Update 10/25/18: This should now be live on the majority of Chase cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve (50% bonus) and Chase Ink Preferred/Sapphire Preferred (25% bonus). So far it seems to be mixed reactions, some are seeing a lot more hotel options. Others are saying the car rental rates are significantly worse. Disney hotels are still not showing up. Share your thoughts on the change in the comments below. Hat tip to blueeyes_austin
Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for travel via their online booking portal at a rate of $.01 per point on the Freedom cards, $.0125 per point on the Sapphire Preferred, and $.015 per point on the Sapphire Reserve.
CNBC reports that Chase is now shifting over the backing of their online booking portal to Expedia Group, which owns sites including Travelocity, Orbitz, and Hotwire.com. Previously, the Chase portal was run through a partnership with a company called Connexions Loyalty.
Chase Freedom cards have already switched over to the new provider today, August 12th, with other cards phasing in over the next few months. The change is being touted as an “upgrade” with double the the travel inventory available.
No one really cares about the travel portal on the Freedom card since you can easily redeem for $.01 per point as cash. It’s the premium Sapphire cards which get 1.25 cents or 1.5 cents per point where some people take advantage of the online booking portal. Hopefully, the change lands up being positive, as suggested.
