Using Chase Ultimate Rewards points for a Hawaiian getaway

In 2022, a travel enthusiast shared their experience of maximizing award travel by using credit cards that earn transferable points. The individual used 105,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to enjoy a week-long stay at Hyatt’s Lahaina Shores Beach Resort on Maui, completely free of charge. This redemption was made possible by transferring the points to hotel and airline transfer partners.

The journey began when the traveler opened a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and accumulated roughly 107,000 Chase points. With the elevated welcome bonus of 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points, the decision was made to use the points for a romantic anniversary vacation. Research led to the selection of World of Hyatt as the best transfer partner due to its high-value redemptions and award chart system.

The traveler booked a seven-night stay at Lahaina Shores Beach Resort, where rooms were valued at 15,000 points per night or $330, providing a solid value of 2.2 cents per point. The resort waived resort fees on award stays, making the entire stay cost-free. The traveler also highlighted the ease of transferring points to travel partners and the importance of having a redemption plan in place before making the transfer.

The experience at Lahaina Shores Beach Resort was described as exceptional, with the property offering a perfect location near downtown Lahaina, a beachfront setting, and amenities like a full kitchen in each room. While the resort has since closed due to a fire, other Hyatt properties in Hawaii were recommended for similar getaways.

Overall, the traveler emphasized the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points and the flexibility they offer in redeeming for travel experiences. The key takeaway was to carefully plan redemptions and leverage transferable points for maximum value.