Points Transfer Partners: The Cheat Sheet for 10x Value

## Why the transfer partner matters more than the card Redeem 100,000 Chase points at the travel portal: $1,250 in flights. Transfer those same 100,000 points to Air Canada and book business class to Europe: $4,500+ in flights. The card earns the points. The *transfer partner* determines what they're worth. ## The four transferable currencies ### Chase Ultimate Rewards Best partners: **Hyatt** (1.7¢–3¢/pt hotel), **United** (0.9¢–2¢/pt flights), **Air Canada Aeroplan** (great Star Alliance award chart), **Virgin Atlantic** (Delta One sweet spots), **Air France Flying Blue** (promo awards). ### Amex Membership Rewards Best partners: **ANA** (Star Alliance business class chart), **Air Canada Aeroplan**, **Virgin Atlantic**, **Air France Flying Blue**, **British Airways/Iberia** (short-haul distance-based awards), **Hawaiian → Alaska** (via a 1:1 shift). ### Capital One Miles Best partners: **Turkish Airlines** (US–Hawaii sweet spot, 7.5k economy), **Air Canada Aeroplan**, **Virgin Red**, **British Airways**, **Air France Flying Blue**, **Wyndham** (buy Vacasa vacation rentals with points). ### Bilt Rewards Best partners: **Alaska Mileage Plan** (American Airlines partner awards to South America), **Turkish**, **Air France Flying Blue**, **Hawaiian → Alaska**, **Hyatt**. ## The 10 sweet spots to memorize 1. **NYC/Boston → London on Virgin** — 47,500 pts one-way business off-peak. 2. **US → Europe on Aeroplan** — 60,000 pts one-way Star Alliance business. 3. **US → Hawaii on Turkish** — 7,500 pts economy, 12,500 pts business. 4. **US → South America on Alaska (American metal)** — 30,000 pts business. 5. **Anywhere on Hyatt** — 5,000–45,000 pts, no dynamic pricing, always outsized value. 6. **Iberia to Madrid off-peak** — 34,000 Avios business class one-way. 7. **JAL first class via Alaska** — 70,000 pts US to Tokyo (limited award space). 8. **Etihad first class via ANA** — 92,000 pts NYC–Abu Dhabi (was the greatest deal, still very good). 9. **Flying Blue Promo Rewards** — monthly 25–50% discount awards, watch email. 10. **Wyndham Vacation Club** — 15,000 pts/bedroom/night at Vacasa rentals (huge value for families). ## Rules that never change - **Never transfer speculatively.** Confirm award space first, then transfer. - **Transfers are one-way.** You cannot move miles back to Chase/Amex/Cap One. - **Watch transfer bonuses.** Amex to Virgin, Chase to Hyatt, Cap One to Flying Blue routinely bonus 20–30%. Wait for these if you can. - **Read fuel surcharges.** British Airways to London is a mileage bargain and a tax disaster ($800+ in "carrier-imposed" fees). Aeroplan and Alaska charge much less. ## The single most valuable habit Before any big booking, open **AwardTool** or **seats.aero**, search availability, then price it across 3 partners. The cheapest partner is often 40% less than the most expensive — for the exact same seat.