How to book travel (and save points) with Chase Travel
Editor's Note
Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the best flexible rewards currencies available, and you can get some incredible value from your Ultimate Rewards points. Plus, Chase offers the Chase Travel℠ portal, where you can earn and redeem points and take advantage of perks like credit card statement credits. This option can save you money, particularly when traditional award space is unavailable, as you can book almost any available flight and a wide variety of hotels through Chase Travel.
Here's what you need to know about Chase Travel.
What is Chase Travel?
Chase Travel is an online booking platform where you can search and book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and more. You can use your Ultimate Rewards points to pay for these bookings directly, or you can earn bonus points when you book with cash through Chase Travel.
To maximize your Ultimate Rewards points, it's often best to transfer them to partner programs like United MileagePlus, World of Hyatt and British Airways Club for award reservations. However, it's important to compare the points you'll need for a direct booking through Chase Travel to those required for a partner award booking. Sometimes, booking through the portal can save you points, as the points price is tied to the cash cost of the flight or hotel stay, potentially resulting in lower point requirements.
However, you will need to have some Chase points before booking with points through Chase Travel. If you're unfamiliar with Chase's most common cards and welcome offers, here are a few popular options.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a TPG favorite. It currently comes with one of the highest welcome bonuses from Chase: 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Based on our June 2025 valuations, the bonus points alone are worth $1,845 when you transfer them to travel partners. However, these points can be used to book travel directly through Chase Travel at a value of up to 1.75 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption (see your rewards program agreement for full details).
The information for the Ink Business Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card review: A great all-around business card
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is another fantastic addition to your wallet. The Sapphire Preferred offers 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Based on TPG's June 2025 valuations, the bonus is worth $1,538.
Like the Ink Business Preferred, points can be used to book travel directly through Chase Travel at a value of up to 1.75 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption (see your rewards program agreement for full details). You'll also earn 5 points per dollar spent on paid travel purchased through Chase Travel (excluding the first $50 in hotel purchases that qualify for the card's annual hotel credit).
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review: A top travel and dining card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) offers 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's June 2025 valuations, this offer is worth up to $2,563.
In addition to its welcome offer, this card provides various other perks, such as a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, Priority Pass lounge access and a $300 annual travel credit.
Points can be used to book travel directly through Chase Travel at a value of up to 2 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption (see your rewards program agreement for full details). You'll earn 8 points per dollar spent on all purchases on Chase Travel and 4 points per dollar spent on all flights and hotels booked directly.
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review: Luxury perks and valuable rewards
Chase Sapphire for Business
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) is Chase's newest and most premium business card. It offers 200,000 bonus points after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
The Sapphire Reserve for Business shares many of the same perks the Sapphire Reserve offers. You'll receive lounge access, enjoy many business-centered statement credits and have access to Chase's roster of transfer partners.
Like the Sapphire Reserve, points can be used to book travel directly through Chase Travel at a value of up to 2 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption (see your rewards program agreement for full details). Additionally, you'll earn 8 points per dollar spent on all purchases on Chase Travel and 4 points per dollar spent on all flights and hotels booked directly.
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business: Earn 200K points with this limited-time offer
Cash-back cards
Chase also issues a number of cash-back credit cards, including the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees), the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees).
The rewards you earn on these cards are worth 1 cent apiece toward travel in Chase Travel. However, since Chase allows you to combine your earnings into a single account, you can effectively convert these cash-back rewards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you also have the Sapphire Preferred, the Sapphire Reserve or the Ink Business Preferred.
Related: 10 no-annual-fee credit cards that earn transferable points
How to use Chase Travel
You can book flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and other travel through Chase Travel. The portal is relatively simple to access.
First, you'll need to log into your Chase account, then navigate to the right side of the page, where you'll see a box displaying your Ultimate Rewards balance. Click the box, and it will bring you to the Ultimate Rewards dashboard.
Click "Travel," and choose "Book travel" in the drop-down menu to access the travel homepage, where you can search for airfare, hotels and more. When you select your travel, you'll be given the option to pay with cash or points.
Remember that when you book hotels through the portal, you typically will not earn hotel points and elite credits, and you may not receive elite status perks because the booking is considered one made by a third party. However, flights booked through the portal will typically earn frequent flyer miles and help you qualify for elite status.
Related: Why you don't earn hotel points when booking through online travel agencies
How to book flights using Chase Travel
Booking your flights is fairly straightforward once you've navigated to the portal's travel page. Type in your arrival and departure airports and travel dates, then click the search button. For this example, I looked for a one-way flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
You'll then see the available flight options. When you find a flight you like, select the fare type you want to book and click the blue "Add to trip" button.
Once you've selected your preferred flights, you'll be taken to the next page, where you can review your flight information and select any upgrades you'd like to make.
Then, you'll be directed to the checkout page, where you can choose to pay with cash, points or a combination of the two. Again, points linked to a Chase Sapphire Reserve account are worth up to 2 cents each, depending on the redemption. If you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Ink Business Preferred, points are worth up to 1.75 cents each, based on the redemption.
Finally, you'll be directed to a page where you can enter the traveler's information (you can book flights for others as well as yourself) and finalize your booking.
How to book hotels using Chase Travel
Booking hotels via Chase Travel is similar to booking flights through the portal. Not all hotels are available on the portal, and your options may be limited if you're heading to a small town or a little-known destination. But if you find a property you like on the portal, there are several advantages to booking this way.
For instance, if you're looking at boutique or independent hotels, you can earn bonus points even if your hotel isn't part of a points hotel chain like Hyatt or Marriott. Or, if you'd rather earn transferable Ultimate Rewards points on your booking instead of World of Hyatt points, for example, you may find it advantageous to book a Hyatt property through Chase Travel rather than directly through the hotel.
However, prices on Chase Travel don't always match those on the hotel's site or other online booking platforms, so always compare rates to ensure you're getting the best deal. The same goes if you plan to book a points hotel that is one of Chase's transfer partners (IHG, Marriott or Hyatt) — compare the award rates required by these hotel loyalty programs to the number of points you'd pay on the Chase Travel portal before booking.
Although you won't usually be able to use elite perks at points hotels booked through Chase Travel, you can get elitelike perks at over 1,000 luxury properties worldwide if you hold a card that provides access to The Edit by Chase Travel. Participating cards include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business and the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card. When booking a property that's part of The Edit, you'll be able to earn and receive elite benefits.
The information for the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Here's a sample search for lodging in Oslo, Norway, a city with mostly boutique hotels.
The search results will show each hotel's price per night and the total price in cash and points at the bottom. You can filter by brand, price, ratings and neighborhood, among other options. Click on a property you like to select an available room, then click "Add to trip."
On the checkout page, you can choose to book with cash or specify how many points you want to use. Then, run through the on-screen prompts to finalize your booking, and you'll get an email confirmation.
Remember, as a Sapphire Preferred cardholder, you'll receive up to $50 in statement credits yearly for hotel reservations made through Chase Travel.
Related: Book low-end or luxury hotels to get the best value from your points
How to book car rentals, cruises and other travel using Chase Travel
With Chase Travel, you can rent cars, pay with points and still receive the excellent primary car rental insurance offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred cards.
The process of renting cars is similar to booking flights and hotels. Just navigate to the "Cars" header from the main landing page, type in your itinerary and click "Search."
Once you choose your car from the results page, you'll be prompted to select add-ons. Then you'll head to the booking page, where you'll input your personal information and choose how many points you'd like to spend. Remember that to qualify for your card's rental car insurance, you must decline the rental company's collision damage waiver and ensure that anyone driving the car is on the rental agreement.
You can also book activities, including fantastic tours like an evening monument tour in Washington, D.C., and a heritage food tour in Singapore, through Chase Travel. While flights and hotels are redeemable for up 2 cents per point in value, depending on the redemption, for the Sapphire Reserve, and up to 1.75 cents per point in value, depending on the redemption, for the Sapphire Preferred and the Ink Business Preferred, for rental cars and other travel, you'll get a rate of 1 cent per point for each (see your rewards program agreement for full details). You can also earn bonus points by booking them with cash. This can help you book an entire vacation (not just hotels and flights) using points and miles.
Cruises, vacation packages and other tours are also available, though you'll have to call to book those.
Related: Save money on your next trip: Use these tips to never pay full price for a rental car
More things to consider about Chase Travel
We recommend comparing the points needed through Chase Travel with those required for transfer partner redemptions, factoring in taxes and fees. If you have or want hotel elite status, avoid booking hotels through the portal, as these stays generally won't count toward status or qualify for elite benefits.
Booking through Chase Travel with cash can earn you extra points. Ink Business Preferred cardholders earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined spending on travel purchases and select business purchases. Sapphire Preferred Card holders earn 5 points per dollar spent on all bookings through Chase Travel. Sapphire Reserve cardholders earn 8 points per dollar spent on all travel purchases booked through Chase Travel. You might find better rates by booking directly with the travel provider, but if your plans are firm and rates are comparable, booking through the portal can be worthwhile for earning extra points.
Remember that booking through third-party sites may result in issues if you change your plans. Travel providers are more likely to assist you if you've booked directly with them.
Bottom line
Chase Travel is a valuable tool that lets you earn and redeem Ultimate Rewards points on a range of travel purchases, from flights and hotels to rental cars, cruises and activities.
If award flights aren't available or you find a cheap fare that requires fewer points, booking through the portal can be a good option. Similarly, the portal can be a great way to earn points on stays at independent hotels or, if cash rates are low, book award stays for less. Always compare your options, though, to see if using the portal or transferring points to partners for an award is more advantageous.
Related: The power of the Chase Trifecta: Maximize your earnings with 3 cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.