Flexible credit card points are simply more valuable than airline miles due to their ability to transfer to a dozen or more different airlines and hotel chains. Enter the world of credit card transfer partners.
That's the beauty of points from banks like Chase, American Express, Citi, and Capital One – or even earning points on rent from Bilt Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy hotel points, too. With six transferrable programs that allow you to send points to 50-plus partner airlines, even we struggle to keep track of which points can move where.
These programs are constantly adding new transfer partners, too, that you can use to book free and cheap travel. Bilt Rewards, for example, just announced Avianca LifeMiles as its latest airline transfer partner, after adding Marriott Bonvoy to its portfolio in October.
This story is a one-stop guide on where you can send your points, no matter what you've got. Leveraging these transfer partners can require a bit more legwork, but it's by far the best way to squeeze even more value out of your points – especially if you're aiming to fly business or first class.
Before we dive in, we need to cover a few ground rules. The cardinal rule of transferring points is that it’s a one-way street. Once you’ve sent your credit card points out the door, you can’t get them back. That makes it critical to scope out award availability and ensure the seat you want is available before initiating a transfer. Until your plans are set, you’re much better off saving those points in your credit card account.
Related reading: Get 20% (Or More) From Your Points with These Current Transfer Bonuses
Chase Transfer Partners
Chase is a titan in the travel rewards industry, and that’s due in large part to some excellent transfer partners.
With 11 airline and three hotel partners, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are practically a must for any frequent or aspiring traveler. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is easily the best place to begin for travelers just getting started with points and miles, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® packs a huge punch with premium travel benefits on top of the same great array of transfer partners.
No matter which card you've got or where you're sending your points, they transfer at a 1:1 ratio. That means 1,000 Chase Ultimate Reward point gets you 1,000 hotel points or airline miles. Some of our favorites on this list include Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Avios, and Singapore Airlines.
| Program | Type | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France/KLM | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Emirates | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Iberia Plus | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| JetBlue | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore Air | Airline | 1:1 | 12-24 hours |
| Southwest Airlines | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| United Airlines | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| World of Hyatt | Hotel | 1:1 | Instant |
| IHG | Hotel | 1:1 | 1 day |
| Marriott Rewards | Hotel | 1:1 | 2 days |
Read up on Chase transfer partners, including how to transfer your points and which options here are best!
How to Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
The best place to start is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card which allows you to earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 within three months.
Read up on the best ways to use Chase points, including utilizing some of these transfer partners!
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is currently offering 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in three months.
With one of the Sapphire Cards in your wallet, you can earn even more Ultimate Rewards points by pairing them with the Chase Freedom Flex and *freedom unlimited* cards. These two Chase credit cards have no annual fee, and while they typically earn cashback, you can transfer that cashback to points on your Sapphire card to earn those points even faster.
Read more on why you should pair a Preferred Card with a Chase Freedom Card!
American Express Transfer Partners
American Express has 18 airline transfer partners and three hotel partners for a total of 21 transfer partners – more than you'll find from any other credit company.
While that flexibility and easy earning opportunities make Membership Rewards points a must for any frequent traveler, there are a few downsides to keep in mind – and one tremendous perk.
First, American Express charges a very small fee (.06 cents per point) on transfers to domestic airlines. So if you transfer 100,000 points to Delta or JetBlue, you’ll get charged $60. These fees are capped at $99.
And note that, unlike Chase, there are several partners to whom your Amex points don’t transfer on a 1:1 basis. For example, transferring 1,000 points to JetBlue would get you 800 TrueBlue points.
But it gets better. Moreso than any other bank on this list, American Express frequently offers transfer bonuses, giving you 20% to 50% or more miles when you transfer to a specific airline. Some examples include as much as a 40% bonus on transfers to British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. or regular 30% transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic.
Here’s the full list:
| Program | Type | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | Airline | 1:1 | N/A |
| AeroMexico | Airline | 1:1.6 | 2-12 days |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France/KLM | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| ANA | Airline | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
| Avianca | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Delta | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Emirates | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Etihad | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Hawaiian | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Iberia | Airline | 1:1 | 1-3 days |
| JetBlue | Airline | 1.25:1 | Instant |
| Qantas | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Qatar Airways | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Choice Privileges | Hotel | 1:1 | Instant |
| Hilton Honors | Hotel | 1:2 | Instant |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Hotel | 1:1 | Instant |
Read our full guide to Amex transfer partners, how they work, and how to get the most out of them!
How to Earn Membership Rewards Points
Now you just need some American Express points. You’re in luck. American Express has a handful of credit cards to earn Membership Rewards points.
We love *amex platinum card*. It starts with an 80,000-point welcome bonus after spending $8,000 in six months, but be sure to check and see if you qualify for a 150,000-point bonus via CardMatch.
There’s also the American Express® Gold Card, which is currently offering a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $6,000 in the first six months. But you may be able to qualify for a whopping 75,000-point welcome bonus using CardMatch, which is unbeatable … unless if you find a 90,000-point offer via personal referral links. With its 4x on dining and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in spending each year), it's one of the best all-around credit cards, period.
Capital One Transfer Partners
Capital One is a relatively recent addition to the world of transferable points – and they've steadily added more partners and improved, it's become one of the best.
You can now transfer points from great credit cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to 15 airline partners and three hotel chains. For years, these transfers weren't as lucrative as other banks. But that has changed.
Capital One has drastically improved by bumping the transfer ratios on all but two of their transfer partners up to 1:1. That means 1,000 Capital One Venture miles will almost always get you 1,000 airline miles or 1,000 hotel points.
Here's the list of options:
| Program | Type | Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeromexico | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France/KLM | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Avianca LifeMiles | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific AsiaMiles | Airline | 1:1 | Up to five business days |
| Emirates | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Etihad | Airline | 1:1 | Up to 1 day |
| EVA Air | Airline | 2:1.5 | Up to five business days |
| Finnair | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Qantas | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| TAP Air Portugal | Airline | 1:1 | Same day |
| Turkish Airlines | Airline | 1:1 | Same day |
| Virgin Red | Other | 1:1 | Same day |
| Accor | Hotel | 2:1 | Up to two business days |
| Wyndham | Hotel | 1:1 | Same day |
| Choice Hotels | Hotel | 1:1 | Same day |
Read our guide on how to transfer Capital One miles!
How to Earn Capital One Venture Miles
There’s a new kid on the block, and it might just be the best travel credit card we’ve ever seen.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the bank’s very first premium travel card. Think of it as a souped-up version of the ever-popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card that’s chock full of extra benefits: Access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges, a $300 annual travel credit, a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, great travel and rental car insurance protection, and more. The annual fee clocks in at $395 a year, but the benefits can easily outweigh that.
Then there's the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which has been a fan-favorite among travelers for years – and for good reason. It’s truly one of the best travel credit cards for beginners.
You earn 2x points on every purchase and still get a credit that covers the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck – all for a card with a $95 annual fee.
Citi ThankYou Point Transfer Partners
Citi is a mixed bag. On the one hand, there aren’t as many lucrative transfer partners as other travel programs on this list – though there are some gems, like Turkish Airlines. Their hotel transfer partner options are fairly lackluster, too.
Citi has a handful of cards which make it far easier to pool points with friends and family members to book a ticket. While Chase requires members to share a billing address to pool points, you can transfer Citi points to any Citi ThankYou account holder: A family member, friend, or stranger. Just beware that those points transferred between accounts expire within 90 days.
| Program | Type | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeromexico | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France/KLM | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Avianca LifeMiles | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific | Airline | 1:1 | 12-24 hours |
| Emirates | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Etihad | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| EVA Air | Airline | 1:1 | 1-3 days |
| JetBlue | Airline | 1:1* | Instant |
| Qantas | Airline | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
| Qatar Airways | Airline | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
| Singapore | Airline | 1:1 | 12-48 hours |
| Thai Airways | Airline | 1:1 | 4-7 days |
| Turkish Airlines | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic | Airline | 1:1 | Instant |
| Accor | Hotel | 2:1 | TBD |
| Choice Hotels | Hotel | 1:2* | Instant |
| Wyndham Rewards | Hotel | 1:1* | Instant |
| The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) | Hotel | 1:0.2 | TBD |
Check out our full walkthrough on Citi transfer partners and how they work!
How to Earn Citi ThankYou Points
Citi ThankYou points can be earned from the Citi Premier® Card. The Citi Premier card is currently offering 60,000 Citi ThankYou points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership.
You can also earn ThankYou points with the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 Month BT Offer, one of the best cards that doesn’t charge an annual fee. You’ll earn 2% cash back or 2x points on every dollar you spend (1x point after making the purchase, and another 1x point after paying your bill).
Finally, we think the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is one of the best cashback credit cards … but it can also earn you Citi ThankYou points, which will unlock a ton of value. You earn 5x points on purchases made in your top eligible spending categories each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent. After that, you’ll earn 1x points on all other purchases. Best of all, there’s no annual fee.
Bilt Rewards Transfer Partners
Bilt Rewards is a relatively new rewards program that allows qualified U.S. renters the ability to earn rewards by paying their rent through the Bilt Rewards app. You’ll be able to earn points on your rent payment no matter where you live.
If your landlord is a member of the Bilt Rewards Alliance, you will be able to pay your rent electronically through the Bilt Rewards app by securely linking your bank account. Otherwise, you can submit your payment with your credit card and Bilt can cut your landlord a check by mail to cover your rent.
One of the ways you can use Bilt Rewards points is by transferring them to a stable of airline and hotel travel rewards partners on a 1:1 basis (1 Bilt Rewards point is equal to 1 airline mile or hotel point). Impressively, Bilt boasts both American Airlines and United Airlines as transfer partners – plus World of Hyatt, too.
This year, Bilt Rewards has been on a roll with the announcement of two new transfer partners, Marriot Bonvoy and now Avianca LifeMiles, and we have a feeling there's just getting started. Bilt is flexing its ability to recruit some of the most valuable frequent flyer and hotel rewards programs that rival the best transfer partners of their competing banks.
Bilt is on a roll this year with the announcement of two new transfer partners and we have a feeling there's just getting started.
Read more: Bilt Rewards Overhauls Rewards Program to Earn More Points on Rent Payments
Here's the list of the options:
| Program | Type | Transfer Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus Avios | Airline | 1:1 |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | Airline | 1:1 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Airline | 1:1 |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Airline | 1:1 |
| Avianca LifeMiles | Airline | 1:1 |
| British Airways Avios | Airline | 1:1 |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | Airline | 1:1 |
| Emirates Skywards | Airline | 1:1 |
| Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles | Airline | 1:1 |
| Iberia Avios | Airline | 1:1 |
| Turkish Miles & Smiles | Airline | 1:1 |
| United MileagePlus | Airline | 1:1 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Airline | 1:1 |
| World of Hyatt | Hotel | 1:1 |
| IHG Hotels | Hotel | 1:1 |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Hotel | 1:1 |
Check out our guide to Bilt transfer partners for full details on how and where to transfer your points!
How to Earn Bilt Rewards Points
It all starts with the *bilt rewards card*.
First and foremost, the card has a $0 annual fee. Next, you’ll earn 1x point for every dollar you spend on rent payments with no transaction fees. And you’ll have the ability to earn 1x point on up to $100,000 in rent payments each and every year.
Next, the card will earn 2x points on travel, when you book directly with an airline, hotel, car rental, or cruise line. Finally, the card will earn 3x points per dollar spent on dining plus 1x points per dollar spent on other purchases. Once a month, Bilt sweetens the deal with what it calls Bilt Rent Day.
One note: You must use your card at least five times each statement period to earn points.
Even if you don't have their card, Bilt members will earn a minimum of 250 Bilt Points per month by paying their rent through the Bilt Rewards app, no matter how much your monthly rent costs. Simply pay through the Bilt app and you'll receive 250 points each and every month.
Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Partners
Marriott Bonvoy isn’t a credit card company, but Bonvoy points can be valuable and versatile. With more than 40 airline transfer partners, Marriott Bonvoy points are arguably the most flexible in the points and miles world. And that only increases their value.
A 3:1 transfer ratio to most airlines makes this one of the few, if not the only, hotel point currencies that can make sense to transfer to airlines. Marriott goes further by adding a 5,000-mile bonus for every transfer of 60,000 Marriott points (20,000 airline miles) for select airlines. That means a transfer of 60,000 Bonvoy points nets you 25,000 airline miles.
However, a few airlines won't provide that 5,000-mile bonus. If you are transferring points to American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Avianca LifeMiles, or Korean Air Skypass, you won't get that bonus.
Unless you've got more Marriott points than you know what to do with, transferring Bonvoy points to an airline should rarely be your go-to. Plus, transferring Marriott points often takes longer than credit card points. You should expect it to take anywhere between 1 day to 2 weeks, so plan accordingly if you’re booking an award ticket using miles.
| Frequent Flyer Program | Marriott Rewards Points to Partner Airline Miles | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aegean Airlines | 3:1 | 3 days |
| Aer Lingus AerClub | 3:1 | 3 days |
| AeroMexico ClubPremier | 3:1 | 4 days |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 3:1 | 4 days |
| Air China Phoenix Miles | 3:1 | No data |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 3:1 | 3 days |
| Air New Zealand Airpoints™ | 200:1 | 24 hours |
| Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan® | 3:1 | 4 days |
| American Airlines | 3:1 | 48 hours |
| ANA Mileage Club | 3:1 | 4 days |
| Asiana Airlines Asiana Club | 3:1 | 4 days |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 3:1 | 24 hours |
| British Airways Executive Club | 3:1 | 3 days |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles™ | 3:1 | 5 days |
| China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl Club | 3:1 | No data |
| Copa Airlines ConnectMiles | 3:1 | 3 days |
| Delta SkyMiles® | 3:1 | 24 hours |
| Emirates Skywards® | 3:1 | 3 days |
| Etihad Guest | 3:1 | 3 days |
| Frontier Airlines Miles | 3:1 | 6 weeks |
| Hainan Airlines | 3:1 | 8 days |
| Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles® | 3:1 | 24 hours |
| Iberia Plus | 3:1 | 24 hours |
| InterMiles | 3:1 | 7 days |
| Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank | 3:1 | 48 hours |
| Korean Air SKYPASS | 3:1 | 48 hours |
| LATAM Airlines LATAM Pass | 3:1 | No data |
| Multiplus Fidelidade | 3:1 | No data |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 3:1 | 48 hours |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 3:1 | 3 days |
| Saudia Airlines | 3:1 | 5 days |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer® | 3:1 | 48 hours |
| Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® | 3:1 | 24 hours |
| TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go | 3:1 | No data |
| THAI Airways | 3:1 | 4 days |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 3:1 | 3 days |
| United MileagePlus® | 3:1.1 | 3 days |
| Virgin Atlantic® Flying Club | 3:1 | 48 hours |
| Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer | 3:1 | 24 hours |
| Vueling Club | 3:1 | No data |
Read the master guide to transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airlines
Bottom Line
Mastering the ins and outs of credit card transfer partners, and piling up the right points to do so, is a key in the world of miles and points. But keeping track of all the different options at your disposal can feel like a full-time job.
Bookmark this page and reference it any time you need a refresher on the different options you've got to use your credit card points (or hotel points)!
What about the Delta American Express card? Do they get the same transfers as regular Amex?
They do not. Once SkyMiles are in a SkyMiles account, they can’t be transferred out.
This would be so awesome as a printable, so that I can reference without having to constantly look back.
Used my Capital One Venture X points to book round trip business class from MSP to Lisbon in the fall of 2024. However, it took 5 DAYS for my points to transfer from Capital One to AirCanada (I used them to book business class on a Lufthansa/Tap combo flight). I was very anxious as I thought the 70k flights might be gone by the time I booked, but I got ’em! Thanks for the tips on how to make that happen.