How do I find out the cpp (is that the right acronym?? the redemption value) of a Chase UR as it relates to United Miles? I'm probably not asking this right:
My parents have around 168K united miles. I just looked at they'll need something like 264K miles to get to London from here (i just picked a random set of dates in June since this is very preliminary... just trying to see what their goal needs to be).
If they were to apply for and get a CIP at get 80K URs, do those translate into 80K united miles or how do I go about figuring that out?
Yes. Points transfer 1:1 UR to United. So they would 96k.
@ten6mom -
@Alexle2007 is right that UR transfers to United 1:1 or 1,000 UR = 1,000 UA miles. If your parents have 168k UA miles, and they need 264k UA miles to get to London, then they need to earn 96k more UR points or UA miles.
However, the way you're using "cpp" or "cent(s) per point" isn't exactly right. Although UR transfers to UA 1:1, that doesn't mean you're getting 1 cpp out of your UR.
As you know, UR can be cashed out as a statement credit or bank deposit at 1 cpp. If you use the Chase UR travel portal on a CSP/CIP, 1 UR is worth 1.25 cpp towards flights, hotels, etc. on the portal; if your UR are on a CSR and you use them to book on the Chase UR travel portal, 1 UR is worth 1.5 cpp. These are fixed redemption values.
If you transfer UR to UA miles, your cpp (your bang for the buck) can vary greatly depending on how many points you need to book an award vs. what is the cash price for a comparable seat.
So for example, using random midweek dates for PHX-LHR roundtrip in April, I'm pulling up cash fares for $1,680 + 495.10 taxes for 2 passengers. If you use UA miles, you still need to pay about $400 in taxes. So if you use 264k UA miles, that's about ($1,680)/264,000 = ~0.64 cpp. That's not a great cpp even for United, but I understand your parents already have a lot of UA miles. Moreover, United has scrapped their award charts and gone dynamic with their award pricing, so that 264k UA miles you saw could go up or down.
By comparison, you could purchase the total $2,175.10 fare on the UR portal for 174,008 UR using a CSP/CIP at a fixed 1.25 cpp ($2,175.10/0.0125), or 145,006 UR using a CSR at a fixed 1.5 cpp ($2,175.10/0.015).
However, I see that as a United Visa cardmember, I have access to a lot of additional economy saver award inventory, which makes PHX-LDR only 30k UA miles each way, or only 120k UA miles + taxes roundtrip for 2 adults. If I use the earlier $1,680 fare/120,000 UA miles, thatās a much better ~1.4 cpp.
That's another thing. I know Chase UR is the hot points currency, and the CIP is the go-to recommended card, but if anyone flies from a United hub or even flies on United, a Chase United card is a must have to fit in your wallet strategy because it gives access to expanded economy saver award availability, which could save you a lot of miles or points.
Take your parentsā stash of 168k UA miles. If they can book the saver awards, theyād already have enough for a round trip to London even without another SUB.
The United MileagePlus Explorer SUB isnāt great, but thatās not why this card should be on your radar. Itās one of Chaseās tiered SUBs, with āup toā 65k UA miles. You get 40k miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, but then you have to spend another $8,000 (total of $10,000) in the first 6 months to get the additional 25k miles. You can easily put that extra $8k of spend toward another or several new MSRs for more rewarding returns. And the Explorer cardās category bonuses arenāt great, either; you can do better putting the same kind of spend on a CSP or CSR and earn the same or better bonus multiple in a more versatile points currency (UR).
The Explorer card typically comes with the first year AF waived, and you can PC the Explorer to the no AF United MileagePlus card after one year and still access the additional award inventory; then just put a charge or two on the card every year to keep it active.
After all, the hat listens!!
) but the books are even better.
