For years, I preferred the straightforward nature of cash-back credit cards over the complexity of airline miles or transferable points. The idea of dealing with annual fees common to many travel cards was not appealing to me. However, circumstances led me to venture into the realm of transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to Virgin Atlantic for booking Delta Air Lines flights, all for the sake of fulfilling my wife’s desire to visit New York City during the festive season.
Here’s a glimpse into my experience of utilizing airline alliances to secure almost cost-free holiday travel.
Comparing Award Ticket Availability Across Airlines
Contrary to expectation, my search for award ticket options primarily bypassed Chase, despite my intention to redeem Chase points. Instead, I turned to the Bilt Mastercard mobile app to kick off my quest. The app grants access to point.me, a valuable tool for exploring award availability across various loyalty programs in one convenient location. Given the substantial overlap in airline partners between Bilt and Chase, I could input my preferred travel dates into the Bilt app and explore redemptions offered by Chase partners like British Airways (operating on American Airlines flights) and Virgin Atlantic (in partnership with Delta).
My Delta Air Lines Flights from Charlotte to New York
Transferring credit card rewards to Delta is not a common practice due to limited options. However, by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to British airline Virgin Atlantic, I could access Delta flights through the SkyTeam alliance. By checking for partner availability on Delta-operated flights via my Flying Club/Virgin Red loyalty account on Virgin’s platform, I successfully processed the points transfer swiftly through my Chase account.
In total, we utilized 34,000 points and $22.40 for two adult round-trip tickets from Charlotte to New York. To avoid excess baggage fees, we opted for minimal luggage, restricting ourselves to a carry-on and a backpack per person.
Value Proposition of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Despite my general aversion to credit card fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card’s $95 annual fee is justified by one key factor: the substantial welcome bonus it offers.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Introductory Bonus
60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee: $95
Regular APR: 21.49%–28.49% variable
At the time of application, the card boasted an 80,000-point bonus for meeting the spending threshold, enhancing its appeal. These Ultimate Rewards points hold significant value, especially when redeemed through Chase Travel℠ or transferred to a myriad of airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio.
Following the initial year, I may consider downgrading to a no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited® card, as the ongoing benefits might not outweigh the annual cost for me. Nevertheless, the substantial value derived during the first year makes the investment worthwhile.
Leveraging Airline Alliances for Travel Benefits
Understanding and leveraging airline alliances can amplify the value of credit card rewards for travel. The major alliances—SkyTeam, Oneworld, and Star Alliance—offer diverse opportunities for maximizing rewards:
- Utilize Virgin points to book Delta flights through the SkyTeam alliance, facilitated by cards earning Chase Ultimate Rewards or Capital One Miles.
- Explore European destinations using Delta SkyMiles for KLM flights within the SkyTeam network.
- Opt for American Airlines flights using Avios from the British Airways Executive Club loyalty program, both part of Oneworld.
- Travel on United Airlines with Air Canada Aeroplan miles via the Star Alliance.
- Access Lufthansa flights with United miles for European travel within the Star Alliance.
While this strategy presents promising benefits, it’s essential to conduct thorough research on the airline program’s website before initiating any point transfers, as partner availability may vary.
Key Takeaways
My excursion to New York City, though not as eventful as certain cinematic adventures, was enriched by the insights gained through navigating airline partnerships. Exploring iconic landmarks and experiences was made possible through a modest investment of time and knowledge in leveraging credit card rewards for travel opportunities.