5 Amazing Places to Visit With 60K Ultimate Rewards Points
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See current details on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Booking a solo getaway to a place with a magnificent skyline, bustling streets or turquoise beaches might be far more affordable than you imagined — especially if you use a big credit card sign-up bonus to cover airfare. And with a new offer available to select applicants, that’s become a little easier.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is offering a sign-up bonus worth 60,000 Ultimate Rewards® points for select applicants through NerdWallet’s pre-qualification tool. That’s 20% more than the card typically offers. Keep in mind that not everyone will be eligible for this bonus, but by pre-qualifying, you can see whether you're eligible without any effect on your credit.
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, points are worth 1.25 cents apiece when used to book travel through Chase, making this bonus worth at least $750. You might be able to get even more value by transferring your points to one of the card’s many 1:1 transfer partners, especially if you use them for flights on certain international routes. For a quick tutorial on how to transfer points, check out this short video.
Here are five memorable solo trips you could book with that bonus.
1. Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, elegant buildings line historic waterways that curve around the city in concentric semicircles spanned by bridges. This picturesque capital is home to the Van Gogh Museum, which has the largest collection of paintings by the Dutch post-impressionist, and the Rijksmuseum, which features the work of the Dutch masters. After visiting these world-famous sites, stop by the city’s historic flower market, which has been in operation since 1862.
Where to transfer your Ultimate Rewards® points:
Air France/KLM: Book a round trip from the U.S. to Amsterdam starting at 50,000 miles in Classic Economy, plus taxes and fees. The cost may vary depending on the time and city of departure; check the airlines' calculator for exact rates.
United Airlines: You can get an Economy Saver ticket for 60,000 miles round trip to Amsterdam when you're departing from the mainland U.S., Alaska or Canada, plus taxes and fees, according to the airline's award chart.
2. Luqa, Malta
A small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea south of Italy, Malta is rich in both historic sites and breathtaking landscapes. After flying to Luqa, go to the nearby capital, Valletta, and visit the historic St. John’s Co-Cathedral, filled with baroque art. Or stop by Popeye Village, a tourist attraction featuring rainbow-colored houses, built for the 1980 musical film "Popeye." Finally, take some time to enjoy the shimmering blue beaches, dramatic bluffs and craggy grottos.
Where to transfer your Ultimate Rewards® points:
Air France/KLM — Book a round trip from the U.S. to Malta for 50,000 miles in Classic Economy, plus taxes and fees. The cost may vary depending on the time and city of departure.
United Airlines: Book an Economy Saver ticket to Malta starting at 60,000 miles round trip, plus taxes and fees, when you're departing from the mainland U.S., Alaska or Canada. (Keep in mind that, because Malta is relatively remote, it can take a long time and multiple connections to get there.)
3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Famous for its luxurious resorts and dramatic skyline, Dubai is home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. For a scenic outing, go to the Dubai Fountain outside that building to see a colorful, choreographed water dance set to a musical score. Spend an afternoon visiting the Dubai Mall — one of the largest malls in the world — which features the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. For an adventure outside the city, sign up for a camel-riding tour through the desert.
Where to transfer your Ultimate Rewards® points:
Virgin Atlantic: Get an economy round-trip ticket to Dubai starting at 40,000 to 50,000 miles on this airline, depending on the date and U.S. city you depart from. Although you’ll have to pay surcharges and taxes — around $310 each way — redeeming for this route still generally gets you a good value out of each mile.
4. Ushuaia, Argentina
Ships heading to Antarctica depart from Ushuaia, considered the southernmost city in the world, making it a popular stop for folks on their way to visit the seventh continent. It’s also a beautiful destination in its own right. Travelers who love the outdoors will enjoy exploring the city’s pristine wilderness, lush hills and sparkling shores. For a memorable adventure, take a small boat tour through the famous Beagle Channel to see penguins, sea lions and other wildlife.
Where to transfer your Ultimate Rewards® points:
Air France/KLM: Get a round-trip ticket starting at 50,000 miles round trip in Classic Economy, plus taxes and fees. The cost may vary depending on the time and city of departure. (Ushuaia is fairly remote, so keep in mind that you'll have to spend a long time flying and making multiple connections to get there.)
5. Johannesburg, South Africa
In Johannesburg, you’ll find top-notch restaurants, verdant botanical gardens and famous historical landmarks, such as Constitution Hill, the former prison complex where Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and other activists were once held. If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, catch a ride to go on an African safari outside the city. Or, go to Soweto and visit Mandela's former home, now a museum.
Where to transfer your Ultimate Rewards® points:
Virgin Atlantic: You can get a ticket to Johannesburg from the U.S. starting at 45,000 to 55,000 miles, depending on the date and city you depart from. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay surcharges and taxes of about $330 each way. Even so, this route still offers an excellent redemption value for each mile.
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