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 Posts from January to mid-October 2018 have been archived to a separate thread.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.
Dec 16, 2018, 9:16 pm
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
I have good results using the IE browser.
Dec 18, 2018, 7:26 am
#92
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: West Michigan
Programs: DL, UA, AA, B6, BA (airline status-free leisure traveler), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,963
When I called UR last night to cancel a flight that had a major time change, they said that the ability to book flights was currently down.
I just tried this morning, using both IE and Chrome. I could departure flights to pull up, but not return flights.
I just tried this morning, using both IE and Chrome. I could departure flights to pull up, but not return flights.
Dec 18, 2018, 1:10 pm
#93
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
So, do we know how refunds are handled when refundable bookings are cancelled. Do you get UR points back or cash?
Dec 18, 2018, 1:46 pm
#94
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: West Michigan
Programs: DL, UA, AA, B6, BA (airline status-free leisure traveler), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,963
In the case of my flights, it was a non-refundable ticket. They cancelled it for me anyways, at no charge, since the change was greater than two hours. They put the UR back into my account.
I did not want them to change my existing reservations, because the price went down. I will re-book myself when the system is back up, saving me about $500 total for three tix.
I did not want them to change my existing reservations, because the price went down. I will re-book myself when the system is back up, saving me about $500 total for three tix.
Dec 18, 2018, 2:04 pm
#95
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,027
In my case, they noted that I was an Alaska Airlines Gold and so tix were cancellable. (The UR agent talked with an AS agent while I was on the line). Points went back and I was told the "cash" portion would be returned to my credit card within 3-6 (!!!!) billing cycles.
Dec 18, 2018, 5:41 pm
#97
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
In the case of my flights, it was a non-refundable ticket. They cancelled it for me anyways, at no charge, since the change was greater than two hours. They put the UR back into my account.
I did not want them to change my existing reservations, because the price went down. I will re-book myself when the system is back up, saving me about $500 total for three tix.
I did not want them to change my existing reservations, because the price went down. I will re-book myself when the system is back up, saving me about $500 total for three tix.
In my case, they noted that I was an Alaska Airlines Gold and so tix were cancellable. (The UR agent talked with an AS agent while I was on the line). Points went back and I was told the "cash" portion would be returned to my credit card within 3-6 (!!!!) billing cycles.
Dec 18, 2018, 6:31 pm
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
Dec 19, 2018, 1:43 pm
#99
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Loews Platinum
Posts: 629
I booked a flight reservation a week ago and it still says: "Ticketing in progress. No need to call to reconfirm."
Should I be concerned? Can I cancel it since it's not been ticketed?
Thanks!
Should I be concerned? Can I cancel it since it's not been ticketed?
Thanks!
Dec 19, 2018, 2:38 pm
#100
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
Done. But I expect the topic will have to be expanded as experience grows.
For instance, suppose I want to book a cruise with XYZ Cruiseline that costs $2500. I have a CSR and I use 150,000 UR points to cover $2250 of that. I pay the remaining $250 with my CSR. Expedia* sends $2500 to XYZ Cruiseline. Fine. Now, let's say I have to cancel that cruise inside the penalty window. It's 15 months later (that may be important). Let's supposed there's a 50% penalty and thus a 50% refund due. XYZ Cruiseline sends Expedia $1250. What does Expedia do with it? I presume it increases my CSR UR balance by 75,000 and refunds $125 to my CSR card. But do we know for sure? Maybe Expedia will refund the whole $1250 to my credit card because A) Expedia is so automated it doesn't know any better, or B) the intervening long time (15 months) plays a factor. I dunno.
Note: Here's further uncertainty. Normally, whenever I've gotten a refund from a cruise line, the travel agency I used never sees any of that money. XYZ Cruiseline refunds the amount directly to my credit card. So, will Expedia even see it?
*Expedia may actually be an associated agency handling cruise bookings, but you get the idea.
For instance, suppose I want to book a cruise with XYZ Cruiseline that costs $2500. I have a CSR and I use 150,000 UR points to cover $2250 of that. I pay the remaining $250 with my CSR. Expedia* sends $2500 to XYZ Cruiseline. Fine. Now, let's say I have to cancel that cruise inside the penalty window. It's 15 months later (that may be important). Let's supposed there's a 50% penalty and thus a 50% refund due. XYZ Cruiseline sends Expedia $1250. What does Expedia do with it? I presume it increases my CSR UR balance by 75,000 and refunds $125 to my CSR card. But do we know for sure? Maybe Expedia will refund the whole $1250 to my credit card because A) Expedia is so automated it doesn't know any better, or B) the intervening long time (15 months) plays a factor. I dunno.
Note: Here's further uncertainty. Normally, whenever I've gotten a refund from a cruise line, the travel agency I used never sees any of that money. XYZ Cruiseline refunds the amount directly to my credit card. So, will Expedia even see it?
*Expedia may actually be an associated agency handling cruise bookings, but you get the idea.
Dec 19, 2018, 8:41 pm
#101
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
Done. But I expect the topic will have to be expanded as experience grows.
For instance, suppose I want to book a cruise with XYZ Cruiseline that costs $2500. I have a CSR and I use 150,000 UR points to cover $2250 of that. I pay the remaining $250 with my CSR. Expedia* sends $2500 to XYZ Cruiseline. Fine. Now, let's say I have to cancel that cruise inside the penalty window. It's 15 months later (that may be important). Let's supposed there's a 50% penalty and thus a 50% refund due. XYZ Cruiseline sends Expedia $1250. What does Expedia do with it? I presume it increases my CSR UR balance by 75,000 and refunds $125 to my CSR card. But do we know for sure? Maybe Expedia will refund the whole $1250 to my credit card because A) Expedia is so automated it doesn't know any better, or B) the intervening long time (15 months) plays a factor. I dunno.
Note: Here's further uncertainty. Normally, whenever I've gotten a refund from a cruise line, the travel agency I used never sees any of that money. XYZ Cruiseline refunds the amount directly to my credit card. So, will Expedia even see it?
*Expedia may actually be an associated agency handling cruise bookings, but you get the idea.
For instance, suppose I want to book a cruise with XYZ Cruiseline that costs $2500. I have a CSR and I use 150,000 UR points to cover $2250 of that. I pay the remaining $250 with my CSR. Expedia* sends $2500 to XYZ Cruiseline. Fine. Now, let's say I have to cancel that cruise inside the penalty window. It's 15 months later (that may be important). Let's supposed there's a 50% penalty and thus a 50% refund due. XYZ Cruiseline sends Expedia $1250. What does Expedia do with it? I presume it increases my CSR UR balance by 75,000 and refunds $125 to my CSR card. But do we know for sure? Maybe Expedia will refund the whole $1250 to my credit card because A) Expedia is so automated it doesn't know any better, or B) the intervening long time (15 months) plays a factor. I dunno.
Note: Here's further uncertainty. Normally, whenever I've gotten a refund from a cruise line, the travel agency I used never sees any of that money. XYZ Cruiseline refunds the amount directly to my credit card. So, will Expedia even see it?
*Expedia may actually be an associated agency handling cruise bookings, but you get the idea.
Unless one MUST take a specific cruise, Dont see why one needs / wants to book so well ahead.
One SIL lives in Toronto once booked a TATL within 1 week of sailing, Ft. Lauderdale to Southampton, after 4 siblings have booked on the same cruise, all independently and at different time ranging from 3 months ahead to just a month ahead. She finally decided she wanted to go, too. Her cruise agent had no trouble to give her the equivalent of a Princess SBC that was no longer available, as a direct discount from the cruise fare. So she made out better than any of her siblings!
Dec 19, 2018, 9:06 pm
#102
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 182
On another note, Expedia sent me a half hour schedule change notification for that flight 2 hours before DL did!
Dec 20, 2018, 1:24 pm
#103
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
Done. But I expect the topic will have to be expanded as experience grows.
For instance, suppose I want to book a cruise with XYZ Cruiseline that costs $2500. I have a CSR and I use 150,000 UR points to cover $2250 of that. I pay the remaining $250 with my CSR. Expedia* sends $2500 to XYZ Cruiseline. Fine. Now, let's say I have to cancel that cruise inside the penalty window. It's 15 months later (that may be important). Let's supposed there's a 50% penalty and thus a 50% refund due. XYZ Cruiseline sends Expedia $1250. What does Expedia do with it? I presume it increases my CSR UR balance by 75,000 and refunds $125 to my CSR card. But do we know for sure? Maybe Expedia will refund the whole $1250 to my credit card because A) Expedia is so automated it doesn't know any better, or B) the intervening long time (15 months) plays a factor. I dunno.
Note: Here's further uncertainty. Normally, whenever I've gotten a refund from a cruise line, the travel agency I used never sees any of that money. XYZ Cruiseline refunds the amount directly to my credit card. So, will Expedia even see it?
*Expedia may actually be an associated agency handling cruise bookings, but you get the idea.
For instance, suppose I want to book a cruise with XYZ Cruiseline that costs $2500. I have a CSR and I use 150,000 UR points to cover $2250 of that. I pay the remaining $250 with my CSR. Expedia* sends $2500 to XYZ Cruiseline. Fine. Now, let's say I have to cancel that cruise inside the penalty window. It's 15 months later (that may be important). Let's supposed there's a 50% penalty and thus a 50% refund due. XYZ Cruiseline sends Expedia $1250. What does Expedia do with it? I presume it increases my CSR UR balance by 75,000 and refunds $125 to my CSR card. But do we know for sure? Maybe Expedia will refund the whole $1250 to my credit card because A) Expedia is so automated it doesn't know any better, or B) the intervening long time (15 months) plays a factor. I dunno.
Note: Here's further uncertainty. Normally, whenever I've gotten a refund from a cruise line, the travel agency I used never sees any of that money. XYZ Cruiseline refunds the amount directly to my credit card. So, will Expedia even see it?
*Expedia may actually be an associated agency handling cruise bookings, but you get the idea.
Dec 21, 2018, 4:15 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Programs: United Silver, Hyatt, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Amex Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 751
So for the first time Im looking to book air on UR Portal (have only done hotels previously)
Im sorry have some basic questions...
Looking for a flight from HKG-NAR and found a flight under full refundable, however in check it says: Tickets are refundable with a penalty fee of HK$1,400 - this is almost $200USD
1) Is this Expedia's fee?
2) If I use a combo of Case and UR Points, if I cancel, how quickly does the points get redeposited back into account? How quickly does $ get credited back to the card? (less the HK#1400)
3) Is there anything else I need to know about a refundable fare booking this way?
Thank you in advance for your help
Im sorry have some basic questions...
Looking for a flight from HKG-NAR and found a flight under full refundable, however in check it says: Tickets are refundable with a penalty fee of HK$1,400 - this is almost $200USD
1) Is this Expedia's fee?
2) If I use a combo of Case and UR Points, if I cancel, how quickly does the points get redeposited back into account? How quickly does $ get credited back to the card? (less the HK#1400)
3) Is there anything else I need to know about a refundable fare booking this way?
Thank you in advance for your help
Dec 21, 2018, 4:21 pm
#105
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958