miles account. One most recent usage is at Cinqua Terre in Italy where I have booked some really nice "local" properties as well as Florence shunning my major flag accounts.