Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but it can also be stressful to plan and manage. Finding the best flights, hotels, rental cars, and even vacation experiences often requires hours of research. This is where Chase Travel comes in—a platform designed to simplify and enhance your travel experiences, especially for those who are Chase cardholders. But how exactly does Chase Travel work? What are its benefits, and how does it stack up against other travel booking platforms? In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Chase Travel, from its features to its perks, and how you can make the most of it on your next trip.
What is Chase Travel?
Chase Travel is a dedicated travel booking platform for Chase credit cardholders, particularly those with cards that offer travel-related rewards. Chase partners with Expedia, one of the world’s largest online travel agencies, to provide a seamless and comprehensive travel booking experience. Through the Chase Travel portal, you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more, all while earning and redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
How to Access Chase Travel
Accessing Chase Travel is straightforward, but it’s specifically available to individuals who have Chase credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points. Popular Chase cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and certain Chase Freedom cards allow you to accumulate points, which can then be used within the Chase Travel portal for various bookings.
To get started:
- Log into your Chase account: Once you log in, navigate to the “Ultimate Rewards” section, which is located on your dashboard.
- Enter the Travel Portal: From there, you can access the travel portal and begin searching for flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages.
- Search and Book: You’ll find an interface similar to that of traditional travel booking websites like Expedia, but with the added bonus of earning or redeeming points for every booking.
Key Features of Chase Travel
Chase Travel isn’t just a basic booking engine; it comes loaded with features that cater to travelers seeking both convenience and value. Let’s break down some of its key features:
1. Earn and Redeem Points
The primary draw of Chase Travel is the ability to earn and redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points. With every eligible purchase through the portal, you’ll accumulate points that can be redeemed for future travel bookings. The redemption value of these points depends on the specific Chase card you hold.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders get a 25% bonus on points when booking through Chase Travel, meaning 10,000 points are worth $125 toward travel.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get an even better deal—a 50% bonus—so 10,000 points are worth $150.
This elevated redemption value makes Chase Travel one of the most rewarding travel portals for frequent travelers and points enthusiasts.
2. Extensive Booking Options
Chase Travel offers a comprehensive selection of travel options:
Flights: You can search for flights on all major airlines and some low-cost carriers. The flight booking experience is much like any other online travel platform, offering a wide range of options based on your departure, destination, and travel dates.
Hotels: Chase Travel provides access to a vast selection of hotels across various price ranges, including luxury brands, boutique hotels, and budget-friendly options.
Rental Cars: Whether you need a compact car for a weekend getaway or a luxury SUV for a cross-country road trip, you can easily find rental car options through Chase Travel.
Cruises: If you’re a fan of cruising, Chase Travel lets you book a variety of cruise lines. You can pay with points or a combination of points and cash.
Vacation Packages: Chase Travel also bundles flights, hotels, and car rentals into vacation packages, which can save you both time and money.
3. Pay with Points or Cash
One of the most attractive features of Chase Travel is the flexibility it provides in terms of payment. You can use Ultimate Rewards points, pay with your Chase credit card, or do a mix of both. For instance, if you don’t have enough points to cover the full cost of your trip, you can use the points you have and pay the remainder with cash or your credit card.
4. 24/7 Travel Support
Chase Travel offers 24/7 customer support for travel bookings made through the platform. This can be particularly valuable when you encounter issues like flight cancellations, hotel problems, or unexpected delays. The dedicated travel support team helps you manage your bookings efficiently, so you don’t have to deal directly with airlines or hotels during stressful moments.
5. Exclusive Travel Benefits for Premium Cardholders
If you hold premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll enjoy additional travel benefits that go beyond what most travel booking sites offer. These perks can include:
- Priority travel assistance
- Exclusive travel discounts
- Access to luxury hotels with complimentary upgrades
- Special amenities like late check-out or free breakfast
These benefits can significantly enhance your travel experience, especially if you’re booking higher-end accommodations or services.
How Does Chase Travel Compare to Other Platforms?
When it comes to travel booking platforms, there’s no shortage of options, from Expedia and Priceline to Kayak and direct airline or hotel sites. So, how does Chase Travel compare?
1. Redemption Flexibility
One of Chase Travel’s standout features is its redemption flexibility through Ultimate Rewards points. Most travel booking platforms don’t allow you to use points for bookings unless they are tied to a specific airline or hotel loyalty program. Chase Travel, on the other hand, lets you use your points on a wide variety of travel services—airlines, hotels, car rentals, and cruises—regardless of the brand.
The bonus point value that comes with cards like the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve further enhances the appeal, making your points stretch further compared to other points-based travel programs.
2. Competitive Pricing
Since Chase Travel partners with Expedia, it offers similar pricing to what you’d find on other major travel booking sites. The prices for flights, hotels, and rental cars are typically competitive with those found on Expedia, Kayak, or Priceline. Additionally, the option to use points can provide a better deal if you’ve accumulated a significant number of Ultimate Rewards points.
3. Better Value for Premium Cardholders
For those with premium Chase cards, the benefits of Chase Travel are hard to beat. The additional value you get from your points (25%-50% more) when booking through the travel portal can make Chase Travel a better deal than booking directly with airlines or hotels. On top of that, the exclusive travel perks associated with cards like the Sapphire Reserve can significantly elevate the overall travel experience.
4. Convenience and Integration
Chase Travel’s integration with your Chase credit cards and Ultimate Rewards account makes it incredibly convenient. You can easily track your points, make bookings, and even manage upcoming trips all in one place. Other travel booking platforms don’t offer the same seamless integration with credit card rewards programs.
Maximizing Your Travel with Chase Travel
If you want to get the most out of Chase Travel, there are a few strategies that can help you maximize your rewards and benefits:
1. Use the Right Chase Card
If you’re serious about using Chase Travel, having the right credit card is crucial. The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards are ideal for travelers because they offer the highest points multipliers for travel purchases and provide increased point value for redemptions through the Chase Travel portal.
For example, with the Sapphire Reserve, you earn 3x points on travel and dining and get 50% more value when you redeem those points through Chase Travel. This significantly boosts your purchasing power compared to using points for other rewards or booking directly with airlines and hotels.
2. Monitor Promotions and Deals
Chase Travel occasionally offers exclusive promotions, such as discounts on vacation packages or bonus points for certain types of bookings. Keep an eye on these promotions through the Chase Ultimate Rewards site or your email, as they can help you save even more on your travels.
3. Redeem Points for Luxury Hotel Stays
One of the best ways to maximize the value of your Ultimate Rewards points is to redeem them for luxury hotel stays through Chase Travel. Because points are worth more in the portal (especially with a Sapphire Reserve card), you can enjoy high-end accommodations that might otherwise be out of budget.
For instance, a stay at a luxury hotel that costs $500 per night could be covered with around 33,000 Ultimate Rewards points if you hold the Sapphire Reserve, thanks to the 1.5 cents per point redemption value.
4. Take Advantage of Travel Protections
Chase credit cards often come with built-in travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waivers, and lost luggage reimbursement. When you book through Chase Travel using your Chase card, these protections apply, offering peace of mind in case something goes wrong during your trip.
Potential Downsides of Chase Travel
While Chase Travel offers plenty of perks, there are some potential drawbacks to be aware of:
Limited Flight and Hotel Choices: While Chase Travel covers most major airlines and a wide range of hotels, it may not always offer the same breadth of options as booking directly through an airline or a hotel’s website. Certain budget airlines or boutique hotel chains may not be available through the portal.
Points-Only Limitation: If you’re looking to use loyalty points from specific airlines or hotel chains, you won’t be able to do that directly through Chase Travel. You’d need to transfer your points to an airline or hotel partner instead.
No Elite Status Perks: When booking hotels through Chase Travel, your elite status (if you have it) with hotel chains might not be recognized. This could mean missing out on upgrades, free breakfasts, or other perks that come with booking directly with the hotel.
Final Verdict: Is Chase Travel Worth It?
For Chase cardholders, especially those with Ultimate Rewards-earning cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Travel is an excellent tool. It provides an easy and rewarding way to book travel while maximizing the value of your rewards points. With flexible payment options, competitive pricing, and exclusive perks, Chase Travel offers a comprehensive travel booking experience that rivals some of the best online platforms out there.
However, if you’re looking for a broader range of options, have specific loyalty status with hotels or airlines, or prefer to manage all your bookings directly, you may occasionally find limitations with the platform. For most travelers, though, Chase Travel offers the perfect blend of convenience, value, and rewards, making it a must-use resource for anyone invested in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.