Skip to Content

How to Transfer Chase Points to Delta

How to Transfer Chase Points to Delta
Latest posts by Candis Pope (see all)

If you’re anything like me, you love being on the go! But as most of us know, traveling gets a little expensive. Sure, sometimes you can find great flight deals, but it gets intimidating when you’re staring at a hefty fare price. For me, using reward points is one of the ways that I save on travel! Seriously, I’ve taken many free and discounted trips using credit card reward points, especially after I learned how to transfer Chase points to Delta.

One of my favorite airlines is Delta. They’re fantastic, but their prices aren’t always affordable, depending on when and where you fly. Well, if you’re a Chase credit card owner, you may be wondering if you can use Chase points to fly Delta. Let’s just say there are multiple answers to that question. Keep reading to discover my tips and tricks for using Chase rewards to buy Delta flights.

Bottom Line Up Front

The truth is that you can’t actually transfer your Chase reward points to Delta. Chase and Delta are not partners. But luckily for you, I’ve figured out a way to use Chase points for Delta flights anyway. The process is fairly easy, and I’ll detail it below.

How to Earn Chase Reward Points

I’ll start by explaining how to earn Chase points. Chase Ultimate Rewards points are earned through credit card spending. You can earn points by using your Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card to make everyday purchases or by shopping through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. 

I use my credit card for everything! That’s the best way to rack up points easily! You don’t have to be afraid of using your Chase credit card often because you get more bang for your buck. I make sure to pay my credit off on time so I don’t fall behind!

Additionally, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to various airline and hotel loyalty programs. Once you have accumulated enough Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can redeem them for travel expenses like airfare and hotels. Or you can redeem your points for cash back, gift cards, or merchandise.

In my opinion, Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card holders are so lucky. Chase offers some of the most valuable reward points out there!

Using Chase Points for Delta Flights: My Helpful Hack

As I mentioned above, you can’t directly transfer Chase reward points to Delta. Before I go into more detail, here’s a list of Chase’s travel partners:

  • Emirates Skywards
  • Iberia Plus
  • Aer Lingus AerClub
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • IHG Rewards Club
  • JetBlue TrueBlue
  • Air France/KLM Flying Blue
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
  • United MileagePlus
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • World of Hyatt

Of course, Delta is not on the list. However, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, as well as Air France/KLM Flying Blue, are listed. All of those travel organizations are partnered with Delta. Because of that, you can transfer your Chase points to either of them and once you’ve done that, you can use your Chase points to book a flight with Delta!

It’s quite easy. But remember that your award ticket price is determined by your travel partner, not Delta sky Miles. Every airline is different, and they distribute awards differently. I like to get familiar with how each one does things before deciding between Air France, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, etc.

Using Chase Rewards for Delta Flights: Navigating the Redemption Portal 

Chase Ultimate Rewards also has a redemption portal. Chase encourages its cardholders to use the portal to book travel for flights, hotels, and rental cars. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of transferring points, you can simply book a Delta flight through the portal—since Expedia powers it. The good thing about this option is that going through the portal to book airfare gives you several options for flight routes that don’t include Delta. That way, you can see which airlines have the best prices. 

Furthermore, this booking option allows you to book your flight as a paid ticket, not an award ticket. Therefore, you’re not subject to award seat availability or blackout dates. Plus, since your ticket is registered as paid airfare, you can collect Sky Miles directly from Delta.

On the downside, the price of the ticket is likely going to be higher. That means you have to use more of your points to pay for the price of the ticket. This presents a problem during the holiday season or traveling to certain exotic destinations.

Using the Portal vs. Transferring Points

I choose between the portal and transferring to travel partners based on a few factors. If I’m flexible and don’t care about blackout dates, I’ll usually transfer my points. Also, if I’m taking an inexpensive domestic flight, I typically book it through the portal—especially if the ticket is under $400. With cheap flights, I usually don’t worry about trying to use points, and I prefer a paid ticket because I can collect Sky Miles. 

Sometimes I’ll book a flight through the portal one way and use points the other way. For a big, expensive trip, I play around with the calendar to check the blackout dates to see if I can work my way around them. For instance, it’s usually expensive to fly out on a Monday. Therefore, I’ll use my points to cover the price of a one-way ticket to my destination. 

Then, I’ll use the portal to book my flight back home and try to come back on a day of the week that’s the least expensive. But of course, the methods I choose always differ depending on my situation, how much I’m willing to pay, and the number of points I have.

How to Transfer Chase Points to a Travel Partner

Since you need to transfer your chase points to a travel partner to use them in full with Delta, here is how you can do that:

Find a Transfer Partner

To transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to an airline or hotel partner, log in to your account on the Chase website and go to the “Use Points” page. From there, you will see a list of Chase’s transfer partners. Select the partner you want to transfer your points to and enter the number of points you want to transfer.

Remember that the value of your Ultimate Rewards points will vary depending on which airline or hotel you transfer them to. For example, if you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United MileagePlus, each point is worth 1.5 cents. However, if you transfer those same points to World of Hyatt, each point is only worth 1 cent.

Steps to Transfer Points

Before transferring your points, check the transfer ratio and the current redemption values to get the most value out of your points. Okay, so now that you understand point value, here’s a breakdown of how to transfer your points to a travel partner:

  1.  Log in to your Chase credit card account.
  2.  Next, hit the Chase Ultimate Rewards link in the dashboard.
  3.  Choose the travel card you want to draw points from.
  4.  Scroll down and select the transfer to travel partners link.
  5.  Next, select the airline or hotel to which you want to transfer your points.
  6.  Enter the number of points you want to transfer.
  7.  Hit submit!

And that’s it! Your points will typically post to your account within 1-2 business days. However, most transfers are instant. I rarely book flights on the same day I’m shopping around. I usually start scanning prices to understand which airline has the best prices. That’s how I determine which travel partner I want to choose.

If you select a route without paying for the airfare, some airlines will hold it for you for a few days. So, I’ll do that and go transfer my points in the meantime. That way, if my points don’t transfer instantly, my flight is “locked in” as I wait.

Just remember, the value of your points will vary depending on which travel partner you transfer them to, so be sure to do your research before transferring.

How to Get Cheap Delta Flights

Below are a few ways to get a flight through Delta cheaper than the average flight:

Sign Up for the E-mail List

If you’re looking for cheap Delta flights, you can do a few things to get the best deal. First, sign up for their e-mail list to get alerts when prices drop. The e-mail list is so helpful! Sometimes, Delta isn’t the first airline that I think of when I want to fly, especially if other airlines are cheaper. However, I always compare the pros and cons.

For instance, if I see low-priced airfare for Spirit Airlines, I’ll lean toward buying a ticket with them. But if Delta sends an e-mail saying they have the same route, I might opt for Delta. When I factor in the additional baggage cost for Spirit, the price might be about the same. In that situation, I’ll book my flight with Delta. And if I can use points for it, even better!

Delta’s Flight Deals

You can also check out Delta’s flight deals and destinations page to see your city’s cheapest fares. Visiting this page before you book a flight is a great way to find a fantastic deal potentially. You’ll see a tab on the deals and destinations webpage that says “current flight deals”. If you click on it, it’ll show you a destination that you can fly to from your city for a cheap price. It’ll also provide the travel timeframe for that particular flight. Furthermore, a section under Delta’s flight deals offers low-cost airfare to the Caribbean and Latin America.

Another way to get low-cost flights with Delta is to use their flight calendar. If you have flexibility, select the “my dates are flexible” box before hitting the search button. That’ll take you to a calendar showing the cheapest days to fly within your selected timeframe. Once you’re on that page, if you’d like to see more options, there is a price calendar link at the top. When you click that link, it provides three monthly calendars that show which dates have the cheapest airfare prices.

Oh, and just an FYI, Delta has additional tips on its website to help passengers get cheaper airfare.

Fly Basic Economy

Delta offers Basic Economy fares that are low-priced. They’re more restrictive, but sometimes the savings are worth it. These bare minimum flights are “just the basics”, according to Delta. They’re the cheapest airfare that you can find, but they don’t include additional perks. With a Basic Economy ticket, you can’t pre-assign your seat. Your seat is assigned after check-in. No changes are allowed, and you’ll be last to board the plane. Not only that, but you cannot collect Sky Miles with a Basic Economy ticket. 

On the upside, you’ll still get seated within the main cabin. Plus, you can enjoy the other perks of flying Delta, such as getting complimentary snacks, connecting to Wi-Fi, and enjoying in-flight entertainment.

When I’m taking a short, last-minute trip, I often choose Basic Economy as my fare choice. This is my other low-cost option when I don’t want to use points for my flight.

Common FAQs Regarding Chase Reward Points

I’ve covered quite a bit so far, but I’m sure you have a few questions. Check out these FAQs to discover some of the commonly asked questions regarding Chase points:

Question: Which Chase credit cards offer reward points?

Answer: Some of the most popular Chase credit cards that offer reward points include the Chase, Chase Sapphire Card, and the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card. Collecting points with these cards is a great way to save money on travel, shopping, and more.

Question: How are Chase Ultimate Rewards points calculated?

Answer: Chase Ultimate Rewards points are calculated based on several factors, including the type of credit card you use, your spending habits, and the type of rewards you redeem. You can earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points with any Chase credit card that offers them as a rewards option.
Chase reward points are different between each card. But, for example, points are valued between 1.25 cents or 1.5 cents per point. When you transfer points, you must do so at a minimum of 1,000 points and in 1,000-point increments.

Question: Can I combine points between different Chase cards?

Answer: Yes, if you have more than one Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, you can combine the points into a single account. This can be done by logging into your account online and transferring the points to your desired credit card.

Question: Do Chase Ultimate Rewards points expire?

Answer: No, as long as you have at least one active Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, your points will not expire.

Question: What is the Chase Ultimate Rewards points redemption process?

Answer: You can redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for various rewards, including travel, gift cards, cash back, and more. To redeem your points, log into your account online and choose the option that best fits your needs.

Question: Can I turn Chase points into cash?

Answer: Absolutely. One of the most popular ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points is for cash back. You can either receive a statement credit or have the cash deposited into your bank account.
If you want to turn your points into cash, check out the Chase Pay Yourself Back program.

Using Chase Reward Points for Delta: My Final Thoughts

I was so relieved when I discovered that I could use Chase reward points for Delta. Seriously, transferring points to a Delta partner is so simple and voilà! But remember that transferring your points isn’t always necessary.

Check the portal and compare options to ensure that you’re making the right decision. Trust me; there were a couple of times that I wished I had taken my time to compare options before rushing to buy a flight. Don’t make the same mistakes as me! I hope this guide helps you out. Happy traveling!

Recommended Reads: