Which Chase Cards Transfer to Airline and Hotel Partners Right Now
Which Chase Cards Transfer to Airline and Hotel Partners Right Now
Looking to move Chase points to an airline or hotel? Only three Chase cards can initiate 1:1 transfers to Ultimate Rewards partners: Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Ink Business Preferred. That unlocks 14 total partners—11 airlines and 3 hotels—mostly at a 1:1 ratio in 1,000‑point increments, with many transfers posting near‑instantly according to CNET’s 2024 guide on Chase transfer partners. This Points and Perks Guide overview focuses on what transfers now and the fastest way to decide.
Quick answer
You need a premium Chase card—Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred—to transfer points 1:1 to partners. Chase has 14 Ultimate Rewards partners today: 11 airlines and 3 hotels, mostly transferring 1:1 in 1,000‑point increments, with many posting almost instantly (per CNET).
Eligible Chase cards for 1:1 partner transfers
Three premium Chase cards unlock 1:1 transfers to airline and hotel partners:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: lower annual fee, strong travel/dining multipliers.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: premium travel protections and perks.
- Ink Business Preferred: business‑oriented bonus categories and high earning caps.
Premium Ultimate Rewards card — A Chase card that unlocks transfers to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Ink Business Preferred). Points from other Ultimate Rewards cards must be pooled here to transfer.
Table: The three premium Chase cards that enable 1:1 transfers
| Card | Annual fee | Key perk highlight | Transfer ability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | Strong travel/dining earn; broad travel protections | 1:1 transfers to airline/hotel partners |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | Premium credits and protections; airport lounge access | 1:1 transfers to airline/hotel partners |
| Ink Business Preferred | $95 | 3x on select business categories up to high annual caps | 1:1 transfers to airline/hotel partners |
CNET’s current overview confirms these are the only cards that initiate transfers to Chase transfer partners.
Cards that earn but can’t transfer without a premium card
Several Chase cards earn Ultimate Rewards but cannot transfer to partners on their own. To transfer, you must combine points into a Sapphire Preferred/Reserve or Ink Business Preferred account first.
Points pooling — Moving Ultimate Rewards from non‑transfer cards to a premium Ultimate Rewards card in the same profile so those points become transferable.
Non‑transfer earners (typical strengths):
- Chase Freedom Flex: rotating 5x quarterly categories plus fixed 3x/1x earn.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: simple fixed multipliers, elevated everyday earn.
- Ink Business Cash: strong 5x/2x categories on common business spend.
- Ink Business Unlimited: flat 1.5x earn on everything.
NerdWallet’s guide to Chase transfer partners notes you can use the Combine Points tool to pool Freedom and Ink points into a Sapphire or Ink Preferred, then transfer.
Current airline partners
Chase airline partners transfer at 1:1 in 1,000‑point increments. Many post almost instantly, but timing varies by program. Upgraded Points’ transfer timing table shows frequent near‑instant postings for several partners. Points and Perks Guide monitors timing changes so you can plan transfers with fewer surprises.
Table: Chase airline partners, ratios, and typical transfer times
| Partner | Ratio | Minimum | Typical transfer time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus AerClub | 1:1 | 1,000 | Almost instant |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | 1,000 | Almost instant |
| Air France‑KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | 1,000 | About 1 hour |
| British Airways Executive Club (Avios) | 1:1 | 1,000 | Almost instant |
| Emirates Skywards | 1:1 | 1,000 | Varies |
| Iberia Plus (Avios) | 1:1 | 1,000 | Almost instant |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1:1 | 1,000 | Almost instant |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | 1,000 | Typically 1–2 days |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | 1:1 | 1,000 | Almost instant |
| United MileagePlus | 1:1 | 1,000 | Almost instant |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | 1,000 | Almost instant |
- Emirates is a current partner per Business Insider’s Chase transfer partner roundup.
- Transfers to Delta are not available, as repeatedly noted by CNET and others.
Alliance booking — Transferring to a partner lets you redeem flights across its alliance and partners (e.g., Star Alliance, Oneworld, SkyTeam) for broader award access, as outlined by Business Insider.
Current hotel partners
Chase hotel partners also transfer at 1:1 in 1,000‑point increments, with posting speed that varies by program. Points and Perks Guide keeps an eye on posting speeds so you can time transfers against award availability.
Table: Chase hotel partners, ratios, and typical transfer times
| Partner | Ratio | Minimum | Typical transfer time |
|---|---|---|---|
| World of Hyatt | 1:1 | 1,000 | Almost instant |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 | 1,000 | About 2 days |
| IHG One Rewards | 1:1 | 1,000 | About 1 day |
Value context: Bankrate’s point valuations peg Hyatt around 2.3 cents per point, often making it the standout hotel transfer. Business Insider and other trade sources commonly estimate IHG under ~1 cent per point, so transfers there are usually best for specific needs or when a strong bonus is available. Timing insights above reflect Upgraded Points’ timing research.
Transfer rules and timing
- Transfers are one‑way and cannot be reversed—confirm award space before you move points (Bankrate emphasizes this).
- Most transfers are in 1,000‑point increments. Many post in minutes, but Chase and aggregator guides note they can take up to seven business days to appear; LendingTree highlights this timing caveat as a practical planning rule.
- Simple steps:
- Search award space with the airline or hotel program directly.
- Verify expected transfer time for that partner.
- Transfer only the amount needed in 1,000‑point increments and ticket immediately.
Best value partners to prioritize
- World of Hyatt: Often best‑in‑class hotel value at roughly 2.3¢/point (Bankrate), with frequent near‑instant transfers.
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Bankrate estimates around 2.6¢/point; great for sweet spots like ANA premium cabins via partner booking.
- Air Canada Aeroplan: Excellent for premium cabins, broad Star Alliance access, and a 5,000‑point stopover option on many itineraries (documented by Upgraded Points).
Caution areas: JetBlue’s dynamic pricing often yields roughly 1.1–1.4¢/point, while IHG typically delivers under ~1¢/point—transfer only for targeted redemptions or during strong transfer bonuses (noted across Upgraded Points and Business Insider). As a benchmark, Upgraded Points pegs Ultimate Rewards at about 2.0¢ baseline value; aim to beat that when you transfer.
When to use the Chase travel portal instead
- Use the portal when a partner transfer would net less than roughly 1.5–2.0¢/point or when hotel programs (notably IHG and many Marriott cases) deliver poor value compared with cash pricing.
- Quick comparison:
- Check portal cash price and compute your cents‑per‑point.
- Check partner award cost plus expected taxes/fees.
- Choose the higher cents‑per‑point path.
- If timing is tight and the partner isn’t instant, the portal can be safer since Chase warns some transfers can take up to seven business days (as LendingTree notes).
Points and Perks Guide five‑minute decision flow
- Confirm you hold Sapphire Preferred/Reserve or Ink Business Preferred.
- Search award space with the target partner and screenshot availability.
- Check expected transfer time from our timing table above.
- Compare value vs. the portal using a 2.0¢/point baseline from Upgraded Points.
- If transferring, move points in 1,000‑point increments; if not, book via the portal.
Quick rule‑out: No instant availability or slow transfer window? Don’t transfer.
Quick rules for Chase approvals and sequencing
- Map the last 24 months of new accounts to prioritize Chase approvals before other issuers.
- Sequence strategy: Get a premium Ultimate Rewards card first to unlock transfers, then add no‑fee Freedom/Ink cards to maximize earn and pool points into your premium card.
- Respect issuer limits and spacing between applications; move deliberately to preserve approvals.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chase cards allow transfers to airline and hotel partners?
Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Ink Business Preferred enable 1:1 transfers to airline and hotel partners. Other Chase cards can earn Ultimate Rewards, but you must pool those points into one of these premium cards—Points and Perks Guide treats them as the transfer‑unlock cards.
How do I combine points from Freedom and Ink onto a Sapphire to transfer?
Use Chase’s Combine Points tool to move Freedom or Ink points into your Sapphire Preferred/Reserve (or Ink Business Preferred), then transfer to partners. For a quick walkthrough, see the Points and Perks Guide steps above.
Do transfers post instantly and can I reverse a transfer?
Many airline and Hyatt transfers post instantly, while some partners take hours to a couple of days. Transfers are one‑way and irreversible—Points and Perks Guide recommends confirming award space before moving points.
Which partners usually give the best value for flights and hotels?
World of Hyatt and Virgin Atlantic often provide strong value, while Air Canada Aeroplan is great for premium cabins and stopovers. Points and Perks Guide generally favors these and avoids lower‑value options unless a specific need or a transfer bonus applies.
Should I wait for a transfer bonus or book now?
If award space is scarce, book now to avoid losing it. If space is flexible and a partner sees periodic 20–60% bonuses, waiting can boost value—Points and Perks Guide suggests tracking and being ready to transfer when a bonus appears.