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 Posts from January to mid-October 2018 have been archived to a separate thread.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.
Mar 16, 2020, 1:22 am
#676
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond, BW Diamond Select
Posts: 469
You may not need to call, read here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showwiki.php?t=2012100
May 23, 2020, 9:07 am
#677
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Knoxville, TN
Programs: Delta (diamond), Hilton (diamond)
Posts: 76
When rebooking goes horribly wrong
TL/DR: Rebooked in lower class of service without my express consent. What now?
Hello! I've skimmed the 46+ pages and couldn't see anything uniquely like my recent issue. Allow me to expand.
I got in on the Jan 2020 LAX-KUL on QR Qsuites for ~$2400 and amazingly, found the same fare on Chase UR. I booked with points+cash, got the PNR, selected seats, everything was great. Until the recent viral issues, of course. QR recently changed their rebooking policies to something VERY generous (see QR threads and salivating on blogs) so I figured I'd try my hand at changing my origin from LAX to ATL - perfectly legal and free under the QR policies.
2 calls to Chase/Expedia went nowhere: no knowledge of the updated QR rebooking policy. I tried chat - figured I could paste the URL to the QR rebooking policy (complete with instructions on how to change ticket details on GDS). No luck for the first few attempts, getting caught up on change fees and fare differences. Then, success, flights found, no fare difference, rebook? Yes!
Then I checked my PNR on the QR site to grab new seats. Rebooked from QR R-fare (business) to QR S-fare (economy). !@#%!#%. No mention of the cabin downgrade on the chat whatsoever! Cue endless calls and delays with Chase/Expedia. "Already been reticketed Mr. TYSDoc, can't change!" Finally talked to a supervisor who agreed Chase/Expedia should be making it right and they'd pony up and restore the original ticket at their cost. And since then, nothing.
Has anyone experienced this? What was your outcome? It seems *similar* to the schedule changes above but not quite. What recourse is there if Chase/Expedia don't follow through? Has anyone had success with going around Chase/Expedia directly to the airline to plead their case? Has anyone successfully transferred their booking from Chase/Expedia to the airline?
TL/DR: Rebooked in lower class of service without my express consent. What now?
Hello! I've skimmed the 46+ pages and couldn't see anything uniquely like my recent issue. Allow me to expand.
I got in on the Jan 2020 LAX-KUL on QR Qsuites for ~$2400 and amazingly, found the same fare on Chase UR. I booked with points+cash, got the PNR, selected seats, everything was great. Until the recent viral issues, of course. QR recently changed their rebooking policies to something VERY generous (see QR threads and salivating on blogs) so I figured I'd try my hand at changing my origin from LAX to ATL - perfectly legal and free under the QR policies.
2 calls to Chase/Expedia went nowhere: no knowledge of the updated QR rebooking policy. I tried chat - figured I could paste the URL to the QR rebooking policy (complete with instructions on how to change ticket details on GDS). No luck for the first few attempts, getting caught up on change fees and fare differences. Then, success, flights found, no fare difference, rebook? Yes!
Then I checked my PNR on the QR site to grab new seats. Rebooked from QR R-fare (business) to QR S-fare (economy). !@#%!#%. No mention of the cabin downgrade on the chat whatsoever! Cue endless calls and delays with Chase/Expedia. "Already been reticketed Mr. TYSDoc, can't change!" Finally talked to a supervisor who agreed Chase/Expedia should be making it right and they'd pony up and restore the original ticket at their cost. And since then, nothing.
Has anyone experienced this? What was your outcome? It seems *similar* to the schedule changes above but not quite. What recourse is there if Chase/Expedia don't follow through? Has anyone had success with going around Chase/Expedia directly to the airline to plead their case? Has anyone successfully transferred their booking from Chase/Expedia to the airline?
May 23, 2020, 10:11 am
#678
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
The moral of the story above is that the use of UR points is very delicate and they are best used when the booking is simple, relatively close-in, and there will be no attempt by the customer to make any changes at all. There can be huge problems when URExpedia makes changes unilaterally but for the sake of the almighty, never think that you will be able make any within the published rules adjustments or changes without running into serious and frequently insurmountable problems.
May 23, 2020, 12:38 pm
#679
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
May 27, 2020, 2:38 pm
#680
Join Date: May 2020
Programs: UA, DL, AA, B6, WN
Posts: 101
When rebooking goes horribly wrong
TL/DR: Rebooked in lower class of service without my express consent. What now?
Hello! I've skimmed the 46+ pages and couldn't see anything uniquely like my recent issue. Allow me to expand.
I got in on the Jan 2020 LAX-KUL on QR Qsuites for ~$2400 and amazingly, found the same fare on Chase UR. I booked with points+cash, got the PNR, selected seats, everything was great. Until the recent viral issues, of course. QR recently changed their rebooking policies to something VERY generous (see QR threads and salivating on blogs) so I figured I'd try my hand at changing my origin from LAX to ATL - perfectly legal and free under the QR policies.
2 calls to Chase/Expedia went nowhere: no knowledge of the updated QR rebooking policy. I tried chat - figured I could paste the URL to the QR rebooking policy (complete with instructions on how to change ticket details on GDS). No luck for the first few attempts, getting caught up on change fees and fare differences. Then, success, flights found, no fare difference, rebook? Yes!
Then I checked my PNR on the QR site to grab new seats. Rebooked from QR R-fare (business) to QR S-fare (economy). !@#%!#%. No mention of the cabin downgrade on the chat whatsoever! Cue endless calls and delays with Chase/Expedia. "Already been reticketed Mr. TYSDoc, can't change!" Finally talked to a supervisor who agreed Chase/Expedia should be making it right and they'd pony up and restore the original ticket at their cost. And since then, nothing.
Has anyone experienced this? What was your outcome? It seems *similar* to the schedule changes above but not quite. What recourse is there if Chase/Expedia don't follow through? Has anyone had success with going around Chase/Expedia directly to the airline to plead their case? Has anyone successfully transferred their booking from Chase/Expedia to the airline?
TL/DR: Rebooked in lower class of service without my express consent. What now?
Hello! I've skimmed the 46+ pages and couldn't see anything uniquely like my recent issue. Allow me to expand.
I got in on the Jan 2020 LAX-KUL on QR Qsuites for ~$2400 and amazingly, found the same fare on Chase UR. I booked with points+cash, got the PNR, selected seats, everything was great. Until the recent viral issues, of course. QR recently changed their rebooking policies to something VERY generous (see QR threads and salivating on blogs) so I figured I'd try my hand at changing my origin from LAX to ATL - perfectly legal and free under the QR policies.
2 calls to Chase/Expedia went nowhere: no knowledge of the updated QR rebooking policy. I tried chat - figured I could paste the URL to the QR rebooking policy (complete with instructions on how to change ticket details on GDS). No luck for the first few attempts, getting caught up on change fees and fare differences. Then, success, flights found, no fare difference, rebook? Yes!
Then I checked my PNR on the QR site to grab new seats. Rebooked from QR R-fare (business) to QR S-fare (economy). !@#%!#%. No mention of the cabin downgrade on the chat whatsoever! Cue endless calls and delays with Chase/Expedia. "Already been reticketed Mr. TYSDoc, can't change!" Finally talked to a supervisor who agreed Chase/Expedia should be making it right and they'd pony up and restore the original ticket at their cost. And since then, nothing.
Has anyone experienced this? What was your outcome? It seems *similar* to the schedule changes above but not quite. What recourse is there if Chase/Expedia don't follow through? Has anyone had success with going around Chase/Expedia directly to the airline to plead their case? Has anyone successfully transferred their booking from Chase/Expedia to the airline?
Jun 8, 2020, 7:19 pm
#681
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Carlsbad,CA USA
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanuim/Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 1,534
Chase UR Points for Plane flight with Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
I have a Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. I just logged into my account and the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel site to check on pricing for some plane flights. For a $199 flight, it is showing the coast as 19,900 Chase UR points. I thought UR points were worth 1.5 cents each so the flight should cost around 13,000 points?
Also, can you book Southwest flight using Ultimate reward points?
Also, can you book Southwest flight using Ultimate reward points?
Jun 8, 2020, 7:30 pm
#682
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
You must book WN by phone:
Last edited by mia; Jun 8, 2020 at 7:36 pm
Jun 17, 2020, 8:23 pm
#683
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Knoxville, TN
Programs: Delta (diamond), Hilton (diamond)
Posts: 76
When rebooking goes horribly wrong part II
A quick update on this is warranted. I wanted to allow various complaints and escalations work through the system before posting.
- ticket was downgraded to economy without my knowledge. The chat agent admitted to the mistake in a later chat
- request for original ticket reinstatement denied. "We're happy with the resolution" !! But hey, at least I have $1600 in QR vouchers from the fare difference... which I could only use with Chase/Expedia
- numerous escalations to supervisors on the phone. They sound friendly and capable, but they're really not. Promised call backs. Guess what? No call backs.
- Chase/Expedia cancel the ticket in its entirety without my permission. I get a full refund of cash + UR points. But now I've got additional non-refundable travel plans to reconcile.
I can only say this: DO NOT! use your UR points with Chase Travel while Expedia hold the contract. Transfer them to the airline partners, or cash them out and walk away. The 1.5c per UR point is a poison pill.
A quick update on this is warranted. I wanted to allow various complaints and escalations work through the system before posting.
- ticket was downgraded to economy without my knowledge. The chat agent admitted to the mistake in a later chat
- request for original ticket reinstatement denied. "We're happy with the resolution" !! But hey, at least I have $1600 in QR vouchers from the fare difference... which I could only use with Chase/Expedia
- numerous escalations to supervisors on the phone. They sound friendly and capable, but they're really not. Promised call backs. Guess what? No call backs.
- Chase/Expedia cancel the ticket in its entirety without my permission. I get a full refund of cash + UR points. But now I've got additional non-refundable travel plans to reconcile.
I can only say this: DO NOT! use your UR points with Chase Travel while Expedia hold the contract. Transfer them to the airline partners, or cash them out and walk away. The 1.5c per UR point is a poison pill.
Last edited by TYSDoc; Jun 17, 2020 at 8:24 pm Reason: added title
Jun 27, 2020, 8:02 am
#684
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Delta Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 362
Redeem UR points for RV rental?
Is this possible? Have searched and have not found any reports about this. If you have done this, please share details. Thanks.
Jun 28, 2020, 1:06 pm
#685
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
Anything NOT shows up on UR portal, except WN flight and Cruises, are NOT bookable with UR pts. This is the case since when Chase used Expedia to handle UR bookings. Not that Connexions can book RV but in the past Connexions can book flights MANUALLY if the flights not show up on UR portal. That ability is taken away since Expedia became the agent.
Jul 9, 2020, 1:47 pm
#686
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Alaska MM, AA MM, BA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 321
Bonvoy Reservation Through UR
I have done some research on Flyertalk and other sources but have not seen information specific to what I am seeing. I am looking to book a room in April 2021 for 7 nights in London at a Bonvoy property and am lifetime Gold. The UR Points/$ amounts are much better than the Bonvoy site. Here is what I am seeing as of today on UR and Bonvoy sites:
Marriott County Hall Executive Room (Access to M Club I believe regardless of status correct?) - UR: 183,085 pts/stay or $2,746/stay. Bonvoy - 465,000 pts/stay + 420 GBP or $4,277/stay. That is a difference of 281,915 points and $1,531.
Marriott Park Tower Knightbridge Executive Suite with Breakfast - UR: 284,361 pts/stay or $4,265/stay. Bonvoy - 801,000 pts/stay or $4,858/stay. That is a difference of 516,639 points and $1,868.
Am I missing something? If I book through UR, I understand I won't get night credits for the stay but does anyone have experience booking through UR and getting their Gold Benefits? It sure seems to me to be worth it to use UR as the savings are substantial. Just want to make sure I am not seeing this wrong since this would be my first time using UR points. Thanks.
Marriott County Hall Executive Room (Access to M Club I believe regardless of status correct?) - UR: 183,085 pts/stay or $2,746/stay. Bonvoy - 465,000 pts/stay + 420 GBP or $4,277/stay. That is a difference of 281,915 points and $1,531.
Marriott Park Tower Knightbridge Executive Suite with Breakfast - UR: 284,361 pts/stay or $4,265/stay. Bonvoy - 801,000 pts/stay or $4,858/stay. That is a difference of 516,639 points and $1,868.
Am I missing something? If I book through UR, I understand I won't get night credits for the stay but does anyone have experience booking through UR and getting their Gold Benefits? It sure seems to me to be worth it to use UR as the savings are substantial. Just want to make sure I am not seeing this wrong since this would be my first time using UR points. Thanks.
Jul 9, 2020, 2:32 pm
#687
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
When you book with UR points you are booking through Expedia, and they are converting the points to money. What is the cost if you book at marriott.com with money rather than Bonvoy points?
Jul 9, 2020, 3:31 pm
#688
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Alaska MM, AA MM, BA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 321
The dollar costs under Bonvoy in my original post are the cheapest rates I could find on their website. I am a AAA member so the rates in my original note are the ones from Bovoy and are significantly more expensive than through UR.
Jul 9, 2020, 5:49 pm
#689
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
Earlier this week I had success using UR to book a next-day flight. I booked Alaska Airlines, then a few hours after that I needed to switch to a later flight on Delta. I canceled the Alaska ticket, which was instantly refunded. I got 1.5 cents per point in redemption value and conserved cash. No complaints. I would say UR works pretty well for short-notice reservations. My two experiences with distant future bookings, one of which I needed to cancel, were equally successful. But none of these bookings had any complexity or vendor-initiated changes.
Jul 10, 2020, 9:23 am
#690
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766