The best way to use credit card points.
Stop burning points on portal redemptions for 1¢ each. Transfer to airline and hotel partners and get 2–20¢ on premium cabins and hotel suites.
Pick a program.
Each guide covers top redemptions, transfer strategy, and the rookie mistakes to avoid.
Amex points
20+ transfer partners including ANA, Singapore, and British Airways. Best for premium cabin flights.
Top redemption
ANA First Class via Virgin Atlantic (120k RT)
Chase points
The unbeatable 1:1 Hyatt transfer plus 14 airline partners. Best for hotel stays and flights.
Top redemption
World of Hyatt all-inclusive resorts (20k/night)
Capital One points
Simple 2x earning on everything with 15+ airline transfer partners. Great for beginners.
Top redemption
Turkish Airlines business class (45k one-way)
Citi points
14+ airline partners with standout access to Turkish Miles&Smiles and Cathay Pacific.
Top redemption
Turkish Airlines Star Alliance business (45k one-way)
Bilt points
Earn points on rent with no transaction fee. Unique transfers to AA and Hyatt.
Top redemption
American Airlines off-peak domestic (7.5k one-way)
Three principles.
Transfer to partners, not portals.
Portals give 1–1.5¢ per point. Partners give 2–20¢. The difference on a transatlantic business seat is literally thousands of dollars.
Only transfer with a booking in hand.
Never speculatively transfer. Once moved, points are stuck. Confirm availability first, transfer second, book third — same session.
Wait for transfer bonuses.
Banks regularly run 20–40% bonuses to specific partners. 100k Amex MR + 30% bonus = 130k miles. That's the difference between Y and J.
Frequently asked questions.
What is the best way to use credit card points?
Transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs rather than using your bank's travel portal. Transferring to partners like World of Hyatt, ANA, or British Airways typically yields 2-20x more value than the 1 cent per point you get through a portal or statement credit.
Which credit card points are most valuable?
Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards are considered the most valuable, both averaging around 2 cents per point. Chase wins for hotel value (1:1 Hyatt transfer), while Amex has more airline transfer partners (20+ vs 14).
Should I save points or use them right away?
Use points when you have a specific high-value redemption in mind. Points can be devalued over time as programs change their charts. Don't hoard indefinitely, but don't waste them on low-value redemptions either. Aim for at least 1.5-2 cents per point in value.
Can I transfer points between different credit card programs?
You cannot transfer directly between programs (e.g., Chase to Amex). However, many programs share airline partners — for example, both Chase and Amex transfer to British Airways and Virgin Atlantic — so you can pool points from different programs into the same airline account.
Ready to use your points?
Search award availability across every partner airline in one place — or just ask the agent.