Transfer Partners Explained: When They’re Worth It

Transfer partners are what separate flexible points currencies from simple cash back. The ability to move your Chase, Amex, or Capital One points to airlines and hotels is how you unlock outsized value—business class flights, luxury hotels, experiences you couldn’t afford otherwise.

But transfers aren’t always worth it. Here’s when to use them and when to skip them.

Major Transfer Partner Networks

Chase Ultimate Rewards Partners

Airlines:

• United Airlines (1:1)
• Southwest Airlines (1:1)
• British Airways (1:1)
• Air France/KLM Flying Blue (1:1)
• Virgin Atlantic (1:1)
• Singapore Airlines (1:1)
• Emirates (1:1)
• Iberia (1:1)
• Aer Lingus (1:1)
• JetBlue (1:1)
• Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1)

Hotels:

• World of Hyatt (1:1)
• Marriott Bonvoy (1:1)
• IHG Rewards (1:1)

Amex Membership Rewards Partners

Airlines:

• Delta SkyMiles (1:1)
• British Airways (1:1)
• Air France/KLM (1:1)
• Virgin Atlantic (1:1)
• Singapore Airlines (1:1)
• ANA Mileage Club (1:1)
• Cathay Pacific (1:1)
• Emirates (1:1)
• Etihad (1:1)
• Qantas (1:1)
• JetBlue (1:0.8)
• Avianca (1:1)

Hotels:

• Marriott Bonvoy (1:1)
• Hilton Honors (1:2)
• Choice Privileges (1:1)

Capital One Partners

Airlines:

• Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1)
• Air France/KLM (1:1)
• British Airways (1:1)
• Emirates (1:1)
• Etihad (1:1)
• EVA Air (1:1)
• Finnair (1:1)
• Qantas (1:1)
• Singapore Airlines (1:1)
• TAP Portugal (1:1)
• Turkish Airlines (1:1)
• Virgin Red (1:1)

Hotels:

• Wyndham (1:1)
• Accor (1:2)
• Choice Hotels (1:1)

When Transfers Are NOT Worth It

1. Economy Domestic Flights

Basic economy flights often cost similar in cash vs. award.

Example: LAX to NYC

Cash price: $250 round-trip United award: 25,000 miles

25,000 Chase points = $250 (at 1¢ each cash out) Value achieved: 1¢ per point—same as cash

The effort of transferring gained you nothing.

2. Budget Hotels

Transferring to hotel programs for cheap properties rarely makes sense.

Example: Holiday Inn Express

Cash price: $120/night IHG award: 25,000 points

25,000 Chase points = $250 in cash You’re paying MORE in points than cash would cost

3. Poor Award Availability

No availability = no redemption. If you can’t find award space:

• Pay cash
• Use portal booking instead
• Try different dates/routes

Don’t transfer points speculatively hoping availability appears.

4. When Portal Rates Are Competitive

Chase’s portal at 1.5¢/point (Reserve) or Capital One’s at 1¢/point sometimes beats transfer options.

Always compare: Transfer value vs. portal value vs. cash price

Transfer Partner Strategy by Goal

Goal: Domestic Flights

Best partners:

• Southwest (Chase): No fuel surcharges, flexible
• United (Chase): Star Alliance access
• JetBlue (Chase/Amex): Caribbean, East Coast
• Delta (Amex): Large domestic network

Strategy: Check cash prices first. Transfers often make sense only for peak periods or premium cabins.

Goal: Europe (Economy)

Best partners:

• Air France/KLM: Promo Rewards sales
• Virgin Atlantic: Books Delta at better rates
• British Airways: Short-haul European flights

Strategy: Watch for Flying Blue Promo Rewards (monthly sales with 25-50% off).

Goal: Europe (Business Class)

Best partners:

• Virgin Atlantic: Delta One for 50,000 points one-way
• Air France/KLM: Their own product, 55,000-70,000 one-way
• ANA (via Amex): Partners at low rates

Strategy: Book one-way awards to maximize flexibility. Mix cash and points.

Goal: Asia (Premium Cabins)

Best partners:

• ANA Mileage Club: Best rates to Japan
• Singapore KrisFlyer: Singapore Airlines product
• Cathay Pacific: Premium Asia hubs

Strategy: ANA round-trips to Japan are legendary value (75,000-95,000 points).

Goal: Hotels

Best partners:

• World of Hyatt (Chase): Consistently best value
• Marriott (Chase/Amex): Largest portfolio, variable value
• Hilton (Amex at 1:2): Decent for premium properties

Strategy: Hyatt first, always. Marriott for specific properties or when Hyatt unavailable.

Common Transfer Mistakes

Mistake 1: Transferring Before Confirming Availability

Never transfer speculatively. Find award availability first, THEN transfer.

Some programs (like Aeroplan) let you hold awards before transferring.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Fuel Surcharges

Some programs add massive fuel surcharges to awards:

• British Airways: High surcharges on BA flights
• Virgin Atlantic: Lower surcharges on same routes

Check total cost (points + cash) before deciding.

Mistake 3: Not Checking All Options

The same route might be bookable through multiple programs at different rates.

LAX to London:

• British Airways: 26,000 points + $600 surcharges
• Virgin Atlantic: 30,000 points + $100 surcharges

Different total cost despite similar point prices.

Mistake 4: Transferring for Low-Value Redemptions

If you’re getting less than 1.2¢ per point, reconsider. You might be better with cash back or portal booking.

Mistake 5: Forgetting Transfer Bonuses

Airlines and hotels periodically offer transfer bonuses (10-40% extra points). Time big transfers for these promotions.

The Bottom Line

Transfer partners unlock the highest-value redemptions—but only when used correctly.

Transfer when:

• Booking premium cabins (business/first class)
• Hyatt properties with good award rates
• Sweet spot redemptions with proven value
• Award availability is confirmed

Don’t transfer when:

• Economy domestic flights (often no advantage)
• Budget hotels (cash is usually better)
• You haven’t found availability yet
• Portal/cash prices are competitive

The math must work. Calculate value per point before every transfer. When transfers deliver 1.5-2¢+ per point, they’re worth the effort. When they’re under 1.2¢, stick with simpler options.