
Credit cards with transferable points offer a world of possibilities for travelers and rewards enthusiasts. These cards allow you to transfer points to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, maximizing your rewards potential.
Some of the most popular credit cards with transferable points include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards. These cards offer a wide range of transfer partners and flexible redemption options.
Transferable points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses, making them a valuable asset for frequent travelers. By choosing the right credit card and transfer partners, you can unlock even more value from your rewards.
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Credit Cards with Transferable Points
Credit cards with transferable points offer a level of flexibility and value that's hard to match. These cards allow you to transfer your points to a variety of travel partners, giving you more options for redeeming your rewards.
There are six major credit card rewards programs that offer transferable points: American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, and others. These programs include a wide range of transfer partners, such as airlines and hotels.
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For example, American Express Membership Rewards has 21 transfer partners, including airlines like Air Canada and ANA. Chase Ultimate Rewards has 14 transfer partners, including British Airways and Singapore Airlines.
The number of transfer partners can make a big difference in the value of your points. If you have a card with a large number of transfer partners, you may be able to get more value out of your points.
Here's a breakdown of the number of transfer partners for each of the major credit card rewards programs:
It's worth noting that some credit cards require you to have a premium card or pair with another card to get the full benefits of transferable points. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ requires you to pair with another card to get the full benefits of transferable points.
Overall, credit cards with transferable points can be a powerful tool for redeeming your rewards and getting the most value out of your points.
Understanding Points Programs
Transferable points programs are a great way to earn credit card points that can be transferred to multiple partners. This flexibility can be especially beneficial when a points partner changes its program in a way that reduces the value of the points you have earned.
For example, American Express may allow you to transfer points to 17 different airlines, while Chase may only offer six different options. This means you'll have more flexibility with American Express, but you may also pay a higher annual fee.
The major bank programs - Chase, American Express, and Citibank - all offer transferable points, but the specifics of each program vary. For instance, Starwood transfers at a 4:5 ratio when transferring in 20k point increments.
Here's a breakdown of the major transferable points programs:
Chase also offers the ability to transfer points to Amtrak, but this feature is ending on December 8, 2015.
Transfer Partners and Benefits
Transfer partners are a crucial aspect of credit cards with transferable points. Having multiple transfer partners can save you miles for future trips, as seen in Example 4. For instance, if you have points with a transferable points program that includes both United Airlines and British Airways, you can transfer your points to fly with American Airlines, which may be cheaper.
Some credit cards offer a large number of transfer partners. The Amex EveryDay Credit Card, for example, has 21 transfer partners, as listed in Example 2. This can provide a lot of flexibility when it comes to redeeming your points. On the other hand, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has 14 transfer partners, which may be sufficient for some users.
Airlines and hotels have the right to change their rewards programs, which can reduce the value of your points. Having transferable points can protect you from this risk, as you can transfer your points to a different partner if the value of your points decreases. As mentioned in Example 5, credit card companies often offer transfer bonuses to rewards members that transfer points to certain partners.
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Here are some credit cards with transferable points and their corresponding number of transfer partners:
Having transferable points can also save you money on award flights. As mentioned in Example 1, transferring your credit card reward points to an airline partner can allow you to book a business class ticket for a fraction of the cost. This can be especially beneficial for long-haul flights, where the cost of a business class ticket can be prohibitively expensive.
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Major Points Programs
Transferable points programs offer flexibility and benefits, such as the ability to transfer points to multiple partners and take advantage of transfer bonuses.
There are several major transferable points programs, including Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Citibank Thank You Points.
Each program has its own transfer partners and terms, such as Chase's ability to transfer points to Singapore Airlines and United Airlines, and American Express's ability to transfer points to Asia Miles and British Airways.
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Here's a breakdown of the major transferable points programs and their transfer partners:
Keep in mind that each program has its own terms and transfer ratios, so it's essential to understand the specifics before choosing a program.
Major Points Programs (UR, MR, TYP)
If you're looking to maximize your points, you'll want to focus on major transferable points programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR), American Express Membership Rewards (MR), and Citibank Thank You Points (TYP).
These programs offer a wide range of airline and hotel partners, allowing you to transfer your points to the one that best fits your travel needs. For example, if you're a lifelong United Airlines flyer, you can transfer your Chase points to United's loyalty program or to British Airways, which might offer a cheaper option for your European trip.
Here's a breakdown of the major transferable points programs:
By understanding the transferable points programs available to you, you can make the most of your points and book the trip you want without breaking the bank.
Capital One Miles
Capital One Miles can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners, including Aeromexico, Air Canada, and British Airways. This flexibility is a major advantage of the program.
Capital One has improved its transfer ratio to 1:1 for most partners, making it a more attractive option. The transfer process is also relatively easy, as you can simply log into your account and select the transfer partner.
The program currently has 17 airline transfer partners, including some of the most valuable ones in the industry. These partners include Air France/KLM, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines.
Here are some of the airline transfer partners with their corresponding transfer ratios:
- Aeromexico Club Premier
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue
- Avianca LifeMiles
- British Airways Avios
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Airways Guest Program
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLands (2:1.5)
- Finnair Plus
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Capital One also has three hotel transfer partners, including Accor Live Limitless and Wyndham Rewards. The transfer ratio for Accor Live Limitless is 2:1, while Wyndham Rewards transfers at a 1:1 ratio.
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Specific Credit Cards
Several credit cards offer transferable reward points, allowing you to redeem them for travel or other rewards with partner airlines and hotels.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the best all-around travel rewards cards, earning three points per dollar on travel and dining purchases, and offering a $300 a year in travel statement credits.
Some notable credit cards with transferable points include the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express, which earns 2X points on everyday business purchases, and the Bilt Rewards Mastercard, which offers credit card transfer partners including 13 airline and five hotel programs.
Here are some specific credit cards with transferable points:
The Citi ThankYou Points program also offers transfer partners, including Choice Privileges, which can be transferred 2:1.
No Annual Fee Cards
If you're looking for credit cards with no annual fees, there are some great options out there.
Some of these cards offer transferable rewards, which can be a big plus. The Amex EveryDay Credit Card and The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express, for example, both offer Amex Membership Rewards that can be transferred to 21 different partners.
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The number of transfer partners can be a key consideration when choosing a card. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, for instance, offers a whopping 39 transfer partners.
If you're looking for a card with a more limited number of transfer partners, the Citi Rewards+ Card and the Citi Double Cash Card might be a good option. They offer 3 transfer partners each, but you can pair them with another Citi card to get up to 21 transfer partners.
Here's a quick rundown of some no-annual-fee cards with transferable rewards:
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card also offer transferable rewards, although they require you to pair them with a miles-earning card to get the full benefits.
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American Express Cards
American Express Cards offer a range of benefits and rewards, including earning Membership Rewards points. You can earn points with cards like the Blue Business Plus, which offers 2x points on everyday business purchases, such as office supplies or client dinners.
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The American Express Gold Card is another popular option, earning four points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, with a $325 annual fee. This card also comes with up to $10 per month ($120 per year) in dining credits with partners like Grubhub and Goldbelly.
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to 18 airline and three hotel partners, including Air Canada, ANA, and Avianca, which are part of the Star Alliance. These transfers can be done instantly, but it's essential to link your Membership Rewards account with the program's various frequent flier and hotel loyalty programs first.
Some airline partners, like JetBlue, have a different transfer ratio, with one Membership Rewards point transferring to 0.8 JetBlue points. It's also worth noting that point transfers are irreversible, so make sure you really want to spend your points before transferring them.
Here are some of the airline partners you can transfer your Membership Rewards points to:
Remember to consider the annual fees and rewards of different American Express cards to find the one that best suits your needs.
Chase Cards
Chase Cards offer a range of benefits and rewards, making them a popular choice among credit card holders. The Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, for example, offers 100,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first three months, as well as three points per dollar on up to $150,000 of purchases in travel, shipping, cable, phone, internet, and advertising each year.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns two points per dollar on general travel purchases, three points per dollar on dining purchases, and one point on everything else. It also offers a $50 statement credit each account anniversary year to use toward hotel stays purchased through the Ultimate Rewards portal.
Chase Ultimate Rewards has grown significantly since its launch in 2009, with 11 airline partners and three hotel partners now available for transfer. This includes major players like United and Marriott, as well as Southwest and Hyatt.
The transfer process is straightforward: cardholders can log into their Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, select the credit card account from which they'd like to transfer points, and then choose the “Transfer to Travel Partners” option. Most transactions take place instantaneously, allowing for quick booking of award flights or nights.
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Chase offers several personal and small business cards that feature credit card transfer partners within the Ultimate Rewards program. These cards include the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, among others.
Here are the airline partners available for transfer:
And here are the hotel partners:
Chase offers eight airline partners and three hotel partners, making it a versatile option for credit card holders.
Citi Cards
Citi Cards offer a range of credit options with transferable rewards points.
Citi ThankYou Points can be transferred to 21 airline partners, including Choice Privileges, making it a great option for frequent travelers.
To maximize your Citi points, consider pairing a Citi card with another Citi card for more transfer options.
Citi's ThankYou Rewards program has added 16 airline transfer partners in recent years, transferring points at a solid one-to-one ratio.
Here are some key Citi cards to consider:
Citi cards have a restriction on approvals, limiting you to one new card in an eight-day period or two new cards in a 65-day period.
Capital One Cards
Capital One Cards offer a range of benefits, including credit card transfer partners that can be valuable for travel rewards.
The Capital One Rewards program has improved significantly in recent years, now working with 14 airline and three hotel transfer partners, giving cardholders more flexibility when redeeming miles.
Capital One's transfer ratio is 1:1 for most partners, making it an attractive option for travelers. The transfer process is also easy, allowing cardholders to log in and click on the "Rewards Miles" link to initiate a transfer.
Capital One's airline transfer partners include Air Canada, Avianca, Air France/KLM, British Airways, and Qantas, among others. These partners are part of major airline alliances, making them valuable for travel rewards.
Here are Capital One's current airline transfer partners:
- Air Canada
- Avianca
- Air France/KLM
- British Airways
- Qantas
- Aeromexico Club Premier
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue
- Avianca LifeMiles
- British Airways Avios
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Airways Guest Program
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
- Finnair Plus
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Capital One's hotel transfer partners include Wyndham Rewards and Accor Live Limitless, with a 2:1 transfer ratio for Accor.
Wells Fargo Cards
Wells Fargo offers a range of credit cards with unique rewards programs. The Wells Fargo Autograph card offers triple points in solid categories like travel, transit, dining, and streaming services, among others.
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Their rewards program also includes transfer partners, although the list is shorter than some other cards. This is expected to grow in the near future.
The Wells Fargo Autograph card has a no-annual-fee offer, which is a rare find in the credit card market. This card also offers a solid welcome bonus and several valuable cardholder protections.
If you're considering applying for a Wells Fargo card, be aware that you're limited to one welcome bonus every 15 months across its cards.
Here are some of the key benefits of the Wells Fargo Autograph card:
- 3x on travel – including airfare, hotels, car rentals, timeshares, cruises, and more
- 3x on transit – including parking, tolls, subways, ride shares, railways, ferries, and more
- 3x on dining – including dining in, take-out, catering, delivery and more
- 3x on streaming services – including Apple Music, Disney+, Spotify etc
- 3x on gas – including gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
- 3x on phone plans – including landline providers and cell phones
- 1x on other purchases
Marriott Bold Card
The Marriott Bold Card is a no-annual-fee card that offers points transfers to nearly 40 different airline partners at a 3:1 ratio, up to 240,000 points per day. This means you can transfer your points to a variety of airlines, making it a great option for travelers.
You'll also earn 3X Bonvoy points per $1 spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. This is a great earning structure for those who frequently stay at Marriott hotels or travel.
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The card also offers 5 annual Elite Night Credits qualifying cardholder and automatic Marriott Silver Elite status. This is a nice perk for frequent Marriott guests, as it can help you advance in the loyalty program.
Here are the benefits of the Marriott Bold Card:
- 3X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 2X points on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains)
- 1X point on all other purchases
Overall, the Marriott Bold Card is a solid option for those who frequently stay at Marriott hotels or travel, and want to earn points that can be transferred to a variety of airlines.
Chase Sapphire Reserve:
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium credit card that offers a range of benefits for frequent travelers. It charges a $550 annual fee, but provides $300 in travel statement credits and reimburses the cost of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees.
One of the card's standout features is its earning structure, which offers three points per dollar on travel and dining purchases outside of Chase Dining. This means that if you spend $1,000 on travel and dining, you'll earn 3,000 points.
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The card also earns 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase, making it a great option for those who frequently book accommodations and transportation through the Chase website. Additionally, the card earns 10 points per dollar on Peloton equipment purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve also provides lounge access to Priority Pass clubs at airports around the world, making it easier to relax and work while traveling. This benefit alone can save you a significant amount of money on food and drinks.
The card's travel protections are also among the most comprehensive available, providing peace of mind for travelers. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can focus on enjoying your trip rather than worrying about the unexpected.
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Citi ThankYou
Citi ThankYou offers a solid one-to-one ratio for transferring points to airline partners, including 16 options such as American Airlines, Air France/KLM, and Virgin Atlantic.
To make a transfer, log into your Citibank online account and click the "Rewards" box on the right-hand side of the screen, then select "Redeem" to visit the ThankYou Rewards portal.
Citi's ThankYou Rewards program has added a whopping 16 airline transfer partners in recent years, making it a great option for travelers.
You can transfer points to your linked airline accounts, but be aware that some U.S. airlines are missing from the list, which might make it hard to find value.
Here's a list of Citi's airline transfer partners:
- American Airlines Advantage (through Nov. 13, 2021)
- Aeromexico Club Premier
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue
- Avianca LifeMiles
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Airways Guest Program
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
- InterMiles (formerly Jet Airways JetPrivilege)
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Citi's hotel transfer partners include Wyndham hotels and Choice Privileges, which can be done at a 1,000 to 1,200 ratio and 1,000 to 2,000 ratio, respectively.
Citi offers ThankYou Rewards points from its card_name and AT&T Points Plus cards, and holders of these cards can also pool points with other eligible Citi cards.
Citi's most valuable airline transfer partners include Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue, which are part of the SkyTeam Alliance, Avianca, which is part of the Star Alliance, and Qantas, which is part of the OneWorld Alliance.
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Sources
- https://awardwallet.com/blog/credit-cards-transferable-points-no-annual-fee/
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/transferable-points-programs.asp
- https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-credit-cards-for-transferrable-points
- https://www.cardratings.com/travel/credit-card-transfer-partners-explained.html
- https://freetravelgenius.com/points-transfer/
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