Chase Ultimate Rewards: Your Family's Ticket to Travel Savings

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Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) points are a powerhouse in the travel hacking world, offering incredible flexibility for families looking to stretch their vacation budget. But understanding how to earn and redeem them can feel a bit overwhelming at first. Let's break down the basics.


Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards

You can accumulate UR points with a variety of Chase credit cards, as long as they're not co-branded with specific airlines or hotels (think United, Southwest, etc.). This means cards like the Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited, and, of course, the premium Sapphire and Ink cards, are your gateways to earning UR points.

Combining and Pooling Points

Here's where things get really powerful:

  • Premium Card Advantage: If you hold a premium Chase card, Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Preferred, you can combine all your UR points from other Chase cards into that account (click on the links above to compare the benefits and see which card is best for you). This creates a central pool of points, making them easier to manage and redeem. You must hold one of the premium cards to transfer your Ultimate Rewards (UR) to travel partners. You can only hold one Sapphire card at a time. 
  • Household Pooling: If your partner (P2)  shares your home address, they can transfer their UR points to your account. This is a fantastic way to combine your family's points for even bigger travel rewards. You and your P2 will both need to be present on a call when you initially set this up. Once the link between your accounts is created, you can do it in the portal.
    • To combine / pool points: 
      1. In the Chase app or website, navigate to Ultimate Rewards > Rewards Details > Combine Points
      2. On this screen, you will select the card that you want to transfer from on the left and the card that you want to transfer to on the right (this should be your premium card) and then choose Next.
      3. On the next screen, input the number of points that you wish to transfer at the bottom of the screen and submit. The transfer should be immediate. You may need to log out and back in for the totals to update.
  • Referrals: Once you hold a card, you should always refer your P2 so that you earn the referral points! 
  • Transferring to Partners: Once you've pooled your points, you can transfer them to Chase's travel partners (airlines and hotels). However, remember this is a one-way street! Once points are transferred, they reside with that partner's program. So, always confirm availability before transferring.

Understanding Point Currencies and Portals

  • Each bank has its own point currency (e.g., Chase UR, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles). These are separate and cannot be combined.
  • Chase has its own travel portal, through which you can book flights, hotels, and more using your UR points.
  • Portal vs. Transfer:
    • Transferring points to partners is often the best value. Check out the examples below for specific examples.
    • On occasion, portal deals are unbeatable, or you need to utilize specific card benefits like the $50 annual hotel credit. 
    • Be aware that booking through the portal is essentially a third-party booking, similar to using Expedia or Priceline. This can lead to complications if issues arise, so we usually advise against it.

Practice Makes Perfect: Understanding Redemptions

The best way to get comfortable with UR points is to practice!

  • Loyalty Accounts: Create loyalty accounts with Chase's travel partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest. Be sure that the name on your credit card matches the name on your loyalty account. This is very important!
  • Award Searches: Start running practice award searches directly on airline and hotel websites. 
  • Understanding Award Pricing:
    • Southwest uses dynamic pricing, meaning point values fluctuate based on demand. The higher the demand and cash price, the more points you'll need in order to book. 
    • United offers "Saver Awards" (the lowest point rates), which are limited. This is the absolute best point price available. Once these Saver Awards are gone, you'll be subject to dynamic pricing.
    • Hyatt uses a fixed award calendar with peak and off-peak pricing, making it predictable. Hyatt properties are Category 1-8 or Category A- F for all-inclusive properties. 
  • Award Availability: Hotel award space is limited, especially during peak travel times. Be prepared to book far in advance or look for last-minute cancellations. Hyatt opens their award calendar 13 months in advance.

Portal vs. Transferring Ultimate Rewards directly to Hyatt


Another example demonstrating the value of transferring Ultimate Rewards to transfer partners

Visit the Travel Savvy Family IG for more about transfer bonuses!

Key Takeaways for Travel Savvy Families

  • Transferring your Ultimate Rewards to partners is almost always the better use of your points! 
  • Combine your UR points onto a premium Chase card.
  • Always confirm award availability before transferring points to partners.
  • Practice running award searches to familiarize yourself with redemption options.
  • Understand dynamic vs fixed award pricing.
  • Be ready to book in advance, or to look for last-minute availability.

By mastering the basics of Chase Ultimate Rewards, your family can unlock incredible travel experiences and make your vacation dreams a reality!

As always, we truly appreciate it when you use our referral links! It is free for you, and it is a great way to say thanks!

Happy travel! ✈️🌍

The Travel Savvy Family

- Wander More, Spend Less







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