Transfer Points Booking Example 2

Summary

Booking award travel with transfer points can save a fortune while unlocking premium travel experiences. Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding the best deals, with real examples for inspiration:

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Start with a Game Plan

Before diving into award searches, clarity is key. Know your destination, travel dates, and preferred class of service. For instance, flying from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt, Germany, in mid-January could include a business-class upgrade or a nonstop preference. Being specific reduces search overwhelm and ensures focused results.

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Know Your Transfer Partners

Understanding which airline loyalty programs partner with your points provider is crucial. For Chase Ultimate Rewards, airlines like Air Canada (Aeroplan), British Airways, and Singapore Airlines are prime partners. Signing up for these loyalty programs ahead of time streamlines the booking process. Pro tip: Skip searching for irrelevant partners like Southwest when flying internationally or hotels when you need flights.

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Search Smart with Award Tools

Tools like PointsYeah can simplify award searches. For instance, when searching for business-class flights to Frankfurt:

• Iberia showed a 32,000-point option, but the long-haul portion was in economy.
• Aeroplan offered a nonstop business-class seat for 50,000 points.
• British Airways had a 95,000 Avios option with high cash fees due to a layover in London.
• Singapore Airlines featured a non-stop flight for 81,000 miles.
• (It's been over 72 hours since this video was published, so some info and links might be out of date or expired)

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Compare and Confirm

Once potential options are identified, verify details directly on airline websites. For example, Aeroplan’s 50,000-point option included $768 in cash costs, making it a standout deal compared to other airlines or booking through Chase’s travel portal. Booking the same Aeroplan flight through the Chase travel portal required 164,000 points (Chase Sapphire Reserve) or nearly 200,000 points (Chase Sapphire Preferred). By transferring points, travelers saved over 100,000 points on the exact flight, demonstrating why transfer partners offer superior value.

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Why It Matters

With a little research and flexibility, it’s possible to unlock premium trips like business class for significantly fewer points. Transfer bonuses can further enhance value, reducing the points needed for bookings.

For example:

• Aeroplan: 50,000 points + $768 cash = 3.8 cents per point.
• Chase portal: 164,000 points for the same flight.

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Maximize Your Points and Enjoy the Journey

The key to maximizing travel rewards is patience and strategic research. Chase Ultimate Rewards points (along with points from other programs), when used wisely, can result in some pretty awesome trips with minimal out-of-pocket costs.