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 Posts from January to mid-October 2018 have been archived to a separate thread.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.
Oct 15, 2018, 10:59 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 39
Booking Flights, Rooms, Cars, Cruises, Activities through Chase/Expedia portal.
Anybody run into a discrepancy in between the Chase portal price (Freedom) and the Expedia price for airline tickets? Will calling get me the Expedia.com rate?
Oct 15, 2018, 11:11 am
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Price differences are usually due to the system finding different inventory available. If you return to expedia.com, and it still displays the lower fare, can you see the farecode that it is using?
Oct 15, 2018, 11:41 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 39
Looks like it is Q on Expedia.com and S on Chase (Expedia).
Edit: No dice calling in, they're seeing the same fares as on the portal.
Edit: No dice calling in, they're seeing the same fares as on the portal.
Last edited by mad cow disease; Oct 15, 2018 at 3:59 pm
Oct 22, 2018, 5:25 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,135
Analysis between chase travel and Aadvantage
guys - I have an AA hold on etihad expiring in 3 hours so hoping someone can help me with this analysis and choosing between the options for 3 adults JFK-BOM
Option 1 - r/t on chase travel - approx $7000 or 475k chase ultimate reward points (kuwait air outbound, saudia return where I know jeddah airport is bad). With sapphire reserve, I'm getting 1.5 for my points
Option 2 - o/w on chase travel - $5000 or 340k chase ultimate reward points + 210k Aadvantage points (kuwait air outbouhnd, etihad return)
If you value UR at 2.2 points and AA at 1.4, the above options come very close in what you are spending. I do have quite a few AA miles built up in my accounts and after seeing them devalue year over year, I am attracted more towards option 2 just to use some of them
Thanks
guys - I have an AA hold on etihad expiring in 3 hours so hoping someone can help me with this analysis and choosing between the options for 3 adults JFK-BOM
Option 1 - r/t on chase travel - approx $7000 or 475k chase ultimate reward points (kuwait air outbound, saudia return where I know jeddah airport is bad). With sapphire reserve, I'm getting 1.5 for my points
Option 2 - o/w on chase travel - $5000 or 340k chase ultimate reward points + 210k Aadvantage points (kuwait air outbouhnd, etihad return)
If you value UR at 2.2 points and AA at 1.4, the above options come very close in what you are spending. I do have quite a few AA miles built up in my accounts and after seeing them devalue year over year, I am attracted more towards option 2 just to use some of them
Thanks
Oct 22, 2018, 5:57 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MCO, YEG
Posts: 1,182
Analysis between chase travel and Aadvantage
guys - I have an AA hold on etihad expiring in 3 hours so hoping someone can help me with this analysis and choosing between the options for 3 adults JFK-BOM
Option 1 - r/t on chase travel - approx $7000 or 475k chase ultimate reward points (kuwait air outbound, saudia return where I know jeddah airport is bad). With sapphire reserve, I'm getting 1.5 for my points
Option 2 - o/w on chase travel - $5000 or 340k chase ultimate reward points + 210k Aadvantage points (kuwait air outbouhnd, etihad return)
If you value UR at 2.2 points and AA at 1.4, the above options come very close in what you are spending. I do have quite a few AA miles built up in my accounts and after seeing them devalue year over year, I am attracted more towards option 2 just to use some of them
Thanks
guys - I have an AA hold on etihad expiring in 3 hours so hoping someone can help me with this analysis and choosing between the options for 3 adults JFK-BOM
Option 1 - r/t on chase travel - approx $7000 or 475k chase ultimate reward points (kuwait air outbound, saudia return where I know jeddah airport is bad). With sapphire reserve, I'm getting 1.5 for my points
Option 2 - o/w on chase travel - $5000 or 340k chase ultimate reward points + 210k Aadvantage points (kuwait air outbouhnd, etihad return)
If you value UR at 2.2 points and AA at 1.4, the above options come very close in what you are spending. I do have quite a few AA miles built up in my accounts and after seeing them devalue year over year, I am attracted more towards option 2 just to use some of them
Thanks
Oct 22, 2018, 5:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,135
the 75/85 awards are 2 stops. I'm flying Dec 3 - 27
Oct 22, 2018, 9:10 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MCO, YEG
Posts: 1,182
I see Egyptair one stop from JFK through Cairo on Dec 3 for 85K United miles. Should save you 85K Ultimate rewards. And I would take the AA return if it was me.
Oct 24, 2018, 1:32 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 138
Are $ values on Chase UR always higher than other place online?
Looking to cash in some of my Chase UR points and was surprised that the prices quoted on the UR site were higher than what I could find elsewhere online. Looked at aa.com and avis.com. The flights were about $50 more each (and in basic economy) compared to the aa.com published regular economy fare. On Avis, cars were about $10+ dollars a day more. Is this common? Or did I just stumble across two bad examples? I'm very sad to think my UR points are not as valuable as I thought.
Oct 24, 2018, 7:27 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 39
Booking on the portal, are UA bookings economy (and not basic economy)?
Will UA economy bookings earn PQM?
Will UA economy bookings earn PQM?
Oct 25, 2018, 11:06 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA/AA
Posts: 1,741
Chase has just expanded the Expedia search engine for Sapphire Reserve card Ultimate Rewards. Until today it was limited solely to the Chase Freedom card.
Oct 25, 2018, 11:34 am
#11
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Oct 25, 2018, 12:42 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 2
Chase No Longer Booking Allegiant?
Called Ultimate Rewards twice and spoke to 2 different representatives and both stated that Allegiant is no longer a travel partner and they are unable to book them. Articles I've read about the switch to Expedia referenced the ability to book Allegiant (one made reference to being able to book it on the site, the other referenced still having to call). I've booked a number of flights over the phone with Ultimate Rewards in the last 2 years on Allegiant so not sure if this is due to the switch to Expedia, or if the reps I talked to don't know what they are doing.
Is anyone able to confirm this? Not sure if it matters, but I've got the Sapphire Reserve and can confirm I'm on the new Expedia site.
Thanks!
Is anyone able to confirm this? Not sure if it matters, but I've got the Sapphire Reserve and can confirm I'm on the new Expedia site.
Thanks!
Oct 25, 2018, 2:11 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,088
Called Ultimate Rewards twice and spoke to 2 different representatives and both stated that Allegiant is no longer a travel partner and they are unable to book them. Articles I've read about the switch to Expedia referenced the ability to book Allegiant (one made reference to being able to book it on the site, the other referenced still having to call). I've booked a number of flights over the phone with Ultimate Rewards in the last 2 years on Allegiant so not sure if this is due to the switch to Expedia, or if the reps I talked to don't know what they are doing.
Is anyone able to confirm this? Not sure if it matters, but I've got the Sapphire Reserve and can confirm I'm on the new Expedia site.
Thanks!
Is anyone able to confirm this? Not sure if it matters, but I've got the Sapphire Reserve and can confirm I'm on the new Expedia site.
Thanks!
I searched flts on EXPEDIA from LAS>AUS and did not find Allegiant offered. I'm guessing you were told the truth.
Oct 25, 2018, 2:37 pm
#14
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
At expedia.com the Advanced Options > Preferred Airline picklist includes Allegiant. The travel.chase.com picklist does not. This suggests that Allegiant is simply not offered.
Oct 25, 2018, 2:41 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 2
Just spoke to my 3rd rep and her supervisor. They confirmed that Allegiant and Southwest are not able to be booked online or over the phone currently. They are in talks to offer Southwest sometime in 2019 though. Eliminates alot of the benefit of UR as I mainly travel to Las Vegas and they are one of the better flight times non stop out of Cincinnati.