The Points Mom

Chase Ultimate Rewards Adds Emirates Skywards As A Transfer Partner

If you have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, one way in which you can use the points is by transferring them to participating frequent travel programsQ213_points-hero1

Some of the Chase frequent traveler programs include United’s MileagePlus program, British Air Executive Club, Southwest Rapid RewardsAer Lingus AerClub, Iberia Plus, Air France Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, World Of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy and IHG Rewards. One point equals one partner’s mile or point and transfers can be made with no transfer fee.

And now EMIRATES SKYWARDS!!

Chase has added the Emirates loyalty program as an Ultimate Rewards transferee at the rate of 1:1.

Compared with Amex-You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards to your Emirates Skywards account also at the rate of 1:1.

Compared with Capital OneCapital One Miles can be transferred to Emirates Skywards as well. If you have a Capital One Venture Rewards Card, VentureOne Rewards Card, Capital One Spark Miles Business Card or Capital One Spark Miles Select Business Card, you can transfer your Miles to Emirates at the exchange rate of 2:1. Note, this transfer rate is inferior to Cap One’s other transfer partners where you can transfer them at the. rate of 2:1.5. (Capital One to Singapore Airlines also has an exchange rate of 2:1).

Caveat-While it certainly is good news that Chase has added Emirates as a travel partner, remember, you may not always want to use the method of transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards points.  For example, if you can get the same Emirates flights through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel website for less points, you would want to take that route. You need to figure out which method (transferring points or redeeming points through Chase) would require you to use less points for your flights.  With having the ability to redeem your points at 1.5 cents per point with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and 1.25 cent per point with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, many times booking through Chase can come in more favorable.  The take away-you should ALWAYS DO A COMPARISON before you book.

Keep in mind,  when booking the travel through the travel site, your travel counts as a paid fare.  You’ll earn Emirates Skywards on your paid fare.  This may be another (smaller) factor to consider when deciding how to use your Ultimate Rewards points.