Chase Travel explained: Points Boost, redemption rates and smart ways to book

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most valuable and flexible rewards currencies — but how you redeem your points matters just as much as earning them.

The Chase Travel℠ portal can be an easy way to book flights, hotels, cruises and more using points or cash. It can be the best option when award space is limited or cash fares are low.

However, it's not always the best deal.

Here's how Chase Travel works and when to use it.

What is Chase Travel?

Chase Travel is an online booking platform where you can search and book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, activities and tours using either cash, points or a combination of both.

Like an online travel agency (think Expedia), it gives you access to a wide range of travel options — but with the added benefit of earning or redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Why it can be useful

There are three main reasons to use Chase Travel:

When award space isn't available
When you want to earn bonus points on paid travel
When you prefer a simple, fixed redemption value

That said, you'll typically get the most value from Chase points by transferring them to partners like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt, so it's always worth comparing options.

Which cards unlock the most value?

You don't need a premium card to use Chase Travel — but they do unlock the highest value.

Card	Redemption rate on travel booked through Chase Travel	Earn rate on travel booked through Chase Travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees)	Highest redemption potential Points can be worth up to 2 cents each in the portal*	8 points per dollar spent
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees)	Solid mid-tier redemption value Points can be worth up to 1.75 cents each*	Sapphire Preferred: 5 points per dollar spent Ink Business Preferred: 3 points per dollar spent
Cash-back cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees)	Points worth 1 cent each — unless combined with a premium card	Freedom Unlimited: 5% cash back

*Depending on the specific redemption, see your rewards program agreement for full details.

Because Chase lets you pool points across cards, many travelers pair a no-annual-fee card with a Sapphire card to maximize value.

How to maximize redemptions with Points Boost

Points Boost adds a layer to Chase Travel redemptions by increasing the value of points on select bookings.

Instead of relying solely on fixed redemption rates, you can sometimes get a higher value depending on the itinerary and offer available based on the card you hold.

When booking select flights and hotels:

Sapphire Reserve cardholders can redeem up to 2 cents per point
Sapphire Preferred and Ink Preferred cardholders can redeem up to 1.75 cents per point

Use TPG's April 2026 valuation of Chase points at 2.05 cents per point as your benchmark:

Above 2.05 cents per point: Strong redemption
1.5–2 cents per point: Solid, especially for convenience
Below 1.5 cents per point: Usually better to transfer points

This makes it essential to check each booking rather than assuming a fixed value.

When should you use Chase Travel?

The Chase Travel portal works best in a few specific situations.

When to use the portal:

Cash fares are low
Award availability is limited
You find a strong Points Boost redemption
You're booking independent or boutique hotels

Delta Airbus A321neo — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

When to skip it:

Prices are higher than booking directly
Transfer partners offer significantly better value
You want hotel elite perks or points (except for The Edit properties)

TPG analysis has found that flights booked through Chase's portal average 6% higher than booking directly, making it important to compare before booking.

How to use Chase Travel

Booking through Chase Travel is straightforward:

Log in to your Chase account
Open your Ultimate Rewards dashboard
Click Travel, then Book travel
Search for flights, hotels, cars, cruises, activities or tours
Choose to pay with cash, points or both

You can also book travel for others, not just yourself.

How to book flights using Chase Travel

One of the biggest advantages of booking flights through the portal is that you'll typically still earn airline miles and elite status credit, since the ticket is treated like a paid fare. That makes the portal especially useful when award seats aren't available or when fares are inexpensive.

Booking flights through the portal works similarly to Google Flights or Expedia.

You can compare airlines, review different fare types and select add-ons before heading to checkout.

As always, it's worth comparing prices across multiple platforms, including directly with the airline.

How to book hotels using Chase Travel

Hotel bookings follow the same process but come with a few trade-offs.

The portal can be a great way to earn Chase points on stays at independent or boutique properties, and Points Boost can occasionally improve redemption value. However, most bookings are treated as third-party reservations, which means you typically won't earn hotel points, elite night credits or receive status perks.

There is one notable exception: The Edit by Chase Travel, which offers benefits like room upgrades, property credits and late checkout at select luxury hotels. You'll be able to double-dip on earning Chase points and hotel loyalty points on these bookings (except Small Luxury Hotels properties, part of Hilton).

Sapphire Reserve cardholders can unlock additional value on hotel bookings, including two $250 The Edit credits on eligible stays each year and a one-time $250 statement credit for select hotels booked through Chase Travel in 2026.

And Sapphire Preferred cardholders receive up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel reservations made through Chase Travel.

How to book car rentals, cruises and other travel using Chase Travel

Chase Travel also lets you book rental cars, cruises, tours and activities, making it possible to plan nearly an entire trip in one place.

Rental cars follow a similar booking process to flights and hotels, and Sapphire cardholders still benefit from primary rental car insurance when paying with their card — a valuable perk that can save money on coverage.

Cars in a Europcar rental car lot in Hamburg, Germany — STEFANIE LOOS/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

Cruises are also available to search and book through the portal, with access to thousands of itineraries across a range of cruise lines. You can typically choose to pay with cash, points or a combination of both, and some sailings may include additional perks through Chase Travel.

You can also book activities such as guided tours and experiences, which can be a convenient way to use leftover points or round out a trip.

In general, these types of bookings offer lower cents-per-point value than flights or hotels, so they're best used for convenience rather than maximizing redemption value.

Key things to consider before booking

Before booking through Chase Travel, keep a few key factors in mind.

Prices can vary: Sometimes higher, sometimes lower, sometimes identical
Changes can be harder: You'll need to go through Chase Travel for support
Perks may not apply: Especially for hotel elite status

Most importantly, always compare portal bookings with transfer partner options — particularly for premium flights and Hyatt stays.

Bottom line

Chase Travel is a flexible way to redeem Ultimate Rewards points, especially with Points Boost and expanded booking options across travel types. But it's not a simple fixed-value proposition.

For the best results:

Use approximately 2 cents per point as your benchmark
Look for Points Boost opportunities
Compare against transfer partners

Used strategically, the portal can help you stretch your points and unlock trips you wouldn't otherwise be able to book.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Chase Travel explained: Points Boost, redemption rates and smart ways to book