This is how to transfer credit card points the right way.
If you’ve been sitting on a pile of credit card points and redeeming them for statement credits or cash back, I need you to stop because you’re leaving serious value on the table.
The real magic in the points-and-miles game is transferring your points to airline and hotel partners. That’s how to transfer credit card points the right way, and that’s exactly what this guide is going to walk you through.
Instead of using your points directly through your credit card portal (where redemption values are often low), you transfer them to airline or hotel loyalty programs. That’s where the best redemptions happen: business class flights, luxury hotel stays, and free family trips that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars.
Before we dive in, there’s one critical thing you need to know:
| Important: Once you transfer your points to an airline or hotel partner, you usually CANNOT transfer them back. It’s a one-way move. So make sure you have a specific redemption in mind before you hit that transfer button. |
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to transfer credit card points from five of the biggest programs: American Express, Chase, Bilt Rewards, Citi ThankYou, and Capital One, with step-by-step instructions for each one.
What’s in This Guide
- Why you should transfer credit card points instead of redeeming through your portal
- How to transfer American Express Membership Rewards points
- How to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- How to transfer Bilt Rewards points
- How to transfer Citi ThankYou points
- How to transfer Capital One miles
- Final tips for getting the most out of every transfer
Why Transferring Your Points Is Always the Better Move
When you redeem credit card points through your bank’s own travel portal, you’re typically getting around 1 cent per point in value. That’s fine, but it’s not great.
When you know how to transfer credit card points to the right airline or hotel partner, you can often squeeze 2 to 5 cents (or more) out of every single point. The difference on a 100,000-point balance is enormous, we’re talking the gap between a domestic economy ticket and a roundtrip business class flight to Europe.
Here’s the other thing: most of the major credit card programs transfer to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. That means 1,000 of your credit card points becomes 1,000 airline miles. No shrinkage, no hidden conversion tax.
| Pro Tip: Always search for award availability on the airline’s website BEFORE you transfer your points. Since transfers are one-way and usually instant, you want to confirm the seat is available and waitlisted before you move anything. |
How to Transfer American Express Membership Rewards Points
American Express Membership Rewards is one of the most flexible points currencies out there, with transfer partners across multiple airlines and hotel programs. Here’s exactly how to transfer credit card points from your Amex account.
Step-by-Step: Transferring Amex Points
- Log in to your Amex account.
- From the top navigation bar, click Membership and then select Redeem Rewards.
- Scroll down and select Transfer Points.
- Browse the list of available transfer partners. You can filter by Airlines or Hotels.
- Select your transfer partner, then click Okay.
- If this is your first time transferring to that partner, you’ll need to link your Amex account with your airline or hotel loyalty account first. Follow the prompts to connect the two accounts.
- Once linked, enter the number of points you want to transfer and confirm.
A few Amex transfer partners visible in the portal include Aer Lingus, AeroMexico Airlines (1,000 Amex points = 1,600 AeroMexico Rewards points), Hilton Honors, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, among others.
| Note: Amex charges a small fee of $0.0006 per point when transferring to domestic US airlines. For international airline and hotel transfers, there is typically no fee. Always check before you transfer. |
How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the best points currencies for travel, largely because all transfers happen at a 1:1 ratio, you never lose a single point in the process. Here’s how to transfer credit card points from Chase.
Step-by-Step: Transferring Chase Points
- Log in to your Chase account and click on Ultimate Rewards from your account home screen.
- Under Manage Points, select Transfer points to partners.
- You’ll see a full list of available transfer partners. Chase conveniently shows enrolled partners and highlights any active transfer bonuses (like the current 20% bonus to Air Canada Aeroplan).
- Select your preferred partner: options include Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), Iberia Club, JetBlue, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, among others.
- Enter the number of points you want to transfer and confirm.
Chase transfers hold at a 1:1 ratio across all partners: no hidden fees, no conversion losses. It’s one of the cleanest transfer programs available.
| Pro Tip: Keep an eye on transfer bonus promotions. The Chase portal shows active bonuses directly on the partner selection page, making it easy to spot when you can get extra miles for your transfer. |
How to Transfer Bilt Rewards Points
Bilt is unique because it’s the only program that lets U.S. renters earn points just by paying their rent with no transaction fees. But its transfer program is genuinely competitive too, with a strong lineup of airline and hotel partners. Here’s how to transfer credit card points from Bilt.
Step-by-Step: Transferring Bilt Points
- Log in to your Bilt account (app or website). Click on Rewards at the bottom of your screen.
- From the Rewards section, select Transfer.
- You’ll see a list of Bilt’s airline and hotel partners. Airline partners transfer at a 1:1 ratio and include United Airlines, Japan Airlines, British Airways, Spirit Airlines, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Etihad Guest, and Virgin Red, among others.
- Select the partner you want to transfer to and choose the number of points you want to transfer.
- Follow the prompts to complete the transfer.
Bilt transfers at a 1:1 ratio for all listed airline partners. The portal clearly shows which airlines are available and allows you to transfer directly within the app or on the website.
| Heads up: Always double-check that your transferred points have landed in your partner account before booking. Most transfers process quickly, but it’s smart to verify before you commit to a booking. |
How to Transfer Citi ThankYou Points
Citi ThankYou has a solid lineup of transfer partners, including American Airlines; a partner no other major credit card program offers. Here’s how to transfer credit card points from your Citi account.
Step-by-Step: Transferring Citi ThankYou Points
- Log in to your Citi account. In the top navigation, click Redeem.
- From the redemption options, select Points Transfer.
- You’ll be taken to the transfer partners page. Partners include American Airlines AAdvantage (1,000 ThankYou points = 1,000 AAdvantage miles), Avianca LifeMiles (1,000 = 1,000), and Cathay Pacific, among others.
- Select your preferred partner and click Continue to start the transfer process.
- If needed, link your loyalty accounts. Then enter the number of points you’d like to transfer and confirm.
| Note: Citi ThankYou full transfer ratios (1:1 for most partners) are available to holders of the Citi Strata Elite, Citi Strata Premier, and Citi Prestige cards. Other Citi cardholders may have different ratios. Check thankyou.com for your specific card. |
How to Transfer Capital One Miles
Capital One has grown its transfer program significantly and now offers transfers to more than 15 airline and hotel partners. The process is clean and straightforward. Here’s how to transfer credit card points, or in Capital One’s case, miles, from your account.
Step-by-Step: Transferring Capital One Miles
- Log in to your Capital One account and select View Rewards under your card.
- Click Transfer Rewards.
- You’ll be taken to the loyalty program selection page. Capital One shows featured promotions at the top for example, the current Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank special offer shows 1,000 Capital One miles = 975 JAL miles (a 30% bonus promotion running until April 30, 2026 at 11:59PM Eastern).
- Select your transfer partner and choose the number of miles you want to transfer.
- Confirm the transfer.
Capital One is great about surfacing active transfer bonuses right within the transfer flow, so you can take advantage of limited-time promotions without having to hunt for them.
Final Tips To Transfer Credit Card Points the Right Way
Now that you know how to transfer credit card points across all five major programs, here are a few golden rules to keep in mind:
- Always search for award availability first. Don’t transfer until you’ve confirmed the seat or hotel night is actually bookable.
- Transfers are one-way. Once you move your points, they’re gone from your credit card account. Plan carefully.
- Take advantage of transfer bonuses. All five programs run periodic promotions where your points stretch further than usual. These are some of the best opportunities in the game.
- Link your accounts in advance. Some programs require you to link your credit card loyalty account with your airline or hotel account before you can transfer. Set this up ahead of time so you’re ready to move fast when a great redemption opportunity comes up.
- Check transfer times. Most transfers are instant or near-instant, but some can take 24–72 hours. Factor this in when you’re booking.
Start Transferring Your Points for Better Redemptions
Knowing how to transfer credit card points is one of the most powerful skills in the points-and-miles world. It’s what separates people who get mediocre value from their cards and people who are flying their families to the Maldives in business class for a fraction of the cash price.
Whether you’re working with Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Citi ThankYou points, or Capital One miles, the process is simpler than you think, and the payoff is massive.
If you’re just getting started and want to learn exactly how to earn, transfer, and redeem your points for better flights and hotel stays, grab my free Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles. It breaks everything down from the very beginning.
