Key Points

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred's 100,000-point welcome bonus transfers 1:1 to airline partners like Singapore KrisFlyer, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Virgin Atlantic, where it can unlock first class seats worth $9,000 to $15,000 or more.
• The best redemptions use partner programs to book other airlines' first class seats, such as Aeroplan for Lufthansa or Virgin Atlantic for ANA, often at significantly lower point costs than booking directly.
• Award availability has tightened industry-wide, so flexibility in dates and routes, plus a clear transfer strategy before you click confirm, is essential to making this work.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is back with its highest-ever publicly available welcome bonus: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. That's a genuinely rare offer from a card with a $95 annual fee. For most people, those points go toward flights through the Chase Travel portal. For points enthusiasts, though, that bonus is a first class ticket to Europe, Japan, or Southeast Asia, booked at a fraction of what it would cost in cash.

This guide doesn't just show you the aspirational options. It walks you through the how: which transfer partner to use, how to find award space, what to watch out for, and how to actually lock in the booking before the availability disappears.

Why transfer points instead of booking through Chase Travel?

When you redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points through the Chase Travel portal, you get 1.25 cents per point with the Sapphire Preferred. On 100,000 points, that's $1,250 in travel value. Not bad. But when you transfer to an airline partner and book a premium cabin award, you can extract 10, 12, even 15 cents per point or more, because you're getting access to a $10,000+ first class seat that would otherwise require years of saving.

All Chase transfer partners convert at a 1:1 ratio. You don't lose any points in the transfer. The key is knowing which partner to use for which airline, since the same seat can cost dramatically different amounts depending on the program you use to book it.

One important caveat: transfers are one-way and instant. Once you move points to an airline program, you cannot get them back. Always confirm award space is available before you transfer.

How to transfer Chase points to an airline partner (step by step)

1. Find and confirm award availability on the airline's website or by calling the partner program's service line.
2. Note the exact flight, date, cabin, and price in points before touching your Chase account.
3. Log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account and navigate to "Transfer Points."
4. Select your preferred airline partner and enter the number of points to transfer.
5. Wait for the transfer to process — usually instant, but allow up to 24 hours.
6. Log into the airline's loyalty account and book the award before availability changes.

The best first class redemptions with 100,000 Chase points

The five redemptions below cover the most compelling ways to use this bonus for premium cabin travel. Point costs reflect recent award rates and may vary, so always verify before transferring.

1. Singapore Airlines First Class, New York to Frankfurt

Cash value: ~$9,000+

Points needed: 106,500 KrisFlyer miles one-way
Transfer partner: Singapore KrisFlyer (1:1)
Taxes and fees: Low, typically under $100

Singapore Airlines operates a fifth-freedom route between JFK and Frankfurt on its Boeing 777, with just four first class seats in the cabin. This is one of the most intimate first class experiences in commercial aviation, with door-to-door private suite service, genuine bespoke dining, and Singapore's legendary cabin crew hospitality, all without flying to Southeast Asia first.

Advantages

• Four-seat cabin feels nearly private
• Bookable online directly at singaporeair.com
• Low taxes and fees
• Gets you to Europe in first class

Watch out for

• Just over 100K points, leaving little buffer
• Availability is limited; book far in advance
• Must have a KrisFlyer account ready to go

Booking tip: Singapore releases first class awards sparingly. Check KrisFlyer.com directly up to 335 days out. Mid-week departures tend to show more availability if you have flexibility.

2. Lufthansa First Class, U.S. to Europe via Aeroplan

Cash value: ~$15,000+

Points needed: 90,000 Aeroplan points one-way
Transfer partner: Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1)
Taxes and fees: Moderate, varies by origin city

This is arguably the single best redemption in the entire points and miles world. Lufthansa first class passengers departing Frankfurt get access to the legendary First Class Terminal, a separate facility from the main airport with private security, à la carte restaurant dining, an open bar, and a personal porter who drives you directly to the aircraft on the tarmac. The onboard experience matches: multi-course meals, flat-bed seats with proper mattress pads, and one of the most attentive cabin crews in the industry.

Advantages

• Best first class terminal in the world
• 10,000 points cheaper than booking via other partners
• Aeroplan's search tool is excellent
• Leaves buffer points from the 100K bonus

Watch out for

• Lufthansa only releases award space 3-7 days before departure
• Requires genuine flexibility in travel dates
• First Class Terminal only accessible from Frankfurt, not your U.S. departure city

Booking tip: Check aeroplan.com in the 3-7 day window before your target departure. This is legitimately a last-minute game. Set calendar alerts and be ready to pull the trigger when space opens up.

3. ANA First Class, Honolulu to Tokyo via Virgin Atlantic

Cash value: ~$12,000+

Points needed: 57,500 Virgin Atlantic miles one-way
Transfer partner: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1)
Taxes and fees: Very low, typically $60-80

This is the most efficient redemption on the list in terms of points per dollar of value. ANA consistently ranks among the world's best airlines, and their first class suite on the A380 is extraordinary. The same seat costs 90,000 Aeroplan points if you book through that program, but Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club prices it at just 57,500 miles — a 36% saving on what's already a spectacular product. Japan remains one of the most in-demand travel destinations in the world right now, and flying there in an A380 first class suite adds another layer to the trip.

Advantages

• Best points-per-value ratio on the list
• Leaves ~42,500 points for another redemption
• ANA A380 first class is a genuine bucket-list product
• Very low taxes and fees

Watch out for

• Must call Virgin Atlantic to book, not available online
• ANA first class award space is limited
• Confirm availability by phone before transferring any points

Booking tip: Call Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and ask specifically for ANA first class awards on the HNL-NRT route. Have 2-3 date options ready. Only transfer points after the agent verbally confirms availability and places a hold.

4. British Airways First Class, East Coast to London

Cash value: ~$14,000+

Points needed: 88,000-93,500 Avios one-way
Transfer partner: British Airways Executive Club (1:1)
Taxes and fees: High, roughly $1,500+ from U.S. to Heathrow

British Airways first class won't win awards for its onboard suite compared to Singapore or ANA, but the ground experience at Heathrow is genuinely exceptional. BA First passengers get access to the Concorde Room, the airline's most exclusive lounge, featuring dedicated waiter service, à la carte dining, and private cabanas for sleeping before your flight. The onboard product offers fully flat beds, proper turndown service, and a 14-seat cabin that feels noticeably more private than most business class cabins.

Advantages

• More award space than most first class options
• Concorde Room at Heathrow is a standout ground experience
• Bookable directly online at ba.com
• Good option if you prioritize reliability over scarcity hunting

Watch out for

• Roughly $1,500 in fuel surcharges from U.S. cities to Heathrow
• Onboard product is aging compared to Singapore and ANA
• High taxes reduce the overall value of this redemption

Booking tip: The tax hit from certain East Coast cities varies by a few hundred dollars. If minimizing surcharges matters, compare departures from different U.S. cities before settling on a route.

5. Thai Airways First Class, Tokyo to Bangkok

Cash value: ~$2,500+

Points needed: 60,000 Aeroplan points one-way
Transfer partner: Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1)
Taxes and fees: Very low, typically around $60

This redemption is best suited for travelers already planning a broader Asia itinerary. Thai Airways doesn't fly to the U.S., so this is a regional connector, but it's a genuinely good one. The Royal First class product on the 777-300ER has fully flat beds in a 1-2-1 configuration, excellent Thai hospitality, and some of the most genuinely warm in-flight service you'll find in premium aviation. Worth noting: Thai Airways has announced plans to retire its first class product entirely, which makes this a time-sensitive opportunity.

Advantages

• Very low taxes and fees
• Better availability than longer-haul first class products
• Perfect add-on for a Japan-Thailand itinerary
• Works well as a bonus redemption if points remain after another booking

Watch out for

• Only makes sense as part of a larger Asia trip
• Product is aging and will be retired by Thai Airways
• Cash value is lower relative to the other options on this list

What to do when you can't find first class award space

This is the part most articles skip. Award availability for first class cabins is genuinely challenging, and if you can't find the seat you want, you have several solid alternatives rather than defaulting to the Chase portal.

Every airline on this list offers outstanding business class products at lower point costs. ANA, Lufthansa, and Singapore business class are all world-class experiences that cost 30-50% fewer points than first class. For most travelers, the experience difference doesn't justify the additional cost.

If you're open to domestic or regional routes, transferring to United MileagePlus opens Polaris business class on transatlantic routes at competitive rates, with strong availability. And don't overlook the Hyatt transfer. The World of Hyatt program is a Chase partner, and transferring Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt at 1:1 for a Park Hyatt or Andaz can deliver genuinely aspirational hotel experiences, especially in Japan, Paris, or the Maldives.

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred the right card to earn these points?

For most people building toward a premium award redemption, yes. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5x on travel booked through Chase, 3x on dining, 3x on online grocery purchases, 3x on gas and EV charging, and 2x on all other travel. The $95 annual fee is low enough that the earning structure makes sense even in years when you aren't redeeming a massive welcome bonus.

If you already hold the Sapphire Preferred and want higher earning rates, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns 3x on all travel and dining with a $300 travel credit that effectively reduces its annual fee to $250. Points from both cards transfer to the same airline partners, so your strategy doesn't change, only your earning rate does.

Both cards also pair well with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, which earns 1.5% cash back on everything but can convert those rewards into transferable Ultimate Rewards when paired with a Sapphire card.

Quick reference: which transfer partner to use for each airline

• Singapore Airlines First Class: transfer to Singapore KrisFlyer
• Lufthansa First Class: transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan (cheaper than Lufthansa Miles and More)
• ANA First Class: transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (saves 32,500 points vs. Aeroplan)
• British Airways First Class: transfer to British Airways Executive Club
• Thai Airways First Class: transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan

Frequently asked questions

How long do Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers take?
Most transfers to airline partners process instantly or within a few minutes. In rare cases they can take up to 24-48 hours. Always confirm award availability before transferring and act quickly once points land in your account, since award space can disappear between confirmation and booking.

Can I combine points from multiple Chase cards for one redemption?
Yes. Points from Chase cards like the Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex, and Ink Business cards can be pooled into one Ultimate Rewards account when you hold a Sapphire card. This is one of the most effective ways to accumulate enough points for a premium redemption faster than relying on a single card alone.

What happens if my award flight is canceled after I transfer points?
If the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight, you're typically entitled to a full refund of your miles back to the frequent flyer program. Whether you can then move those miles back to Chase is a different matter, and in most cases you cannot. Chase transfers are one-directional. Your best protection is to identify a backup redemption option before you transfer, so you have somewhere to put the points if the original booking falls through.

Do I need to be a new cardholder to get the 100,000-point bonus?
Yes. Chase requires that you haven't received a new cardmember bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred in the past 48 months. If you previously held the card but haven't received a bonus in four years, you may be eligible again. Chase also has a general guideline that typically limits approval to those who've opened fewer than five credit card accounts in the past 24 months.

Is first class really worth the extra points over business class?
It depends on the airline and what you value. On Singapore Airlines or ANA, the gap between first and business class is significant, with genuinely private suites and service that feels unlike anything in business class. On British Airways, the gap is smaller. If maximizing cents per point matters most to you, first class on premium carriers offers some of the highest valuations available. If you want a great lie-flat bed at lower cost, business class is almost always the more efficient choice.

First class travel used to feel out of reach for anyone without a corporate expense account or a trust fund. The transfer partner system has genuinely changed that, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred's 100,000-point bonus is one of the most accessible on-ramps to some of the world's best aviation experiences. The key is knowing which partners to use, finding availability before you transfer, and being flexible enough to take advantage when that Singapore first class seat shows up on a Tuesday in October.

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