Redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points for American Airlines flights is a unique process due to the lack of a direct transfer partnership between American Airlines AAdvantage and Chase. However, travelers can still use their points to book American flights through alternative methods.
One way to do this is by taking advantage of American Airlines' membership in the Oneworld alliance. Points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to Oneworld airlines like British Airways or Qatar Airways, which are partners of Chase Ultimate Rewards. For instance, an American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Aruba can be booked through British Airways, while a direct flight from Charlotte to Frankfurt can be booked through Qatar Airways. "It's always a good idea to compare award rates among various airlines before you decide how to redeem your Chase points," advice from the release suggests.
Another option is to book directly through the Chase Travel portal. This allows you to use your Chase points as currency, offering a diverse range of booking options, including American Airlines flights. The value of points can vary depending on the card you hold, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred offering 1.25 cents per point. "You can generally get more value when you transfer Chase points to partners, but still, 1.25 cents per point is nothing to sneeze at," the release states.