Around the world: How to spend 1 million Chase Ultimate Rewards points

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Throughout the height of the pandemic, many travelers amassed large points and miles balances.

We have had lots of spending on groceries, takeout, home improvements and other everyday expenses while locked down at home. At the same time, we’ve had no easy way to redeem a bunch of miles as many international borders closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thankfully these restrictions have started to lift around the world, and we’re getting back on the road again. So in this edition of TPG’s 1 million miles series, we’ll take a look at how the TPG Points and Miles team would spend 1 million Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

We’ll discuss our dream trips and how we’d use Chase points to cover airfare and hotel stays along the way. Use this as inspiration for how to redeem your own stash of Chase points as the world reopens.

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In This Post

I would use a million Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book an epic tour of some of my favorite cities in the U.S., Asia and Europe.

First, I’d book a positioning flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in United Polaris business class. I’d do this by transferring 23,000 Chase points to Singapore KrisFlyer. I’d spend two nights in San Francisco to visit friends.

In San Francisco, I’d transfer 40,000 points to World of Hyatt to stay at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco. This hotel has a great location in downtown San Francisco and is a perfect place to spend a brief trip.

Then, I’d transfer another 130,000 Chase points to Singapore Airlines and book Singapore first class from San Francisco to Singapore Changi Airport(SIN). This is expensive for one flight, but with 1 million points to spend, it’s hard to mind too much. I can add the stopover for $100 on top of the standard taxes and fees.

In Singapore, I’d transfer 100,000 points to World of Hyatt to book five nights at the Andaz Singapore. This is a property I’ve always wanted to check out due to its stellar location and posh amenities.

I’d fly from Singapore to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Singapore Suites for 125,000 Chase points transferred to Singapore KrisFlyer. Again, this is a lot of points, but I can’t think of a better way to travel between the two cities.

I’d spend three nights in Mainz, Germany, at the Hyatt Regency Mainz to explore a new city. This hotel costs just 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night, which is a great deal for a centrally located hotel.

After this, I would start my journey home by booking a flight from Frankfurt to Prague Airport (PRG) on Lufthansa, stopping over in Prague for a week to see family, and then continue by flying Austrian Airlines to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) via Vienna Airport (VIE). This ticket costs 75,000 Chase points transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan in business class, including the stopover in Prague.

In Prague, I would transfer 125,000 Chase points to World of Hyatt for five nights at the Andaz Prague, which is Hyatt’s only property in the Central European capital. That said, it’s a beautiful property with modern rooms, a great lobby bar and excellent service.

This brings me to a total of 654,000 points spent for the trip of a lifetime. The remaining 346,000 points would go toward domestic trips around the U.S. to see friends and family. Not all of these redemptions were the best use of points, but this trip would help me revisit many of my favorite cities. That’s truly priceless.

Related: How to spend a million Marriott points for an epic post-pandemic trip

Benji Stawski, senior reporter

With a million Chase Ultimate Rewards points, I would go on a DIY around-the-world adventure.

Although I’d be able to save some points by booking an actual around-the-world award, booking each flight separately will give me greater flexibility in the airlines I can fly and destinations I can visit. I’ll stay exclusively at World of Hyatt properties because the program offers far greater value than Chase’s other hotel partners.

I’ll visit six destinations and spend three nights at each one. As you’re going to see, relaxation and Instagram-worthy pools will be a theme of the trip.

My first stop of the trip would be Marbella, Spain. Since there are no direct flights, I’d fly from New York (JFK) to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) via Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Swiss business class. Although flying Spain’s flag carrier Iberia might seem more logical, the total travel time would be about the same and I think that Swiss offers a much better business-class product overall. I’d book the flight by transferring 70,000 points to Chase’s newest partner, Aeroplan.

Once there, I’d stay at the Nobu Hotel Marbella on the city’s so-called Golden Mile. The hotel itself is ultra-chic, can satisfy my constant cravings for sushi and is home to Marbella’s hottest nightclub, La Suite. Award nights cost 30,000 Hyatt points per night. Although I don’t have Hyatt Globalist status, since it’s a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property, I’ll still get elite-like perks including free breakfast and upgrades.

Related: 16 incredible hotels you’d never know belonged to World of Hyatt

From there, I wanted to head straight to Seychelles, but because there are no direct flights, I’ll add a stopover in Istanbul. I’d fly Turkish Airlines business class for both segments and book them through Aeroplan again so that I can take advantage of its new stopover rules. Altogether, the flights from Spain to Turkey and Turkey to Seychelles would cost 70,000 points.

In Istanbul, I’d stay at the Park Hyatt Istanbul. Aside from offering a great location and amenities, it costs just 20,000 points per night so it’s a bargain. Then, in Seychelles, I’d treat myself to a stay at the top-tier Category 8 L’Escale Resort Marina & Spa for 40,000 points per night. The hotel’s idyllic setting will make it the perfect place to disconnect for a few days.

For my next stop, I’ll fly Emirates business class straight to Dubai International Airport (DXB) for 61,250 miles with Emirates Skywards. Although Emirates business class doesn’t get the highest marks, and first class is available on this route, I don’t mind “roughing it” and saving the points here since the flight is only 4 1/2 hours long.

In Dubai, I’ll stay at the Park Hyatt. It’s Hyatt’s most luxurious hotel in Dubai and costs a reasonable 20,000 points per night. Amenities include an infinity lagoon leading to a private beach, a golf course, spa and more.

Related: A 5-star trip from Phoenix to Dubai for 2

I wouldn’t mind skipping first class for the flight to Dubai because I’d book Emirates first class from Dubai to Tokyo. With Emirates making it harder to book first class through partners, I’ll book the award directly through Skywards again for about 117,500 points. Perhaps most excitingly, this route is operated by one of Emirates’ few Boeing 777-300ERs with the new game-changer first-class suites.

I’ll stay at the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills for 30,000 points per night. There also is a Park Hyatt nearby for the same cost, but I’ll opt for the Andaz this time around for the fresher design and better views.

From Tokyo, I’ll fly directly to San Francisco (SFO) on Japan Airlines first class for 103,000 points through British Airways Executive Club. I’ve had terrific experiences with JAL and I’m a huge fan of the sushi bar the airline has in its first-class lounges.

So, why San Francisco? I’d like to drive a bit south and check out the Alila Ventana Big Sur after hearing so many amazing things about it. The resort is all-inclusive, so meals and activities are included in the 30,000-point nightly rate.

Then, to get back to New York, I’ll book United business class for 23,000 points through Singapore KrisFlyer. To get the most out of my experience, I’ll try to avoid the 757s and pick a flight that offers the true Polaris business-class seats.

If you’ve been keeping track, you’ll know that I’d still have a handful of Ultimate Rewards points left over. I’ll save these for activities and car rentals booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. As a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, I can redeem points for 1.5 cents apiece through the portal so these points are worth about $600 altogether.

Related: What are points and miles worth? TPG’s valuations

Katie Genter, senior reporter

Frankly, I’d never use 1 million Ultimate Rewards points on a single trip. I’d prefer to use them for modest redemptions across multiple trips. But, if I had to use all 1 million points on one trip, I’d plan an extended multidestination adventure. In particular, I’d utilize various Ultimate Rewards transfer partners for flights as follows:

After flights, I’d have between 712,843 and 724,557 Ultimate Rewards points left if I traveled by myself. But I’d likely travel with my husband, so let’s assume I’d have between 425,686 and 449,114 Chase points left.

I’d use these remaining points to book Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt hotels for my trip since these two programs are Ultimate Rewards transfer partners. I’d stay in five-night increments at Marriott Bonvoy hotels to maximize the perk of a fifth night free on awards.

Here’s how I’d use my Ultimate Rewards points to book hotels for my extended trip:

Marriott hotels now employ dynamic award pricing (within off-peak and peak pricing bands for most properties), and Hyatt hotels will use peak, standard and off-peak pricing for award stays. But, for simplicity, I only considered standard award rates for Hyatt stays. So, the 52 hotel nights listed above would cost between 370,000 and 480,000 Chase points.

Related: How to redeem 1 million Amex Membership Rewards

How to earn 1 million Chase Ultimate Rewards points

One credit card won’t earn you 1 million Chase points in any near-term time frame, but it will get you a good head start. Here’s a look at Chase’s Ultimate Rewards-earning cards with high sign-up bonuses. Putting your everyday spending on these cards can help you rack up points quickly.

Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value

Bottom line

As you can see, a million Chase Ultimate Rewards points can take you very far and in a lot of style. But even with a fraction of the number of points, you can book some incredible trips. Read our full guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards points for even more inspiration on how to redeem points for luxurious trips around the world.

Featured photo by fiftymm99/Getty Images.