Transfer Partners 101: How to Get the Most From Your Points
Understanding transfer partners is the key to unlocking outsized value from credit card points. Here's how they work and when to use them.
Transfer partners are the secret weapon of the points and miles hobby. Instead of booking travel through a credit card portal at a fixed rate, you can transfer your points to airline and hotel loyalty programs — often getting 2-5x the value.
What Are Transfer Partners?
Transfer partners are airline and hotel loyalty programs that have agreements with credit card issuers. You can move your credit card points directly into these programs, usually at a 1:1 ratio.
Key Principle
Never transfer points speculatively. Always find the award availability first, then transfer just enough points to book it.
The Major Transfer Programs
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Key partners include United, Hyatt, Southwest, and British Airways.
Amex Membership Rewards
Key partners include Delta, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Hilton, and Marriott.
Citi ThankYou Points
Key partners include Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and JetBlue.
Transfer Ratios at a Glance
| Program | Transfer Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase UR | World of Hyatt | 1:1 | Instant |
| Chase UR | United MileagePlus | 1:1 | Instant |
| Amex MR | ANA Mileage Club | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
| Amex MR | Singapore KrisFlyer | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
| Citi TYP | Turkish Miles & Smiles | 1:1 | Instant |
When to Transfer vs. Book Through the Portal
Transfer when:
- You're booking premium cabin flights (business/first class)
- You can find a sweet spot redemption (like ANA round trip to Japan for 75-90K miles)
- You're booking a high-value hotel (like Hyatt at 1.5-2+ cpp)
Use the portal when:
- You need flexibility to cancel
- Economy flights where the redemption rate is already good
- Last-minute bookings when award space isn't available
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Transferring before confirming availability — always search first
- Ignoring fuel surcharges — some airlines add hefty surcharges to award tickets
- Not checking transfer bonuses — programs regularly offer 20-40% transfer bonuses
- Letting points expire — know each program's expiration policy
Next Steps
Start by checking which transfer partners your credit card points can access, then explore the award charts for the programs that serve your preferred destinations.