Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the most valuable rewards programs available to travelers, offering great flexibility in how you redeem points. One common question for frequent flyers is whether they can transfer Chase points to Turkish Airlines, a Star Alliance member known for excellent award redemption options, especially for routes to Europe and the Middle East.
Does Chase Partner with Turkish Airlines?
Chase Ultimate Rewards points can only be transferred to airlines that are official transfer partners of the program. As of now, Turkish Airlines is not a direct transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. This means that you cannot directly transfer your Chase points to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, the airline’s frequent flyer program.
How to Use Chase Points for Turkish Airlines Flights
Even though Turkish Airlines is not a direct Chase transfer partner, you can still use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book flights with Turkish Airlines in several ways:
1. Transfer Points to a Star Alliance Partner
Since Turkish Airlines is a part of Star Alliance, you can transfer your Chase points to one of Chase’s partner airlines that are also in Star Alliance. Some of the key partners include:
- United Airlines MileagePlus
- Air Canada Aeroplan</li
By transferring points to United Airlines or Air Canada, you can then book award flights on Turkish Airlines as part of Star Alliance’s partner award booking system.
2. Book Through the Chase Travel Portal
Another option is to use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book Turkish Airlines flights directly through the Chase Travel Portal. The value per point will depend on which Chase credit card you have:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Points are worth 1.5 cents per point when booking through the portal.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® / Ink Business Preferred®: Points are worth 1.25 cents per point.
Using this method, you effectively use your points like cash to buy Turkish Airlines tickets, bypassing the need for transfers.
Why Consider Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles?
Although transferring points via a Star Alliance partner may seem indirect, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles offers outstanding value for certain redemptions. Some key advantages include:
- Competitive Redemption Rates: Turkish Airlines often provides better award pricing than other airlines for the same Star Alliance flights.
- Great Business Class Award Availability: The airline frequently has more available award seats in business class, making it an excellent option for premium travelers.
- Stopover and Open-Jaw Rules: Miles&Smiles allows stopovers in Turkey, giving travelers more flexibility on long-haul routes.
Best Ways to Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
If you want to accumulate Chase points to book Turkish Airlines flights, the best way is by using Chase credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points, such as:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Great for general travel and dining spending.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Offers premium travel perks and higher point values when redeeming through the portal.
- Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Ideal for business owners looking to maximize spending in key categories.
Using these cards strategically can help you earn enough points for valuable Turkish Airlines redemptions.
Final Thoughts
While Chase does not allow direct transfers to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, there are still ways to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for Turkish Airlines flights. The best options include transferring points to a Star Alliance partner like United Airlines or Air Canada, or booking flights through the Chase Travel Portal. Turkish Airlines offers excellent redemption opportunities, making it a valuable option for travelers seeking award flights, particularly in business class.
Before transferring Chase points, always compare the number of miles or points required across different programs to ensure you’re getting the best value for your rewards.
