2015-10-08

If you’re looking to get Big Travel quickly, it’s a great time to apply for the Chase Ink Plus small business card.

That’s because for a limited time, the sign-up bonus has been increased to 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

After completing the minimum spending, you’ll have at least 65,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.  That’s worth ~$813 in travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal.

But you could get much more if you transfer the points to airline, hotel, and rail partners, like British Airways, Hyatt, or Amtrak.



Itching for a Getaway? The Chase Ink Plus Can Get You on the Road Fast With Its Limited-Time 60,000 Point Sign-Up Bonus!

In most cases, you’ll qualify with small businesses such as being a part-time real estate agent, eBay seller, or sports coach.

Emily and I don’t earn a commission for this card, but we’ll always tell you about the best offers!

I’ll share ideas for Big Travel experiences you could get right now by making the most of the Chase Ink Plus sign-up bonus!

Get Away With 1 Credit Card Bonus!

Link:   Chase Ink Plus

Link:   My Review of the Chase Ink Plus 60,000 Point Sign-Up Bonus

Link:   What to Do With 65,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Link:   Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners

There are a number of things I really like about the Ink Plus card.

Great transfer partners like Hyatt, United Airlines (useful for international flights on Star Alliance partners like Air New Zealand, Lufthansa, Thai Airlines, etc.), Southwest, British Airways, and more

No pesky foreign transaction fees that cost up to ~3% with other cards

The Chase Ultimate Rewards points you earn do NOT expire as long as you keep your card

Having the Ink Plus (or Ink Bold or Chase Sapphire Preferred) enables you to combine ALL your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, like those earned with the Freedom and Ink Cash, and then transfer them to airline & hotel partners

To earn the 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, spend $5,000 on purchases within 3 months of opening your account.

Keep in mind, there is a $95 annual fee.  But it’s definitely worth it.  That’s because you get at least ~$813 worth of travel (65,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points X 1.25 cents per point) on nearly any airline with NO blackout dates.  Here’s how.

But I’ll show you how to get thousands of dollars worth of airfare or hotels including all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, First Class flights to Europe, flights to Hawaii, and more!

This is a small business card, but you don’t have to have millions in revenue to apply.  You may be approved even with a new business, and you can use your social security number to apply as a sole proprietor.



Big Travel, Small Worries – You Could Escape to the Tropics With Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Because Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly to travel partners, you could start your adventures almost immediately after you complete the minimum spending and earn the sign-up bonus!

And remember, when you have the Ink Plus, you can combine Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned from the Chase Freedom and Chase Ink Cash for even bigger travel!

Here are 5 ideas for a late fall or winter getaway – all possible with the Chase Ink Plus sign-up bonus!

1.   British Airways / Hyatt – Cross-Border Getaway

I’ve written that 1 of the best uses of British Airways Avios points is for short-haul (under 650 miles) flights on partner airlines like Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and US Airways.

That’s because you’ll only pay 4,500 British Airways Avios points each way in coach!  It’s a fantastic deal.

Folks often forget that you can travel to Canada using British Airways Avios points too!  And because the Canadian dollar is weak, it’s a cheap place to visit right now!



Live Near the Canadian Border? You Can Get a Terrific Deal Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards Points for a Trip to Canada!

For example, for 4,500 British Airways Avios points each way in coach (9,000 points round-trip), you could fly to:

Calgary – from Seattle

Montreal – from Philadelphia and New York

Quebec City – from Philadelphia

Toronto – from Charlotte, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, DC

Vancouver – from Portland and Seattle

You and a friend could fly to Toronto for a long weekend with just 18,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points (transferred to British Airways).  And you’d have 47,000 points left-over from the Chase Ink Plus sign-up bonus to splurge on a luxurious hotel!

Consider treating yourself to a stay at the Park Hyatt Toronto, which is 1 of the only category 4 (15,000 Hyatt points per night) luxury Park Hyatt hotels.

You’ll Get a Fantastic Deal Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to Hyatt for a Stay at the Park Hyatt Toronto

You’d have enough Chase Ultimate Rewards points remaining to transfer 45,000 points to Hyatt for a 3-night stay at this beautiful hotel!  Paid stays here often cost over $300 per night, and my friends in Toronto say The Roof Lounge there is a great place to spot celebrities.

Winter Dates at the Park Hyatt Toronto Cost Almost $350 per Night – and You’d Pay Even More in the Summer!

Remember, 1 Canadian dollar is currently worth ~76 cents US, so you’ll get a significant discount when you spend on shopping and dining.  And the Chase Ink Plus is good to use in Canada, too, because it doesn’t add foreign transaction fees!

Although I’d likely use my Chase Sapphire Preferred to earn 2X points at restaurants.  Because this card also has no foreign transaction fees.  And you can combine the points you earn with the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Ink Plus.

2.   Korean Air / British Airways – Romantic Hawaiian Vacation

Hawaii is a bucket list destination for many folks.  But you can get there for relatively cheap if you know which award programs to use!

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Korean Air and British Airways at a 1:1 ratio.  And you can use points from either airline program to fly on partner airlines to Hawaii!

If you live on the West Coast, you can use British Airways Avios points to fly in coach on Alaska Airlines or American Airlines to Hawaii for 25,000 British Airways Avios points round-trip.

If You’ve Always Dreamed of a Trip to Hawaii, You Can Make It Happen for Just 25,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Round-Trip

And although you’ll need to be more flexible (because can be tricky to find available award seats), you can use 25,000 Korean Air miles to fly on Delta between anywhere in North America and Hawaii round-trip in coach!

So for 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you could find yourself on the beach in Waikiki with your honey!  And you’d still have 15,000 points from the Chase Ink Plus sign-up bonus to use toward hotels or activities.

Note:   Hotels in Hawaii aren’t cheap.  So you might also consider signing-up for a hotel card that offers bonus nights at any of their hotels, like the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve (2 weekend nights at almost any Hilton) or Chase Hyatt (2 nights at any Hyatt).

A Stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Is an Incredible Experience!

Check out our trip reports from Kauai and Maui!

3.   Singapore Airlines – First Class Suite to Europe

Singapore Airlines is always ranked as 1 of the world’s best airlines.  They’re known for their top-notch service and excellent First and Business Class.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Singapore Airlines at a 1:1 ratio.  And the sign-up bonus from the Chase Ink Plus card is more than enough to treat yourself to a flight you’ll never forget!

For 57,375 Singapore Airlines miles (and ~$200 in fees), you can fly in a First Class suite on Singapore Airlines’ A380 between New York and Frankfurt.

Fine Champagne, Caviar, and Your Own Private Suite on Singapore Airlines – and You Won’t Have to Pay Thousands of Dollars!

If you paid cash, a 1-way flight in a First Class suite on this route could cost over $5,000!

Amazing Value! You Could Get a Flight Worth $5,000+ From the Chase Ink Plus Sign-Up Bonus!

Note:   To find available award seats on this route in First Class, you’ll usually have to book well in advance.  Or be flexible (and brave!) enough to make plans at the last minute (because sometimes Singapore Airlines opens up available award seats a few days prior to departure).

Even if you prefer stretching your points, Singapore Airlines coach flights between New York and Frankfurt are an excellent deal, too.

You’ll pay 17,000 Singapore Airlines miles each way, so the Chase Ink Plus sign-up bonus is nearly enough for 2 round-trip coach tickets to Europe (68,000 Singapore Airlines miles total).

4.   Hyatt – All-Inclusive Mexican Getaway

I’ve written about how to use Hyatt points for stays at Hyatt’s all-inclusive hotels in Mexico.

Two of these hotels, the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos and Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, cost only 20,000 Hyatt points per night (double occupancy).

So by transferring 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points from the Chase Ink Plus sign-up bonus, you could enjoy a long weekend in Mexico with everything included!

Leave Your Wallet Behind! All-Inclusive Hyatt Resorts Include Meals, Drinks, Gratuities, and Entertainment!

For example, an award stay at the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos includes:

Fine dining at 6 restaurants as well as 24-hour room service

Unlimited alcoholic cocktails, beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks at lounges and bars

Unique daily and nightly activities

An infinity pool, main pool, adult-only pool, kid-friendly pool and 2 hot tubs

Fitness Center

Beach and pool butlers

Nightly entertainment featuring live music and performances

Family friendly activities and KidZ Club

Basic Wi-Fi Internet Access

Fishing, scuba diving, and golf (additional charge)

All resort taxes and gratuities

I checked the price of a 3-night stay here in February.  You’d pay over $1,700 for 2 people!

I’d Much Rather Use 60,000 Hyatt Points for This 3-Night Stay!

If you’re looking for a way to get to Mexico cheaply, remember Southwest now flies there, including Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.  And if you have the Southwest Companion Pass, you can bring a companion for almost free on paid and award tickets!

5.   Amtrak – West Coast Family Adventure

Time is running out for folks who like transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Amtrak.  December 7, 2015 is the last day to transfer points, because Chase and Amtrak are ending their partnership.

And Amtrak’s award program is changing in January 2016.  While there will still be good deals on award travel, some of the best redemptions, like long-distance sleeper accommodations, will cost many more Amtrak points once the changes take effect.

Tick, Tock – You Have Less Than 2 Months to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to Amtrak for Big Travel!

That said, you still have time to make some amazing memories by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points from the Chase Ink Plus sign-up bonus to Amtrak.

For example, a 1-zone trip in a family bedroom (which sleeps 2 adults and 2 children) costs only 25,000 Amtrak points each way.  It’s considered First Class travel, so all meals are included!

If you live on the West Coast, 2 adults and 2 kids could take the Coast Starlight train between Seattle and Los Angeles for 25,000 Amtrak points (a 35-hour journey!).  Folks report the scenery on this trip is incredible!

Travel the West Coast by Train in a Family Bedroom for Just 25,000 Amtrak Points Each Way

You could book the same train coming home for another 25,000 Amtrak points.  And still have 15,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points left-over from the Chase Ink Plus sign-up bonus!

A family bedroom on this route can cost almost $1,200 for a 1-way trip!

Use Just 25,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points, Transferred to Amtrak, for a Train Trip Worth Almost $1,200

Or, fly home by transferring 30,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to British Airways Avios points.  You can fly between Seattle and Los Angeles on British Airways partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines for 7,500 British Airways Avios points 1-way in coach.  And you’d still have 10,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points remaining!

Bottom Line

The increased 60,000 point sign-up bonus on the Chase Ink Plus small business card can get you amazing travel experiences!

By transferring your Chase Ultimate Reward points to airline, hotel, and rail partners, you could soon find yourself enjoying free cocktails at an all-inclusive resort or taking a scenic overnight train trip with your family.

The sign-up bonus is even enough for round-trip coach tickets for 2 to Hawaii!

We don’t earn a commission for the Chase Ink Plus card but we’ll always tell you about the best deals!

I hope these ideas have sparked your imagination!  Where would you go with the Chase Ink Plus sign-up bonus?

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