Best Chase Ultimate Rewards Redemptions 2026

Not all Chase Ultimate Rewards redemptions are created equal. The difference between the best and worst uses of UR points can be 5x or more in value. Here’s a definitive ranking of the top redemptions — and the ones to avoid.

Best Chase UR Redemptions at a Glance

#1 — World of Hyatt Hotel Redemptions

Why it’s #1: Hyatt is the only major US hotel program with a fixed award chart, and the values are extraordinary. At mid-tier properties (Category 4–5), it’s common to extract 3–4 cents per point — three times the value of cash back and double the Chase Travel portal rate.

Best specific redemptions:

• Park Hyatt Sydney — 30,000 points/night; cash price $700–$1,100/night → 2.3–3.7 cpp
• Park Hyatt Chicago — 25,000 points/night; cash $400–$700/night → 1.6–2.8 cpp
• Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort — 25,000 points/night; cash $700–$1,200/night → 2.8–4.8 cpp
• Hyatt Ziva/Zilara all-inclusives — 20,000–25,000 points/night including meals, drinks, and activities; cash equivalent $500–$900/night → 2.0–4.5 cpp

The combination of UR → Hyatt transfer speed (instant), fixed award pricing, and consistently high cash rates at Hyatt properties makes this the most reliable high-value UR redemption.

#2 — Delta Business Class via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Why it’s elite: Delta SkyMiles charges 280,000+ miles for a round-trip transatlantic Delta One ticket. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club partners with Delta and prices the same seats at 50,000–75,000 Flying Club miles round trip — a difference of up to 230,000 miles. Since Flying Club transfers from UR at 1:1, this is one of the largest arbitrage opportunities in the entire US travel rewards space.

Best routes:

• New York (JFK/EWR) to London Heathrow — Delta One: ~60,000–75,000 miles round trip
• Atlanta to Amsterdam — Delta One: ~60,000–75,000 miles round trip
• Los Angeles to Tokyo (Narita) — via ANA The Room: ~60,000 miles one-way

How to book: Search award availability on Delta’s website or Google Flights to identify available Delta One seats, then book via Virgin Atlantic’s website using Flying Club miles. Delta One transatlantic availability is limited — search 330 days in advance and check multiple date combinations.

#3 — Transatlantic Business Class via Flying Blue (Flash Sales)

Why it’s excellent: Air France/KLM Flying Blue holds Promo Rewards Flash Sales approximately twice per month, offering 25–50% discounts on specific routes. During a Flash Sale, transatlantic business class from New York or other US cities to Paris, Amsterdam, or other European hubs can price as low as 50,000–70,000 miles round trip.

At 60,000 miles for a $4,500 cash fare, that’s 7.5 cpp — among the highest achievable in any Chase UR transfer.

How to capture Flash Sales: Sign up for Flying Blue’s email notifications. When a Flash Sale launches, transfer UR points immediately (Flying Blue transfers are instant from Chase) and book the specific sale fares before they expire. Flash Sales typically last 48–72 hours.

#4 — ANA Business/First Class via Aeroplan

Why it’s outstanding: ANA operates what many aviation reviewers consider the world’s best business class product — “The Room” on the 777-9 — and their First Class is similarly exceptional. Air Canada Aeroplan prices ANA awards at roughly 130,000–150,000 points round trip for business class from the US West Coast to Japan.

At a cash price of $8,000–$12,000 for the same ticket, the math produces 5–8 cpp — exceptional.

How to book: Search ANA award space on United.com (which shares the Star Alliance inventory) or use Seats.aero to identify availability. Then call Air Canada Aeroplan to book (online ANA booking through Aeroplan can be unreliable for partner awards). Transfer UR points to Aeroplan only after you’ve confirmed space.

#5 — Short-Haul US Flights via British Airways Executive Club

Why it works: British Airways Avios prices awards on distance, meaning a 400-mile hop from New York to Boston on American Airlines costs just 7,500 Avios. If you pay $150–$250 in cash for those flights, you’re getting 2.0–3.3 cpp — outstanding for such a short, easy redemption.

Best short-haul routes on American Airlines:

• New York (JFK/LGA) to Boston (BOS): 7,500 Avios
• Dallas (DFW) to Houston (IAH): 7,500 Avios
• Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO): 7,500 Avios
• Chicago (ORD) to Detroit (DTW): 7,500 Avios

Caution: Only use British Airways Avios for American Airlines–operated flights. BA-operated international flights carry significant fuel surcharges ($400–$800+) that destroy the value of this redemption.

#6 — Chase Travel Portal (Sapphire Reserve)

Why it’s reliable: At 1.5 cents per point, the Sapphire Reserve portal delivers guaranteed, predictable value without needing to understand any partner program, manage award availability, or worry about surcharges. For travelers who value simplicity or are redeeming for hotels, rental cars, and activities (where partner transfer options are weak), the portal is the right choice.

Best portal use cases:

• Hotels outside the Hyatt portfolio
• Car rentals (where no great award option exists)
• Flights where partner programs show no availability
• Cruises, tours, and activities booked through Chase Travel

For Sapphire Preferred holders (1.25x portal), the portal is still useful but the math becomes less compelling vs. partner transfers.

What to Avoid

Marriott Bonvoy (1:1 UR transfer)

Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.5–0.8 cents each. Transferring 10,000 UR points to get 10,000 Bonvoy points — worth $50–$80 in hotel stays — is a terrible trade when the same 10,000 UR points could book $150 in hotels through the Reserve portal or transfer to Hyatt for a night worth $250+.

Amazon at Checkout / Apple Purchases

Chase allows you to use UR points to pay for Amazon or Apple purchases at 0.8 cents per point. Always choose cash back over this option — you get 1.0 cpp with cash back, vs. 0.8 cpp here.

Gift Cards

Gift cards through the UR portal value points at approximately 1.0 cpp — same as cash back, with no added benefit. Stick to cash back if you want simple redemption.

Merchandise

The UR merchandise store offers the worst redemption value in the program, typically 0.5–0.7 cpp. Under no circumstances should you use points for merchandise when cash back, portal, or partner transfer options exist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Chase Ultimate Rewards redemptions?

The best redemptions are: (1) World of Hyatt transfers for Park Hyatt and all-inclusive Ziva/Zilara resorts, (2) Delta One business class via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (50,000–75,000 miles round trip), (3) ANA business class via Air Canada Aeroplan (~135,000 points round trip), (4) Air France/KLM business class via Flying Blue (100,000–120,000 miles round trip), and (5) United MileagePlus for flexible Star Alliance access.

Should I transfer Chase points or use the travel portal?

Use the Chase Travel portal for economy domestic flights, rental cars, and moderate-price hotels — you get 1.5 cpp (Sapphire Reserve) with no award availability constraints. Transfer to partners when booking business class, first class, or Hyatt properties, where the value ceiling is 3–7+ cpp. If you’re unsure, the portal is the safer default; transfers require confirmed award space.

What is the worst way to use Chase Ultimate Rewards?

Merchandise redemptions (0.5–0.7 cpp) and gift cards (1.0 cpp) are the worst uses of Chase UR. Amazon Pay and statement credit redemptions outside Pay Yourself Back also return 1.0 cpp or less — the same as simply cashing out. Never redeem below the 1.5 cpp portal rate unless you have a specific reason.