Step By Step Booking With Transfer Points Process

Step 1: Know your transfer partners (⭐️ Use our cheat sheet to help: Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet)

Step 2: Research through your transfer partners (search all that you have access to)

Step 3: Find your best booking

Step 4: ONLY when you're certain, transfer your points (remember you cannot transfer points back)

Here's what this process will look like with Chase Ultimate Rewards® points as an example:

--> Login to your Chase Travel Portal

--> Navigate to Rewards and Transfer

You can access your transfer partners in one of two ways.

1. Click the arrow next to where your total points are displayed on the top menu bar. A separate menu with different options — Click on “Transfer to Travel Partners”
2. Click on the three lines on the top left menu bar, this will pop open a separate side menu bar. Below your cards, you’ll see “Earn/Use” options, including “Transfer to Travel Partners”

--> Find your Transfer Partner based on your research

Photo credit: Chase Travel

--> When you're ready, hit "Transfer Points" and you'll input your loyalty info + amount of points

Photo credit: Chase Travel

Note: Transfers must happen at least 1,000 points and in incirments of 1,000.
And once you transfer your points... You cannot transfer them back, so make sure to review your information.
After doing this, click “Continue.”

Step 5: Wait for your points to land in your airline/hotel account

Note: sometimes you have to logout/back in for your points to show up

The Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet lists general times for the transfer to process.

Step 6: BOOK! Direct on the airline/hotel site, make your booking... this is not the time to wait it out. Once they're transferred, book away my friend.

*This process is very similar across all banks, just different buttons in each portal.

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Summary

When it comes to unlocking travel rewards, transfer partners are the ultimate game-changer. Here’s everything you need to know, broken down into the classic who, what, where, when, why, and how.

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What Are Transfer Partners?

Transfer partners are airlines or hotels that partner with banks, allowing you to convert credit card points into rewards like miles. For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points let you transfer to specific airlines and hotels. Knowing your transfer partners is crucial since not every airline is connected to every bank.

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How Does It Work?

The process starts with research. Begin by running award searches on the airline's website to check for flights that can be booked with points. Use tools like FlightConnections to find routes, or award search tools like Daily Drop Pro to simplify the hunt for available flights. Once you’ve identified a deal, transfer your points to the airline to book—but remember, transfers are final, so plan carefully.

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When Should You Search?

Award availability fluctuates. The best times to search are typically when seats first open (330-365 days in advance) or close to departure (1-4 weeks before). If those windows don’t align with your plans, consider booking a “safety flight”—a backup option you can later adjust if better availability appears. Just make sure to check refund policies before booking this.

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Where Do Points Go?

Always transfer points to the airline offering the deal, not the operating airline. For example, if you find a flight on United’s site, transfer to United, even if the flight is operated by Lufthansa. Once transferred, points cannot be sent back to your credit card account.

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Why Use Transfer Partners?

While points in a bank’s travel portal have fixed values, transferring points to an airline often unlocks far better value. Airlines price award flights dynamically, which means savvy searches can reveal incredible deals—think first-class seats for economy-level points.

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Pro Tips for Success

• Use Helpful Tools: Award search platforms and flight route tools save time and increase accuracy.
• Stay Flexible: Routes, dates, and airports may need adjustment to find the best deals.
• Plan Strategically: Always check your transfer partner’s terms and availability before committing.

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