The Offer
- Chase Ultimate Rewards program is offering a 70% transfer bonus when you transfer to Marriott. Normally you can transfer at a rate of 1:1 and under this promotion that increases to 1:1.7
The Fine Print
- Valid until August 14, 2024
Our Verdict
This is better than the previous 50% transfer bonuses we have seen but still isn’t worth considering unless you just need a small top up for an award as Chase UR points are so much more valuable. You can see a full list of previous Chase transfer bonuses by clicking here.
Is this too soon to consider transferring points for a bora bora trip in 2027? I know its “early”, and things could change, but in three years we have never seen a transfer rate this high. Thoughts?
Like I suggested below: Do it. If you want Bora Bora, point redemption at St. Regis or Westin there is the way to go. If things change, you can burn those Marriott points somewhere else. *cough* Maldives *cough*
As this is the highest transfer rate ever, if I am looking to save UR and Chase points for a big Bora Bora vacation, in 2-3 years, would pulling the trigger this early on a transfer be a mistake?
As you probably are already aware, Marriott usually does not offer point redemptions until about 12 months out, so you would be playing the ‘long game,’ for sure. It may be worth it if this is somewhere you really want to go and if you have a surplus of Chase points (and a dearth of Marriott points).
On Bora Bora, since you are already planning a trip there, you are likely well aware that there are two Marriott properties, the St. Regis and the Westin (formerly, a Le Meridien, which underwent renovations and is expected to reopen this September). I have been to both properties in 2019. The locations are ideal. It’s worth the trip, if you can afford it.
Redemptions appear to be 90-120K per night. If you take advantage of Marriott’s fifth night free (which I highly recommend), you will need at least 360-480K points total for the stay, so you would transfer 210-282K UR points using the 70% bonus. That’s a whole lotta Chase points.
If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, breakeven with UR is 1.5 cents per point. Marriott points are 0.8 cpp at breakeven. Even with this 70% bonus, that raises the value to 1.36 cpp, which is better but not greater than 1.5 cpp. I personally prefer to save UR transfers for Hyatt where the redemption values are often 3x, or to top off at United, if needed. Of course, Chase, Marriott, and any of these corporations can devalue their pseudo-currencies at any time with little recourse for us. So, don’t hoard points. Burn ’em!
Also, places like Bora Bora and the Maldives have unique luxury properties like the St. Regis that charge cash prices of $3,500+ per night, so clearly there is outsized value redeeming points there (as opposed to your typical by-the-airport Courtyard Marriott). If you booked 5 nights, that’s $17,500. Ouch. But, 282K UR points (worth $4,230), is 4.13x value. Me like-y.
Still, you gotta get there first, and those flights to Tahiti and to Bora Bora ain’t cheap. Oh, and you may want to eat, so expect several hundred dollars a day minimum for that. Fine, load up on complimentary breakfast, then fast all day, but dinner will still set you back. Personally, I think the food, accommodations, and reefs are better in the Maldives. Then again, it’s really the views of Otemanu that make Bora Bora so interesting. And honestly, the St. Regis and the Westin have the best position in that area. Skip the Conrad. Bleh.
Anyway, tomorrow’s the final day for this promo, so what did you decide?
came here with exact same question as OP and thanks for all the details and talking me out of it 🙂
I am fairly committed to bora bora at some point, I don’t know that I can handle the flights to the maldives. At least with bora bora I can split it in about half, flying to CA and staying over night the day before. While I have a fair amount Chase points, Id like to do 6 nights out there, and cover the flights from CA to Tahiti, so I definitely still need to churn some more CIP cards between player 2 and I. As it is so early, and I don’t have enough for the stay yet, I decided to hold out and see what kind of transfers we get as we get closer to the goal for the total stay. But that means I probably have to take whatever bonus they have in 2026, if I for sure want to go in 2027 for our 15 year anniversary, so I have the points well in advance and can try to pick 6 days with the best point redemption rate in that upcoming year.
I haven’t done a ton of research on the Westin, but I guess that gives me time too. On first glance, the bungalows seemed a lot smaller no?
Hyatt definitely has the better redemption rate, unfortunately assuming we stay committed to the bora bora trip, they aren’t an option out there.
Im probably 90% on bora bora, the wife is onboard as well but I do all the CC and points managing. I probably should break it down for her and be like, we could also do these 3-4 things instead of this trip points-wise, or something like Hawaii again twice, or Hawaii in a really grand fashion, just so she can compare and understand the cost of bora bora.
For me, I see it likely as a one-time thing, just because its so cost prohibitive, and there are still so many other places we want to go.
Good analysis, Schmig.
Since you’ve already been to Hawaii, I agree that Bora Bora would be a nice new experience for the two of you, especially for such a special occasion, even if it’s a one-time visit. Save the Maldives for the next major anniversary.
For Bora Bora, the bungalows at either Marriott property are spacious enough, though, yes, they are larger at St. Regis. Highly recommend getting that Amex Marriott Brilliant for the Platinum status (upgrades, free breakfasts), 85K free night, sign-up bonus, etc.
Also, you may want to consider taking the ferry from the main island of Tahiti to Mo’orea, where there is the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, which is more affordable than the Conrad, and has good point/free night redemptions, usually. If you have that Amex Hilton Aspire, Diamond status, free breakfast, etc. that helps, too.
Save travels!
Thanks! The amex hilton aspire is definitely on the list, will probably get that sometime late in 2026, assuming the perks hold as is.
So check out the Hilton Moorea for the incoming day to Bora Bora, like if we are too late to catch the plane to Bora Bora the day we arrive to Tahiti? Or just spend a day there for the heck of it? Will have to read up on that place. We have been debating how to time the flights, and maximize time in Bora Bora, but it does seem like staying a day in Tahiti first is often easier, but of course adds cost.
Mariott is so bad these days that they might as well do a 1:5 to make it worthwhile to match SPG or even a few years rates. Crazy pricing makes using certificates and points almost useless. Cheaper to get a sales package and attend a presentation.
they just need to double that 70% to 140% to make it sort of ok 🙂
I agree
But I might transfer enough so that my current 13,000 point could actually be a basic room somewhere
Ditto… Sitting on 25,000 myself
Probably still bad, but looks like this could be used as a pass through to effectively transfer to American or Alaska at 1:0.7
Waiting for Amex to finally bring back its transfer bonuses for Marriott (20-50% historically). When Marriott points are breakeven at 0.8 cents per point, this promotion is worth 1.36 cpp, which is less than the 1.5 cpp Chase Sapphire Reserve card members get for redeeming UR points on the Chase travel portal.