How to transfer points, step by step
8 minute read
Transfers are the most powerful move in points and miles — and the most permanent. These guides cover every major transferable currency with exact navigation steps.
Do this before anything else: Confirm your award is actually available before transferring a single point. Transfers are permanent and cannot be reversed. Use seats.aero or the airline's own website to verify availability first. See our guide to finding award space.
Jump to your currency
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase URCards: Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Ink Business Preferred
Transfers are permanent. Once points move to a partner, Chase cannot retrieve them. Always verify award availability first.
Your points expire if your account is closed. Keep the card open as long as you hold the points.
Step-by-step
- 1
Go to chase.com and log in to your account.
- 2
Click on the card that holds your Ultimate Rewards points (e.g., Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve) from your account overview.
- 3
In the card menu, click “Use points” or “Earn/Use” — then select “Transfer to travel partners”.
- 4
A list of all transfer partners appears. Choose your airline or hotel (e.g., United MileagePlus, World of Hyatt, British Airways).
- 5
Enter your loyalty program number for that partner. This must match exactly — double-check for typos. If you don't have an account yet, sign up at the partner's website first (it's free).
- 6
Enter the number of points to transfer. Chase transfers in increments of 1,000 points — you cannot transfer 1,500, only 1,000 or 2,000.
- 7
Review the transfer summary. Confirm the partner name, loyalty number, and point amount are all correct.
- 8
Click “Transfer points” and confirm. You'll receive an email confirmation.
- 9
Wait for points to arrive in your partner account. Most partners receive points instantly to within 2 business days. Hyatt and United are usually instant.
If you have multiple Chase UR cards (e.g., Sapphire Reserve + Freedom Unlimited), you can pool all points under the card with the best redemption value. Transfer everything to your Sapphire Reserve first.
Watch our Transfer Bonuses page — Chase occasionally runs +25–55% bonuses to specific partners. If one is active, your 10,000 points could become 12,500–15,500 partner points.
The minimum transfer is 1,000 points. Plan your redemption first, then transfer exactly what you need plus a small buffer (e.g., transfer 70,000 for a 67,500-point award).
Amex Membership Rewards
Amex MRCards: Amex Gold, Amex Platinum, Amex Business Platinum, Amex Business Gold
Transfers are permanent and cannot be reversed. Confirm award availability before moving any points.
Amex MR points expire if you close your last Amex card that earns Membership Rewards. Keep at least one card open (the no-fee Amex EveryDay card works as a keeper).
Some Amex transfers charge a small fee (~$0.0006 per point). This is rare and will be shown before you confirm.
Step-by-step
- 1
Go to americanexpress.com and log in.
- 2
In the top navigation, hover over your card and click “Membership Rewards”, or go to membershiprewards.com directly.
- 3
Click “Use Points” in the top menu, then select “Transfer Points”.
- 4
You'll see a list of transfer partners organized by airlines and hotels. Select your desired program (e.g., Air France/KLM Flying Blue, ANA Mileage Club, Delta SkyMiles).
- 5
You'll be prompted to link your loyalty account if you haven't already. Enter your loyalty program number — it will be saved for future transfers.
- 6
Enter the number of Membership Rewards points to transfer. Amex transfers in increments of 1,000 points for most partners.
- 7
Review the page carefully. Note any transfer ratio differences — most are 1:1, but some partners (like Marriott Bonvoy) transfer at a different ratio. Amex shows you exactly how many partner points you'll receive.
- 8
If Amex prompts you for two-factor authentication, complete it (they sometimes ask to verify large transfers).
- 9
Click “Transfer Now” and confirm. You'll receive an email confirmation.
- 10
Transfer times vary: airlines like Air France/KLM Flying Blue are often instant; Delta SkyMiles can take 2–5 business days.
Amex MR is the most versatile currency — 20+ transfer partners including ANA (great for Star Alliance awards), Air France/KLM (great for Delta flights), and British Airways (great for short American Airlines flights).
Check our Transfer Bonuses page before transferring — Amex runs frequent bonuses of +15–30% to specific airlines. Transferring during a bonus can be worth waiting for.
Air France/KLM Flying Blue is often underpriced for Delta flights within the US. Transferring Amex MR → Flying Blue → Delta award flight can save 30–40% vs. redeeming Delta SkyMiles directly.
Citi ThankYou Points
Citi TYPCards: Citi Strata Premier
Transfers are permanent and irreversible. Confirm availability at the partner airline's website before transferring.
Citi ThankYou points expire 5 years after they are earned if your account is closed. Points remain active as long as you hold the card.
Step-by-step
- 1
Go to citi.com and log in to your account.
- 2
In the top navigation, click “ThankYou Rewards” (it may appear under “Rewards” depending on your view).
- 3
On the ThankYou Rewards dashboard, click “Earn & Use Points”, then select “Transfer Points” — or look for “Travel Partners” under the Use Points menu.
- 4
A list of transfer partners appears. Citi partners include Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Singapore KrisFlyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and others.
- 5
Select your partner program and enter your loyalty account number. If you don't have an account with that airline, sign up for free at their website first.
- 6
Enter the number of ThankYou Points to transfer. Most transfers require a minimum of 1,000 points and go in 1,000-point increments.
- 7
Review the confirmation screen — verify the partner name, your loyalty account number, and the point total before proceeding.
- 8
Click “Transfer” and confirm. An email confirmation will be sent.
- 9
Allow 1–3 business days for points to appear in your airline/hotel account. Some partners are faster.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles is one of the best-kept secrets in points — you can book Star Alliance flights (United, Lufthansa, ANA) at very low rates. Citi → Turkish transfers are among the most valuable uses of ThankYou Points.
Citi and Qatar Airways Privilege Club are currently running a +30% transfer bonus (check our live Transfer Bonuses page for the latest). Qatar Avios can book oneworld flights including American and British Airways.
Singapore KrisFlyer miles can be used to book Singapore Airlines flights, including the legendary Singapore Suites product — one of the highest-rated first class experiences in the world.
Capital One Miles
Cap OneCards: Venture X, Venture
Transfers are permanent. Once miles are sent to a partner, Capital One cannot retrieve them.
Not all Capital One transfer partners offer 1:1 ratios — some transfer at 2:1.5 or other ratios. Capital One shows the exact ratio before you confirm.
Step-by-step
- 1
Go to capitalone.com and log in to your account.
- 2
Click on your Venture X or Venture card from your account overview.
- 3
In the card details, click “Use Miles”, then select “Transfer Miles to a Travel Partner”.
- 4
Browse the list of transfer partners. Capital One partners include Air Canada Aeroplan, Turkish Airlines, Avianca LifeMiles, Singapore KrisFlyer, Wyndham Rewards, and more.
- 5
Select your partner and enter your loyalty program account number. Verify the number carefully — transfers cannot be reversed.
- 6
Enter the number of Capital One Miles to transfer. Check the transfer ratio shown — most are 1:1 but some differ.
- 7
Review the summary showing how many partner miles/points you'll receive after the ratio is applied.
- 8
Click “Transfer” and confirm the transfer.
- 9
Most partners receive miles within 1–3 business days. Air Canada Aeroplan is usually instant.
Air Canada Aeroplan is one of Capital One's strongest partners — Aeroplan has great Star Alliance awards and a distance-based chart that rewards shorter-haul business class redemptions.
Avianca LifeMiles is another strong partner — they price Star Alliance awards without fuel surcharges, which saves hundreds of dollars vs. booking through United or Lufthansa directly.
If you have a Venture X, your 10,000 anniversary miles (deposited every year automatically) plus the $300 travel credit effectively offsets most of the $395 annual fee before you transfer a single mile.
Bilt Points
BiltCards: Bilt Mastercard (earns points on rent)
Bilt transfers are permanent. Confirm award availability before moving points.
Bilt requires a minimum of 2,000 points per transfer — higher than other programs.
You must make at least 5 transactions per statement period to earn points (including on rent). Failing to do so means you earn 0 points for that month.
Step-by-step
- 1
Open the Bilt Rewards app on your phone (or go to biltrewards.com on desktop) and log in.
- 2
In the bottom navigation, tap “Points” to see your balance and options.
- 3
Tap “Transfer Points” or look for “Travel Partners” in the menu.
- 4
Browse Bilt's transfer partners — they include United MileagePlus, World of Hyatt, Alaska Mileage Plan, American AAdvantage, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, and several others.
- 5
Select your partner and tap “Link Account” if you haven't already. Enter your loyalty number and verify it.
- 6
Enter the number of Bilt Points you want to transfer. Minimum is 2,000 points. Transfers go in increments of 1,000.
- 7
Review the confirmation screen — verify partner, account number, and point total.
- 8
Tap “Confirm Transfer”.
- 9
Most transfers complete within a few hours to 3 business days. World of Hyatt and United are often instant.
Bilt Points are uniquely powerful because you earn them on rent — an expense you can't put on other rewards cards. If you pay $2,000/month in rent, that's 24,000 Bilt points per year just from rent.
Bilt → World of Hyatt transfers are often the most valuable use of Bilt points. A Park Hyatt hotel night might cost $600 cash but only 25,000 Hyatt points.
On the 1st of each month (Rent Day), Bilt doubles points on all non-rent purchases. Stack this with restaurant dining or travel purchases for maximum earning.
Ready to transfer?
Before you move any points, make sure you've confirmed award availability. Check the next guide to learn exactly how to find award space — and which tools make it easy.
Next: How to find award space →