Transferring Chase UR to United... value??

[macasaaaaa]

I've read on multiple pages that transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to United Mileage Plus is a good way to use them. I have CSP so I understand my points are worth 1.25 when booking travel. Maybe this is a dumb question but if my points are worth 1.25 and I transfer them to United at a 1:1 ratio, don't I lose 0.25 on each point?? And if I have CSR wouldn't I lose 0.5 on each point? I am having a brain cramp.

 

[trenty]

When I book a flight (or hotel) with anyone I can transfer URs to I do this:
1. Check to see how many points needed if booked directly. So you would find the flight you want on United to see how many points you would need to transfer 1:1.
2. Try the same booking through the Chase Travel portal where you would get the 1.25 redemption.

Then book whichever method uses less points.

The only time I don't do the above is with SW. I always book SW directly on the SW site with points.

 

[macasaaaaa]

Ahh I see, that makes sense, I will try that. My only trouble is that I already have UnitedMiles points that I want to use and if I booked through the Chase portal I wouldn't be able to apply those towards the flight purchase.

 

[trenty]

Ahh I see, that makes sense, I will try that. My only trouble is that I already have UnitedMiles points that I want to use and if I booked through the Chase portal I wouldn't be able to apply those towards the flight purchase.

Correct. I consider that too, depending on how many points I have with the travel partner.

And - when booked through the portal you can earn miles since it is considered a "cash" booking.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Ahh I see, that makes sense, I will try that. My only trouble is that I already have UnitedMiles points that I want to use and if I booked through the Chase portal I wouldn't be able to apply those towards the flight purchase.

You need to check the exact flight you want and run the math. It might be worth it to transfer the miles to UA for booking what you want or it might not because the award is priced ridiculously expensive in miles or there are no awards available for your flight (the flight could be empty and still not have any award space).

DO NOT TRANSFER MILES WITHOUT KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO BOOK. Once they are transferred you’re done. Your URs are UA miles and they can never go back.

 

[Bobb_o]

You can probably find what UA miles are worth, as an example Southwest miles are in most cases 1.5¢/mile so that is a better deal than booking through the portal.