For travelers trying to keep airfare costs down, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be a practical tool. According to the report, Chase is one of only two transferable currencies that lets you send points to Southwest Rapid Rewards, alongside Bilt. That makes Chase points especially useful for booking Southwest award flights across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The article also notes that some travelers may get even more value if they can use Southwest’s Companion Pass.
Several Chase cards can help build a balance of transferable points, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business, and Ink Business Preferred. The piece also points out that Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited can become part of that same strategy if you also hold one of the premium Chase cards, since their cash back can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points and then transferred to partners like Southwest.
What to know before you transfer
The transfer rate from Chase to Southwest is 1:1, though the report says occasional transfer bonuses can improve that ratio when they appear. Before starting, you need a Southwest Rapid Rewards account. The transfer process begins in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, where you choose Travel, then Transfer points to partners, and select Southwest from the list. Chase also allows transfers to one authorized user on your account, using that person’s Rapid Rewards number instead.
There are a few important limits and cautions. Points transferred this way do not count toward Southwest elite status, and Rapid Rewards redemptions still require taxes and fees. Chase requires transfers in multiples of 1,000 points, so you may need to move slightly more than the exact amount needed for a booking. The article stresses that transfers cannot be reversed, so it is worth double-checking the amount, name, and Rapid Rewards number before submitting. Chase says most transfers post by the next business day, though they can take up to seven business days.
Source: thepointsguy.com