How To Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to IHG One Rewards
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Written by
Lee Huffman
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Edited by
Jasmin Baron, CCC™
Chase Ultimate Rewards® is one of the most valuable transferable points programs because of its popular hotel and airline partners. One of the hotel loyalty programs you can transfer points to is IHG One Rewards.
With over 6,900 properties in more than 100 countries, there’s a good chance that you can find one of IHG’s 21 distinct brands wherever you want to travel. If you don’t have enough IHG One Rewards points in your account, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book an award stay.
Here’s how to transfer Chase points to IHG One Rewards, what the transfer ratio is, and common mistakes to avoid when transferring points.
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Can You Transfer Chase Points to IHG One Rewards?
Yes, IHG One Rewards is one of over a dozen hotel loyalty programs and airline frequent flyer programs that partner with Chase. Transfers typically post by the next business day, but may take up to seven business days. You must transfer at least 1,000 points, and all transfers must be in multiples of 1,000.
Chase transfer partners include the following airline and hotel loyalty programs:
Airlines:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Iberia Club
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- The British Airways Club
- United MileagePlus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Hotels:
- IHG One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- World of Hyatt
- Wyndham Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards to IHG One Rewards Transfer Ratio
Unlike other flexible point programs, Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer on a 1:1 basis to all transfer partners. For example, when you transfer 10,000 Chase points, you’ll receive 10,000 IHG points.
While the 1:1 ratio is easy to remember, it isn’t always the best deal for cardholders. Travel rewards experts typically value Chase Ultimate Rewards points at around 2 cents each, while IHG points are worth just 0.5 cents each, on average. When you transfer Chase points to IHG, you’re potentially losing value — especially when you consider you can redeem your Ultimate Rewards for cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point.
Even with this lower value, there are still some situations where it is worthwhile to transfer points to IHG. For example, I’ll transfer a few thousand points to IHG to top off my account so I have enough points to book an award reservation.
Step-by-Step: How To Transfer Chase Points to IHG One Rewards
Transferring Chase points to IHG is straightforward. If you have your IHG account information handy or have already linked your accounts, you can complete the transfer in just a few minutes.
Step 1: Log in to Your Chase Account
The first step is to log into your Chase account online or through the bank’s mobile app.
Step 2: Select an Eligible Card That Can Transfer Ultimate Rewards Points
Not all Chase credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points allow transfers to partners. You’ll need a premium travel credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, to unlock points transfers.
Popular rewards credit cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex® earn Ultimate Rewards points, but they can’t transfer points directly. However, if you have one of the premium Chase cards eligible for transfers, you can pool your points from other cards and convert them that way.
Step 3: Click Redeem
Once you’ve selected a card eligible to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners, click “Redeem.”
Step 4: Select IHG One Rewards
On the redemption page, you’ll have many options, including cash back, gift cards, and travel bookings with your points. Click “Travel,” then “Transfer Points to Partners” to view all your transfer options.
Step 5: Link IHG Account or Confirm Account Number
If you haven’t linked your IHG account to Chase Ultimate Rewards before, you’ll be asked to add your IHG account number. If you’ve made previous transfers, you’ll be asked to confirm your IHG number before transferring points.
Step 6: Choose the Number of Points to Transfer
Transfers must be made in 1,000-point increments. The prompt will tell you how many Chase points you have available to transfer. The transfer may take up to a week, but it typically posts within 24 hours.
Step 7: Review Transfer
Before the transfer is submitted, Chase gives you a final chance to review and make any changes. Remember, transfers cannot be reversed, so it is important that you’re sure you want to complete the transfer before hitting submit.
Step 8: Confirm Transfer in IHG One Rewards Account
Once the transfer has been submitted through your Chase Ultimate Rewards account, log in to your IHG One Rewards account to see if the transfer has posted. It can take up to seven business days, but when I did a test transfer of 1,000 points, mine posted immediately.
When Does It Make Sense to Transfer Chase Points?
With Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth about 2 cents each, you need to look for opportunities to get high value from IHG redemptions for it to make sense to transfer. Here are a few of my favorite reasons to transfer Chase points to IHG:
- Top off IHG account: If you’re short a few thousand IHG points to book a room, transferring Chase points to top off your account makes sense.
- Pair with a free night certificate: Certain IHG credit cards, such as the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, receive an annual free night award worth up to 40,000 points. Transferring points to book additional nights to lengthen the stay can be a good idea.
- Peak travel season: Holidays, summertime and spring break are busy travel periods where cash prices increase. Booking award travel during these times may provide exceptional value.
- High-demand dates: When popular events send cash prices skyrocketing, booking rooms with points can save a lot of money. These events may include big games, concerts, award shows and more.
I have the IHG Premier Card. One of the best benefits of this card is that you get the fourth night free when redeeming points for award stays. Transferring Chase points to take advantage of this benefit is one of my favorite ways to get extra value out of my rewards.
When Does It Not Make Sense to Transfer Chase Points?
While it is easy to transfer Chase points to IHG, it’s not always the best move. With IHG points worth roughly 25% of the average value of Ultimate Rewards points, you have to be selective with your transfers to ensure you’re getting a good value.
Since you’re only getting a 1:1 ratio on hotel transfers, it can be hard to justify transferring Chase points to hotel partners. When I need more hotel points, I prefer using some of the best travel credit cards, such as the American Express Platinum Card®, an advertising partner, or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which offer better transfer ratios to certain hotel partners.
Aside from trying to get the most value out of your points, you should never transfer points without a redemption in mind. Airline and hotel loyalty programs regularly devalue their rewards, and you don’t want to lose value unexpectedly. Additionally, once you transfer Ultimate Rewards points to a partner, you can’t bring them back. Transferring without a purpose limits your choices and flexibility.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to IHG One Rewards
Since it is easy to transfer Chase points to IHG, many cardholders do it quickly without thinking about the consequences. Here are a few of the common mistakes to avoid when making a transfer.
- Not checking for award availability: Before transferring points, you should check if award nights are available. You’ll lose the option to book travel like cash or transfer to another program where you can book with points.
- Transferring without a redemption in mind: Transferring points doesn’t make sense unless you are ready to book an award reservation. You could change your mind, the points could get devalued or a better deal could pop up. Once you’ve transferred points, the trade cannot be reversed.
- Not waiting for a transfer bonus: Banks periodically offer transfer bonuses to their partners, which gives you even more value for your points.
The information related to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Freedom Flex® and IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.
Frequently Asked Questions About Transferring Chase Points to IHG One Rewards
How much are 140,000 IHG points worth?
IHG points are worth an average of 0.5 cents each. With this in mind, 140,000 points are worth an average of $700, but your actual value may be higher or lower based on how you redeem them.
How long does it take to transfer points from Chase to IHG?
Transfers from Chase to IHG typically post immediately. If you don’t see the points in your IHG account, refresh your account, or log out, then log back in. In some instances, transfers can take up to seven business days.
Is it worth transferring Chase points?
Transferring Chase points to one of its airline or hotel partners typically yields the highest-value redemptions. While all transfers are on a 1:1 basis, not all transfer partners are created equal. Transferring points to redeem premium-class international flights and five-star resorts typically offers the highest value.
Is IHG a good transfer partner for Chase?
IHG offers some of the worst value when transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points. However, it can be a good transfer partner for cardholders who want to top off their account to book an award night or for other strategic redemptions, such as during peak travel season or big-game weekends.
Does Chase Sapphire give IHG status?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve gives all cardholders complimentary IHG Platinum elite status through Dec. 31, 2027, just for holding the card and linking their IHG account. When you spend at least $75,000 per year on the card, you’ll be upgraded to IHG Diamond elite status (enrollment required).
