Chase is rolling out one of the biggest changes we’ve seen in years to its popular Ultimate Rewards program. Starting June 23, 2025, a new feature called Points Boost will launch on the Chase Travel portal. This new system will begin to replace the long-standing fixed redemption rates of 1.25× for Chase Sapphire Preferred and 1.5× for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders. The update marks a clear shift toward a more dynamic, personalized Chase Travel Redemption experience for travelers.
Previously, when you booked travel through Chase Travel using your points, you could count on getting a consistent 1.25 or 1.5 cents per point, depending on your card. But soon, that flat value will be phased out. Instead, you’ll need to seek out travel deals with Points Boost offers—which could offer more value, but also add complexity. For anyone with Chase credit cards, this is a big deal and calls for a closer look at how you plan to redeem your points going forward.
What Exactly Is Points Boost and How Does It Work?
Points Boost is a new benefit that adds extra value to select travel redemptions made through the Chase Travel portal. Rather than applying a fixed value to all bookings, Chase will now highlight specific flights, hotels, and rental cars that come with higher-than-usual redemption rates.
For example, when you’re browsing travel options on the Chase Travel site using your Ultimate Rewards points, you might see certain options marked with a Points Boost label. These boosted deals will allow you to get more value per point—sometimes exceeding the previous 1.25 or 1.5 cents per point.
This new system resembles what other flexible travel programs are doing by introducing variable-value redemptions. But Chase is emphasizing that these boosts will focus on providing targeted opportunities that are better than what you’d get with the old flat-rate system. This means a chance for savvy travelers to stretch their points even further, but it also requires a bit more time and attention to find the best deals.
When Will Points Boost Become Available to Cardholders?
Chase officially launches Points Boost on June 23, 2025, and eligible cardholders will start seeing boosted redemption offers automatically within the Chase Travel portal. There’s no special registration or opt-in required.
These Chase credit cards will be eligible for Points Boost:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
This new benefit will show up seamlessly when you search for travel using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. If a booking option qualifies for Points Boost, it will be clearly labeled, and the improved point value will be reflected in the price.
What Happens to the Current 1.25x and 1.5x Redemption Rates?
Chase has confirmed that the fixed-value redemptions of 1.25 cents and 1.5 cents per point will eventually be phased out, but not all at once. The company plans to retire the old system sometime between late 2025 and 2027, depending on your card and when you opened it.
If you currently enjoy the simplicity of knowing exactly how much value you get for your points, that predictability will slowly go away. Chase believes this is the right step forward, arguing that Points Boost can deliver even better value to users who are flexible and willing to hunt for deals. However, this means that travelers need to get familiar with the new system sooner rather than later.
What Should You Do Next as a Cardholder?
With the new Points Boost feature arriving in just a few days, you should start preparing now. Here’s what we recommend at TheMilesAcademy:
- Review your current Chase Ultimate Rewards balance. Decide whether you want to lock in any redemptions now before the flat rates disappear.
- Log in to the Chase Travel portal on or after June 23 to see how the Points Boost system looks and functions. Get a feel for what kind of offers are being boosted.
- Start comparing boosted redemptions with regular options to determine what kind of uplift you’re actually getting. For instance, if you see a flight marked with Points Boost that would normally cost 60,000 points but is now 45,000 points, that’s a clear upgrade in value.
- Pay attention to patterns: Are certain airlines, hotels, or routes more likely to be boosted? Use that insight to plan smarter Chase Travel Redemption strategies.
Above all, don’t wait too long to adapt. Chase has made it clear that fixed rates are going away, and the new Points Boost system will be the future of the Ultimate Rewards program.
Smart Travelers Should Embrace the New Era of Chase Travel Redemption
Chase’s new Points Boost feature is more than a simple update—it’s a strategic shift that aims to modernize how you use Ultimate Rewards. With this change, Chase is giving its most engaged cardholders an opportunity to unlock outsized value from their points, but that value won’t come automatically.
Whether you love hunting for travel deals or simply want to use your points in the smartest way possible, now is the time to learn how Points Boost works. Like all reward systems, the more you understand the rules, the more value you can unlock.
As of today, the 1.25× and 1.5× redemption rates are still active—but they won’t last forever. Start getting comfortable with the new system, explore boosted redemptions when they become available, and stay up to date with Chase’s latest announcements.
We’ll continue to track and break down every change right here at TheMilesAcademy—so you can travel farther, smarter, and for less.
