As far as I’m concerned, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most valuable and useful flexible points programs around. So, when I learned that Chase launched a contest in which you can win 1 million Ultimate Rewards points, I jumped on it!
There’s nothing more contentious in this hobby than naming what points currency is the best. Everyone has their own opinions based on transfer partners and perceived benefits of the points-earning cards. For me, the best has long been Chase Ultimate Rewards, as my primary hoteliers of choice, Hyatt and Marriott, are transfer partners. Later, Southwest Rapid Rewards also became interest to me, and transferring points from Chase to Rapid Rewards has facilitated several intra-Hawai’i trips for me. Plus, unlike Amex Membership Rewards, Chase doesn’t charge you taxes levied on the “purchase” of the points by the Federal Government.
So, when a chance to win 1 million Ultimate Rewards points, it’s an opportunity I don’t take lightly – and neither should you.
Enter to Win 1 Million Ultimate Rewards Points!
I’m not entirely sure, but this is the first time that Chase is running a contest allowing you to enter to win 1 million Ultimate Rewards points. That said, unlike most sweepstakes out there, Chase has some conditions to be aware of. The primary of these is that you must have been a cardholder of an Ultimate Rewards-earning card as of December 2, 2024, to qualify. Not only that, but you must be the primary cardholder. Authorized users are not eligible. To verify your eligibility, you’ll need to select your card type from a dropdown list and provide the last four digits of that card’s card number on the entry form.
Eligible cards include:
- Sapphire Reserve
- Sapphire Preferred
- Freedom
- Freedom Flex
- Freedom Unlimited
- Freedom Student
- Freedom Rise
- Ink Business Cash
- Ink Business Unlimited
- Ink Business Premier
- Ink Business Preferred
Beyond this, entry form asks for some basic information, including your first and last name, phone number, and email address. That’s it.
The entry period opened on December 3, 2024, and cardholders may enter once daily through 11:59 pm ET on January 31, 2025. A day is defined as a calendar day based on Eastern Time.
Winners will be determined via random drawing on or around February 5, 2025, and will be notified on or around March 20, 2025. At that time, winners will also need to complete a number of forms, as is customary, especially for tax and identification purposes. These forms must be returned within five business days, or the winner will forfeit their prize.
Speaking of prizes, a total of 10 winners will be selected to win 1 million Ultimate Rewards points. Chase values this at $10,000, which is the amount that will be indicated on a 1099 form received by all winners. So, do keep that in mind if you plan on entering – winning may have tax implications for you.
Oh, and, there is no alternate entry method. This part struck me as odd, as that’s usually required to pass sweepstakes law. But, I’d assume the attorneys at Chase have vetted the process.
If You Win 1 Million Ultimate Rewards Points…
While the chances of winning are likely minuscule, what would you do if you won? For me, the easy, but boring answer would be to convert of chunk to World of Hyatt points and book an award stay at my favorite Hyatt property so far – the Alila Napa Valley.
However, the true answer for me would probably to do some aspirational vacation in Europe or Japan, though I’d most likely go with the latter. That would involve me transferring around half the points I won’t into Singapore KrisFlyer to redeem for two roundtrip business class tickets on an ANA between Honolulu and Tokyo Narita aboard the Flying Honu.
From there, I’d dump the rest of the points from the winning into my World of Hyatt account and book as many hotel nights at Hyatt or better brands in certain cities we want to visit as I can afford off the remaining points. I’ve put a lot of thought into this strategy – can you tell?
Final Thoughts
At any rate, if you qualify for the sweepstakes, you should definitely enter to win 1 million Ultimate Rewards points. For those of you who do enter, best of luck to you! And, if you do win, what do you wan to use your newfound points for?