Using Chase Sapphire Points for Travel Airfare: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Using your Chase Sapphire points for travel airfare can be a game-changer for your next trip.

First, log in to your Chase account online or through the Chase mobile app to access your points balance.

You can redeem your points for travel airfare through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, which offers over 500,000 travel options.

To get started, search for flights and hotels on the portal, and select the "Pay with Points" option.

This will give you an estimate of how many points you need to cover the cost of your trip.

You can also use your points to book travel through Chase's travel partners, such as Expedia or American Airlines.

Transfer Steps

To transfer your Chase Sapphire points for travel airfare, you'll need to hold a card that allows transferable points. Only the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card allow Chase Ultimate Rewards points to be transferred to airline frequent flyer programs.

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You'll need to select one of the 10 airline partners to transfer your points to. Some of these programs are better than others, but all transfer at a 1:1 ratio and require you to transfer in 1,000 point increments.

Once you've chosen your airline partner, you can transfer your points instantly for most programs. However, there are two programs to watch out for, where transfer times can take up to 48 hours: Air France/KLM Flying Blue and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

To ensure your flight is still available by the time the transfer clears, put your flight on hold before making the transfer. Here are the airline partners you can transfer your points to:

  • Aer Lingus AerClub
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Air France / KLM Flying Blue
  • Emirates Skywards
  • Iberia Plus
  • JetBlue
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
  • United Airlines MileagePlus
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Remember to transfer your points in 1,000 point increments to maximize your value.

Choosing Your Card and Airline

If you want to use your Chase Sapphire points for travel airfare, you'll need to choose the right card and airline. Only three Chase cards allow points to be transferred to airline frequent flyer programs: the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Sapphire Preferred, and the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.

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These cards are the only ones that allow you to transfer your points to airline partners. The others, like the Chase Freedom, earn points that can be redeemed on the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, but not transferred to airlines.

To transfer your points, you'll need to click on the program you wish to transfer your points to. The good news is that most transfers happen instantly, so you can leave a bank of points in your Chase Ultimate Rewards account until you need them and transfer them over quickly when you do.

Here are the 10 airline partners you can transfer your points to:

  • Aer Lingus AerClub
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Air France / KLM Flying Blue
  • Emirates Skywards
  • Iberia Plus
  • JetBlue
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
  • United Airlines MileagePlus
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Airline Transfer Cards

If you want to transfer your points to airlines, you'll need a card that allows this feature. Only three cards from Chase offer this ability: the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.

Most transfers happen instantly, which is a huge perk. You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to a variety of airlines, including Southwest Airlines, which is one of our favorites.

Credit: youtube.com, Beginner’s Guide to Transfer Partners for BIG VALUE (Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One Credit Cards)

Here are some of the airlines you can transfer your points to:

  • Aer Lingus
  • British Airways
  • Air Canada
  • Air France/Flying Blue
  • Korean Air Skypass
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • Southwest Airlines
  • United
  • Virgin Atlantic

We've used our Ultimate Rewards Points to book flights in Europe on Aer Lingus and for countless Southwest flights, which is a great way to maximize your points.

Choose Which Card to Use

If you have multiple Chase cards, you can choose which card to use to transfer your points. Only the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card holders can transfer points, so make sure you have one of these cards.

If you have multiple Chase cards, you can combine points from other cards to one of these cards by selecting the "Combine Points" option in the menu drop down. This can be a great way to pool your points and transfer them to an airline partner.

To choose which card to use, simply click on the card you'd like to use to transfer the points. You can also use the "Combine Points" option to pool points from other cards.

Booking Flights

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You can book flights using Chase Sapphire points through the Chase Travel portal, which allows you to search for flights and filter by cost, airline, and departure/arrival time.

To access the portal, simply navigate to the Chase Travel page and start searching for your desired flight.

You can book flights just about anywhere with your Chase points, thanks to the airline partners covering every alliance.

The best partners to use are Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, offering lush cabins and great redemption value.

These airline programs also allow you to redeem points on their partner airlines, often at an exceptional value.

If you need help finding available flights or want advice on how to best utilize your points, you can contact Chase's points experts for assistance.

To book flights, type in your arrival and departure airports and travel dates, then hit the search button.

You'll see available flight options, and when you find a flight you like, select the fare type you want to book and click the "Add to trip" button.

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You can pay for flights using cash, points, or a combination of the two, and points linked to a Chase Sapphire Reserve account are worth 1.5 cents each.

If you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred, points are worth 1.25 cents each.

You can also book flights for others, in addition to yourself, and finalize your booking by entering the traveler's information.

Once you've booked your flight, you can review your flight information and select any upgrades you'd like to make.

Portal and Benefits

The Chase Travel portal offers a range of benefits when booking travel with your Chase Sapphire points.

You can earn more points on your purchases by booking through the portal, and these points can be redeemed on future travels.

Certain Chase card points are worth more when redeeming through the portal, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve offering 1.5 cents per point, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Ink Preferred offering 1.25 cents per point.

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Here's a breakdown of the value you get from your Chase points with different cards:

Using the Chase Travel portal can help you get more value from your points, and it's worth exploring the different options available to you.

Southwest Companion Pass

Pairing your Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the Southwest Companion Pass is a game-changer. Double the value of your points is a huge perk - for every point you transfer to Southwest, you can use it for TWO people to travel free.

You can bring someone with you whenever you book a flight on points, or even when you pay for your ticket. This means you can make the most of your points and share the experience with a friend or family member.

The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to get double the value out of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Every point counts, and with this pass, you can use each point to book two free flights.

Ultimate Rewards

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Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points is a breeze. You can earn points by using your Chase branded card on everyday purchases.

You can also earn points by making purchases on specific types of reservations, such as paid reservations, restaurant bookings, hotel reservations, and airfare.

The type of card you have can greatly impact the perks and rewards you're eligible for. All Chase family cards, like Freedom, Sapphire, and Ink, earn points that can be redeemed on the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Tips and Tricks

I've learned a thing or two about using Chase Sapphire points for travel airfare. You can fly your family for free using travel rewards.

To start, I recommend having a Chase Sapphire card, as it offers a 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. This can be a game-changer for your travel budget.

Booking flights with Chase Sapphire points can be a great way to save money. You can use your points to book flights directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

It's also a good idea to use your points to book flights during off-peak seasons, as you'll get more value for your points.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are Chase Sapphire points worth for flights?

Chase Sapphire points are worth $1.25 for every 100 points redeemed for travel booked through Chase Travel, offering 25% more value than redeeming for cash.

How many Chase points do I need for a free flight?

Redeeming miles for a free flight requires at least 10,000 miles, but you can also use any amount of miles to find reduced fares on participating airlines

What airlines does the Chase Sapphire card work with?

The Chase Sapphire card is partnered with over 11 major airlines, including JetBlue, United, and Singapore Airlines, as well as hundreds of international airlines through alliances like Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance. Redeem your rewards on a wide range of flights with this versatile card.

Teresa Halvorson

Senior Writer

Teresa Halvorson is a skilled writer with a passion for financial journalism. Her expertise lies in breaking down complex topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content. With a keen eye for detail, Teresa has successfully covered a range of article categories, including currency exchange rates and foreign exchange rates.

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