Maximize Credit Card Points With Just One (Big) Skill

Transferring points to partners is the best way to get the most value. That doesn't mean it's easy.

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Published · 2 min read
Profile photo of Sam Kemmis
Written by Sam Kemmis
Senior Writer
Profile photo of Meghan Coyle
Edited by Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

Remember those old internet ads promising one “weird trick” to improve your fitness forever? I never clicked on those, but I wonder if the trick was “exercise often.” Because that would work.

Similarly, I’m asked all the time about the best way to use credit card reward points — specifically, points issued by banks designed to cover a variety of travel expenses. Three-quarters of credit card accounts offered rewards in 2022, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and many come with flexible redemption options. The answer is surprisingly simple: Learn how to transfer those points to travel loyalty programs.

Transferring points isn’t a particularly easy or obvious option. But the value of the points from popular issuer loyalty programs — such as Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards and Capital One miles — can vary dramatically depending on how they’re used. That's why NerdWallet offers both a “baseline value” and “maximized value” in our point valuations.

The baseline value is how valuable points are when used for booking travel directly through the issuer’s rewards portal, such as Chase Travel℠ or Capital One Travel. The maximized value relates to how much these points are worth when transferred to their best partner program. For example, the baseline value of American Express Membership Rewards is 1 cent, while the maximized value (when transferred to the best partners) is 2 cents.

Don’t be deterred

Most credit card reward programs make it easy to use your points for their baseline value. They usually show the cost of using points right next to the cash price when searching for travel on their booking platforms.

To be clear: There’s nothing wrong with using your points this way. Sometimes it’s actually the most valuable redemption option. And you generally get benefits like earning miles on flights booked this way. But there is another way.

American Express puts the “transfer points” option at the bottom of a hard-to-find menu on its account page. Don’t be deterred.

Figuring out how to actually transfer your points is one thing. Then comes the real challenge: Which partner program should you transfer them to?

This is the step where most people — including me — are most likely to get deterred. Each credit card program has a long list of transfer partnerships ranging from well-known U.S. brands like Delta Air Lines to international airlines like EVA Air. Which transfer partner is “best”?

Be clear about your goals

Many articles about maximizing points focus on redemptions that yield the best dollar-per-point value, which are almost always business and first class awards. But it’s worth asking: Is that what you want?

If you were planning to fly in a premium cabin already these articles can be helpful. But there are many problems with trying to book these awards, including restricted availability, complex booking processes, large fuel surcharges and other fees.

Flying economy might give you a worse dollar-per-point value than flying first class, but you might be able to squeeze more trips out of your points. And transferring points to loyalty programs for economy flights could still give you an edge over booking directly through an issuer. Don’t suddenly turn into a champagne-swilling points maximizer just because some article told you to.

Also important: Don’t transfer your points until you know the redemption you want to book is actually available. Otherwise you’ll be stuck with a bunch of points in random programs, and this one trick will turn into a big hassle.

Stick with it

The thing about this one weird trick — just like exercise — is that it requires persistence. It’s not a magic bullet.

Credit card holders earn $40 billion worth of rewards each year, according to a 2022 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. And most of those rewards won’t be used to maximum effect.

By simply considering transfer partnerships as an option when using your credit card points, you’ve already put yourself 10 steps ahead of most people.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Travel Cards from Our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000 Points + $300 Travel Credit

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1.5%-5%

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

Up to $300

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
See more travel cards
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