Bank Partners and Airline Alliances Guide
Transferring your credit card points to an airline or hotel is often how you get the biggest value out of them, but figuring out where your points can go can feel overwhelming. Every bank has a different list of airline and hotel partners, and airlines are grouped into alliances that let you book flights on one airline and fly on another.
It can feel overwhelming. This guide makes it simple.
Pick the points you have, and you’ll see every airline and hotel program they transfer to, plus the transfer ratio for each one. Then you can see which airlines you can book in each alliance, or look up a specific airline to find out exactly where to transfer.
A quick tip before you move any points: always check that the flight has award space first. Transfers usually can’t be reversed, so search first and transfer second.
Check every bank rewards program you earn points in. You can pick more than one.
Your choices are saved on this device in this browser, so you can come back to them. Use our transfer bonus calculator to see how many points you need to transfer when a bonus is running.
Airlines in the same alliance share flights, so you can often book a flight through one airline, but fly a different airline.
Solid orange airlines are direct transfer partners for the points you picked. Outlined airlines are not a transfer partner, but you may be able to book them by transferring your points to a different program in the same alliance. Not all flights are available with all partners.
Tap an airline to see your options for booking.
How do I book an award flight with transferable points?
- Start with the points you have. If you earn flexible bank points, you can transfer them to airline partners when you are ready.
- Search for award space on the airline's website. Search one way at a time, and switch on the "book with miles" option. Some airlines ask you to log in first, and some have a separate award tab. You do not need to transfer anything to search.
- If your airline has no space, check its alliance partners. Look for Saver Award fares, and only search partners your bank points transfer to. The flight may be operated by the partner airline. Try shifting your dates by a day, and compare fewer points against higher taxes.
- Once you have found your flight and know the mileage cost, transfer your points to that airline program. Transfers are usually instant, but they can sometimes take hours or days.
- Book it like a cash ticket. Enter everyone's details, add any Known Traveler Numbers, and pay the taxes with a card that has travel protections.
Should I transfer points before I see award space?
No. Always find the flight first. Transfers to airline programs cannot be reversed, and the points are stuck there if the flight disappears. Search, confirm the exact flight, then transfer only what you need.
What is an airline alliance?
An alliance is a group of airlines that share flights and let travelers use points across the group. The three big ones are Star Alliance, oneworld and SkyTeam. A program in an alliance can often book flights on any other airline in that alliance, which is why one transfer can open up so many airlines.
What does "limited access" mean?
It means the program can book some flights on that airline, but not all of them. Maybe only certain routes or cabins are open, or you have to call to book. Check the program's partner search for the exact flight before you transfer.
Where do I search for award space?
Start on the airline program's own website, then try an award search tool to find flights faster. Popular ones are PointsYeah, Seats.aero, AwardTool, Roame and Point.me. Use them as a starting point, then check the program's website to confirm the flight and the price. See my favorite award search tools.
Should I search by airline or by alliance?
Search the alliance, not just the airline that flies the route. A flight can show no seats on one program and plenty on another, even when the same plane is flying it. Also compare the points and the taxes, because the same flight can cost very different amounts depending on which program you book it through. Decide which matters more to you.
Should I transfer points to a hotel program?
It can be a great use of points, but it depends on the hotel. Before you transfer, compare the cash price of the room with the points price, and check the transfer ratio, because some banks send you more or fewer hotel points than you transfer. Hotel transfers cannot be reversed either, so confirm the room is available first.
Why do some flights have big fees on top of the points?
Some airlines add taxes and fuel surcharges to award tickets, and which program you use can change the total. Booking British Airways flights through British Airways Avios is a common example of high fees. Always compare the total cost, not just the points.
How long do transfers take?
Many transfers are instant, but some take a few days. Check the transfer time for the programs you plan to use, especially if the award space might not last.
Can I book flights for my family?
Most airline programs let you book award flights for other people, but some have rules about who you can book or ask you to add them first. Check the program's rules. Families can use one pool of points for everyone's tickets.
Are the transfer ratios and partners always the same?
No. Banks add and remove partners, and ratios and bonuses change. Use our transfer bonus calculator to see how many points you need with a bonus.
This guide is for general information. Alliance members and partner access change, and we cannot see live award availability, so confirm the details with the bank and the airline before you transfer. Last updated .
Thank you for using our card links when applying for new cards. It helps us run our small business at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support!
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.