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At 10X, we’ve written quite extensively about how you can book a memorable trip with just two cards. This is particularly doable if one of those cards has a lucrative signup bonus like that on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
You are eligible for this offer if:
- It’s been more than 48 months since you received a bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- You are under Chase’s 5/24 rule
The welcome bonus amount is enough for you to take a great trip and can easily cover some of the cost of flights and hotels. Let’s look at how you can take a trip to Vancouver, Canada with just this welcome bonus. That’s right, with one card bonus you can take an entire trip.
Why Vancouver? Because Vancouver is a safe, beautiful city where you can enjoy amazing waterfront, great food, beautiful parks and great museums. The mountains and the stunning landscapes of British Columbia are all easily accessible, so you can base yourself in the city and take a day trip to the nearby mountains.
One of my favorite travel memories was when I took my nephew to FlyOver Canada near the cruise ship port. You don’t need to be a kid to enjoy this awesome experience, and it’s great fun for the whole family. Another must see in Vancouver is the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Trust me, even if you are afraid of heights, you will have fun and get to enjoy the natural beauty of this place.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
60,000
bonus points
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $95
How to Get to Vancouver With Ultimate Rewards Points
Let’s first look at a few different ways to get to Vancouver with the help of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. We can either transfer points to one of the partner airlines or use the Chase travel portal to book flights.
How to Get to Vancouver with United Miles
One of the ways to get to Vancouver is by booking an award flight with United miles. United is a transfer partner of Chase, the points transfer 1:1 and the transfer is usually instant.
You don’t need a United MileagePlus account to search for award space. However, if you have the Chase United℠ Explorer Card or United℠ Business Card, always sign in first because United often shows better award space to its own elites and cardholders. You don’t have to pay the taxes with a United card; rather, this just opens up more award space availability and options.
United got rid of its award chart some time ago, but we know that you can get from the U.S. to Canada with a reasonable number of points.
If you don’t find award space right away and want to see more dates when award space is available, click on View 30 day calendar.
How to Get to Vancouver with Avios
British Airways is also a transfer partner of Chase. If you are thinking “BA doesn’t fly from the U.S. to Canada,” you won’t be alone. But, yes, you can use points and miles of one program (even foreign frequent flyer program) to book flights on its partner airline. In this case, both BA and American Airlines are Oneworld Alliance members, so we can use British Airways Avios to book a flight operated by American Airlines.
BA has a distance based award chart and charges by segment, so you’ll always get the best value by booking nonstop flights. I like using Google flights or FlightsFrom to find nonstop flights.
You’ll need to create an account first before you can search for award space on British Airways. When you’ve created your account, hover with your mouse over Book, then click Book a flight with Avios.
What you find would depend on how much award space American Airlines has released to its partners, including British Airways. AA can be quite stingy with releasing award space to partners, so you definitely need some good luck here, but it’s possible to find awards at very good rates with minimal surcharges (which are airport departure taxes and security fees).
Chase Travel Portal
Another way to get to Vancouver with Ultimate Rewards is by booking your flights through the Chase travel portal. Your points are worth 1.25c each when you redeem them through the portal, so how many points you’ll need will depend on the cash price. So watch out for airfare sales and book your flights when you find a good price.
The portal is easy and straightforward to use. You just log into Ultimate Rewards account and plug in the dates and the departure and destination airports.
Where to Stay in Vancouver with Ultimate Rewards Points
Vancouver is a pretty expensive city, but luckily we are armed with a stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, so we’ve got options. There are two ways to go about finding accommodations for this trip.
You can transfer Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt 1:1 (the transfer is usually instant) or you can book a non-chain hotel through the Chase travel portal.
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Located in the heart of downtown, the Hyatt Regency Vancouver has the perfect location. You’ll be just 10 minutes from Vancouver’s beautiful waterfront where, among other things, you can watch the seaplanes taking off, an absolute must see. And the historic Gastown is just a short walk from the hotel.
This is a very modern hotel and there’s even a pool, a rarity among moderately priced city hotels.
This is a category 3 property that you can book with 12,000 points. With cash rates in the $200 plus range, this is a great deal!
Vancouver Hotels You Can Book with Ultimate Rewards Points
I love using the travel portal for non-chain hotels. You can often find a great deal on a beautiful boutique property and book the exact type of room you need. You decide for yourself which amenities, such as free breakfast, are important to you, no elite status needed! You are also not limited by a geographical area and can find a property in any budget.
This could be especially useful to families or larger parties traveling together, as you aren’t limited by occupancy limits or other restrictions. And if a chain property has no more rooms that you can book with points, you can always find something through the portal.
Because the price in points is tied to a cash price, how many Ultimate Rewards points you’ll need will depend on the property you choose and the current sales or other discounts. So see how many Ultimate Rewards points you have left after booking your flights and that’ll help you narrow it down. I usually sort by star rating and always pick Wonderful 4.5+ guest rating to help me narrow down the options.
For example, you can book this nice mid-range hotel that comes with a huge indoor pool for about 15,000 points.
Final Thoughts
Vancouver is such an interesting and multicultural city. It’s a foodie heaven, perfect for a short trip with the kids and if you love the outdoors, you will fall in love with Vancouver. The temperatures are mild for most of the year, so it’s a great year round destination.
And when you have booked a free trip with 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you’ll have even more fun enjoying all the food, microbreweries, parks and other Vancouver must see attractions.
Travel well,
Anna
New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
bonus points
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points
after you spend $4,000 in 3 months
Venture Miles
after you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms apply.
