Chase recently introduced a new feature called Points Boost for its Ultimate Rewards® program. It’s a change to how points are redeemed when booking through Chase Travel℠, which may affect the value travelers receive from their points. While Chase is promoting this as an upgrade, the feature comes with some trade-offs worth understanding.

We don’t often book travel through Chase Travel℠, as we feel we get more value with our transfer partners. But if you do, here are the details about Chase’s Points Boost feature.

 

What Is Points Boost?

Points Boost increases the redemption value of Ultimate Rewards® but only on select flights and hotels booked through Chase Travel℠. These enhanced redemptions are clearly marked with a special icon.

 

 

The redemption rate varies depending on the card you have and the type of travel you’re booking. The potential maximum is 2 cents per point, but most options will fall below that.

 

 

How It Works by Card

• card_name / card_name

  • Up to 2.0 cents per point on certain premium airfare and select hotels.

• card_name / card_name

  • Up to 1.75 cents per point on similar categories.

• All other bookings

  • Default rate of 1.0 cent per point, unless specifically marked with a Boost rate.

 

Under the previous rules, Chase Sapphire Preferred® cardholders who redeemed Ultimate Rewards® through Chase Travel℠ could get 1.25 cents of value per point for their redemptions, and Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders’ points were worth 1.5 cents. And for both cards, these values were for all bookings, not just select bookings.

 

Transition Period for Legacy Points

Chase has kept the old redemption values in place—but only temporarily. Points earned before October 26, 2025, can still be redeemed at the previous rates (1.25 to 1.5 cents per point) through October 26, 2027. After that, the value of Ultimate Rewards® for travel booked through Chase Travel℠ will largely depend on whether Points-Boost-eligible options are available.

 

What This Means for You

The impact of Points Boost will vary depending on how you use your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points:

• If you typically book flights or hotels through Chase Travel℠, you may receive a higher value, but only if Points-Boost-eligible options are available and align with your plans.

• This new system may feel more restrictive if you prefer the flat-rate simplicity of 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point.

• If you transfer points to airline or hotel partners, this change does not affect those transfers, which often provide the highest redemption value but require more effort and flexibility.

 

Potential Drawbacks

Points Boost applies only to certain travel. If your preferred flight or hotel doesn’t qualify, you may only receive 1 cent per point, which is lower than the historical rates many cardholders have come to expect. Booking options may be limited. While some Points-Boost-eligible redemptions offer strong value, they may not apply to all travel categories, dates, or price points. The program now requires comparing Points Boost vs. non-Points-Boost options, legacy rates (if you have older points), and partner transfers, which adds a layer of complexity to the decision-making process.

 

Bottom Line

Points Boost changes how value is delivered through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For some travelers, it may lead to better redemptions, especially on premium flights or high-end hotels. But for others, particularly those who valued the predictability of the old system, the benefit may be less clear. And for many of us, who primarily transfer all of our points out to Hyatt or other transfer partners, Points Boost by Chase doesn’t change a thing. 🤷‍♀️

 

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