Can I Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to Hilton?
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available – Citi Hilton Honors Reserve Card
TPG reader Sarah messaged me to ask about Ultimate Rewards transfer partners:
"I just signed up for the Chase Ink Plus business card to get the 60,000 point sign-up bonus, but I'm a Hilton fan. Is there any way to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Hilton, and can I reach Diamond status that way?"
Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer 1:1 to all of the program's hotel, airline and rail partners, but Hilton isn't one of them. However, you could transfer to Virgin Atlantic at a 1:1 ratio, and then transfer to Hilton at a 1:1.5 ratio (for every two Flying Club points you get three Hilton points). For instance 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points would become 60,000 Virgin Atlantic miles, which would then translate to 90,000 Hilton points.
That transfer through Virgin Atlantic may sound like a good deal, but it's really not. Don't do it! Chase Ultimate Rewards points are much more valuable than Hilton HHonors points. With 90,000 Hilton points, you may be able to get one night at a top-tier property, or sometimes not even that. However, 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points transferred to Hyatt would get you two nights at one of the brand's top properties around the world. So, while Ultimate Rewards isn't the best option if you're strictly devoted to Hilton, Chase has other hotel partners that may offer better value:
- Hyatt Gold Passport
- IHG Rewards Club
- Marriott Rewards
- The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
If you do transfer to Hilton, those points will not count toward Diamond status. The easiest way to earn elite status is to get the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve card, which gives you two free weekend nights at any Hilton in the world, and comes with automatic Gold status. You can also earn Diamond status when you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year. Otherwise, you better start spending nights in Hilton hotels, because that's the only other way to earn status.
Also remember that right now you can buy Hilton HHonors points with a 100% bonus, meaning they'll cost you 0.5 cents apiece. You can buy 90,000 Hilton points for $450, so I would recommend doing that and saving your Chase points for a more valuable redemption.
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
[card card-name='Citi® Hilton HHonors<sup>TM</sup> Reserve Card' card-id='22146296' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
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