The best way to redeem your credit card rewards points? Travel.
Best way to redeem them for travel? Transfer them out of your credit card's portal into your airline or hotel loyalty account to book.
This is what makes "transferrable points" from banks like Chase and Amex so valuable. They each have long lists of "transfer partners" that you'll have permission to move your points to when you're using the right credit cards.
Redeeming points for cash back? You'll get one cent of value out of each point.
Redeeming points for travel? You can easily get 1.5 - 4 cents of value out of each point. I often am able to find redemptions where I'm getting upwards of 6 cents per point.
Here's the full breakdown of the best credit cards from each bank that allow you to transfer to travel partners, plus the specific partners for each bank.
If you decide to apply for one of these cards, I’d be incredibly grateful if you used the links I share below. These are my affiliate referral links, which won’t cost you anything extra but will support my small business. Your support directly helps me continue creating free content for you!
Capital One Venture Rewards
Best cards that allow you to transfer to travel partners:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee) Note: this is one of my top-recommended cards
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee)
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ($0 annual fee)
Capital One Venture X Business ($395 annual fee)
Capital One Spark Miles for Business ($95 annual fee, waived first year)
Travel transfer partners:
Airlines: AeroMexico, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Avianca, British Air, Air France/KLM, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, TAP, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
Hotels: Choice Privileges, Wyndham Rewards
Non 1:1 transfer ratio partners: Accor Live Limitless (ALL), EVA Air
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Best cards that allow you to transfer to travel partners:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ($95 annual fee) Note: this is one of my top-recommended cards
Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 annual fee)
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card ($95 annual fee)
Travel transfer partners:
Airlines: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, British Airways, Emirates, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
Hotels: Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, IHG Rewards Club
American Express Membership Rewards
Best cards that allow you to transfer to travel partners:
The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee - see rates and fees)
American Express® Gold Card ($325 annual fee - see rates and fees)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee - see rates and fees)
American Express® Business Gold Card ($375 annual fee - see rates and fees)
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express ($0 annual fee - see rates and fees)
Travel transfer partners:
Airlines: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France, ANA, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Hawaiian, Iberia, JetBlue, Qantas, Qatar, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
Hotels: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Choice Privileges
Bilt Rewards
Best card that allows you to transfer to travel partners:
Bilt Mastercard® ($0 annual fee)
Travel transfer partners:
Airlines: Alaska Airlines, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Avianca Lifemiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Iberia Plus, Turkish Miles & Smiles, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
Hotels: Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, IHG Rewards Club
Citi ThankYou Points
Best card that allows you to transfer to travel partners:
Citi Premier® Card ($95 annual fee)
Travel transfer partners:
Airlines: Aeromexico, Air France/KLM, Avianca, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, JetBlue, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Royal Orchid Plus, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
Hotels: Choice Privileges, Wyndham
Non 1:1 transfer ratio partners: Accor Live Limitless (ALL), EVA Air
Final Notes: The Best Credit Card Transfer Partners
What is the best card for you? Choose one that will help you earn points with airlines and hotels that you want to redeem with.
Please note that these partnerships are subject to change, and it's always a good idea to check with your specific credit card provider for the most up-to-date information on their travel transfer partners.
