As a frequent traveler, I’ve discovered the value in using credit card rewards points to book flights, and one of the best options I’ve found is using Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book Delta flights. You may be wondering how it’s possible, since Chase and Delta don’t have a direct partnership. However, there are a few ways to do it, and I’m here to guide you through the process.
Typically, booking a flight using credit card points requires transferring those points to an airline loyalty program, but in the case of Chase Ultimate Rewards and Delta, this isn’t a direct option. Don’t worry, though, because with a little creativity, you can still use your valuable points to book that Delta flight you’ve been eyeing.
Knowledge is power, and in this case, it’s the key to turning your hard-earned Chase Ultimate Rewards points into a seat on your next Delta flight. So, let’s dive into the different methods you can use to book a Delta flight using Chase Ultimate Rewards points, ensuring you get the most value for your points and enjoy a seamless travel experience.
Understanding Chase Ultimate Rewards
As a Chase credit card holder, I’ve learned that the Chase Ultimate Rewards Program is a versatile and valuable way to earn and redeem points for various travel needs, including booking Delta flights. Let me share my knowledge and experience to help you understand more about this rewards program.
Earning Points
I earn points through my everyday spending on eligible Chase credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Chase Ink Business. Each card offers different earning rates and bonus categories, which can greatly help in accumulating points over time.
For example, my Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, while my Chase Ink Business card earns 3 points per dollar in select business categories. By maximizing my spending in these bonus categories, I’m able to build up my Chase Ultimate Rewards points balance faster.
Another way to earn points is through the Chase Ultimate Rewards shopping portal. When I shop at participating online retailers through the portal, I earn bonus points on top of the regular points earned for credit card spending.
Redeeming Points
Redeeming points for Delta flights has been an excellent way for me to make the most out of my Chase Ultimate Rewards points. There are a few options when it comes to redeeming points for Delta flights:
- Transfer points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to book Delta flights, often requiring significantly fewer points than booking directly with Delta’s own SkyMiles program.
- Transfer points to Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue program to book SkyTeam flights, which includes Delta.
- Book Delta flights directly through the Chase Travel Portal using points at a fixed value, depending on the specific credit card I hold.
Each redemption method has its pros and cons, so I carefully consider the specific travel goals and current points balance to determine the best option for booking Delta flights with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Booking Delta Flights
As someone who loves to travel, I’m always looking for the best ways to use my Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Recently, I discovered how to book Delta flights using these points and found it to be quite efficient. In this section, I’ll share a few methods to book Delta flights with Chase Ultimate Rewards and shed light on some of the partner airlines you can take advantage of.
Methods to Book
I found three main ways to use my Chase Ultimate Rewards points for booking Delta flights. The first method is by booking via the Ultimate Rewards redemption portal. This is perhaps the most straightforward approach, as you can search for flights directly through the portal and use your points for your desired Delta flight.
The second method I discovered was transferring my Ultimate Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic to book Delta flights. Similarly, the third method involves transferring points to KLM/France instead. Both of these options allow for booking Delta flights, but with the added benefits of using partner airline loyalty programs.
Partner Airlines
Booking Delta flights through partner airlines can sometimes offer better value and more availability. Two key partner airlines I found useful for this purpose are Virgin Atlantic and KLM/France.
Transferring my Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic allowed me to book Delta flights with the added advantage of using Virgin Atlantic’s award pricing, potentially saving me points in comparison to booking directly through the Chase portal. Similarly, transferring points to KLM/France opened up opportunities to book Delta flights using their Flying Blue program, which might also offer better award pricing and availability.
In conclusion, I found that there are several ways to book Delta flights using Chase Ultimate Rewards points. By exploring different methods and partner airlines, I was able to discover the options that provided the best value and availability for my travel needs.
Maximizing Point Value
In this section, I will share some tips and strategies to maximize the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points when booking Delta flights.
Transfer Partners
One way to get the most value from your Ultimate Rewards points is by transferring them to airline partners. For Delta flights, you can transfer your points to one of Chase’s airline transfer partners, like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. With this strategy, I found that you may be able to book a Delta flight for fewer points compared to booking directly through the Chase Travel Portal. For example, an Atlanta-Paris itinerary that requires 85,238 points in the Chase Portal could be booked for just 58,000 points through one of Chase’s airline transfer partners (The Miles Genie).
When you transfer your points to an airline partner, you’re taking advantage of their unique award charts and redemption options. This can help you save points and achieve a higher value for each point redeemed.
Flight Deals
Another strategy to maximize the value of your Chase points is to keep an eye on Delta’s flash sales. These sales allow you to book flights for a lower number of SkyMiles, which means you may be able to save points when booking Delta flights using your transferred Chase points. Delta’s flash sales tend to rotate weekly or monthly, so it’s essential to stay updated on these deals (The Points Guy).
Knowing when a specific flight deal is worth taking advantage of will help you save points and get the most value for your Chase Ultimate Rewards. When you come across a good flight deal during Delta’s flash sales, try to transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to a relevant transfer partner and book your flight as soon as possible to secure the best value.
Things to Consider
When booking Delta flights with Chase Ultimate Rewards, there are several factors I need to consider to make the most of my points and find the best options for my trip.
Availability
One of the first things I need to check is the availability of award flights with partner airlines. This is because Delta flights can be booked by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to partners such as Virgin Atlantic or KLM/France. Checking availability on these airlines’ websites can help me plan my trip and find the best flight options before transferring my points.
Fees and Restrictions
It is also essential for me to take into account any fees or restrictions when booking Delta flights with points. For instance, booking through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal can sometimes result in lower point requirements compared to transferring points to travel partners. However, this could also mean that the flights might be subject to additional fees or less favorable cancellation policies. It is crucial for me to be aware of these factors to determine the best course of action.
Point Expiration
Before booking a Delta flight with my Chase Ultimate Rewards points, I should be aware of any expiration policies on my points. While Chase Ultimate Rewards points generally do not expire as long as my account remains open, it is worth noting that once I transfer points to a partner airline such as Virgin Atlantic or Flying Blue, the points will be subject to that airline’s expiration policies. This means that I must use the transferred points within a certain time frame or risk losing them.
Considering these factors can help me make informed decisions and maximize the value of my Chase Ultimate Rewards points when booking Delta flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
As I’ve explored booking Delta flights with Chase Ultimate Rewards, many questions arise. Here, I’ll address some frequently asked questions:
Can I book Delta flights directly through the Chase Travel Portal using Ultimate Rewards points?
Yes, you can use your Ultimate Rewards points to book Delta flights directly through the Chase Travel Portal. This can be a good option when there is a cheap fare, as it may require fewer points compared to transferring to a travel partner.
What is the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards when using them for Delta flights?
The value of your points will depend on which Chase credit card you have. For example, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, the points are worth 1.25 cents, and with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the points are worth 1.5 cents each.
Which airline partner should I transfer my Chase Ultimate Rewards points to for booking Delta flights?
One option is to transfer your points to a SkyTeam member like Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue program. The Miles Genie shows an example where 58,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points were used to book a Delta flight through the Flying Blue program, saving points compared to booking directly through Chase.
Can I book domestic Delta flights using Chase Ultimate Rewards points?
Yes, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can also be used for domestic flights by transferring them to airline partners like United Airlines, Southwest, or JetBlue. Though Delta and American Airlines are not direct partners, you may still find domestic flight options with them through other transfer partners.
