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 Posts from January to mid-October 2018 have been archived to a separate thread.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.
Jan 22, 2019, 8:11 am
#151
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 55
Forgive me if this has already been addressed.
I have tried multiple times, different computers and browsers to book delta flights through UR with CSR via points. Every time after selecting my flights, I get a message saying the price has now changed and they went up by 15K UR points! Seems to only occur for me with Delta flights. Is this a known issue?
I miss the previous UR portal without Expedia.
I have tried multiple times, different computers and browsers to book delta flights through UR with CSR via points. Every time after selecting my flights, I get a message saying the price has now changed and they went up by 15K UR points! Seems to only occur for me with Delta flights. Is this a known issue?
I miss the previous UR portal without Expedia.
Jan 22, 2019, 3:32 pm
#152
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 182
Didnt see this issue when I booked a OW domestic ticket on Delta a month or 2 ago.
Jan 23, 2019, 11:44 pm
#153
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Star Alliance Gold, Titanium Elite Marriott, Celebrity Elite, IHG, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 343
Just tried to book a one way ticket from LAX to CNS on Delta four times on line. Error message "Sorry we are unable to complete booking." I called CSR she tried received the same error. I gave different flights same error. She spoke to her supervisor who said there were no error in the system. The representative transferred me to another agent who received the same error. This agent left me on the phone for another forty minutes. I am going to call the Chase Sapphire Reserve CSR to see if there is anything they can do.
Jan 24, 2019, 11:07 am
#154
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Star Alliance Gold, Titanium Elite Marriott, Celebrity Elite, IHG, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 343
Tried to book a one way ticket from LAX to CNS on Delta again this morning same message "Sorry We weren't able to proceed with your booking. You may return to the previous page to try again. Otherwise, please try your search again."
The CSR tried received the same message. Chase UR unable to issue any book.
The CSR tried received the same message. Chase UR unable to issue any book.
Jan 25, 2019, 8:52 am
#155
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 2
Chase UR Points, Huge point balance
As of next month I'll have just over 2,000,000 points on my reserve card. Is it foolish to keep the balance vs taking a cash payment? Is there any chance that Chase would cancel the card just to avoid paying out on the points?
Jan 25, 2019, 9:06 am
#156
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
Jan 25, 2019, 11:01 am
#157
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 88
In my personal opinion, it seems slightly foolish considering that saved points don't accrue interest. If you do plan on redeeming the points in the near future, it makes no difference. However if you don't plan on redeeming for several months, why not cash out, put it in a 2.2% APY online savings account, and accrue massive interest?
Jan 25, 2019, 11:18 am
#158
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 2
In my personal opinion, it seems slightly foolish considering that saved points don't accrue interest. If you do plan on redeeming the points in the near future, it makes no difference. However if you don't plan on redeeming for several months, why not cash out, put it in a 2.2% APY online savings account, and accrue massive interest?
Jan 25, 2019, 1:16 pm
#159
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,089
In my personal opinion, it seems slightly foolish considering that saved points don't accrue interest. If you do plan on redeeming the points in the near future, it makes no difference. However if you don't plan on redeeming for several months, why not cash out, put it in a 2.2% APY online savings account, and accrue massive interest?
This. Use what you can to book travel, save some for emergency travel and cash out the rest.
Jan 25, 2019, 6:37 pm
#160
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Star Alliance Gold, Titanium Elite Marriott, Celebrity Elite, IHG, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 343
Chase ultimate reward points
In my personal opinion, it seems slightly foolish considering that saved points don't accrue interest. If you do plan on redeeming the points in the near future, it makes no difference. However if you don't plan on redeeming for several months, why not cash out, put it in a 2.2% APY online savings account, and accrue massive interest?
Jan 25, 2019, 6:46 pm
#161
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
Jan 25, 2019, 6:48 pm
#162
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,299
I recommend holding and transferring to a partner program when you can get a desired award flight or award stay. Agree that earned points are a constantly devaluing asset and that they do not earn interest. But considering the markedly increased difficulty in obtaining points and miles, I submit that they are essentially an appreciating asset. The past few years have seen miles earned by flying, for most people, to be dramatically reduced. Almost every credit card issuer has instituted significant restrictions on churning accounts and/or bonuses. Most of the low hanging fruit of MS has been eliminated. I submit that the increased difficulty of earning miles and points surpasses their perceived and actual devaluation and absence of accruing interest.
Last edited by Dr Jabadski; Jan 26, 2019 at 8:06 am
Jan 25, 2019, 8:14 pm
#163
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Star Alliance Gold, Titanium Elite Marriott, Celebrity Elite, IHG, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 343
Jan 25, 2019, 10:09 pm
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,089
I booked a couple AS tix using Chase UR (never thought I'd do it) this afternoon with no issue.
Last edited by philemer; Jan 25, 2019 at 11:49 pm
Jan 25, 2019, 10:59 pm
#165
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Star Alliance Gold, Titanium Elite Marriott, Celebrity Elite, IHG, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 343
Booking Flights on Ultimate Reward
I have been trying for three days. The CSR have tried for the last three days and have received the same error. It may be the inventory but the flights shows up on Expedia. The flight is a month away. I try to book three or four times a day. Sometimes I use my iPhone same error.