One of the biggest advantages of earning rewards through a travel credit card is the flexibility you have when it’s time to book travel.
Unlike airline miles, many credit card points can be transferred to multiple airline loyalty programs. Instead of being locked into a single airline, you can choose the program that best suits your trip.
If you’ve never transferred credit card points before, the process is easier than you might think. And once you understand which airline partners your bank works with, transferring your points usually takes only a few minutes.
Here’s how to convert your credit card points into airline miles.
Before You Transfer Your Points
Before transferring a single point, it’s a good idea to search for the award flight you want.
Credit card point transfers are one-way. Once your points become airline miles, you can’t transfer them back to your credit card rewards program.
That’s why it’s usually best to:
- Search for your award flight first.
- Confirm that seats are available.
- Compare the cash price with the points required.
- Transfer only the number of points you need to complete your booking.
PointsYeah makes this process much easier by showing live award availability across supported airline programs.
Search results also identify which transferable credit card currencies can be used for a particular redemption and highlight any applicable transfer bonuses.
American Express Membership Rewards
American Express airline transfer partners
American Express Membership Rewards points are transferable to the following airline loyalty programs.
Most Amex transfers process instantly, though transfer times can vary by the airline.
One important exception involves transfers to U.S.-based airline programs such as Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue. American Express charges an excise tax offset fee of 0.06 cents per point transferred (up to a maximum of $99) for these transfers.
While you can use Membership Rewards points to cover the fee at checkout, you’re generally better off paying it with your American Express card and saving your points for travel.
How to transfer American Express Membership Rewards
- Sign in to your American Express account.
- Open Rewards & Benefits, then select Transfer Points.
- Choose your airline loyalty program and link your account if necessary.
- Enter the number of Membership Rewards points you’d like to transfer.
- Review the information and confirm your transfer.
Bilt Rewards
Bilt airline transfer partners
Bilt Rewards Points are transferable to the following airline loyalty programs.
Most Bilt transfers process instantly, though transfer times can vary by the airline.
How to transfer Bilt Rewards
- Sign in to your Bilt account.
- Select the Rewards tab.
- Tap Transfer.
- Choose your airline partner.
- Enter the number of points to transfer and confirm.
Capital One Miles
Capital One airline transfer partners
Capital One Miles are transferable to the following airline loyalty programs.
Most Capital One transfers process instantly, though transfer times can vary by the airline.
How to transfer Capital One Miles
- Sign in to your Capital One account.
- Select View Rewards.
- Choose Transfer Rewards.
- Select your airline partner.
- Enter the number of miles you’d like to transfer and confirm.
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase airline transfer partners
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are transferable to the following airline loyalty programs.
Most Chase transfers process instantly, though transfer times can vary by the airline.
How to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Sign in to your Chase account.
- Open Ultimate Rewards.
- Select Transfer Points to Partners.
- Choose your airline loyalty program.
- Enter the number of points you’d like to transfer and confirm.
Citi ThankYou Rewards
Citi airline transfer partners
Citi ThankYou Rewards points are transferable to the following airline loyalty programs.
Note: Transfer ratios vary depending on your Citi ThankYou-earning card. Be sure to confirm the transfer ratio that applies to your account before transferring points.
Most Citi transfers process instantly, though transfer times can vary by the airline.
How to transfer Citi ThankYou Rewards
- Sign in to ThankYou.com.
- Select Points Transfer.
- Choose your airline partner.
- Enter the number of ThankYou points you’d like to transfer.
- Confirm your transfer.
U.S. Bank Altitude Rewards
U.S. Bank airline transfer partners
U.S. Bank Altitude Rewards points are transferable to the following airline loyalty programs.
Most U.S. Bank transfers process instantly, though transfer times can vary by the airline.
How to transfer U.S. Bank Altitude Rewards
- Sign in to your U.S. Bank account.
- Open your rewards dashboard.
- Select Transfer Points.
- Choose your airline loyalty program.
- Enter the number of points to transfer and confirm.
Wells Fargo Rewards
Wells Fargo airline transfer partners
Wells Fargo Rewards points are transferable to the following airline loyalty programs.
Most Wells Fargo transfers process instantly, though transfer times can vary by the airline.
How to transfer Wells Fargo Rewards
- Sign in to your Wells Fargo account.
- Select Wells Fargo Rewards.
- Tap See All Options, then Rewards Points Transfer.
- Choose your airline partner.
- Enter the number of points you’d like to transfer.
- Review the information and submit your transfer.
Things to Know Before You Transfer
Transfers are usually final
In most cases, transfers from a credit card rewards program to an airline loyalty account can’t be reversed.
Before transferring your points, make sure you’ve found the award flight you want, and you’re ready to complete the booking.
Transfer times can vary
Most transfers happen within minutes, but not every airline processes transfers at the same speed.
Occasionally, transfers may take several hours or even a few days. And your first transfer to a particular airline loyalty program may also take longer than subsequent transfers, especially if your loyalty account hasn’t been linked before.
While delays are relatively uncommon, they’re worth keeping in mind if you’re booking an award with limited availability.
Transfer bonuses can stretch your points further
Banks periodically offer transfer bonuses that increase the number of airline miles you receive from the same number of credit card points.
For example, a 25% transfer bonus means 10,000 transferable credit card points become 12,500 airline miles instead of the usual 10,000.
Before transferring your points, check our Current Credit Card Transfer Bonuses guide to see whether an active promotion could help you receive more airline miles.
