How I’m using 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points in 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 12:58 p.m. UTC June 18, 2024
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Even though I’m a full-time credit card rewards writer and digital nomad, I got the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card late compared to my peers. I applied for it in April 2023, and I’ve used it a decent amount since then.
Last year, I used around 30,000 points for a hotel stay, leaving me with 100,000 points I can use in 2024. I plan to book a trans-Atlantic flight, a domestic flight, two experiences and a three-night stay at the Hyatt Regency in Brisbane and still have points to spare. Here’s how I’m going to get the most value from my Chase Ultimate Rewards® points this year.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A flight from Lima to Madrid on Iberia
I travel between Europe and South America throughout the year to maximize my time in warm weather. I was in Lima, Peru, for the first several months of 2024 and then relocated to Madrid, Spain, where I’ll stay until the Paris Olympics begin at the end of July.
I fly with my cat, Isabelle, so I always try to ensure the route is as quick as possible. When I was looking at flights from Lima (LIM) to Madrid (MAD) there were only three non-stop options: Air Europa, LATAM and Iberia.
I knew I wanted to use my Ultimate Rewards points for this flight, and since Air Europa and LATAM are not currently Chase transfer partners this left me with just one option for a nonstop redemption: Iberia.
In many cases, it’s best to transfer your points rather than redeem them through a travel portal. This held true for my Madrid flight. When booking through Chase Travel℠, the flight would cost anywhere from 63,000 points to 75,000 points. However, booking directly on the Iberia website allowed me to book my flight for just 25,000 points plus taxes and fees.
This left me with roughly 75,000 points still available to use.
Experiences around the world
I’ve never done this before, but cardholders can book activities through the Chase Travel portal. One of the experiences I plan on booking is in Istanbul — a three-and-a-half-hour night cruise, which includes dinner, drinks and a show, for just 2,624 points.
I easily earn that many points from using my card each month, so it feels like a no-brainer to book the experience.
I’m visiting Melbourne, Australia, for a friend’s birthday this September, and there is a full-day small-group eco-tour for just 7,592 points. The experience is around 12 hours, so this seems like great value and a good way to learn a lot about a new destination.
Without rewards, these experiences might not be something I would treat myself to, but I’m excited to do different things when I travel. You don’t have to use your points exclusively to offset major expenses — minor redemptions on tours and experiences can also be beneficial.
Between my flight to Spain and these two experiences, I’ve spent roughly 35,000 points, meaning I have another 65,000 or so available.
A flight from New York to North Carolina
I am flying home to North Carolina from Istanbul this October. I will break up the journey and spend the night with a friend in New York before flying from New York (LGA) to Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM).
Normally, a one-way first-class flight on Delta would cost 32,500 SkyMiles. However, I have the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (terms apply), so I get 15% off mileage redemptions, bringing the cost down to 27,600 miles with Delta.
But, instead of choosing this option, I will transfer my points from Chase to British Airways Executive Club, where I can book a one-way first-class flight from New York to Wilmington operated by American Airlines for just 16,500 Avios.
It’s not the same flight, but it leaves at a similar time in the afternoon and saves me over 11,000 points.
I’m now down to about 48,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
A stay at the Hyatt Regency Brisbane
While I’m in Australia for my friend’s birthday, she wants to travel from Melbourne to Brisbane for a few days for better weather. I can book a stay at the Hyatt Regency Brisbane for just 9,000 points per night. So, a three-night stay will cost just 27,000 points, and I can transfer my Chase points at a 1:1 ratio, allowing me to treat my friend to a special birthday gift with no out-of-pocket expense.
After this redemption, I’ll have about 21,500 Ultimate Rewards points left.
Bottom line
In 2024, I’ve scored an international flight, a first-class domestic flight, a 3-night hotel stay and two global experiences all for less than 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
I don’t necessarily want to get my rewards balance down to zero, as I like to take advantage of limited-time bonuses or last-minute opportunities. Plus, I’ll continue using my Sapphire Preferred all year, which means I will keep accumulating even while I’m redeeming my points.
I don’t know where the rest of my points will take me, but I’m confident I’ll be able to stretch them out for a range of new experiences I might not be able to have otherwise.
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