How To Best Use 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Summary

In this video, the host, a full-time traveler, offers a unique perspective on maximizing the value of Chase Sapphire Reserve points. Contrary to common advice, they advocate for transferring points to Hyatt Hotels during transfer bonuses, which can yield up to 40 nights at category one hotels, especially in Southeast Asia. The video emphasizes the importance of considering personal travel habits and lifestyle when deciding how to best use points, suggesting that for frequent travelers, extended stays in luxurious properties provide better value than short-term airline upgrades.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker is a full-time traveler and suggests using Chase Sapphire Reserve points differently than the general perception.
• 💼 Most advice on using Chase points focuses on exchanging them for airline miles to get high-class tickets, but this may not suit everyone's lifestyle.
• 🏨 The speaker advocates for using points to transfer to Hyatt Hotels, especially during transfer bonuses, to maximize value.
• 🌐 The value of points varies greatly depending on an individual's travel habits and lifestyle, such as full-time travelers versus those with limited vacation time.
• 🛏️ Transferring points to Hyatt can yield up to 40 nights at a Category One hotel, offering significant savings and value.
• 🏝 The speaker highlights the high quality of Category One hotels in places like Southeast Asia, which can offer luxurious stays.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the wisdom of using points for a brief upgrade on a flight versus a month-long stay in a hotel, favoring the latter.
• 🚫 The speaker personally avoids using points for first-class flights, preferring to save points for extended stays in hotels.
• 🔄 The speaker suggests using points strategically, such as getting a suite upgrade for a fraction of the cost compared to using points for business class.
• 👫 The speaker emphasizes the importance of aligning point usage with one's lifestyle goals, such as early retirement or continuous travel.
• ✈️ The overall message is to reconsider the traditional advice on Chase points and tailor their use to one's unique travel needs and preferences.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is how to maximize the value of Chase Sapphire Reserve points, specifically for a lifestyle of full-time travel.

Why does the speaker believe that the general perception of Chase points is wrong?

The speaker believes the general perception is wrong because most advice comes from people who only travel for a couple of weeks a year, whereas the speaker travels full-time, leading to a different usage and value of the points.

What is the common recommendation for using Chase points?

The common recommendation is to trade Chase points for airline miles to get a high redemption value, such as a business or first-class ticket.

Why do the speakers prefer not to use their points for business or first-class flights?

The speakers prefer not to use their points for such upgrades because they do not regularly spend that amount of money on flights, and they believe in using points to save on costs that would otherwise be incurred.

What is the speakers' recommended use of Chase points?

The speakers recommend transferring Chase points to Hyatt Hotels, especially when there is a transfer bonus, to get more value out of the points through hotel stays.

How many nights can one get in a Hyatt category one hotel with 100,000 transferred points?

With 100,000 transferred points, one can get 30 to 40 nights in a Hyatt category one hotel.

What makes category one hotels in Southeast Asia particularly appealing to the speakers?

Category one hotels in Southeast Asia are particularly appealing because they are often upscale resorts with higher quality and more luxurious offerings than similar category one hotels in the US.

How does the speakers' approach to using points align with their lifestyle goals?

Their approach aligns with their goal of not having to return to traditional employment, allowing for early retirement and a full-time travel lifestyle by maximizing point value for extended hotel stays rather than short-term flight upgrades.

What alternative accommodation strategy do the speakers use when they have points for a bedroom on Amtrak?

Instead of using points for a single bedroom, they use the points for a room and then find roommates to share the cost, effectively reducing their out-of-pocket expenses.

What is the speakers' advice for viewers considering full-time travel or early retirement?

The speakers advise viewers to change their thinking about points usage, focusing on long-term stays at luxurious properties for the best value, rather than using points for first-class flights and paying for hotels.