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How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to United MileagePlus (2025)
July 1, 2025
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Planning your next trip and wondering how to make the most of your Chase points? Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to United MileagePlus gives you access to hundreds of destinations worldwide through United Airlines and Star Alliance partners. This guide walks you through exactly how to transfer your points, when it makes sense, and how to maximize every mile.
Why Transfer Chase Points to United?
United MileagePlus is one of Chase's 14 transfer partners, offering a straightforward 1:1 transfer ratio with no fees. With United's extensive network covering over 350 destinations and access to 26 Star Alliance airlines, your Chase points can take you almost anywhere in the world.
The best part? Unlike some airline programs that charge hefty fuel surcharges, United keeps additional fees minimal. You'll typically pay just $5-10 in taxes on domestic award flights, making your Chase points go further.
Which Chase Cards Can Transfer to United?
Only premium Chase cards offer point transfer capabilities. You'll need one of these cards:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - Most popular option with moderate annual fee
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "509", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Exceptional Travel Value"} ]]
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® - Premium benefits including airport lounge access
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "$300 Annual Travel Credit"} ]]
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card - Best for business owners
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1100", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Valuable Rewards" } ]]
- Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ - Newest premium business option
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "18167", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Annual Travel Credit" } ]]
Pro tip: If you have cash-back earning Chase cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex®, you can combine those rewards with your premium card to build a larger points balance before transferring.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "497", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "Fantastic Cash Back Card"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2883", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "No-Fee Card Seekers", "headerHint" : "No Annual Fee" } ]]
Step-by-Step: How to Transfer Chase Points to United
The transfer process takes less than 5 minutes once you're set up. Here's exactly what to do:
Step 1: Create Your United MileagePlus Account
Before transferring, you'll need a free United MileagePlus account. Visit United.com and click "Join MileagePlus" to register. Keep your MileagePlus number handy—you'll need it for the transfer.
Important: Make sure the name on your United account exactly matches your Chase account. Even small differences like "Robert" vs. "Rob" can cause transfer delays.
Step 2: Log Into Chase Ultimate Rewards
Navigate to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal by:
- Logging into your Chase account
- Selecting your premium Chase card (if you have multiple)
- Clicking the "Rewards" or "Ultimate Rewards" button in the top navigation
Step 3: Navigate to Transfer Partners
From your Ultimate Rewards dashboard:
- Click "Travel" in the top menu
- Select "Transfer points to partners" from the dropdown
- You'll see all 14 Chase transfer partners listed
Step 4: Select United Airlines
Scroll through the transfer partners and click on "United Airlines." You'll see details about the transfer, including:
- Current transfer ratio (1:1)
- Any active transfer bonuses (rare but occasionally offered)
- Transfer time estimates
Click "Transfer Points" to continue.
Step 5: Link Your Accounts
If this is your first transfer to United, you'll need to enter:
- Your United MileagePlus number
- Account holder's name (must match your Chase account)
Chase will remember this information for future transfers, so you only need to do this once.
Step 6: Choose Your Transfer Amount
Enter the number of Chase points you want to transfer. Remember:
- Minimum transfer is 1,000 points
- You can only transfer in 1,000-point increments
- Transfers are irreversible—you cannot move points back to Chase
Step 7: Review and Submit
Double-check your transfer details before clicking "Submit." Once confirmed, you'll receive an email from Chase acknowledging your transfer request.
Step 8: Check Your United Account
In most cases, your miles appear instantly in your United MileagePlus account. However, Chase states transfers can take up to 7 business days. You'll get a second email from Chase once the transfer completes.
How Long Does the Transfer Take?
Expected timeline: Instant to 24 hours for most transfers
While Chase officially quotes 1-7 business days, the vast majority of transfers complete within minutes. I've transferred Chase points to United dozens of times, and they've appeared instantly in over 95% of cases.
If your miles don't appear immediately:
- Check your email for confirmation from Chase
- Verify you entered the correct MileagePlus number
- Wait 24 hours before contacting Chase or United
Understanding the Chase to United Transfer Ratio
The transfer ratio from Chase Ultimate Rewards to United MileagePlus is always 1:1. This means:
- 10,000 Chase points = 10,000 United miles
- 50,000 Chase points = 50,000 United miles
- 100,000 Chase points = 100,000 United miles
Are there ever transfer bonuses? Unlike some other Chase partners that frequently offer 20-30% transfer bonuses, United rarely (if ever) offers bonus promotions. Don't wait for a bonus that may never come—if you find a great United award, transfer what you need.
Should You Transfer Chase Points to United?
This is the million-dollar question, and the answer depends entirely on your travel plans. Here's how to decide:
When Transferring Makes Sense
You should transfer if:
- You've found specific award availability - Never transfer speculatively. Always search for your desired flight first and confirm it's available before moving points.
- You're booking United or Star Alliance flights - United miles can be used on 26 Star Alliance airlines including Lufthansa, ANA, Singapore Airlines, and Swiss.
- You're getting 1.3+ cents per point value - United miles are valued at approximately 1.3 cents each by most experts. If your redemption hits this threshold or better, you're getting good value.
- You need domestic last-minute flights - United domestic flights can offer solid value, especially for last-minute bookings where cash prices spike.
When to Keep Points in Chase
Don't transfer if:
- You haven't found award availability - Award space can disappear quickly. Only transfer the exact amount you need once you've confirmed the flight is bookable.
- Better options exist - Chase has higher-value partners like World of Hyatt (1.7 cents per point) and Virgin Atlantic for certain routes.
- You're booking through the Chase Travel portal - Sapphire Reserve holders get 50% bonus value in the portal, making some bookings worth 1.5 cents per point without transferring.
- You might need flexibility - Once transferred, you cannot move points back to Chase. Keep your options open if your travel plans aren't finalized.
Best Uses for United MileagePlus Miles
Once you've transferred your Chase points to United, here are some of the best redemption opportunities:
Domestic Sweet Spots
- Short-haul economy: 5,000-10,000 miles one-way
- Coast-to-coast economy: 12,500-25,000 miles one-way
- Transcontinental business class: 25,000-50,000 miles one-way
International Highlights
- North America to Europe (economy): Starting at 30,000 miles one-way
- North America to Asia (economy): Starting at 35,000 miles one-way
- Intra-Europe on Star Alliance partners: As low as 6,000 miles one-way
United's Excursionist Perk
United offers a hidden gem called the Excursionist Perk—a free one-way flight within certain multi-city bookings. When you book a trip with three or more one-way segments, one qualifying segment becomes free. This can save you 30,000+ miles on complex itineraries.
Common Mistakes to Avoid & Alternatives to Consider
1. Transferring Before Checking Availability
Award space changes constantly. Always search United.com first to confirm the exact flight you want is bookable with miles before transferring any points from Chase.
2. Not Checking Star Alliance Partners
United's search engine doesn't always show the best Star Alliance partner availability. Consider using tools like Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles to search for partner award space before booking through United.
3. Transferring More Than Needed
Since transfers are irreversible, only move the exact number of points required for your booking. If you need 42,000 miles for a flight, transfer exactly 42,000 points (no more).
4. Ignoring Dynamic Pricing
United no longer publishes award charts and uses dynamic pricing. The same flight might cost 30,000 miles one day and 50,000 the next. Search multiple dates to find the best pricing.
5. Forgetting About Taxes and Fees
While United miles cover the flight, you'll still pay taxes and fees in cash. Budget for $5-100 on domestic flights and potentially $100-300+ on international routes.
Alternatives to Consider
Before transferring to United, explore these alternatives:
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - Better value for some transatlantic routes, especially ANA first class to Japan
- World of Hyatt - Consistently offers the highest value among Chase partners at 1.7+ cents per point for hotel stays
- Chase Travel Portal - Sapphire Reserve holders get 1.5 cents per point value, and bookings are fully flexible without award restrictions
- Air Canada Aeroplan - Star Alliance partner with better availability on some routes and stopover benefits
Maximize Your Chase Points for Future Transfers
Want to build your Chase Ultimate Rewards balance faster? Here's how:
- Use the right card for every purchase: Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 10x points on hotels and rental cars through Chase Travel, 5x on flights booked directly, and 3x on dining.
- Combine points from multiple cards: Pool rewards from Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex, and Ink cards into your premium card account for maximum transfer flexibility.
- Take advantage of Chase Offers: Check your Chase app regularly for targeted spending bonuses that can earn 3-10x extra points.
FAQ: Chase to United Transfers
Can I transfer Chase points back from United to Chase?
No. All point transfers from Chase to airline and hotel partners are permanent and irreversible. This is why it's crucial to only transfer what you need when you have a specific redemption in mind.
Is there a fee to transfer Chase points to United?
No. Chase never charges fees for transferring Ultimate Rewards points to any transfer partner, including United MileagePlus.
Can I transfer Chase points to someone else's United account?
You can only transfer to United accounts belonging to yourself or authorized users on your Chase credit card. The names must match exactly between accounts.
How many Chase points can I transfer to United at once?
There's no maximum transfer limit. You can transfer as many points as you have in your account, as long as you transfer in 1,000-point increments.
What happens if I made a mistake entering my MileagePlus number?
Contact Chase immediately if you notice an error. They may be able to cancel the transfer if it hasn't completed. Once miles post to an account, corrections become much more difficult.
Do United miles expire?
No, United miles do not expire as long as there's activity in your account every 18 months. Transfers from Chase count as activity and reset the clock.
Final Thoughts
Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United MileagePlus opens up a world of travel possibilities, from quick domestic hops to bucket-list international adventures. The process is straightforward, transfers are instant, and with United's vast network, you'll find plenty of ways to use your miles.
The key to success? Always search for award availability before transferring, understand which redemptions offer the best value, and only move points when you have a specific flight in mind. Follow these principles, and you'll maximize every Chase point you've earned.
Ready to start booking? Log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account and explore United's award calendar to find your next adventure.
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