Alright, we've been talking a little bit already about earning credit card points for travel:
- Basic Rules and Fundamentals
- Which Cards to Start With
- How Many Points Award Travel Costs
- Another Way to Earn Points Other Than Credit Card Bonuses
...but we haven't actually yet about how to physically use those points and how to maximize their value. Let's dive in!
Combining Bank Points
But first, if you have multiple credit cards from the same bank, each card with their own points, you can combine those points together to your Sapphire or Ink Preferred card to transfer to travel partners (Amex does this automatically for you!)
1. If you're on a computer, navigate to your on Ultimate Rewards Home page (you can do this by clicking on any of your credit cards, then looking for your points and click Redeem.
2. At the top right should be your accounts (each card that earns points). Click the drop down arrow to see all of your accounts then click Combine.
3. Select the card you're transferring points FROM on the left and select the card on the right you're moving points to. Note that you need to choose your premium card to transfer points TO (this is your Sapphire or Business Preferred Card).
4. Click next, enter the amount of points to move, then click review and on the final page click Submit.
Partner Points Combining: You can also combine points with other account holders in your household. (i.e. my husband and I can combine our points). You'll have to call customer service to request to link your accounts.
Bank Travel Portals
For many people starting off with points, the bank tries to intuitively lead you to think that using your parents in their own travel portal is the best use of your points. Chase, Capital One, American Express, etc; all have a travel portal, that is accessible when you log into your bank account. But did you know that booking through your bank portal is just like booking through a third party like Expedia or Orbitz? It doesn't allow you to use your loyalty programs and if an issue arises you often don't have a direct contact/business to contact.
Remember how to calculate your cents per points (CPP)?
When using points to pay in a bank travel portal, you will typically see a CPP (cash/points ratio) of anywhere from 1:1 to 1:1.5 (depending on which bank and which card you have). While using your points here technically can lead to redeeming points for "free" travel; these redemptions are typically set at a fixed ratio of points per dollar. The bank tries to ploy you with these kind of tricks:
Transferring to Travel Partners
While the examples I'm sharing are mostly Chase Bank, the principals will apply to other institution's credit card points, just maybe not the specifics. Ultimate Rewards points (CURs) standard transfer rate is a 1:1 ratio to partner airlines and hotels, where you can then redeem your points directly through those partners rewards programs. This is a great way to book high-value redemptions at a reduced rate, like first class flights and luxury hotels, and how you can stretch your points farther. But if you’re not seeking luxury and just want a free trip, it helps there too 
Chase Travel Partners
Chase has three hotel partners and 11 airline partners that you can do direct points transfers to:
Don't see your favorite airline above as a direct transfer partner? Keep in mind that airlines unite together and have formed alliances that allow you to cross book among alliance airlines. Therefore, if an airline you want to fly isn't listed above as a direct travel partner; through alliances, you may still be able to fly a specific airline, as long as you transfer to their alliance partner and see the flight in the alliance airline's search.
For example, you can't directly transfer points to Lufthansa, but Lufthansa is in Star Alliance, as is United. Therefore, you may be able to search United and come across a Lufthansa flight that you can book by transferring points to and booking with United.
Steps to Transfer Points to Partners
1. You need to have a Chase premium card to transfer to travel partners. The options are:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred* or Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Business Ink Preferred <keep in mind there are four types of Ink Business cards. ONLY the Preferred gives access to transfer out of Chase
*This is also why so many people recommend Chase Sapphire Preferred as a great beginner card. It has a $95 annual fee but earns 2x’s points on travel, 3x points in dining and more; plus a $50 annual hotel credit when booked through Chase travel portal (this is the only time I personally use the portal, to reap this benefit).
2. First, you will need to create (or have) an account with whomever you want to transfer points to. (For example a Southwest Rapid Rewards account or a World of Hyatt account log in)
3. Log into your bank and navigate to your points/rewards system (For Chase: Click on your credit card where your points live by clicking on the credit card and then find your points. Click "Redeem".
4. This will load your Ultimate Rewards and you'll have the option to click Travel > Transfer points to partners.
If you're on your phone, click on your credit card, scroll down to Rewards and Benefits > click on Ultimate Reward Points. A new page will load; click on More > Transfer your points
5. This loads the Transfer page, where you can then access all of the travel partners.
6. Find the partner you want to transfer to. Click the ">" arrow and then click Transfer Points. This will direct you to 3-step page:
- You'll be prompted to enter your account number/log in information for the travel partner. Link your Travel Partner Account to Chase (ie where you input your frequent flyer #; you only need to do this the first time. In the future, your account is already linked). Once your travel partner account is linked, click Next.
- You'll then be asked how many points to transfer. Points can be transferred in 1,000-point increments. Keep in mind that all points transfers are final! Input the number of points to transfer and click Next
Transfers are often instantaneous (like United, Southwest, or Hyatt); if you log out and back into your travel partner account you should see the points. Although I've also seen others say it's taken 24hours - 5 business days to see the points appear (this is also come with other bank). The quicker the transfer, the better; as award bookings are limited availability and can increase in point-price or entirely go away.
It's important to verify the booking is available on the travel partner immediately before you transfer points, then book as soon as the points have been deposited to your travel partner.
(Ie, if you have a specific United flight you want to book - log into to United and search for the flight paying with Miles. Once you've confirmed the flight is available with points; immediately log into Chase and follow the steps above to transfer to United. Then log out of your United account, log back in (the points should be there), and book your flight before it's gone!
Remember, once universal points are transferred, they are stuck with the travel partner!
I'll be back next time with examples of WHY to transfer travel partners and just how many points you can save compared to booking the same exact thing in the portal.
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