As a frequent traveler, I am always on the lookout for ways to make the most of my rewards points. One question that has come up among fellow travelers is whether it is possible to book stays at Great Wolf Lodge using Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Great Wolf Lodge is a popular destination for families, thanks to its indoor waterparks, kid-friendly activities, and spacious suites.
In my research, I have found that while it may not be as straightforward as booking with other hotel chains, it is indeed possible to use Chase Ultimate Rewards points for stays at Great Wolf Lodge. By utilizing your points and the Chase travel portal, you can plan your family getaway and maximize your rewards. In this article, I will discuss the process of booking a stay at Great Wolf Lodge using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points and tips for making the most of your points at this family-friendly destination.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Overview
Chase Ultimate Rewards is a versatile rewards program that allows me to earn points by using Chase credit cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Freedom Unlimited, and Chase Freedom Flex. What I appreciate about this program is the flexibility to use these points for various redemption options, including travel bookings, cashback, and gift cards.
One notable feature of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program is the ability to transfer my points to numerous travel partners. Additionally, I can use my points to book travel directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. When booking through the portal, the value of my points may vary depending on the specific Chase credit card I hold. For example, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, my points have a higher value when redeeming for travel compared to other cards in the program.
When it comes to earning points, different cards offer various earning rates. For instance, the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex both earn 5% (or 5x points) back on travel booked through the Chase portal (The Points Guy). The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also earns 5x points on travel booked through the portal, along with 10x points on hotels and car rentals (NerdWallet).
Great Wolf Lodge Overview
Great Wolf Lodge is a popular resort chain in North America, known for its family-oriented indoor water park attractions. From the moment I set foot in one of their locations, it’s evident that their focus is on providing a fun and memorable experience for families, with a range of activities and amenities to suit all ages.
One of the standout features of Great Wolf Lodge is the water park access included for guests staying at the resort. The water parks are temperature controlled at 84 degrees, ensuring a comfortable climate all year round(source). In addition to the water park, there’s a range of other entertainment and activities available, including dance parties, story times, arts and crafts, and yoga(source).
When staying at Great Wolf Lodge, guests can enjoy the convenience of a variety of dining options right on site, as well as a firepit, shopping options, and laundry facilities(source). Check-in time for resort rooms typically begins at 4 pm; however, guests can begin taking advantage of what the resort has to offer as early as 1 pm on the day of their arrival(source).
As someone who values memorable and enjoyable experiences, I find Great Wolf Lodge to be an excellent option for families looking to have a fun and unique vacation while maximizing their Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Booking through Chase Travel Portal
As someone who enjoys traveling, the Chase Ultimate Rewards program can be an excellent way to redeem points for hotel stays, flights, car rentals, and more. One question on my mind has always been, can I book stays at Great Wolf Lodge using Chase Ultimate Rewards? Here, I’ll discuss the process of booking through the Chase Travel Portal and how to use points or cash for your stay.
Steps to Book
To book a stay at Great Wolf Lodge using Chase Ultimate Rewards, I first navigate to the Chase Travel Portal and sign in with my account.
Once logged in, I go to the booking section and search for hotels by entering the destination, dates, and the number of guests. If Great Wolf Lodge is available for the specified location and dates, I can find it in the search results.
After selecting the desired property, I choose the appropriate room type and any additional options, such as a meal plan or activity package. Finally, I proceed to the checkout and confirm my reservation.
Using Points or Cash
The Chase Travel Portal allows me to book my stay using a combination of points and cash or solely with points. To use points, I need to have enough points available in my account to cover the cost of the booking.
If I don’t have enough points, I can also use cash to cover the remaining balance. The portal displays the conversion rate of points to cash, and I can adjust the slider to determine the mix of points and cash I want to use for my booking.
While booking Great Wolf Lodge with Chase Ultimate Rewards can be a convenient option, it’s important to remember that the availability and pricing may vary depending on the specific location, dates, and room options. So, I always make sure to compare and confirm the cost and benefits before making a reservation using Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Transfer Points to Partner Programs
As someone who loves to maximize my rewards, I have discovered that transferring points to partner programs can sometimes provide better redemption value. Chase Ultimate Rewards, known for its flexibility, allows you to transfer points to various hotel and airline partners.
Applicable Hotel Partners
Unfortunately, Great Wolf Lodge is not currently a direct partner with Chase Ultimate Rewards. However, with IHG as one of Chase’s hotel transfer partners, you may be able to book a stay at a nearby IHG property and still visit the Great Wolf Lodge waterpark. You can find more information on IHG’s partnership with Great Wolf Lodge under the IHG Rewards Transfer Partners guide.
Steps to Transfer Points
Transferring Ultimate Rewards points is easy. First, you’ll need to log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account. Then, select “Transfer to Travel Partners” under the “Earn / Use” drop-down menu.
Choose the partner program, in this case, IHG, and enter your membership number. You’ll need to transfer points in increments of 1,000. Lastly, confirm the transfer, and your points should appear in your IHG account within a couple of days.
Remember to compare the points required for a stay at the desired IHG property versus the value of booking directly through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal, as described in the Points Guy guide. This way, you can be sure you’re getting the best value for your points.
Considerations and Tips
Point Value and Redemptions
When booking a stay at Great Wolf Lodge using Chase Ultimate Rewards, it’s essential to consider the point value and redemption options. From my experience, I’ve found that the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points varies depending on how they’re redeemed. Transferring points to hotel partners or booking through the Chase travel portal can offer different values.
In general, I try to aim for a redemption value that’s higher than one cent per point. For Great Wolf Lodge stays, I recommend comparing prices between booking directly with the hotel and using the Chase travel portal to get the best value for your points.
Planning for the Best Deals
To make the most of your Great Wolf Lodge stay and Chase Ultimate Rewards points, it’s important to plan ahead and look for the best deals. I always keep an eye out for discounts on Great Wolf Lodge stays, such as booking off-peak times or searching for online deals, which can be found through sources like Trekaroo. Combining these discounts with Chase Ultimate Rewards bookings can result in significant savings.
In addition to looking for deals on your stay, consider ways to save on other aspects of your trip. You can maximize your savings by bringing your own meals and using the provided mini fridge and microwave in each room at Great Wolf Lodge. With so many amenities available, such as the water park being included in the price of your room, it’s easy to make the most of your stay without spending too much extra money.
Conclusion
In my research on booking stays at Great Wolf Lodge with Chase Ultimate Rewards, I discovered that it is indeed possible to do so. While using the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal to book hotels can be beneficial for those with inflexible travel dates and no available award nights at chain hotels, it is important to consider the value of booking through the portal versus directly with the property.
As noted in a 10xTravel article, booking a cash stay through the travel portal may earn more rewards on most reservations than booking directly with Great Wolf Lodge. However, the trade-off is weighing the value of earning points against the ease of having your reservation directly with the property.
While this decision ultimately depends on individual preferences and needs, I can confidently say that using Chase Ultimate Rewards to book your stay at Great Wolf Lodge is a viable option. Carefully evaluate the pros and cons before choosing the best booking method for your family adventure. Happy travels!
