Planning to use your credit card points for travel in 2026? The Chase Travel portal has changed more than most people realize. With the introduction of Points Boost, the old fixed redemption rates are gone — and now your point value can vary significantly depending on how you book.
This guide breaks everything down in simple terms: how Chase Travel works today, what Points Boost really means for your rewards, and when you should use the portal vs transferring points.
If you want to avoid wasting points and start making smarter travel decisions, you’re in the right place.
Important 2025 Update: Chase replaced its old fixed redemption rates (1.25x / 1.5x) with a new system called Points Boost in June 2025. Most guides online still show the old numbers. This guide covers exactly what changed and what it means for your points strategy.
What Is Chase Travel?
Chase Travel is Chase’s official online booking portal where you can book flights, hotels, car rentals, activities, cruises, and vacation rentals using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, cash, or both.
Think of it like Expedia or Booking.com — but powered by your credit card rewards.
You need a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points to access it. The card you hold determines how much value you get per point and how many bonus points you earn when paying with cash.
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What Can You Book Through Chase Travel?
- Flights (most major airlines)
- Hotels (including luxury properties through “The Edit by Chase Travel”)
- Car rentals (all major companies)
- Activities and guided tours
- Cruises — now browsable online via “Voyages by Chase Travel” (added April 2025)
- Vacation home rentals — through the new Plum Guide partnership (2025)
How Chase Travel Works — Step by Step
Step 1: Log into your Chase account at chase.com and open the Ultimate Rewards dashboard.
Step 2: Click “Travel” to open the Chase Travel portal.
Step 3: Enter your destination, dates, and number of travelers.
Step 4: Browse results. Look for the “Points Boost” label on flights and hotels — these offer the highest per-point value.
Step 5: Choose how to pay — fully with points, fully with cash, or a combination of both.
Step 6: Add your frequent flyer number directly with the airline after booking. This lets you earn airline miles on top of your Chase points, even when you paid entirely with points. Most travelers miss this step.
Step 7: Receive your booking confirmation and manage any changes through Chase Travel support.
Points Boost — The Biggest Change Most Guides Miss
In June 2025, Chase made its most significant change to Ultimate Rewards in years. The old flat redemption bonuses — 25% for Sapphire Preferred and 50% for Sapphire Reserve on all portal bookings — were replaced by a variable system called Points Boost.
What Changed
Instead of a guaranteed bonus on every booking, Points Boost offers elevated value on select bookings only. The actual value you get depends on which specific flight or hotel you book and which card you hold.
| Card | Old Fixed Rate | New Points Boost Range | Maximum Value |
| Sapphire Reserve | 1.5 cpp (guaranteed) | Variable | Up to 2 cpp |
| Sapphire Preferred | 1.25 cpp (guaranteed) | Variable | Up to 1.5 cpp |
| Ink Business Preferred | 1.25 cpp (guaranteed) | Variable | Up to 1.5 cpp |
| Freedom cards | 1 cpp | 1 cpp (no boost) | 1 cpp |
The Important Catch
A 2025 NerdWallet study found that fewer than 10% of flights in the Chase Travel portal qualified for Points Boost pricing. Of those, 97% were in premium cabin (business or first class). If you mainly book economy flights, Points Boost will rarely apply to you, and transferring points to an airline partner will almost always get you better value.
The Transition Period
If you opened your Chase card before June 23, 2025, you can still use the old fixed rates for points earned before October 26, 2025 — but only until October 26, 2027. After that, the fixed rates are gone for everyone.
How Much Are Chase Points Worth in 2026?
Point value is now variable, not fixed. Here is the realistic breakdown from lowest to highest value:
Amazon “Shop with Points” — 0.8 cents per point. Avoid this completely.
Cash back or statement credit — 1 cent per point. Never use points this way unless you have no other option.
Chase Travel portal (standard booking) — 1 cent per point. No Points Boost applied.
Chase Travel with Points Boost — 1 to 2 cents per point. Only on select premium flights and The Edit hotels.
Transfer to airline partners — 1.5 to 5+ cents per point. This is where serious value lives, but requires knowledge of airline award programs.
Transfer to Hyatt — 2 to 4+ cents per point. Hyatt is consistently the best hotel transfer partner in the Chase program.
The Points Guy’s June 2025 valuation puts Chase Ultimate Rewards points at approximately 2.05 cents per point, based on what is realistically achievable through transfer partners. Use this as your benchmark when deciding whether a portal booking is worth it.
Real Example
Say you want to book a $600 economy flight.
- Paying cash direct: $600
- Chase Travel portal at 1 cpp: 60,000 points
- Chase Travel with Points Boost at 1.5 cpp: 40,000 points
- Transferring to United Airlines: roughly 25,000 to 40,000 miles depending on the route
The lesson: always check both the portal and transfer partner award availability before deciding. Neither option always wins.
Earning Points When You Pay Cash Through the Portal
This is one of the most overlooked advantages of Chase Travel. Even when you are not using points, booking through the portal with your card earns significantly more rewards than booking directly.
| Card | Portal Bonus on Flights | Portal Bonus on Hotels and Cars | Direct Booking Bonus |
| Sapphire Reserve | 5x points | 10x points | 3x points |
| Sapphire Preferred | 5x points | 5x points | 2x points |
| Ink Business Preferred | 5x points | 5x points | 3x points |
On a $500 hotel stay paid with cash, a Sapphire Reserve cardholder earns 5,000 points through the portal versus only 1,500 points booking directly. At transfer partner rates, that difference is worth around $70.
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New Features Added in 2025 and 2026
The Edit by Chase Travel
The Edit is Chase’s curated collection of premium hotels. These properties offer the highest Points Boost rates — up to 2 cents per point for Sapphire Reserve cardholders. Sapphire Reserve cardholders also receive a $500 annual credit toward prepaid The Edit bookings (requires a 2-night minimum stay). If you are a Sapphire Reserve holder who stays at premium hotels, The Edit is one of the clearest cases where the portal beats transferring points.
Voyages by Chase Travel (Cruises)
As of April 22, 2025, you can now browse cruise itineraries directly in the Chase Travel portal. You can compare sailings from Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas online. You still need to call to complete the booking, but being able to research and compare options online is a major upgrade from the old system that required calling just to see prices.
Plum Guide Vacation Rentals
Chase partnered with Plum Guide, a curated platform of over 30,000 premium vacation home rentals across 40+ countries. Sapphire Reserve cardholders earn 8x points per dollar on Plum Guide bookings through Chase Travel. Sapphire Preferred earns 5x. This is a strong earning rate for travelers who prefer vacation rentals over hotels.
Reserve Travel Designers (Free Concierge for Reserve Cardholders)
Sapphire Reserve cardholders can now access Reserve Travel Designers — professional trip planners backed by Valerie Wilson Travel, a travel agency with over 40 years of experience. They will build a custom itinerary, handle all bookings, and support you throughout your trip at no added cost. If they book through Chase Travel, you still earn the full portal bonus rates.
When to Use Chase Travel — and When Not To
Use Chase Travel When
- You are booking a hotel in The Edit collection and want up to 2 cents per point
- You are paying with cash and want to earn 5x to 10x bonus points
- No good award seats are available through transfer partners
- The portal requires fewer points than a transfer would
- You want one simple booking experience without dealing with multiple programs
- You are booking activities or tours with leftover points
Do Not Use Chase Travel When
- You are booking a standard economy flight (transferring usually beats the portal)
- You want to keep hotel loyalty points and elite status perks
- You find a meaningfully lower price booking directly with the airline or hotel
- You need flexible cancellation on your terms
- Transfer partner award space is available for a premium cabin booking
The Price Reality
Research from The Points Guy found that flights booked through Chase Travel average about 6% higher than booking directly. The portal returns the same price as direct booking less than half the time. Always check the airline’s website before confirming a portal booking.
Transfer Partners — Where the Real Value Lives
Transferring Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners is where experienced travelers typically get the most value, often 1.5 to 5+ cents per point.
Airline Partners
- United Airlines MileagePlus
- British Airways Executive Club
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus, TAP Miles and Go
Hotel Partners
- World of Hyatt (best overall value by a wide margin)
- IHG One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
All transfers happen at a 1:1 ratio and are typically instant. Marriott transfers include a bonus: transfer 60,000 points and receive 75,000 Marriott points (a 5,000-point bonus).
Expert Strategy — Getting the Most From Chase Travel
The 3-Step Decision Rule
- Check the portal first. Is it a The Edit hotel or a Points Boost-eligible premium flight with a competitive price? If yes, the portal is a strong option.
- Check transfer partners. Can you book the same trip for meaningfully fewer points through an airline or hotel program? If yes, transfer.
- Compare cash prices. Is the portal price within 5% of booking directly? If you are paying with cash, the bonus earning makes the portal worthwhile. If the portal is more than 5 to 6% more expensive, book directly and earn the lower bonus rate.
The Chase Trifecta
The most powerful Chase setup combines three cards:
- Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred — unlocks portal value, Points Boost, and transfer access
- Chase Freedom Flex — earns 5x on rotating quarterly categories
- Chase Freedom Unlimited — earns 1.5x on all other purchases
The Freedom cards earn Ultimate Rewards points but only redeem at 1 cent per point on their own. Transfer those points to your Sapphire card and they unlock the full portal value and transfer partner access. This combination covers nearly every spending category at an above-average rate.
The Double Dip Trick
When booking a flight through Chase Travel — even when paying entirely with points — add your frequent flyer number to the booking directly with the airline afterward. You will earn airline miles on the itinerary on top of whatever points you used. This works whether you paid with cash, points, or a combination, and most travelers never bother to do it.
Best Cards for Chase Travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve — Best Overall Up to 2 cents per point through Points Boost on The Edit hotels. Earns 10x points on hotels and car rentals through the portal when paying cash. Comes with a $300 annual travel credit, a $500 annual The Edit hotel credit, access to Reserve Travel Designers, and Priority Pass airport lounge access. Annual fee is $795 (revamped June 2025).
Chase Sapphire Preferred — Best Value Pick Up to 1.5 cents per point through Points Boost. Earns 5x points on all travel through the portal. Includes a $50 annual hotel credit and full transfer partner access. Annual fee is $95. Best for moderate travelers who want real flexibility without a steep annual fee.
Ink Business Preferred — Best for Business Travelers Up to 1.5 cents per point through Points Boost. Earns 3x points on travel up to $150,000 per year. Full transfer partner access. Annual fee is $95.
Chase Freedom Unlimited — Best Companion Card Earns 1.5x points on all purchases with no annual fee. Points are only worth 1 cent per point on their own in the portal. Best used by pooling points into a Sapphire card, where they unlock full portal value and transfer access.
Chase Travel vs Competing Portals
| Feature | Chase Travel | Amex Travel | Capital One Travel | Citi Travel |
| Max point value in portal | Up to 2 cpp | Around 1 to 1.5 cpp | Up to 1.25 cpp | 1 cpp |
| Portal vs direct pricing | About 6% higher on average | About 10% higher | Closest to direct | About 14% higher |
| Transfer partners | Excellent (especially Hyatt) | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Cruise booking | Yes (added 2025) | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Luxury hotel collection | The Edit | Fine Hotels + Resorts | Premier Collection | Limited |
| Vacation rentals | Yes (Plum Guide, 2025) | No | No | No |
| Free travel concierge | Yes (Sapphire Reserve) | Platinum card only | No | No |
Chase leads most competitors on maximum portal value, particularly because of Hyatt as a transfer partner and The Edit’s 2 cpp ceiling. Amex Travel offers stronger luxury hotel perks through Fine Hotels + Resorts, but its portal prices tend to be further from what you’d pay directly. Capital One Travel scores best for price parity with direct booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chase Travel worth using in 2026?
Yes, but it depends on what you are booking. It is most valuable for The Edit luxury hotels (up to 2 cpp), earning 5x to 10x points when paying cash, and when no good award space is available through transfer partners. For standard economy flights, transferring points to an airline almost always gets better value.
What happened to the 1.25x and 1.5x portal bonuses?
Chase replaced those flat bonuses with Points Boost in June 2025. The old rates are still available through October 26, 2027 for existing cardholders on points earned before October 26, 2025. After that, Points Boost is the only option — and it only applies to select premium bookings.
How much are Chase points worth?
It depends on how you use them. In the portal you typically get 1 to 2 cents per point. Through transfer partners, experienced redeemers often achieve 2 to 5+ cents per point. The Points Guy’s June 2025 benchmark values Chase points at 2.05 cents per point based on average transfer value.
Can I earn airline miles when I book through Chase Travel?
Yes. After booking, add your frequent flyer number directly with the airline. You will earn miles on the flight regardless of whether you paid with cash or Chase points.
Do hotels honor loyalty points and elite perks for Chase Travel bookings?
Generally no. Most hotel chains do not award loyalty points or honor elite status benefits (like room upgrades, late checkout, or free breakfast) when you book through a third-party portal. If your hotel elite status is valuable, compare that benefit against the portal earning rate before booking.
Can I use Chase Travel with only a Freedom card?
Yes, but your points are worth only 1 cent per point in the portal with a Freedom card alone. To unlock higher portal value and transfer partner access, you need to also hold a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred card and pool your points there.
What is The Edit by Chase Travel?
The Edit is Chase’s curated collection of premium hotels. Sapphire Reserve cardholders get up to 2 cents per point on these bookings and a $500 annual prepaid hotel credit (2-night minimum stay required).
Final Verdict
Chase Travel is one of the most powerful and flexible bank travel portals available — especially with Points Boost and the new features added in 2025. But it is not the right choice for every booking.
Chase Travel is your best option for:
- The Edit luxury hotel stays (up to 2 cpp)
- Earning 5x to 10x points when paying cash
- Points Boost-eligible premium flights
- Simplicity when you just want to book and move on
- Using leftover points on activities and experiences
Transfer partners are your best option for:
- Standard economy flights
- Business and first class awards
- Hyatt hotel bookings
- Getting maximum value from your points (2 to 5+ cpp)
- Flexible travelers who can work around award availability
The smartest approach is to check both options every time before booking. Neither always wins — and knowing when to use each one is what separates average and expert Chase cardholders.
