Complete Guide to Travel Transfer Partners (2026): Chase, Amex, Capital One & Citi
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Why Transferable Points Are So Valuable
If you're new to points and miles, understanding transferable credit card points is one of the most important concepts you'll learn.
Transferable points are rewards earned from certain travel credit cards that can be transferred to airline and hotel loyalty programs. Instead of being locked into one airline or hotel chain, you can move your points to a variety of travel transfer partners and redeem them where they provide the most value.
For example, airline-specific miles such as American Airlines AAdvantage® miles can only be used within the American Airlines program and its partners. Transferable points, on the other hand, give you flexibility. You can compare multiple airlines and hotels before deciding where to transfer your points.
This flexibility allows travelers to book everything from:
Economy flights to Europe
Business and first-class flights
Luxury hotel stays
Family vacations for a fraction of the cash price
The four major transferable points programs are:
Chase Ultimate Rewards®
American Express Membership Rewards®
Capital One Venture Miles
Citi ThankYou® Points
Each program has its own airline and hotel transfer partners, and many of those partners overlap. This creates opportunities to compare award prices and choose the best redemption option for your trip.
why Transfer partners matter
Many beginners redeem their points through their bank's travel portal because it's simple. While there's nothing wrong with that, it often isn't the best value.
In most cases, booking through a travel portal gives you around 1 cent per point in value. By transferring points to the right airline or hotel partner, it's often possible to receive 2 cents per point or more, effectively doubling the value of your rewards.
For example, a hotel room that costs $800 per night might be available for 25,000 Hyatt points, or a business class flight selling for $4,000 might be bookable for 50,000 airline miles.
That's why learning how to transfer points to airlines and hotels is one of the fastest ways to maximize your travel rewards and book more trips for less.
Chase Ultimate Rewards® Transfer Partners
Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are widely considered some of the most valuable travel rewards available. One reason is the flexibility they provide. Chase points can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, often unlocking significantly more value than booking through the Chase Travel℠ portal.
Because of Chase's 5/24 Rule, many points and miles enthusiasts recommend earning Chase cards early in your credit card journey. Once you've accumulated Ultimate Rewards points, you'll have access to some of the best airline and hotel transfer partners in the industry.
best chase transfer partners in 2026
Not all Chase transfer partners offer the same value. While some programs consistently provide excellent redemptions, others may be better used only during transfer bonuses or for specific travel goals.
My favorite Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners include:
Air Canada Aeroplan – One of the most versatile airline programs available. Aeroplan allows you to book flights on Star Alliance carriers including ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, United Airlines, and more. It's an excellent option for both economy and premium cabin travel.
British Airways Avios – Although British Airways often charges fuel surcharges on its own flights, Avios can be incredibly valuable for short-haul flights on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. You can also use Avios to book flights on Oneworld partners including Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Iberia. One feature I love is that Avios can be transferred between several Avios-based programs.
Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) – One of my favorite programs for booking flights to Europe. Economy awards can start around 18,750 miles one-way and business class flights are often available from 50,000–60,000 miles. Flying Blue can also be used to book Delta flights both within the United States and internationally.
Is Hyatt Still the Best Chase Transfer Partner in 2026?
World of Hyatt – Widely regarded as one of the most valuable hotel transfer partners thanks to its award chart and excellent redemption rates. Award nights start at just 5,000 Hyatt points per night, and it's possible to book luxury properties that regularly sell for $800–$1,000+ per night.
Important Update (June 2026): Chase recently announced changes to Hyatt transfers for new Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Ink Business Preferred® Card cardholders. For applications approved on or after June 15, 2026, the transfer ratio has changed from 1:1 to 4:3, meaning 1,000 Chase points now transfer to just 750 Hyatt points.
If you were approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card before June 15, 2026, the new 4:3 transfer ratio will take effect on October 1, 2026.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders continue to receive 1:1 transfers to World of Hyatt.
Overall, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners give you access to both major airline alliances and some of the best hotel values in the world. For anyone getting started with travel rewards, Chase is the perfect foundation.
Full List of Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners
The following table includes all current Chase Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel transfer partners, transfer ratios, and estimated transfer times.
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | 1:1 | 24 hours to 7 days |
| Air Canada | 1:1 | 24 hours to 7 days |
| British Airways | 1:1 | Instant |
| Flying Blue (Air France & KLM) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Iberia | 1:1 | Instant |
| JetBlue | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore Airlines | 1:1 | Up to 2 days |
| Southwest Airlines | 1:1 | Instant |
| United Airlines | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic | 1:1 | Instant |
| World of Hyatt | 4:3 (CSP/CIP) 1:1 (CSR) |
Instant |
| IHG One Rewards | 1:1 | 24 hours |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 | Up to 2 days |
| Wyndham Rewards | 1:1 | Instant |
Cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points include:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card-Earn 100,000 points! Favorite card for beginners. This card earns Ultimate Rewards than can be transferred to travel partners.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®- Currently offering 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. The annual fee is high, but the $300 travel credit, $300 StubHub credit, and TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit help offset the cost. You also get access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass. With the new Sapphire bonus rules, eligible cardholders may be able to earn this bonus even if they already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, making this card worth considering.
Chase Freedom Flex®- The workhorse card. This card earns 5x points per dollars on rotating quarterly categories. If you hold the Chase Sapphire, you are able to transfer points earned from this card to your CSP so you can transfer the points to travel partners.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®- Earns 1.5 x points on all purchases. A cashback card, but just like the Freedom Flex above, if you hold the CSP or CSR, you can transfer your points to travel partners.
Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card - Earn 100, 000 points. Business credit card that earns 5% cash back (or 5x points per dollar) on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. No annual fee plus 0% apr the first year. Must have the Chase Ink Business Preferred or the CSP/CSR in order to transfer points to travel partners.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card - New limited, increased bonus of 100,000 points! Earns the same Ultimate Rewards points as the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Earns 3x points per dollar on the first $150,000 on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card - Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Earns 1.5x points per dollar on ALL purchases.
New to credit cards and points travel? Learn all the basics in my FAQ Guide here.
We transferred 60k points from Chase to Air Canada to fly Singapore Airlines business class
American Express Membership Rewards® Transfer Partners
American Express Membership Rewards® points are one of the most valuable and flexible rewards currencies available. In fact, American Express offers more airline transfer partners than any other major transferable points program, making it easier to find award availability and maximize the value of your points.
Whether you're looking to book business class flights to Europe, fly to Asia, or top off a hotel account for a free night, Amex Membership Rewards points provide incredible flexibility.
Best Amex Transfer Partners in 2026
Not all American Express transfer partners offer the same value. These are some of my favorite ways to use Amex points:
Air Canada Aeroplan – One of the best transfer partners for international travel. Aeroplan gives you access to Star Alliance airlines including ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, United Airlines, and more. It's an excellent option for both economy and premium cabin redemptions.
ANA Mileage Club – One of the best ways to book business and first-class flights to Japan and beyond. ANA often offers exceptional award pricing, though availability can be limited and roundtrip bookings are usually required.
Avianca LifeMiles – A favorite among points enthusiasts because it allows you to book Star Alliance flights online without paying fuel surcharges. Great for booking United, Lufthansa, and SWISS flights using fewer miles than many competing programs.
British Airways Avios – While British Airways can add fuel surcharges on some routes, Avios remain incredibly useful for short-haul flights on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. You can also transfer Avios between British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Finnair, and Qatar Airways.
Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) – One of the best transfer partners for flights to Europe. Economy awards can start around 18,750 miles one-way, while business class flights are often available from 60,000 miles. Flying Blue also allows you to book Delta-operated flights.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club – A long-time favorite for flights to Europe and premium cabin redemptions. Award flights can start at just 12,000 points one-way, and Virgin Atlantic frequently offers some of the best redemption rates for Delta-operated flights. But keep in mind, even though point redemptions are low, fees can run very high.
Best Hotel Transfer Partner for Amex Points
Hilton Honors – While airline transfers generally provide the highest value, Hilton is the strongest hotel transfer option within the Membership Rewards program. Amex transfers to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio, making it a useful option when you need to top off your Hilton account or take advantage of a valuable redemption.
Full List of American Express Membership Rewards® Transfer Partners
The table below includes all current American Express Membership Rewards airline and hotel transfer partners, transfer ratios, and estimated transfer times.
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | 1:1 | Instant |
| Aeromexico | 1:1.6 | 1–2 days |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | Instant |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | 1:1 | Up to 3 days |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | Up to one week |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| Emirates Beginning 9/16/25 | 5:4 | Instant |
| Etihad Guest | 1:1 | Instant |
| Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Iberia Plus | 1:1 | Up to 4 days |
| JetBlue | 1:0.8 | Instant |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1:1 | Up to 3 days |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 1:1 | Up to 2 days |
| Virgin Atlantic | 1:1 | Instant |
| Hilton Honors | 1:2 | Instant |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 | Instant |
| Choice Hotels | 1:1 | Instant |
Which Amex Transfer Partner Is Best?
For most travelers, Air France Flying Blue, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offer the best value. If you're looking for hotel stays, Hilton Honors is usually the strongest hotel transfer option. The best Amex transfer partner ultimately depends on your destination and travel goals.
Cards that earn AMEX MEMBERSHIP REWARDS include:
There are ten cards that earn Membership Rewards points between personal and business cards. Many of them have a very high minimum spend. Some of the most popular for families include:
American Express® Gold Card - The best all-around travel rewards card - earns 4x points per dollar at U.S. Supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.
The Platinum Card® from American Express- A premium card with tons of perks and credits that can offset the high annual fee if you use them.
American Express Business Platinum Card - Earn 150,000 American Express Membership Rewards Points
American Express Business Gold Card - Earn 100,000 American Express Points
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE REWARDS MILES
The Capital One Venture Rewards® Miles program has quickly become one of my personal favorites. If you’re just starting out with points and miles, I recommend pairing a Capital One Venture card with either the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Together, they give you access to two of the strongest transferable points programs.
What makes Capital One stand out is its simplicity and flexibility. You earn 2x miles on every purchase, with no bonus category tracking to worry about, which makes it super easy to build up a large balance of miles. From there, you can either:
Redeem miles directly for travel purchases (like Disney tickets, Universal tickets, or even cruises), or
Transfer miles to a wide selection of airline and hotel partners to unlock far more value.
We transferred 52k Venture miles to Choice to stay 3 nights free in the Amalfi Coast. A value of over $1300.
Here are some of the best Capital One transfer partners and sweet spots:
Air Canada Aeroplan – A member of the Star Alliance programs. Book flights on partners like ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, and United. A great option for both international and domestic flights.
Avianca LifeMiles – Another excellent Star Alliance partner with no fuel surcharges on most flights. You can book United, Lufthansa, or Swiss Air flights directly at lifemiles.com.
British Airways Avios – Avios points are incredibly versatile despite the fuel surcharges. You can pool them with Iberia, Aer Lingus, Finnair, and Qatar, or use them to book Oneworld partners like American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines. A favorite redemption: short-haul flights on American Airlines for fewer points than AA itself often charges.
Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) – One of the best ways to fly to Europe. Award flights start around 18,000 miles one-way in economy and 60,000 miles in business class. As a SkyTeam member, Flying Blue also gives you access to Delta flights when booked through their program.
Because the Capital One Venture Miles transfer partners overlap with both Chase and Amex, you get added flexibility and more opportunities to find award space. This is why the Venture cards are such a strong choice for beginners and seasoned points collectors alike.
capital one venture transfer partners:
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aeromexico Club Premier | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | Instant |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways Executive Club | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | Up to 5 days |
| Emirates Skywards | 2:1.5 | Instant |
| Etihad Guest | 1:1 | Up to 24 hours |
| EVA Air | 2:1.5 | Up to 36 hours |
| Finnair Plus | 1:1 | Instant |
| Flying Blue (Air France / KLM) | 1:1 | Instant |
| Japan Airlines Mileage Bank | 2:1.5 | Up to 48 hours |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 5:3 | Instant |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1:1 | Up to 24 hours |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | Up to 36 hours |
| TAP Portugal Miles&Go | 1:1 | Instant |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| Virgin Red | 1:1 | Instant |
| ALL Accor Live Limitless | 2:1 | Up to 24 hours |
| Choice Hotels Privileges | 1:1 | Instant |
| I Prefer Hotel Rewards | 1:2 | Up to 24 hours |
| Wyndham Rewards (Vacasa) | 1:1 | Instant |
Cards that earn Capital One Venture miles include:
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - New! Limited, increased offer of 75k miles plus $250 to use in Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited double miles on all purchases. The sign-up bonus is enough for two round trip flights to Europe when you book on Air France/KLM or Virgin.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - This is my favorite card and one that is always in my wallet. Comes with access to Capital One Lounges, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and $300 back annually for bookings through Capital One Travel
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Earn 20,000 miles after meeting the minimum spend of $500 in purchases in the first three months of account opening. No annual fee.
Capital One Venture X Business Card - Earn 150,000 Venture miles after making $30,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
CITI THANKYOU POINTS
Citi ThankYou® Points don’t always get as much attention as Chase or Amex, but they’re an underrated powerhouse in the world of transferable points. With a solid list of airline and hotel transfer partners and the recent addition of American Airlines AAdvantage® as a partner, Citi has moved way up on my list of favorite programs.
Just like Capital One Venture Miles, Citi ThankYou Points can be used in two ways:
Redeem directly through the Citi travel portal for things like flights, hotels, rental cars, Disney tickets, or even theme park passes.
Transfer points to Citi’s airline and hotel partners, where you’ll usually unlock far greater value.
Keep in mind: the transfer exchange rate depends on which Citi card you hold. Premium cards like the Citi Strata Elite® and Citi Strata Premier® often give you the best 1:1 transfer ratios (shown in the chart below) while no-fee card cards like the Citi Strata®, Citi Double Cash® may have reduced value.
You can transfe Citi ThankYou points to AA to flying business class for 57k points
Here are some of the best Citi ThankYou transfer partners:
American Airlines AAdvantage® – The standout partner! Citi is currently the only major transferable points program offering direct transfers to AA, which opens up award bookings across the Oneworld alliance.
Avianca LifeMiles – A Star Alliance partner with great redemption options on airlines like United, Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA, and Singapore Airlines. You can search and book directly at lifemiles.com.
Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) – One of the most versatile programs for both economy and business class to Europe. Business class awards often start at just 60,000 miles, and you can sometimes find Delta flights within the U.S. using Flying Blue.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club – A favorite for international travel. Economy flights to Europe start as low as 6,000 miles each way, and business class can be booked from 29,000 miles (although you will pay higher fees). Virgin is also a partner with Delta and Air France/KLM, making this a very flexible option.
With Citi ThankYou Points transfer partners, you get access to all three major airline alliances: Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance, along with a handful of strong hotel options. That makes Citi one of the most well-rounded programs for anyone looking to maximize credit card points for free flights and hotels.
citi thankyou transfer partners
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|
| Aeromexico Club Premier | 1:1 | Instant |
| American Airlines | 1:1 | Instant |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | Instant |
| Emirates | 1:0.8 | Instant |
| Etihad | 1:1 | Instant |
| EVA Air | 1:1 | Up to 3 days |
| Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) | 1:1 | Instant |
| JetBlue | 1:1 | Instant |
| Qantas | 1:1 | Instant |
| Qatar Privilege Club | 1:1 | Up to 2 days |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | Up to 24 hours |
| Thai Royal Orchid | 1:1 | Up to 7 days |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles | 1:1 | Up to 24 hours |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | Instant |
| ALL – Accor | 1:0.5 | Instant |
| Choice Hotels | 1:2 | Instant |
| Preferred Hotels & Resorts | 1:4 | Instant |
| Wyndham Hotels | 1:1.25 | Instant |
Cards that earn citi thankyou points include:
Citi cards that earn ThankYou® points are considered flexible currency. Much like Chase Ultimate Rewards, these points can be transferred to multiple travel transfer partners.
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card - (non-affiliate link) Earn 100,000 points. This is a new premium card from Citi that is garnering a ton of attention because American Airlines is a transfer partner! Because this is a premium card, the annual fee is higher. This card now comes with perks like AA Admiral’s Club passes, Priority Pass Membership and credits to help offset the high annual fee. Earns 3x on travel, restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card - (non-affiliate link) Earn 60,000 points,
Citi Strata℠ Card - Earn 30,000 points
Citi Rewards+® Card (non-affiliate link) - This is a no-annual fee card that earns 2x points on groceries.
cards THAT SHARE THE same transfer partners:
Another great reason to diversify your transferable currency is that many points from the four transferable points programs have the SAME travel transfer partners. That makes it easier when you need to earn a lot of points (for those of us with big families or those that want to book pricey business class awards) and have the ability to earn multiple sign-up bonuses across different card products.
Credit Card Transfer Partner Comparison
| Rewards Program | Chase Ultimate Rewards | Amex Membership Rewards | Citi ThankYou Points | Capital One Venture Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | X | X | X | |
| Avianca LifeMiles | X | X | X | |
| British Airways | X | X | X | |
| Cathay Pacific | X | X | X | |
| Emirates | X | X | X | |
| Etihad | X | X | X | |
| Flying Blue (Air France / KLM) | X | X | X | X |
| Iberia Plus | X | X | ||
| Singapore Airlines | X | X | X | X |
| Virgin Atlantic (combine Virgin Red account) | X | X | X | X |
| Choice Hotels | X | X | ||
| Marriott | X | X |
Putting It All Together
Here’s a simple example of why transferable points are so powerful.
Let’s say you want to book five flights to Europe for your family using Flying Blue (Air France/KLM). You check your Chase Ultimate Rewards® balance and realize you don’t have enough points. Instead of giving up, you look back at the transfer partner chart and see that Flying Blue is also a partner of Amex Membership Rewards®, Citi ThankYou®, and Capital One Venture®. That means you can combine points from multiple programs and still book those exact same flights.
Or maybe you’ve found the perfect business class seat to Europe on United but you only have Amex or Capital One miles. No problem! Since both programs transfer to Star Alliance partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles, you can book those same United flights through a partner program often for far fewer points than booking directly with United. This flexibility is what makes transferable points so valuable for families.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Now that you know how credit card transfer partners work and why flexible points are so valuable, you’re ready to put this knowledge into action. The next step is learning the step-by-step process of actually booking those flights.
Check out my brand-new guide: How to Book Award Flights with Miles and Points
In that post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to search for award space, transfer your points, and lock in flights so you can turn all the strategies in this guide into real trips for your family.
tips for booking flights with points
If you’re not sure where to begin, don’t worry. You don’t need to master every single program overnight. Start small by using a free or low-cost award search tool to practice finding flights. My favorite is Seats.aero, because it lets you search an entire year at a time instead of being limited to just a few days. Even playing around with the free version will help you get comfortable with how award space works.
The biggest tip I share with my readers is this: always know the value of the points you’re earning. If you’re collecting transferable points from cards like Chase, Amex, Citi, or Capital One, you’re building flexibility into your travel strategy. By getting familiar with the transfer partner charts, you’ll always know which airlines and hotels you can access and when it comes time to book, you’ll have multiple ways to get there.
At the end of the day, flexible points win every time. They give you more options, more value, and more freedom to travel the way you want.
Happy Travels!
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
