I recommend earning transferrable points rather than locking yourself into a single loyalty program. For instance, I’d rather earn Chase Ultimate Rewards than commit to points with Aeroplan, Hyatt, or United. If I have Ultimate Rewards, I can transfer them to any of those programs when I’m ready to book. Chase’s transfers to these programs are typically instant, which makes the process seamless.
For most major programs, the points show up almost immediately. AMEX to Delta SkyMiles. Capital One to Flying Blue. Citi ThankYou to Wyndham. These transfers happened as quickly as I could log out and back into my account.
But not all transfers work that way.
There was one time I was helping plan a family trip to Asia. We transferred AMEX Membership Rewards points to ANA for a redemption, but the points didn’t show up for over a day. Luckily, the award space stuck around until they did.
Another example: when planning our trip to Vietnam, I transferred points to Singapore KrisFlyer. These transfers can often take several days to post. Fortunately, KrisFlyer allows you to place an award on hold while you wait, which saved us from losing the booking.
How To Find Out How Long Transfers Will Take
Before you transfer, it’s a good idea to check how long it might take. Sites like AwardWallet maintain databases showing average transfer times for most major programs. For example, here’s a current snapshot of how long it takes for points to move from each bank to KrisFlyer:
Blogs also test and report on transfer speeds. This post from One Mile at a Time gives a detailed look at Chase partner transfer times.
For the most up-to-date info, FlyerTalk and Reddit can also be helpful. Just keep in mind that crowdsourced data isn’t always consistent, and some airline agents don’t always give accurate details.
Final Thought
Transferable points are still the best option if you want flexibility. But not all point transfers are created equal. Some programs, such as KrisFlyer and Marriott Bonvoy, are known for slower processing times. And the more niche the partner, the more likely it is that the transfer won’t be instant.
Knowing this can help you avoid a common pitfall: transferring points to a program, only to find that the award space you wanted is gone before your points arrive.
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1 comment
Sometimes I do wonder if it’s a good idea to pre-transfer points to ANA due to that delay to get tickets 6-8 months later. The only airline I use with miles is ANA since US – Japan is the majority of my international trips, having the points in there makes it a lot easier to jump on seats when they’re available.
I know ANA has a 3 year expiration policy but unless an emergency comes up, I make the trip every year so I don’t foresee losing any.