How I turned 100,000 Chase points into a multicountry European trip
When I started planning my dream trip to Europe, I had one big asset in my travel toolkit: just over 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).
A few strategic redemptions turned those points into flights and hotels across Paris, Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy, while keeping my out-of-pocket costs surprisingly low.
If you've recently earned 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points from everyday spending or a welcome bonus, you might be wondering: How far can they really take you?
Here's exactly how I booked my trip, plus tips for getting the most value from your points stash.
Related: 12 trips you can book with 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
How much are the 100,000 Chase points worth?
First off, let's review just how much 100,000 Chase points are actually worth, since their value depends on how you redeem them:
- Cash back or statement credits: 1 cent per point = $1,000 total
- Booking through Chase Travel℠: $1,250 with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or $1,500 with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
- Transferring to partners: Often 2+ cents per point, meaning $2,000+ in value
Related: The complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards: How to earn, redeem and transfer points
How can I earn 100,000 Chase points (or more)?
The quickest way to net 100,000 Chase points is to earn them through a large welcome bonus.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve currently features a welcome offer of 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Meanwhile, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) is currently offering the ability to earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Earlier this year, the Sapphire Preferred also featured a 100,000-point welcome bonus for new applicants after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening (offer no longer available).
Personally, I earned my balance by combining a 60,000-point welcome bonus (no longer available) from the Sapphire Preferred with everyday spending on travel and dining.
The Sapphire Preferred is currently offering 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This is a great head start toward building a stash of 100,000 points.
Booking flights with Chase points
Finding award flights that fit my itinerary and budget was the first big step in turning points into an unforgettable European adventure. Here's how I transformed some of my points into three flights.
Flying to Europe for 15,000 Chase points
When I started planning my trip, my first priority was locking in a transatlantic flight from Washington, D.C., to Europe. I turned to Seats.aero, a handy tool which scans award availability across multiple programs, and spotted an Air France-KLM Flying Blue award to Paris for just 18,750 Flying Blue miles plus taxes and fees.
Even better, Chase was offering a 25% transfer bonus to Flying Blue that month. That meant I only needed to transfer 15,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to cover the flight.
Transfer bonuses like this are one of the best ways to stretch your points. In this case, I saved nearly 4,000 points compared to transferring without the bonus.
Related: Current credit card transfer bonuses
How many Chase points do you need to fly to Europe?
The number of Chase Ultimate Rewards points required for a flight to Europe can vary dramatically depending on the airline, travel dates and award availability. On the lower end, you might find one-way economy flights for around 15,000 to 20,000 points when using transfer partners like Flying Blue or United MileagePlus during off-peak times or with transfer bonuses.
At the higher end, nonstop or last-minute economy flights can run 40,000-plus miles one-way, with business and first class requiring much more.
Your best strategy is to remain flexible with your travel dates and routes, use tools like Seats.aero to compare award availability and watch for transfer bonuses that can stretch your points further. Planning ahead and being patient often pays off.
Intra-European flight with Chase points
I knew I wanted to visit at least four countries on this trip, so I started searching for short-haul flights within Europe. Using Seats.aero again, I found a United Airlines award from Switzerland to Slovenia for just 6,000 miles in economy.
Sure, it wasn't the most jaw-dropping redemption value for a one-hour flight, but it added another exciting destination to my trip and kept another leg of my journey entirely on points.
Related: How I use Seats.aero to find the best airline award availability
Flight from Rome to DC with Chase points
For my return flight, I wanted something simple and direct. United came through with saver-level award availability for just 40,000 miles from Rome Fiumicino Leondardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) to Dulles International Airport (IAD) near D.C.
While this redemption didn't have the same wow factor as my Paris flight, nonstop flights from Rome to the U.S. can sometimes climb well above 60,000 miles one-way in economy (especially during peak summer travel), so finding a saver fare felt like a win.
Booking hotels with Chase points
Chase Ultimate Rewards points can make hotel stays far more affordable, whether it's a quick overnight or a longer stay. Here's how I used them.
Easy points redemption for an airport stay in Zurich
After three long (and magical) days hiking in Switzerland, I needed a convenient place to stay before my early morning flight to Slovenia.
Enter: the airport hotel. Using Chase points transferred to World of Hyatt, I booked the Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport for 15,000 points.
It wasn't the most glamorous hotel redemption, but being able to walk from my room to my gate without stress was worth every point.
Related: Why the best point redemptions are sometimes the most practical
3-night stay in Florence, Italy, with Points Boost
One of my best redemptions was a three-night stay at Hotel Indigo Florence, a property that would have cost nearly $800 in cash. Thanks to Chase's Points Boost in the travel portal, I booked it for just over 49,000 points plus fees.
To make the deal even sweeter, I applied a one-time $50 credit (offered to some Sapphire Preferred Card holders in June 2025 for any purchase made through Chase Travel) to cover the taxes and fees, saving even more cash.
Points Boost, combined with this credit, made Florence feel like a true points-powered win.
Related: Chase sent some Sapphire Preferred cardholders an extra $50 toward travel
How to use Chase's Points Boost
Chase's Points Boost lets you get more out of your redemptions when booking through Chase Travel. Instead of the fixed redemption rates tied to your card (like 1.25 or 1.5 cents per point), Points Boost can apply extra value to certain properties, meaning you can lock in more nights for fewer points.
Related: Why Chase's Points Boost is an outstanding new way to book hotels on points
Turning travel expenses into more points
Not every part of my trip was covered by award bookings, so for things like Airbnb stays and rental cars, I turned to my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. These expenses didn't qualify for full points redemptions, but they still earned me 2 points per dollar spent as travel purchases.
That meant every dollar I paid for lodging and transportation helped build my points balance for future adventures — turning necessary expenses into an investment for my next trip.
Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred is my favorite travel card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has become my favorite travel companion thanks to its 2 points per dollar earning rate for travel and dining purchases, generous travel protections and no foreign transaction fees — perfect for international travel.
Whether I'm booking a flight, eating out or paying for expenses that points won't fully cover, I'm still earning rewards. And with the flexibility to redeem through Chase Travel or transfer to travel partners, I get maximum value.
Related: Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred should still be your first rewards card
Bottom line
My trip wasn't entirely booked on points, but it wouldn't have been possible without those redemptions.
With just over 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a bit of strategic planning and a little flexibility, I turned a dream European itinerary into a reality. Hopefully, these tips can help you do the same and unlock your own multicountry European adventure.
Related: 10 best ways to use 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards points
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
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- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
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