When to use UR?

[Anonymous]

Hey guys was going to book soon finally with UR and wanted to make sure I was maximizing my UR.

So my two options are redeeming through the portal for 1.5% or transferring to airline partners.

Is it as simple as calculating how much percentage gain I would receive for transferring compared to redeeming through the portal? And, if it is over 1.5%, then I just transfer the points right? 

Thanks.

Edit: I have CSR.

[NRB525]

Which airline are you planning to transfer to.

Are you able to see lots of flights options relevant to your specific travel plans, to use them as a specific program offers them in miles?

The "points value" estimators such as TPG are averages. Your actual redemption rate on a specific airline flight can be different value, for a number of reasons.

The advantage of the 1.5c redemption rate is you are more likely to be able to get a flight closer to your actual travel plans, and even on a non-transfer airline partner, instead of letting the airline redemption value determine where and when you go on only that airline.

[NRB525]

Do you have CSP or CSR?

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is that simple. Chase's portal and your frequent flyer program will show you how many points you will use. Go with the lower amount.  Though with your frequent flyer program you will also have to pay cash for surcharges and other taxes and fees. But it will show you how much cash you will have to pay also.

[Anonymous]

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@NRB525 wrote:

Do you have CSP or CSR?

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Based on his signature, they don't have either.

If you don't have one, you can't move UR points over to travel partners and can only be used in the Portal.

[Anonymous]

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@NRB525 wrote:

Which airline are you planning to transfer to.

Are you able to see lots of flights options relevant to your specific travel plans, to use them as a specific program offers them in miles?

The "points value" estimators such as TPG are averages. Your actual redemption rate on a specific airline flight can be different value, for a number of reasons.

The advantage of the 1.5c redemption rate is you are more likely to be able to get a flight closer to your actual travel plans, and even on a non-transfer airline partner, instead of letting the airline redemption value determine where and when you go on only that airline.

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Let's say it's plain and simple. I want to book a southwest flight and there are no competitors.

Wouldn't I just check if the transfer rate is 1.5c or more? And if so, I just transfer? 

If it isn't, I would just book through the travel portal right?

[Anonymous]

If you only have the Freedom then you can't transfer to travel partners. So you might not have a choice.

[Anonymous]

Well, if he only has the Freedom, then there is no point multiplier either. One point will equal one cent.

[grillandwinemaster]

Can you apply and have a good chance of approval to either CSP or CSR? I think the INK would also work. 

[nachoslibres]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@NRB525 wrote:

Which airline are you planning to transfer to.

Are you able to see lots of flights options relevant to your specific travel plans, to use them as a specific program offers them in miles?

The "points value" estimators such as TPG are averages. Your actual redemption rate on a specific airline flight can be different value, for a number of reasons.

The advantage of the 1.5c redemption rate is you are more likely to be able to get a flight closer to your actual travel plans, and even on a non-transfer airline partner, instead of letting the airline redemption value determine where and when you go on only that airline.

---

Let's say it's plain and simple. I want to book a southwest flight and there are no competitors.

Wouldn't I just check if the transfer rate is 1.5c or more? And if so, I just transfer? 

If it isn't, I would just book through the travel portal right?

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Yes, if you have the CSR, it's pretty much that simple.  I believe with flights you still pay the same taxes and fees with reward redemptions as you would with paid fares (unlike hotels where with reward redemptions you typically don't pay taxes or fees) so there are no tax/fee savings by going reward redemption vs paid fare through the UR portal.  If the reward redemption rate is over $0.015 per point but is close you may consider still purchasing the airfare throught the UR portal as you still have the ability to earn miles on that airline's FF program vs not earning miles on reward redemptions.