Travel to Italy with Chase Sapphire welcome bonus and points transfers

Chase has partnerships with 14 airline and hotel transfer partners, enhancing the value of the points. For example, transferring points to the Emirates Skywards program allows cardholders to book flights at a favorable value. Emirates operates a nonstop flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Milan Malpensa Airport. A round-trip economy flight on this route costs 35,000 Skywards miles plus approximately $148 in taxes and fees, offering a cost-effective option compared to other loyalty programs.

The total of 105,000 Chase points covers the cost of three Emirates round-trip economy flights from New York to Milan. Before transferring points, it is advisable to confirm award availability on Emirates' website since transfers cannot be reversed.

For those not living near JFK, positioning flights can offer further flexibility. For instance, travelers could fly from another location to JFK and connect with the Emirates flight. This approach could still result in significant savings compared to traditional cash fares.

Ultimately, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card presents a viable solution for reducing the costs associated with flights to Italy, leveraging the card's welcome bonus to offset significant travel expenses.