Hotels cost money.
You know that.
Points are the antidote. Specifically, Chase Ultimate Rewards points. They are the liquid asset of the travel credit card world, flexible and everywhere. Travel costs are climbing, and burning cash for a room is a mistake you don’t have to make.
The smart money values those points at 2.05 cents each (as of May 2025 data). That’s the baseline. Your job? Beat it.
If you book through the right portal or transfer partner, you often exceed this value. Easy money on paper. Hard to ignore.
Here is how you actually use them for hotels without losing your shirt.
The Three Big Transfer Partners
Chase plays nice with three major hotel programs.
It’s a 1:1 transfer. Simple math. You need a minimum of 1,000 points, and transfers happen in chunks of exactly that many. Usually instant. You book almost immediately.
- World of Hyatt
- Marriott Bonvoy
- IHG One Rewards
There’s also the Chase Travel Portal if you hate picking sides. We’ll get to that mess in a moment.
Hyatt Is The Cheat Code
Let’s be blunt.
Most people think airlines are the only place for value. They’re wrong.
World of Hyatt is the secret weapon.
The award chart has new pricing tiers and recent mild devaluations. That doesn’t mean it’s bad. It means you have to look closer. Category 1 properties? Still 3,000 points a night. Steal.
Look at the top end, too.
Category 8 hotels sit at 35,000 to 45,000 points. If that same room costs $1,000 in cash? You’re laughing while the rest of us pay the bill.
Even all-inclusive resorts have a separate chart. Category A for two guests? Only 12,000 points at the lowest rate.
What about Mr & Mrs Smith or Under Canvas? They’re in the system now. The pricing is dynamic, though, and you can’t use free night certificates. They’re nice properties. The math isn’t always kind to you. Only bother if cash price is outrageous.
Marriott: Proceed With Caution
Marriott Bonvoy is different.
There are no fixed limits.
Six-figure redemptions happen. People do it. Don’t be that person unless necessary.
Why transfer Chase points to Marriott?
– You are short on points but have a specific room in mind.
– Your Marriott points are expiring. A thousand-point transfer keeps them alive.
– Chase is running a transfer bonus. Better ratio equals better value.
– You want the Fifth Night Free perk. Staying five nights means only paying for four. Big savings if booked right.
– You need airline miles from a Marriott partner.
It’s tactical. Not romantic.
IHG: Generally A Pass
IHG One Rewards?
Usually, it’s worse than Marriott. The prices are inflated. Dynamic. Unpredictable.
Unless you’re saving expired points or grabbing the fourth night free from a credit card benefit, just… don’t. The math rarely works. Save the Chase points for Hyatt or a flight.
The Chase Travel Portal
Hate choosing a brand?
Loyal to independent hotels?
The Chase Travel portal is for you.
It acts as a third-party OTA (online travel agency). You book normal hotels, independent chains, you name it. You pay with points.
The rate depends on the card holding the points.
Chase Sapphire Reserve holders get up to 2 cents per point. That matches TPG’s baseline. Not a gain. A solid floor.
Sapphire Preferred gets you 1.5 cents.
Here’s the twist.
Pay with cash instead.
Reserve cards earn 8 points per dollar.
Preferred and the Freedom cards earn 5.
Plus, the Sapphire Preferred has a $50 annual hotel credit. Valid only through Chase Travel. Use the credit, book a $200 hotel, and you just earned points on money you didn’t really spend.
Just remember: third-party bookings rarely count for hotel elite status or nights. Unless it’s “The Edit by Chase Travel,” where some properties let you double-dip. Check before you click book.
How To Get The Points In The First Place
You don’t find them lying on the street.
You earn them. Or you open a new card.
Here’s who brings home the goods.
The Big Spenders
* Chase Sapphire Reserve: 150,00 points after $6k spend.
* Business Reserve: 150,0 points after $20k spend.
* Ink Business Preferred: 100,0 points after $8k spend.
The Standard Option
* Chase Sapphire Preferred: 75,0 points after $5k spend.
No foreign transaction fees on these. Travel insurance included. The basics are covered.
The Cash-Back Converters
These look like cash-back cards. They aren’t, not if you own an Ultimate Rewards card. They convert directly into points. No annual fees on these. That’s rare.
- Chase Freedom Flex: $200 back after $500 spend.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: $200 back after $$500$ spend.
- Ink Business Cash: $750 back after $6000$ spend.
- Ink Business Unlimited: $750$ back after $$6000$$ spend.
Keep them all if you want. Stacking cards maximizes earnings. It’s tedious but effective.
The Final Takeaway
Maximizing isn’t about getting every possible cent.
It’s about not wasting.
Transferring to Hyatt for low-category stays or splurging on high-end hotels remains the best move. It’s reliable. It’s high-value.
Do the math. Book the room.
Forget the rest.
