Bank Transfer Partners (Points Currencies)
Introduction
Bank transfer partners represent the foundation of the flexible points strategy. Unlike fixed-value cash back or co-branded airline miles, transferable points currencies from major banks give you the ability to move points to dozens of airline and hotel loyalty programs—often unlocking significantly higher value per point.
This page explains how bank transfer partners work, when transferring makes sense versus other redemption options, and what to watch for before you move points. Understanding these points currencies is essential for anyone looking to book premium cabin flights or luxury hotel stays without paying cash prices.
The seven transferable points programs covered here—Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Points, Wells Fargo Rewards, Bilt Rewards, and Rove Miles—each maintains partnerships with different combinations of airlines and hotels. Knowing which bank partners with which programs determines which credit cards you should prioritize.
Helpful Tools
For the most current list of Bilt transfer partners, transfer ratios, and processing times, refer to the Credit Card Transfer Partners table. To calculate redemption value and compare transfer bonus scenarios, use the Award Travel Calculators—specifically the Cents Per Point (CPP) Calculator and Bank Points Transfer & Bonus Calculator.
Key Takeaways
- Seven major banks offer transferable points currencies: Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, Wells Fargo, Bilt, and Rove—each with different airline and hotel partners
- Transfers are one-way and instant to permanent – you cannot reverse a transfer once completed, making research before transfer critical
- Transfer bonuses of 15-50% appear periodically and can dramatically improve value, but should not drive strategy alone
- Transfer times range from instant to 7 days, depending on program and partner—plan ahead for time-sensitive award bookings
- Cents per point value typically ranges from 1.2-2+ cents when transferring to the right partner for the right redemption
- Keeping points in bank currencies preserves flexibility and protects against single-program devaluations until you’re ready to book
What Bank Transfer Partners Are
Bank transfer partners are airline and hotel loyalty programs that accept point transfers from one or more transferable points currencies. When you transfer points from a bank program like Chase Ultimate Rewards to an airline like United MileagePlus, those points convert into United miles at a specific ratio—typically 1:1, though some partners transfer at different ratios.
The key advantage of this system is flexibility. Instead of earning miles directly with one airline that might not fly your desired route or have award availability, you earn bank points that can move to whichever partner offers the best redemption for your specific trip.
How the transfer process works: You log in to your bank points account, select a transfer partner from the available list, enter the number of points to transfer and your loyalty program account number, then confirm. Most transfers complete within minutes to hours, though some partners take 1-7 days. Once transferred, points follow the rules of the receiving program—they cannot be moved back to the bank or to another partner.
Each bank maintains its own roster of transfer partners. Some airlines partner with multiple banks (Air France-KLM Flying Blue works with all major programs), while others maintain exclusive relationships (Virgin Atlantic only partners with certain programs). Hotel programs similarly vary in which bank currencies they accept.
The transfer ratio matters significantly for travel rewards math. A 1:1 transfer means 50,000 bank points become 50,000 airline miles. A 1:0.75 ratio means those same 50,000 points only become 37,500 miles—requiring more bank points for the same award. Most premium partners transfer at 1:1, but always verify before transferring.
Amex Membership Rewards offers the largest partner network with over 20 airline and hotel partners, including international sweet spots like ANA Mileage Club and Avianca LifeMiles. The program requires holding an Amex card that earns Membership Rewards to maintain your points balance.
Chase Ultimate Rewards provides access to approximately 14 transfer partners, with particularly strong options for domestic U.S. travel through United and international travel through partners such as Air France-KLM and Singapore Airlines. Points remain valid as long as you hold an Ultimate Rewards-earning card.
Capital One Miles has expanded significantly in recent years, now including roughly 15 transfer partners. The program’s unique advantage is the ability to transfer from any Capital One Miles account, regardless of card tier, democratizing access to transfer partners beyond premium cards.
Citi ThankYou Points maintains a smaller but strategic partner list of approximately 15 airlines and hotels. Access to transfer partners requires holding specific premium ThankYou cards; basic cards cannot transfer to partners.
Wells Fargo Rewards recently entered the transferable points space with a limited but growing partner roster. The program offers fewer options than established competitors but includes several valuable airline partners for specific routes.
Bilt Rewards focuses on a curated partner list of roughly 12 airlines and hotels, with the unique positioning of earning points on rent payments. The program transfers at 1:1 to most partners and does not require maintaining a points balance through card spend.
Rove Miles is the newest entrant to the transferable points currency market, with a focused partner network. The program aims to simplify the partner landscape by focusing on high-value redemption opportunities rather than maximizing partner count.
When to Use Transferable Points vs Cash Back
Transferable points deliver higher value than cash back when you can identify specific award redemptions worth more than the cash equivalent of your points. The decision framework depends on your travel patterns, booking timeline, and willingness to research award availability.
Transfer to partners when: You’re booking international premium cabins (business or first class), you’ve confirmed award availability before transferring, the cents per point value exceeds 1.5 cents, you have flexibility in travel dates, or you’re targeting known sweet spots in partner award charts.
Use cash back or portal bookings when: you need maximum flexibility in your travel plans, you’re booking domestic economy flights, there’s no award availability for your dates, the cash price is unusually low, or you value simplicity over optimization.
The cents per point calculation provides the comparison metric. If you have 50,000 points worth $500 in cash back (1 cent per point) but can book a $1,200 business class ticket for those same 50,000 points transferred to a partner, you’re getting 2.4 cents per point – a 140% improvement over cash value.
Real-world examples illustrate the difference. A domestic U.S. roundtrip economy flight might cost $350 in cash or 25,000 transferred miles plus $11.20 in taxes. If your points are worth $250 in cash back (at 1 cent each), you’re only getting 1.36 cents per point through the transfer – barely better than cash. But a Business Class flight to Europe costing $3,500 in cash might book for 60,000 miles plus $200 in surcharges, delivering 5.5 cents per point, compared with $600 in cash back.
Award availability represents the critical constraint. Unlike cash tickets that can always be purchased if seats exist, award seats are a limited inventory released by airlines according to their own revenue management rules. You might find perfect availability on your dates or zero availability—transferable points only deliver value when awards actually exist.
The best use of points strategy involves checking award availability first, calculating the cents per point value, comparing to cash prices and cash back value, then deciding whether to transfer. Never transfer points speculatively, hoping to find availability later the one-way nature of transfers means you could strand points in a program with no useful redemptions for your needs.
Booking strategy considerations include surcharges and fees. Some airline partners add hundreds of dollars in fuel surcharges to award tickets, reducing effective value. British Airways, for example, charges $400+ in surcharges on transatlantic awards, while Air France-KLM Flying Blue keeps fees under $150 for the same routes. Factor total out-of-pocket cost, not just points, when comparing options.
Devaluation risk affects the timing decision. Points sitting in bank currencies are protected from single-program devaluations—if United raises award prices, your Chase points aren’t affected until you transfer. But points already in airline programs lose value immediately when that program devalues. This argues for keeping points in bank currencies until you’re ready to book.
Transfer Times and Why They Matter
Transfer times range from instant to seven days, depending on the bank program and receiving partner. Understanding these timelines prevents missed booking opportunities and reduces stress when securing time-sensitive award availability.
Instant transfers (under 5 minutes) are offered by most major bank programs to their most popular partners. Chase to United, Amex to Delta, and Capital One to Air France-KLM typically complete within minutes. These instant transfers let you check award availability, transfer points, and book immediately before the seat disappears.
Same-day transfers (1-24 hours) apply to many secondary partners across all programs. Points usually arrive within a few hours, but may take up to one business day. This timing works fine for stable award availability, but creates risk if you’re competing with other travelers for the last award seat.
Multi-day transfers (2-7 days) affect certain partners, particularly some hotel programs and smaller airlines. These delays require planning ahead—you cannot spot a great award deal and book it the same day. The extended timeline also means you might transfer points only to find availability has disappeared by the time the points arrive.
Check the specific transfer time for your intended partner before initiating any transfer. The transfer partners table linked above includes current transfer times for all program-partner combinations. These times can change, so verify immediately before transferring rather than relying on outdated information.
Why transfer times matter for booking strategy: Award availability changes constantly as other travelers book seats, airlines adjust inventory, or automated systems move seats between fare classes. A business class award seat available today might be gone tomorrow. Instant transfers let you secure availability the moment you find it. Multi-day transfers require either booking in advance (transferring points before your ideal dates open) or accepting the risk that availability disappears during the transfer window.
The practical approach involves checking award availability first, noting the transfer time for your intended partner, then deciding whether the availability seems stable enough to wait. For popular routes during peak seasons, instant transfers provide a significant advantage. For off-peak redemptions with multiple seats available, multi-day transfers present less risk.
Some travelers maintain small balances in frequently used airline programs to enable instant booking even when bank transfers take time. This strategy works if you regularly book awards with specific partners, but it creates devaluation risk for those transferred points.
Transfer Bonuses: How to Think About Timing
Transfer bonuses of 15-50% are periodically available when banks run limited-time promotions to move points to specific partners. A 30% bonus means 50,000 transferred points become 65,000 miles in the receiving program – effectively improving your cents per point value by 30%.
These bonuses are attractive but should not override the fundamental booking strategy. The decision framework starts with whether you have a specific redemption in mind that uses the bonus partner, not with the bonus itself.
When transfer bonuses make sense: You already planned to book an award with that partner, you’ve confirmed availability for your dates, the bonus improves an already-good redemption to an excellent one, or you have near-term travel plans (within 12 months) that align with the partner’s route network.
When to ignore transfer bonuses: You have no specific use for that partner, you’re transferring speculatively hoping to find value later, the bonus partner has poor award availability or high surcharges, or you would earn better value with a different partner even without a bonus.
Real-world examples show the tradeoff. A 40% transfer bonus to an airline with $500 in fuel surcharges on your desired route might deliver worse total value than a non-bonus transfer to an airline with $50 in fees. Similarly, a 25% bonus to an airline with no award availability on your dates provides zero value—you cannot book a flight that doesn’t exist, regardless of the bonus.
The travel rewards math requires calculating effective value with and without bonuses. If a Business Class award normally costs 60,000 miles, but you transfer during a 30% bonus, you only need 46,154 bank points (60,000 ÷ 1.30). If that award is worth $3,000 in cash, you’re getting 6.5 cents per point instead of 5 cents—a meaningful improvement.
However, compare that to alternative partners. If a different airline books the same route for 50,000 miles with no bonus needed, you’re better off with the non-bonus option (50,000 points vs 46,154 points – minimal difference) if that airline has better availability, lower fees, or more convenient schedules.
Common mistakes include transferring to hit a bonus deadline without confirmed availability, transferring more points than needed for a specific redemption just to capture the bonus, or choosing an inferior routing because a bonus is available. The bonus is a multiplier on value, not a source of value itself.
Maximize points strategy with bonuses involves staying aware of current promotions, maintaining a shortlist of desired redemptions across multiple partners, and executing transfers when a bonus aligns with your existing plans. Sign up for email alerts from your bank programs to receive bonus notifications.
The frequency of bonuses varies by program and partner. Some partners see bonuses 2-3 times per year, others rarely or never. Historical patterns provide guidance but no guarantees—past bonuses don’t predict future promotions.
Common Transfer Mistakes to Avoid
Transferring before confirming availability represents the most costly error. Award seats are a limited inventory that appears and disappears based on airline revenue management. Transferring points to an airline program without first verifying that award space is available for your specific dates and route can leave those points in a program with no redeemable value. Always search for award availability first, note the specific flight numbers and dates, then transfer only the points needed for that confirmed award.
Ignoring fuel surcharges and taxes distorts value calculations. Some airline partners add $300-800 in carrier-imposed surcharges to award tickets, particularly on transatlantic and transpacific routes. A “free” business class award that costs $600 in fees delivers far less value than the points-only calculation suggests. Check the total out-of-pocket cost before transferring by searching the award on the airline’s website or calling their award desk.
Transferring to the wrong loyalty program account creates immediate problems. If you enter an incorrect account number, points transfer to a stranger’s account with no recovery option. Double-check account numbers, verify the name matches, and for first-time transfers to a new partner, consider transferring a small test amount (1,000 points) before moving your full balance.
Transferring more points than needed wastes flexibility. If an award costs 60,000 miles and you transfer 75,000 points, those extra 15,000 points are now locked in that airline program instead of remaining flexible in your bank currency. Transfer the exact amount required, or slightly less if you have existing points in the airline program to top up.
Assuming all partners transfer at 1:1 ratio leads to point shortfalls. While most premium partners maintain 1:1 transfers, some partners use different ratios. Verify the transfer ratio before calculating the required number of bank points. The transfer partners table includes current ratios for all program combinations.
Missing transfer time requirements for time-sensitive bookings causes lost opportunities. If you find award availability today but the transfer takes 5 days, that seat might be gone by the time your points post. Check transfer times before assuming you can book immediately. For instant-transfer partners, this isn’t an issue; for multi-day partners, plan accordingly.
Transferring during account reviews or when accounts are frozen results in a loss of points. If your bank account is under review for any reason, or if you’ve recently opened the card, transfers might be blocked or delayed. Ensure your account is in good standing before initiating transfers, especially for time-sensitive bookings.
Chasing transfer bonuses without specific redemptions creates stranded points. A 40% bonus is worthless if you have no use for that partner. Only transfer during bonuses when you have confirmed availability for a trip you actually plan to take.
How This Banks/Program Directory Is Organized
This directory covers all seven major transferable points currencies available to U.S.-based travelers in 2026. Each program maintains different transfer partners, card requirements, and program rules that affect how you earn and transfer points.
The seven transferable points programs included are:
- Amex Membership Rewards
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Capital One Miles
- Citi ThankYou Points
- Wells Fargo Rewards
- Bilt Rewards
- Rove Miles
Each program page provides program-specific details, including which credit cards earn that currency, transfer partner lists, transfer ratios and times, program rules, and strategic considerations for maximizing value within that ecosystem.
The organization prioritizes practical decision frameworks over comprehensive lists. Rather than cataloging every possible redemption, the focus is on helping you determine which bank programs align with your travel goals, which partners offer the best value for your specific routes, and what to watch for before moving points.
For current transfer ratios, complete partner rosters, and up-to-date transfer times, refer to the comprehensive transfer partners table. That resource is maintained separately to ensure accuracy as programs add or remove partners and adjust transfer terms.
The directory assumes you already earn or plan to earn transferable points through credit card spend. If you’re deciding which cards to apply for, the program pages help you understand which bank ecosystems provide access to the airline and hotel partners most useful for your travel patterns.
Next Steps: Pick a Bank and Verify Details
Start by identifying which transferable points currencies you currently earn or can access through credit cards you already hold or plan to apply for. If you have an Amex card that earns Membership Rewards, a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards, or any other transferable points card, you already have access to that program’s transfer partners.
Review the transfer partners table to see which airlines and hotels each program partners with. Match those partner lists against your typical travel patterns—where you fly, which airline alliances serve your routes, and whether you prefer hotels or vacation rentals.
For international premium cabin travel, prioritize programs with strong airline partners on your desired routes. Amex and Chase offer the deepest partner networks for this use case.
For domestic U.S. travel, Chase Ultimate Rewards provides direct access to United for comprehensive domestic coverage, while other programs offer alternatives through partner airlines.
For hotel stays, compare which hotel programs each bank partners with and whether those chains operate properties in your typical destinations.
Once you’ve identified 1-2 bank programs that align with your travel patterns, verify current program details before making any transfers. Transfer ratios, partner lists, and transfer times change periodically. The transfer partners table provides current information, and individual program pages offer detailed guidance for each bank currency.
Before executing your first transfer, confirm award availability for your specific dates and route, verify the total cost including taxes and fees, calculate your effective cents per point value, and double-check the receiving loyalty program account number. This verification process takes 10-15 minutes but prevents costly mistakes.
Build a practical guide for yourself by bookmarking the transfer partners table and the specific program pages for the bank currencies you use. These resources provide the up-to-date details needed when you’re ready to book real trips.
The compare options approach means checking 2-3 potential partners for each route rather than assuming a single partner is always best. Award pricing, availability, and fees vary significantly between partners, even for the same route. Spending 20 minutes comparing options before transferring can improve value by 30-50% compared to transferring to the first partner you check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer points between different bank programs?
No. Points cannot move between bank programs—you cannot transfer Chase points to Amex or Citi points to Capital One. Points can only transfer from a bank program to that program’s airline and hotel partners. Once points are in a bank’s currency, they remain there until transferred to a partner or redeemed through that bank’s own redemption options.
Can I reverse a transfer if I make a mistake?
No. Transfers are permanent and cannot be reversed once processed. If you transfer to the wrong loyalty program account, enter an incorrect account number, or transfer more points than needed, those points cannot return to your bank account. This is why verifying all details before confirming a transfer is critical. Some bank programs allow you to cancel a transfer if you catch it within minutes before processing completes, but this is not guaranteed.
Do transferred points expire in airline programs?
It depends on the specific airline or hotel program’s expiration policy. Most airline programs expire miles after 12-36 months of account inactivity, though policies vary widely. Some programs, such as Delta SkyMiles, never expire. Hotel programs have different rules—some expire points after 12 months, others after 24 months. Check the specific program’s terms before transferring, and plan to book your award within a reasonable timeframe to avoid expiration issues.
Which bank program has the most transfer partners?
Amex Membership Rewards maintains the largest transfer partner network with over 20 airline and hotel partners as of 2026. However, quantity doesn’t automatically mean better value—the usefulness of a program depends on whether its partners serve your specific routes and travel goals. A program with fewer partners might deliver better value if those partners offer superior award availability, lower fees, or better route coverage for your needs.
Should I keep points in the bank or transfer them proactively to airline partners?
Keep points in bank currencies until you have confirmed award availability and are ready to book. This strategy preserves maximum flexibility and protects against program-specific devaluations. The only exception is if you need to transfer in advance due to multi-day transfer times and have confirmed availability that you’re confident will remain available. Transferring speculatively without a specific redemption plan creates devaluation risk and reduces flexibility.
Are transfer bonuses worth waiting for?
Only if you have a specific redemption in mind that uses the bonus partner and you’re flexible on timing. If you need to book travel soon and award availability exists now, book now rather than waiting months, hoping for a bonus that might not appear. If you’re planning far in advance and have flexibility, monitoring for bonuses can improve value by 15-50%. But never let bonus timing override fundamental booking strategy—a bonus on a poor redemption is still a poor redemption.
Conclusion
Bank transfer partners are essential to maximizing the value of transferable points. The seven major programs – Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Points, Wells Fargo Rewards, Bilt Rewards, and Rove Miles – each offer different combinations of airline and hotel partners, which determine which credit cards and strategies make sense for your travel patterns.
The key to successful transfers is research before action: confirm award availability, verify transfer ratios and times, calculate total costs including fees, and compare multiple partner options before moving points. Transfers are permanent, so the 15-30 minutes spent verifying details prevents costly mistakes.
Keep points in flexible bank currencies until you’re ready to book specific awards. This approach preserves flexibility, protects against single-program devaluations, and ensures you can pivot to alternative partners if award availability changes.
Use the transfer partners table as your primary reference for current transfer ratios, partner lists, and transfer times. That resource provides the specific details needed to execute transfers confidently.
Start by identifying which bank programs you currently access or can access via credit cards, matching those programs’ partners against your typical routes, and then verifying the current details before your first transfer. This step-by-step approach builds the practical knowledge needed to book real trips at a lower cost using transferable points.
