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 Posts from January to mid-October 2018 have been archived to a separate thread.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.
Aug 22, 2019, 4:37 pm
#496
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,904
Is it worth redeeming UR for $0.015 each when booking through UR portal with CSR or transfer the points to an airline or hotel program? The bad part about booking flights with award points is that MQM or RDM accrual. I think I read that I'm better off booking with UR points so that I can accrue RDM and MQM?
Aug 22, 2019, 5:21 pm
#497
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,089
Is it worth redeeming UR for $0.015 each when booking through UR portal with CSR or transfer the points to an airline or hotel program? The bad part about booking flights with award points is that MQM or RDM accrual. I think I read that I'm better off booking with UR points so that I can accrue RDM and MQM?
The only transfers I've made are to Hyatt & SWA.
Aug 24, 2019, 9:38 am
#498
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
My experience this Spring was that they are NOT Expedia agents.
Even the hotel bookings or airline bookings the phone agents are NOT direct Expedia agents. I fished out some tricky answers and got the idea that the bookings are handled by Expedia's dept that handles corporate bookings, not the same agents that handle the Expedia site bookings as we know it. The agents I talked to, reluctantly admitted they are Expedia employees but not the same as how the Public perceived (the OTA site).
For those who want to use UR to book cruises, I suggest you to check the Expedia site for availability and pricing of your targeted cruises before you call. This would save you a lot of time and aggravation.
Always bear in mind too, that UR and Expedia carry different inventory with different prices on the same lodging option - even the cancellation conditions are the same. More often than not, the cancellation conditions would be slightly different. Almost 100% of the time, whenever there are price differences on the same property, UR is always MORE EXPENSIVE than Expedia site / Booking.com site , EVEN when the cancellation conditions are the same.
There are a lot of factors to consider when to use UR pts for what. I say that this is probably the most YMMV situation as to how much value UR pts bring.
Aug 24, 2019, 11:12 am
#499
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
Actually I’ve just started browsing CruiseCritic as I’m planning a trip to Alaska, so I’m seeing what you mean. The destination forums seem civil, but the cruise line forums... not so much, lol. I looked into using my UR points for this trip as I was about to cancel my Sapphire Reserve, but it ended up not being a good deal, so I just transferred my points to Hyatt instead.
Aug 28, 2019, 4:56 pm
#500
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 12
UR Redemption through Chase @ 1.25cpp or Expedia @ 1cpp
Booked a trip from LAX-BKK last night and had 24 hour cancellation, and I found a cheaper trip on Expedia and want to make sure I'm not making a mistake here. This is my first big UR redemption (104K UR) so I don't want to be a dumbdumb. Here's the rundown:
If I'm not being stupid, I can save $213 by cancelling my UR redemption and rebooking through Expedia. That leads me to two questions:
- 104k UR Points
- Worth $1,300 through Chase travel portal @ 1.25cpp
- Worth $1,040 through statement credit @ 1cpp
- Chase UR $1913 cost -$1300 (UR@ 1.25cpp) = $613 out of pocket
- Expedia $1600 cost -$1040 (UR @ 1cpp) = $560 out of pocket
If I'm not being stupid, I can save $213 by cancelling my UR redemption and rebooking through Expedia. That leads me to two questions:
- If I cancel the UR redemption, how quickly do I get those points back? Since in scenario 2 I'll just redeem for statement credit, I'm not really in a pinch for time, just curious
- Is this worth the risk to cancel & try and rebook at Expedia rate for $200 savings?
Aug 29, 2019, 1:48 am
#501
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 665
Booked a trip from LAX-BKK last night and had 24 hour cancellation, and I found a cheaper trip on Expedia and want to make sure I'm not making a mistake here. This is my first big UR redemption (104K UR) so I don't want to be a dumbdumb. Here's the rundown:
If I'm not being stupid, I can save $213 by cancelling my UR redemption and rebooking through Expedia. That leads me to two questions:
- 104k UR Points
- Worth $1,300 through Chase travel portal @ 1.25cpp
- Worth $1,040 through statement credit @ 1cpp
- Chase UR $1913 cost -$1300 (UR@ 1.25cpp) = $613 out of pocket
- Expedia $1600 cost -$1040 (UR @ 1cpp) = $560 out of pocket
If I'm not being stupid, I can save $213 by cancelling my UR redemption and rebooking through Expedia. That leads me to two questions:
- If I cancel the UR redemption, how quickly do I get those points back? Since in scenario 2 I'll just redeem for statement credit, I'm not really in a pinch for time, just curious
- Is this worth the risk to cancel & try and rebook at Expedia rate for $200 savings?
You get the points back immediately.
Aug 29, 2019, 12:58 pm
#502
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
Booked a trip from LAX-BKK last night and had 24 hour cancellation, and I found a cheaper trip on Expedia and want to make sure I'm not making a mistake here. This is my first big UR redemption (104K UR) so I don't want to be a dumbdumb. Here's the rundown:
If I'm not being stupid, I can save $213 by cancelling my UR redemption and rebooking through Expedia. That leads me to two questions:
- 104k UR Points
- Worth $1,300 through Chase travel portal @ 1.25cpp
- Worth $1,040 through statement credit @ 1cpp
- Chase UR $1913 cost -$1300 (UR@ 1.25cpp) = $613 out of pocket
- Expedia $1600 cost -$1040 (UR @ 1cpp) = $560 out of pocket
If I'm not being stupid, I can save $213 by cancelling my UR redemption and rebooking through Expedia. That leads me to two questions:
- If I cancel the UR redemption, how quickly do I get those points back? Since in scenario 2 I'll just redeem for statement credit, I'm not really in a pinch for time, just curious
- Is this worth the risk to cancel & try and rebook at Expedia rate for $200 savings?
Points come back to your account immediately if it is for hotels. Not sure about airline tickets. the cash portion comes back to your credit card a few days after the cancellation but often in less than a week.
Aug 31, 2019, 9:56 pm
#503
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 77
Chase Sapphire Question: worth it to get before booking?
I'm pretty new at this points game and through another thread I posted to, it was recommended I consider getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve so that I can redeem our current points total of 258,000 at 1.5 cpp instead of through our Chase Ink Business Preferred where the points currently sit, which is 1.25 cpp. I want to see if I'm figuring this correctly: I picked some possible dates for 4 RT airfare tickets we want to get next summer to Hawaii. When logged in to CUR, it says total points is 241,664 points OR $3020.68. However, if we "do" get the Chase Sapphire Reserve and move all our points to it, it would only actually cost us 201,378 points, correct? This saves us a little over 40,000 points (so about $400). The annual fee on the Saphhire Reserve is $450. I think I read we would get a $300 travel credit if we get the Reserve. So in reality, we are saving about $250? Did I figure this right? Are there any other perks to getting the Sapphire? We have a Chase Ink Cash card as well and currently using it on fuel, restaurants, cell phone, cable, internet, etc. since it gets us more points in those categories. Any advice? Not in a super big hurry to book the airfare since it's about a year out, but want to make sure I'm understanding correctly on best way to play this game before we book. In all honesty, if we find a price we like, I'd love to book sooner rather than later. Thanks!
Aug 31, 2019, 10:00 pm
#504
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 665
I'm pretty new at this points game and through another thread I posted to, it was recommended I consider getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve so that I can redeem our current points total of 258,000 at 1.5 cpp instead of through our Chase Ink Business Preferred where the points currently sit, which is 1.25 cpp. I want to see if I'm figuring this correctly: I picked some possible dates for 4 RT airfare tickets we want to get next summer to Hawaii. When logged in to CUR, it says total points is 241,664 points OR $3020.68. However, if we "do" get the Chase Sapphire Reserve and move all our points to it, it would only actually cost us 201,378 points, correct? This saves us a little over 40,000 points (so about $400). The annual fee on the Saphhire Reserve is $450. I think I read we would get a $300 travel credit if we get the Reserve. So in reality, we are saving about $250? Did I figure this right? Are there any other perks to getting the Sapphire? We have a Chase Ink Cash card as well and currently using it on fuel, restaurants, cell phone, cable, internet, etc. since it gets us more points in those categories. Any advice? Not in a super big hurry to book the airfare since it's about a year out, but want to make sure I'm understanding correctly on best way to play this game before we book. In all honesty, if we find a price we like, I'd love to book sooner rather than later. Thanks!
Aug 31, 2019, 10:39 pm
#505
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PHX, ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond Plus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 502
A couple of ways to look at it, but here's how I'd consider it. The basic answer is: get the CSR first. Here's the why.
OK,you're saving 40,000 UR. The value of that could be seen as $600 (40K * 1.5 cents), but the incremental vaue is 40K * .25 cents (1.5 - 1.25) I think. That's because you'd still be able to get 1.25 for any UR with your other card. The reason I use that value is that by assuming you don't take that trip but got the card you'd still have the full 240K UR but only at .25 cents more value than the Biz Preferred. 40K * .25 is $100.
The CSR comes with the $300 travel waiver, which I value as straight up cash. Reasoning: if you don't spend $300 in Chase's very broad travel categories in a year, why are you even in this game? So you are currently at -$50 for the year with the card.
Biggest perk, depending on home airport and frequent travel patterns: Priority Pass access. Good for 3 people (you and 2 guests) at lounges and restaurants. Domestically, the lounges are mediocre at best with a few exceptions, but if you're like me the benefit of a free meal and a place to work is very useful (I get to the airport early because I *hate* stressing about security, airport layouts, etc). If you have mid-level status with an airline that has a lounge at your home airport that limits the value a bit, but I assume you don't. So If you travel a few times a year and pop into airport restaurants/lounges each time that's a pretty quick $100+ in value. If you bring 1 or 2 people with you that just multiplies the value.
Finally, you can also add to the value of all future UR you earn at a minimum of .25 cents. If you add 100K UR through spend each year, that's $250 extra value with the CSR over the Biz Preferred. That's assuming you'll generally use the portal instead of transferring, which makes sense given the cost of economy tickets with flexibility in your schedule.
Sum total: if you get the CSR, save the points, use the PP, and earn significant UR, you're looking at coming out a few hundred bucks ahead even with the annual fee. That's not considering the sign-up/minimum send bonus I'd expect you'll get.
OK,you're saving 40,000 UR. The value of that could be seen as $600 (40K * 1.5 cents), but the incremental vaue is 40K * .25 cents (1.5 - 1.25) I think. That's because you'd still be able to get 1.25 for any UR with your other card. The reason I use that value is that by assuming you don't take that trip but got the card you'd still have the full 240K UR but only at .25 cents more value than the Biz Preferred. 40K * .25 is $100.
The CSR comes with the $300 travel waiver, which I value as straight up cash. Reasoning: if you don't spend $300 in Chase's very broad travel categories in a year, why are you even in this game? So you are currently at -$50 for the year with the card.
Biggest perk, depending on home airport and frequent travel patterns: Priority Pass access. Good for 3 people (you and 2 guests) at lounges and restaurants. Domestically, the lounges are mediocre at best with a few exceptions, but if you're like me the benefit of a free meal and a place to work is very useful (I get to the airport early because I *hate* stressing about security, airport layouts, etc). If you have mid-level status with an airline that has a lounge at your home airport that limits the value a bit, but I assume you don't. So If you travel a few times a year and pop into airport restaurants/lounges each time that's a pretty quick $100+ in value. If you bring 1 or 2 people with you that just multiplies the value.
Finally, you can also add to the value of all future UR you earn at a minimum of .25 cents. If you add 100K UR through spend each year, that's $250 extra value with the CSR over the Biz Preferred. That's assuming you'll generally use the portal instead of transferring, which makes sense given the cost of economy tickets with flexibility in your schedule.
Sum total: if you get the CSR, save the points, use the PP, and earn significant UR, you're looking at coming out a few hundred bucks ahead even with the annual fee. That's not considering the sign-up/minimum send bonus I'd expect you'll get.
Aug 31, 2019, 11:00 pm
#506
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 77
A couple of ways to look at it, but here's how I'd consider it. The basic answer is: get the CSR first. Here's the why.
OK,you're saving 40,000 UR. The value of that could be seen as $600 (40K * 1.5 cents), but the incremental vaue is 40K * .25 cents (1.5 - 1.25) I think. That's because you'd still be able to get 1.25 for any UR with your other card. The reason I use that value is that by assuming you don't take that trip but got the card you'd still have the full 240K UR but only at .25 cents more value than the Biz Preferred. 40K * .25 is $100.
The CSR comes with the $300 travel waiver, which I value as straight up cash. Reasoning: if you don't spend $300 in Chase's very broad travel categories in a year, why are you even in this game? So you are currently at -$50 for the year with the card.
Biggest perk, depending on home airport and frequent travel patterns: Priority Pass access. Good for 3 people (you and 2 guests) at lounges and restaurants. Domestically, the lounges are mediocre at best with a few exceptions, but if you're like me the benefit of a free meal and a place to work is very useful (I get to the airport early because I *hate* stressing about security, airport layouts, etc). If you have mid-level status with an airline that has a lounge at your home airport that limits the value a bit, but I assume you don't. So If you travel a few times a year and pop into airport restaurants/lounges each time that's a pretty quick $100+ in value. If you bring 1 or 2 people with you that just multiplies the value.
Finally, you can also add to the value of all future UR you earn at a minimum of .25 cents. If you add 100K UR through spend each year, that's $250 extra value with the CSR over the Biz Preferred. That's assuming you'll generally use the portal instead of transferring, which makes sense given the cost of economy tickets with flexibility in your schedule.
Sum total: if you get the CSR, save the points, use the PP, and earn significant UR, you're looking at coming out a few hundred bucks ahead even with the annual fee. That's not considering the sign-up/minimum send bonus I'd expect you'll get.
OK,you're saving 40,000 UR. The value of that could be seen as $600 (40K * 1.5 cents), but the incremental vaue is 40K * .25 cents (1.5 - 1.25) I think. That's because you'd still be able to get 1.25 for any UR with your other card. The reason I use that value is that by assuming you don't take that trip but got the card you'd still have the full 240K UR but only at .25 cents more value than the Biz Preferred. 40K * .25 is $100.
The CSR comes with the $300 travel waiver, which I value as straight up cash. Reasoning: if you don't spend $300 in Chase's very broad travel categories in a year, why are you even in this game? So you are currently at -$50 for the year with the card.
Biggest perk, depending on home airport and frequent travel patterns: Priority Pass access. Good for 3 people (you and 2 guests) at lounges and restaurants. Domestically, the lounges are mediocre at best with a few exceptions, but if you're like me the benefit of a free meal and a place to work is very useful (I get to the airport early because I *hate* stressing about security, airport layouts, etc). If you have mid-level status with an airline that has a lounge at your home airport that limits the value a bit, but I assume you don't. So If you travel a few times a year and pop into airport restaurants/lounges each time that's a pretty quick $100+ in value. If you bring 1 or 2 people with you that just multiplies the value.
Finally, you can also add to the value of all future UR you earn at a minimum of .25 cents. If you add 100K UR through spend each year, that's $250 extra value with the CSR over the Biz Preferred. That's assuming you'll generally use the portal instead of transferring, which makes sense given the cost of economy tickets with flexibility in your schedule.
Sum total: if you get the CSR, save the points, use the PP, and earn significant UR, you're looking at coming out a few hundred bucks ahead even with the annual fee. That's not considering the sign-up/minimum send bonus I'd expect you'll get.
Also, since there are 4 of us , how does the priority pass access work ? Our home airport is DEN.
Aug 31, 2019, 11:10 pm
#507
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PHX, ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond Plus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 502
SighseeMC, thank you so much for taking the time to explain this and give me your point of view . Another perk I thought I read about .... travel insurance . What is this all about or how does it work ? We rarely fly anywhere .
Also, since there are 4 of us , how does the priority pass access work ? Our home airport is DEN.
Also, since there are 4 of us , how does the priority pass access work ? Our home airport is DEN.
CSR has great travel insurance/protection when you pay for your trip with the card. I would read some online points blogs regarding the particulars of the insurance, and it's comparison to the Biz Preferred's insurance. But it's generally considered extremely good. I also cannot vouch for that personally either (haven't used it yet).
Aug 31, 2019, 11:14 pm
#508
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PHX, ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond Plus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 502
Oh, the bad news is the 4th person is SOL for lounge access itself though. So that would require buying a day pass when offered (usually not a great deal, but may make sense in your case if you think about the cost being for 4 people. That changes the CSR math though), or using the restaurants where available. Google "Priority Pass restaurants" and you'll find a full list somewhere. I've used the restaurant credits at LAX, SFO, and LEX but again, that fits my travel pattern.
Maybe you can just have one kid stay at home and watch the cat. Saves on pet sitters too.
Maybe you can just have one kid stay at home and watch the cat. Saves on pet sitters too.
Aug 31, 2019, 11:18 pm
#509
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 77
Oh, the bad news is the 4th person is SOL for lounge access itself though. So that would require buying a day pass when offered (usually not a great deal, but may make sense in your case if you think about the cost being for 4 people. That changes the CSR math though), or using the restaurants where available. Google "Priority Pass restaurants" and you'll find a full list somewhere. I've used the restaurant credits at LAX, SFO, and LEX but again, that fits my travel pattern.
Maybe you can just have one kid stay at home and watch the cat. Saves on pet sitters too.
Maybe you can just have one kid stay at home and watch the cat. Saves on pet sitters too.
Sep 1, 2019, 1:21 pm
#510
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 77
Transferring UR pts to airlines or book on UR portal with pts/cash
I’m doing my research on 4 RT flights from DEN to LIH next summer to compare how Chase travel compares to their airline partners. I found some flights on American Airlines worth 198,000 pts and the Chase cost is $3090.40 for the exact flights. The cpp then is 1.5. So if I decided to book these flights, would I transfer approximately 198,000 points from CUR to BritishAirways? And is 198,000 points how many Chase points I would need to buy these AA flights? I’m still new at this. Thanks!