How to Maximize Your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points for Your Next Hotel Stay
If you’re planning a trip and want to get the most out of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve holder, you have two main ways to redeem your points for hotels: booking through the Chase Travel Portal or transferring your points to hotel loyalty programs. In this post, we’ll break down each option, compare their values, and share our top recommendations so you can choose the best method for your next hotel booking.
Why Redeem with Chase Ultimate Rewards?
Chase Ultimate Rewards points offer impressive flexibility and value when redeemed for travel. Depending on your card:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Points are typically worth 1.25 cents per point.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: Points are generally valued at 1.5 cents per point.
These multipliers can boost the overall value of your points, but the best redemption method depends on your travel goals and the specific hotel experience you’re after.
Option 1: Booking Through the Chase Travel Portal
Booking your hotel via the Chase Travel Portal is a straightforward way to use your points. Here’s why it often comes out ahead:
- Consistent Value: With a Sapphire Reserve, every point is worth about 1.5¢ (or 1.25¢ with the Preferred). For instance, if a hotel room costs $225 per night, you’d need roughly 15,000 points on the Reserve.
- Wide Selection: The portal gives you access to thousands of hotels worldwide—from luxury properties to budget chains—even those that aren’t affiliated with a loyalty program.
- Simplicity: There’s no need to worry about transferring points or dynamic award pricing. The point cost is fixed and transparent.
Example:
Imagine you find a quality downtown hotel with a cash rate of around $225 per night. With your Sapphire Reserve’s value of 1.5¢ per point, you’d redeem approximately 15,000 UR points. This simple, predictable approach often provides excellent value.
Option 2: Transferring Points to Hotel Loyalty Programs
Alternatively, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy or IHG One Rewards. This method lets you book directly with the hotel chain, which may offer benefits like elite status perks or complimentary upgrades. However, the effective point value can vary significantly.
World of Hyatt
While transferring to World of Hyatt can offer outstanding value (often around 1.7¢ per point), it only makes sense if the destination has Hyatt properties. If your destination lacks Hyatt hotels, this option won’t be available.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott has a wide range of properties—from upscale hotels to more budget-friendly options. However, redemptions with Marriott typically deliver around 0.6–0.7¢ per point. For example, a mid-range hotel might cost 15,000 Marriott points for a room that would otherwise cost around $90. This conversion yields a lower value compared to the fixed rate you get through the Chase portal.
IHG One Rewards
IHG offers numerous options, including brands like Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites. In many cases, you might see award nights costing roughly 15,000–20,000 IHG points. This usually translates to a redemption value of about 0.5–0.7¢ per point. While you might enjoy loyalty benefits or extra amenities, the point value isn’t as strong as booking through the portal.
Quick Comparison: Redemption Options for Any Hotel Stay
Below is a quick-reference table summarizing how different redemptions might stack up. These figures are approximate and can vary by location, date, and hotel quality.
| Hotel & Redemption Method | Points Needed | Cash Rate | Value per Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Downtown Hotel (Chase Travel Portal) | ~15,000 UR points (Reserve) | ~$225/night | 1.5¢/point |
| Mid-Range Chain Hotel (Marriott Transfer) | ~15,000 Marriott points | ~$90/night | ~0.6¢/point |
| Full-Service Hotel (Marriott Transfer) | ~20,000 Marriott points | ~$130/night | ~0.65¢/point |
| Extended Stay Property (IHG Transfer) | ~20,000 IHG points | ~$120/night | ~0.6¢/point |
| Budget Hotel Example (IHG Transfer) | ~17,000 IHG points | ~$93/night | ~0.55¢/point |
| Budget Hotel via Chase Portal (Chase Sapphire Preferred) | ~8,000 UR points (for a $100 night) | ~$100/night | 1.25¢/point |
Best-Value Recommendations
For most travelers, booking through the Chase Travel Portal is the clear value winner:
- Premium Hotels: If you’re eyeing a high-quality stay—say, a premium downtown hotel with upscale amenities—the portal gives you predictable, high redemption value (around 1.5¢ per point with Sapphire Reserve).
- Chain Hotels: Even for mid-range or budget chains, portal redemptions usually offer a better rate than transferring to Marriott or IHG, unless you particularly value loyalty perks or have elite status.
- Loyalty Perks Consideration: Only opt for point transfers if the loyalty benefits (like room upgrades or free breakfast) outweigh the lower redemption value. If you’re not chasing these perks, the Chase portal is typically the best way to stretch your points.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to maximizing your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for any hotel stay, the Chase Travel Portal usually delivers the best overall value—especially if you have a Sapphire Reserve or Preferred. The fixed value of 1.25–1.5¢ per point means you get a reliable return on your points, without the variability of transfer redemptions.
If loyalty perks or elite status benefits are critical to your travel experience, then transferring points to Marriott Bonvoy or IHG One Rewards might make sense—but be prepared for a lower point value in exchange for those benefits.
Ready to book your next hotel stay? Consider the Chase Travel Portal for a straightforward, high-value redemption, and keep your points working as hard as you do!
Have you had success maximizing your Chase Ultimate Rewards points on hotel bookings? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!