I’ve learned through years of earning and redeeming rewards that timing can make or break the value of your points. I still remember one of my first mistakes transferring all my Chase Ultimate Rewards points to an airline partner because I was excited about booking a trip. Just a few days later, a 30% transfer bonus was announced. I could’ve saved thousands of points if I had waited.
That experience taught me that patience and awareness of promotions are crucial. Since then, I always check transfer bonuses, loyalty charts, and expiration policies before moving a single point. Sometimes it’s better to wait, but other times, transferring immediately locks in a valuable award before it disappears.
Understanding When to Transfer Your Points
Transferable points programs such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, and Capital One Miles let you move points to airline and hotel partners. However, once transferred, you cannot move them back, so understanding the right timing is key.
| Situation | Best Option | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You’ve found a specific award seat and confirmed availability | Transfer now | Lock in your booking before the seat disappears |
| A transfer bonus is active (e.g., 25%-40%) | Wait for the promotion | Gain extra value from the same number of points |
| You’re unsure about your travel plans | Wait | Keep flexibility by leaving points untransferred |
| A partner program is set to devalue soon | Transfer before the change | Protect your points’ value from decreasing |
| You need to top off an account to complete a booking | Transfer now | Completing the booking takes priority |
Important Numbers to Keep in Mind
- Transfer times vary by program some are instant (e.g., Chase to United), while others take up to 48–72 hours (e.g., Amex to ANA).
- Transfer bonuses can increase your value by 10–40%. For instance, American Express often runs a 30% bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
- Award space on premium routes (like U.S. to Europe business class) can vanish within hours.
- Points expiration depends on the partner. For example, Air France Flying Blue points expire after 24 months of inactivity.
Real Advantages of Waiting
Holding your points in a flexible program can give you significant advantages:
- You can choose the best redemption option among multiple partners.
- You avoid the risk of devaluations that reduce the value of transferred points.
- You can wait for future transfer bonuses, boosting your redemption power.
Example:
If you have 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards points and transfer them during a 30% bonus to British Airways Avios, you’ll receive 130,000 Avios enough for an extra round-trip economy flight between New York and London.
When It’s Better to Transfer Immediately
There are times when waiting can cost you more. Once, I delayed transferring my points to book a Delta One flight from Atlanta to Paris, hoping for a transfer bonus. By the next day, the seat was gone and the price doubled. In cases like this, acting quickly is smarter than waiting.
| Reason to Transfer Immediately | Benefit |
|---|---|
| You’ve found an award seat you need | Avoid losing availability |
| You have enough points to book now | Confirm your travel plans |
| A program is raising award prices soon | Beat the devaluation |
High-Value Tips Before Transferring Points
- Always verify award availability first. Don’t transfer until you’ve confirmed the flight or hotel is bookable.
- Track transfer bonuses on trusted websites such as The Points Guy and AwardWallet.
- Set alerts for potential devaluations in your favorite loyalty programs.
- Keep a personal spreadsheet of your points, balances, and partner transfer times.
- Double-check all booking details before transferring once done, you cannot reverse it.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, the most successful travelers aren’t those who transfer points quickly, but those who transfer them strategically. The difference between an average redemption and an exceptional one often comes down to timing.
By keeping your points flexible, watching for promotions, and planning ahead, you’ll make every point count. The key is not just earning rewards it’s knowing when to move them to get the most value possible.
