Chase Ultimate Rewards Trip Cancellation amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Around the world, travel plans are being waived due to the coronavirus. Airlines and hotels have responded by adjusting their cancellation and change policies — and you may also have some recourse if you booked a trip through your credit card travel portal.

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If you booked travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards website — either using points from a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve or with cash — you’ll now be able to submit a cancellation request online. This should streamline the process of getting refunded and help you avoid long wait times on the phone. Here’s what you need to know if you want to get refunded for an upcoming reservation.

Related: 5 Easy Ways to Save Money

We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay. 

How to get refunded for travel booked with Chase points

You can find Chase’s request form here. You’ll need to be logged into your Chase account. 

Once you’ve navigated to the online request form, you’ll need to provide:

  • Your itinerary number (your confirmation number)
  • The type of travel you’re looking to cancel (flight, hotel, travel package, rental car, or activity)
  • Additional information like dates and airports, depending on what type of travel you have booked
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Once you submit the form, Chase should be in touch within seven business days. The issuer says it’s processing refund requests in order of travel date, so if your reservation is a month or more out, you may need to wait a bit longer to hear back.

Important terms and exclusions

Chase’s Ultimate Rewards cancellation request form is only for trips that are at least three days in the future — if you’re looking to cancel a trip departing in the next day or two, you’ll want to call Chase Travel directly (1-888-511-5326).

Also note that you’ll only be eligible for a refund if the travel provider you booked with via Chase (the airline or hotel, for example) is waiving cancellation fees and refunds for your particular reservation. 

Finally, make sure you’re 100% ready to cancel your travel before submitting a request. Once Chase receives your request, you aren’t able to make any changes, and it will go ahead and cancel your reservations for you.

Related: 2020 Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards

This is a helpful benefit, especially at a time when many of us are scurrying to cancel or postpone upcoming trips. Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card also offer some of the most comprehensive trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, so if you booked your trip directly with an airline or hotel using one of these cards, you could be eligible for a refund as well.


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