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 Posts from January to mid-October 2018 have been archived to a separate thread.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.
May 6, 2021, 7:07 am
#751
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
No, it's not possible. You need to purchase your flight directly with United with the card, or use United MileagePlus Miles for the flight and pay for the taxes/fees with the card. Those are the only 2 avenues for the free checked bag.
May 6, 2021, 2:54 pm
#752
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 727
Thank you. After reading about 100 posts from this thread, I was about to give up looking for the answer.
May 7, 2021, 1:09 pm
#753
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SFO/SEA
Programs: Amex Biz Cent, Marriott LTP, Avis PC, Hilton Owners Diamond, AS MVP
Posts: 3,380
Haven't used the Chase travel portal in quite a while and wasn't sure how a scenario like this would be handled since I've never come across it before while using Chase points and portal. I can't get on a call with them till later today so I figured I'd check here first. I booked a flight on DL through the Chase portal yesterday, and today that same itinerary is $50 cheaper (both on DL.com and when I go to price it out on the portal). I think I'm still within the cancel window so would they just do it as a cancel/rebook? Or would they work with Delta to reissue the existing ticket at the lower price and provide a refund of the equivalent points?
edit to add: I noticed that DL.com allows me to modify the flight and rebook it for the cheaper price with an ecredit issued for the difference (which is fine with me). Any harm in just doing it all online through DL directly?
edit to add: I noticed that DL.com allows me to modify the flight and rebook it for the cheaper price with an ecredit issued for the difference (which is fine with me). Any harm in just doing it all online through DL directly?
Last edited by brosnan6; May 7, 2021 at 1:18 pm
May 19, 2021, 12:48 am
#754
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum, AA, SW, Delta
Posts: 885
Has anyone ever been sucessful in changing their flights via chatbot using the Chase UR portal? I booked a flight and need to change the time of the departing flight. Chat was able to let me see the new prices for the flight.
Once I select the flight to make the changes it gives me a total but then once I continue to make payment it just stays busy and doesn't contin
Once I select the flight to make the changes it gives me a total but then once I continue to make payment it just stays busy and doesn't contin
May 19, 2021, 6:58 am
#755
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Haven't used the Chase travel portal in quite a while and wasn't sure how a scenario like this would be handled since I've never come across it before while using Chase points and portal. I can't get on a call with them till later today so I figured I'd check here first. I booked a flight on DL through the Chase portal yesterday, and today that same itinerary is $50 cheaper (both on DL.com and when I go to price it out on the portal). I think I'm still within the cancel window so would they just do it as a cancel/rebook? Or would they work with Delta to reissue the existing ticket at the lower price and provide a refund of the equivalent points?
edit to add: I noticed that DL.com allows me to modify the flight and rebook it for the cheaper price with an ecredit issued for the difference (which is fine with me). Any harm in just doing it all online through DL directly?
edit to add: I noticed that DL.com allows me to modify the flight and rebook it for the cheaper price with an ecredit issued for the difference (which is fine with me). Any harm in just doing it all online through DL directly?
May 19, 2021, 3:25 pm
#756
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 315
Booking through Chase portal, weird, is this normal?
First time booking through the Chase portal. The ticket was showing on United's site for $1050. Bought it on Chase site for the same amount, converted to points. But the booking confirmation showed the second leg in coach, not first. After an hour on the phone while she worked on it, all they could say was "we have to refer this to the back office which will take up to a week." But I think the cancellation period is only 24 hours with Chase? Or has it been extended too since Covid?
The other odd thing is the first leg is booked for 2 people in first, but when I go to the United site to pick seats there is only 1 first class seat. Is it possible they assigned us 2 but they aren't listed?
The other odd thing is the first leg is booked for 2 people in first, but when I go to the United site to pick seats there is only 1 first class seat. Is it possible they assigned us 2 but they aren't listed?
May 19, 2021, 11:56 pm
#757
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum, AA, SW, Delta
Posts: 885
Can we make flight changes via chat with bookings using UR points like Expedia.com
I know with expedia.com we can chat and have reps make changes for flights for us, but can we do the same for Chase Ultimate Rewards? they always give the number to call but the phone is busy
May 20, 2021, 8:31 am
#758
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
My experience is no. Once a rez. is made with UR you have to cancel and rebook.
May 20, 2021, 11:16 am
#759
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 315
I've never seen such a terrible website. First it booked one of my legs in coach even though it was supposed to be First. They tried for an hour to fix and had to send it to the back office to investigate. That would take up to 5 days but you only have 24 hours to cancel. Chat button didn't work in any browser. Finally day 2 got an agent but they kept asking me questions and had disabled the field to type replies back. Cancel button doesn't work, nothing happens. Had to call to cancel.
May 21, 2021, 1:23 am
#760
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum, AA, SW, Delta
Posts: 885
I booked a round trip ticket thru Avianca Airlines using my chase ultimate reward points. I need to change the departure flight. Avianca is charging $200 change fee + $300 change in fare price for a total of $500. if I book a new one way trip from LAX to TGU it is only $450. What is the best way of handling this? Can I cancel my second leg of the Avianca and get some refund or just not show up for my departure flight and purchase a new one way ticket to TGU?
May 21, 2021, 8:56 am
#761
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Most "non-refundable" fares have some value for a year from date of issue, but change fees and fare differences will apply when you use the value. You need to read the rules of the fare that you purchased.
Standard practice is that a no-show for a flight causes the rest of the itinerary to be automatically cancelled. You really should research this in the Avianca forum. The fact that you paid with points is invisible to the airline. They just see this as a ticket purchased through Expedia.
Standard practice is that a no-show for a flight causes the rest of the itinerary to be automatically cancelled. You really should research this in the Avianca forum. The fact that you paid with points is invisible to the airline. They just see this as a ticket purchased through Expedia.
May 21, 2021, 10:02 am
#762
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I've never seen such a terrible website. First it booked one of my legs in coach even though it was supposed to be First. They tried for an hour to fix and had to send it to the back office to investigate. That would take up to 5 days but you only have 24 hours to cancel. Chat button didn't work in any browser. Finally day 2 got an agent but they kept asking me questions and had disabled the field to type replies back. Cancel button doesn't work, nothing happens. Had to call to cancel.
My scenario is usually booking F HNL-SFO-LAS on UA. The portal will tell me HNL-SFO is in F and SFO-LAS in coach which is ok, as I want the longer leg in F. But when it actually tickets, HNL-SFO is in coach and SFO-LAS is in F. Not what I want at all. So, be very careful on multi-leg itineraries.
May 22, 2021, 10:30 pm
#763
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
I've had this happen to me several times - you have to be extremely careful to check what was actually ticketed.
My scenario is usually booking F HNL-SFO-LAS on UA. The portal will tell me HNL-SFO is in F and SFO-LAS in coach which is ok, as I want the longer leg in F. But when it actually tickets, HNL-SFO is in coach and SFO-LAS is in F. Not what I want at all. So, be very careful on multi-leg itineraries.
My scenario is usually booking F HNL-SFO-LAS on UA. The portal will tell me HNL-SFO is in F and SFO-LAS in coach which is ok, as I want the longer leg in F. But when it actually tickets, HNL-SFO is in coach and SFO-LAS is in F. Not what I want at all. So, be very careful on multi-leg itineraries.
May 24, 2021, 10:37 pm
#764
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 70
I know my post isn't much value added, but tonight I had a real ... time with Chase Travel Service. Alaska Airlines cancelled my flight (travel on 4-Aug-21) many weeks ago, but they never sent me a notice. I found out from someone who booked the same flight as me. Then, the person giving me my 'options' can't handle making the change to the car rental, also booked through Chase Travel Service. For that, they have to transfer me to a Car Rental Specialist. Of course the Car Rental Specialist explains to me that they can't make any changes, but they would be happy to cancel my rental and rebook with the new pickup time (did i mention that the state of Alaska has no rental cars available...). My only option is to take the later flight from Alaska Airlines and rely on Alamo's Late Arrival Policy to hold the car for me.
TLDR, Chase Travel Services can't change car rental bookings; can't handle multiple itineraries by the same service rep.
TLDR, Chase Travel Services can't change car rental bookings; can't handle multiple itineraries by the same service rep.
May 27, 2021, 2:18 pm
#765
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447