The ease of Ultimate Rewards

This is part II of my mini series on the Anatomy of a trip to LA where I detail how I use my points knowlegde to book a trip for two for only $268.  Today we will look more closely at Ultimate rewards points.  Many Chase products come with points known as Ultimate Rewards, you earn these UR's as they are called by using your Chase branded credit cards for your everyday purchases or by signing up for new Chase branded credit cards offering large sign up bonuses.  Ultimate rewards can be used to buy gift cards or travel through a Chase maintained website or the points can be transferred to one of their valuable travel partners shown here...

Inter-Asia Flight

Having self terminated my flight in Hong Kong rather than deal with an odd layover before traveling onto Phuket I’m now left with the added challenge of getting from Hong Kong to Bangkok.  There are plenty of carriers that make the flight and I only need a one way fare for two.  I could purchase a fare but why would I if an option exists to use points?  I was stuck on how to proceed.  Enter co-worker points traveler extradinaire.