Transferable Points Currencies

Points that can be transferred to airlines or hotels represent excellent value. Diversifying your portfolio of miles and points often provides unforeseen opportunities. Singapore Airlines partners with all four transferable currencies, while Cathay Pacific, Etihad, and Air France/KLM partner with three of the four. Collecting transferable points also protects against devaluation in individual hotel or airline loyalty programs. Finally, transferable points programs run promotions for transferring to a specific partner, such as a 15% bonus when converting to Delta Skymiles. What follows is a brief analysis of each transferable currency.

• Starwood Preferred Guest
  • Points transfer 1×1 to myriad airlines, including Alaska, Delta, and American, as well as Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, and Singapore Airlines (United transfers 2×1).
    • 5k-mile bonus on each 20k miles transferred, making Starpoints the most valuable transferable currency.
  • Points transfer 1×3 to Marriott (and in reverse).
  • Acquiring Starpoints
    • Hotel stays, points purchase, promotions, transfer from Marriott, refer-a-friend, and credit card spend (American Express SPG personal and business versions).
• Citi ThankYou Rewards
  • Points transfer 1×1 to twelve airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Air France/KLM, Qatar, and Singapore.
  • Acquiring ThankYou Rewards
    • Credit card spend (ThankYou Preferred, ThankYou Premier, Prestige).
    • Citi checking account
    • Buy points
• American Express Membership Rewards
  • Points transfer 1×1 to Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Emirates, Delta, Air France/KLM, Air Canada, JetBlue, and Singapore.
  • Acquiring Membership Rewards
    • Credit card spend (AmEx Everyday Preferred, Premier Rewards Gold Card, and the Platinum Card, among others).
    • Buy points
    • Refer-a-friend
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Points transfer 1×1 to seven airlines, including British Airways, Air France/KLM, Singapore, and United. They also maintain four hotel partners where points transfer 1×1: Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, and IHG. Hyatt clearly represents the best value among hotels.
  • Acquiring Ultimate Rewards
    • Credit card spend (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Freedom, Freedom Unlimited, Ink Business Cash, and Ink Plus Business).
    • Online shopping portal
    • Refer-a-friend

Many of the credit cards mentioned offer 2x or 3x points on travel, including hotels and airfare. Let me know your favorite transferable currency in the comments below. Happy travels!