🤑 How to Maximize Your Points with Airline & Hotel Transfer Partners

If you want to fly first class for less than the cost of economy or stay in luxury hotels you’d never normally splurge on, transferable credit card points are one of the most powerful tools in travel. When used effectively, they can unlock insane value, and that’s exactly what Greg from Frequent Miler and I discussed in Ep #240 of the podcast.

Booking through travel portals typically gets you around 1–1.5¢ per point, but if you take the time to transfer those points to the right airline or hotel partner, you can easily stretch that to 2–5¢ or more per point. That kind of value can add up to thousands in savings over time.

Here are a few real-world examples Greg and I have personally booked using transferable points:

• Business class to Europe for just 48,000 Virgin Atlantic points (vs. $4,000+ cash).
• ANA First Class to Japan for ~110,000 points via Virgin Atlantic (worth over $15,000).
• Stays at luxury Hyatt resorts for 25,000–40,000 points per night, often saving thousands in cash.

🛫 Airline Transfer Partners

Here's a quick look at some of the best airline transfer partners, along with their pros and cons, to help you navigate the world of award travel.

🏨 Best Hotel Transfer Partners

While there are fewer high-value options than with airlines, hotel points can still offer excellent value (especially if you know where to look). Here’s a snapshot of how the major hotel transfer programs stack up.

💡 Do’s and Don’ts for Transferring Points

Transferring points can be incredibly rewarding but also irreversible, so check out these tips to help you get it right and avoid costly mistakes.

Do:

• Confirm Award Availability Before You Transfer: Transfers are almost always final, so make sure the flight or hotel room is actually available first.

• Set Up Loyalty Accounts Early: Some programs (like Iberia) require your account to be open for 90+ days before you can transfer. Names must also match exactly between bank and loyalty program.

• Take Advantage of Transfer Bonuses: A 30% bonus can turn a mediocre redemption into a great one. Frequent Miler tracks these regularly—here's the current list of bonuses. 

• Prioritize Refundable or Flexible Bookings: Programs like United and Air Canada make it easy to cancel or change award tickets, while others don’t.

• Use Partners to Unlock Sweet Spots
  Booking Delta? Try Virgin Atlantic. Booking Lufthansa? Use Aeroplan or LifeMiles. Partner programs often offer the same flights for fewer points and lower fees.

❌ Don’t:

• Transfer Without a Plan: Don’t move points just because a bonus looks good—make sure you know how you’ll use them.

• Forget About Fuel Surcharges: Programs like British Airways and Emirates can tack on $500–1,000+ in fees. Always check the cash cost before confirming.

• Assume All Programs Are User-Friendly: Some (like Turkish and LifeMiles) are clunky or have tough change policies. These are better for advanced users or specific sweet spots.

• Ignore Transfer Ratios: Not all programs are 1:1. For example, Citi to EVA transfers at 2:1.5. Always double-check.

• Overlook Cancellation Policies: United lets you cancel most awards for free. Avianca will charge you a steep fee. Knowing the rules can save you big time.

🔚 Final Thoughts

Transferable points can unlock a level of travel most people don’t even think is possible. You don’t have to start with a complex international itinerary; just try booking a short Delta flight with Virgin Atlantic miles and see how it goes.

Once you get comfortable, you’ll realize this isn’t some unattainable travel magic. It’s simply about knowing the rules, using the right partners, and applying a few smart strategies.