Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visitamericanexpress.comto learn more.
American Express, Chase, Capital One and Citi offer credit cards that earn transferable rewards. These points and miles can be transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs to be redeemed for flights and hotel rooms. You'll often get a bigger bang for your buck when redeeming this way instead of directly through a card's travel portal or for cash back —particularly when booking premium cabin flights and luxury hotels.
Generally speaking, most credit card rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio, although there are some exceptions. However, from time to time, card issuers run bonuses where you can earn additional points as you transfer them over. Think of it as a discount on an award flight or hotel stay since you're using less of your points.
Below, CNBC Select details all credit card transfer bonuses currently available and what you need to know about earning transferable rewards. Note that some transfer bonuses may be targeted, meaning not all card members will be eligible. Additionally, some promotions may require advance registration.
Credit card transfer partner bonuses
All of the four major transferable points programs are currently offering bonuses for transferring points to select loyalty programs. Most transfers process instantly, while some can take two to three days.
- American Express Membership Rewards®
- Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Capital One Venture Miles
- Citi ThankYou® Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards®
American Express Membership Rewards transfer bonuses
| Partner program | Transfer bonus | Current transfer ratio | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 25% | 1,000 Amex Membership Rewards = 1,250 Flying Blue miles | May 22, 2023 |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 15% | 1,000 Amex Membership Rewards = 1,150 LifeMiles | May 31, 2023 |
Amex cards that earn Membership Rewards points
American Express offers a number of consumer and business cards that earn Membership Rewards. Here are some of our top picks of cards that will help you earn lots of Membership Rewards points quickly:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months of card membership.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first 3 months of card membership.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
On the American Express secure site
Rewards
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Annual fee
$695
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our The Platinum Card® from American Express review.
American Express® Gold Card
On the American Express secure site
Rewards
4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$250
Intro APR
Not applicable
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our American Express® Gold Card review.
Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer bonuses
| Partner program | Transfer bonus | Current transfer ratio | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 25% | 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards = 1,250 Flying Blue miles | May 15, 2023 |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 50% | 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards = 1,500 Marriott Bonvoy points | May 15, 2023 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 30% | 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards = 1,300 Flying Club points | June 15, 2023 |
Chase cards that earn Ultimate Rewards® points
Ultimate Rewards are a bit more difficult to earn as there are only three cards that directly earn these rewards: the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. However, there are other Chase cards that earn cash-back rewards that can be converted into transferable points.
You can earn Chase Ultimate Rewards directly with these three cards:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn60,000 bonus pointsafter spending $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase TravelSM.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's secure site
Rewards
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
On Chase’s secure site
Rewards
Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Annual fee
$550
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent
Terms apply.
Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.
Additionally, as long as you have one of the three cards listed above, you can convert the cash back earned with the following cards into transferrable Ultimate Rewards points:
- Chase Freedom Flex℠: Earn a $200 bonus cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%), 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards®,3% on drugstore purchases and on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services),1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either$5or3%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either$5or5%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Member FDIC. Terms apply. Information about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Read our Chase Freedom Flex℠ review.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase's secure site
Rewards
Enjoy 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus
INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either$5or3%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either$5or5%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Member FDIC. Terms apply.
Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review.
Capital One Venture Miles
Unfortunately, Capital One is not offering any transfer bonuses at this time. We'll update this list when a new promotion launches.
Capital One cards that earn Capital One Miles
If you're looking to earn Capital One Miles and take advantage of the program's transfer bonuses, you can do so with these cards:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. (See rates and fees)
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. (See rates and fees)
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Earn 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. (See rates and fees)
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's secure site
Rewards
10 Miles on hotels per dollar and rental cars, 5 Miles per dollar on flights when booked via Capital One Travel; unlimited 2X miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$395
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fees
None
Credit needed
Excellent
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's secure site
Rewards
5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Balance transfer fee
$0at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Citi ThankYou® Rewards
Citi ThankYou® Rewards is not offering any transfer bonuses at this time either. We'll update this list when a new promotion launches.
Citi cards that earn Citi ThankYou® Rewards points
If you're short on Citi ThankYou® points and want to utilize a future transfer bonus offer, you can boost your balance with these cards:
- Citi Premier® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
- Citi Rewards+® Card: Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
Citi Premier® Card
On Citi's secure site
Rewards
3X points per $1 spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and on hotels and air travel, 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
5% of each balance transfer, $5 minimum
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Read our Citi Premier® Card review.
Citi Rewards+® Card
On Citi's secure site
Rewards
For a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024. Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou® Points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening.
Regular APR
18.74% - 28.74% variable
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
If you have one of the cards above, you can also convert the cash back you earn with the Citi Double Cash® Card to transferable ThankYou points.
Citi Double Cash® Card
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Fair/Good/Excellent
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.
How to transfer credit card points
Regardless of which rewards program you're using, the transfer process is roughly identical. To get started, log into your credit card's online portal and head to the rewards page. From there, you should see a 'transfer points' section.
On that page, there will be a list of loyalty programs that are partnered with your credit card issuer. Select the airline or hotel loyalty program you'd like to transfer your points to, provide your membership number of that loyalty program and begin the points transferring process.
Most transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points with a 1,000-point minimum. Depending on the program and partner, you may need to pay a small excise fee to complete the transfer.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in ourcredit card marketplaceor get personalized offers viaCardMatch™.
Things to keep in mind when transferring points
If you have a credit card with transferable miles, you're in a great position to earn some of the most valuable rewards in the credit card space. However, keep these four things in mind as you redeem them:
- Don't transfer them until you're ready to spend them. Have your flight or hotel stay completely planned out so you know exactly how many you will need. Point transfers are irreversible.
- Point transfers can take time. In some cases, it can be instantaneous, while in other cases, a few days.
- Consider airline alliances. For example, if you have Capital One miles and want to fly Delta, which isn't a transfer partner, you can transfer your points to Flying Blue and book a Delta flight since Air France/KLM are part of the SkyTeam alliance with Delta.
- Spend your points, don't hoard them. Hoarding points leave you in a vulnerable position in case a devaluation happens from the rewards program. Additionally, you could become the target of hackers that will aim to steal your points. In fact, it has happened to me twice.
Subscribe to the CNBC Select Newsletter!
Money matters —so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.Sign up here.
Bottom line
Transfer bonuses are a great way to stretch the value of your points when using them for flights and hotel stays. While we don't recommend transferring points unless you have a specific redemption in mind, you shouldn't hoard them either. It serves you no good to maintain a large points balance — if you're not spending your points (strategically), you're missing the point.
Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage ofcredit cards,bankingandmoney, and follow us onTikTok,Facebook,InstagramandTwitterto stay up to date.
Read more
The best travel rewards credit cards for beginners
Can't decide between an airline credit card or travel rewards card? Ask yourself these 3 questions
Here are the best travel credit cards that can save you hundreds on your next vacation
Don't make this mistake with your rewards credit card
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus, click here.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
