When it comes to rewards programs, some stand out more than others. If you’ve ever checked how points are valued, you’ve likely seen that transferable rewards—like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards—rank among the best.
The reason? Flexibility. With the right travel credit cards, you’re not locked into a single airline or hotel program. Instead, you can move these points where they’re most useful, making them far more versatile than traditional airline miles or hotel points.
Now, you might have heard that transferring points can sometimes mean getting less value per point. Take Chase Ultimate Rewards, for example. Our latest valuations place them at 2.05 cents each, while Hyatt points are worth 1.7 cents. Since Chase lets you transfer at a 1:1 ratio, you’d technically be getting 0.35 cents less per point if you move them to Hyatt.
But despite this, we still consider transferable points more valuable than fixed airline or hotel rewards. Why? Because having options means you can maximize value based on your travel goals. Let’s break down why earning transferable points should be a priority.
Protecting Your Rewards by Spreading Them Across Programs
Loyalty programs change all the time, and not always for the better. With frequent devaluations, points and miles don’t hold long-term value, which is why holding onto them indefinitely isn’t a great strategy. Instead of stockpiling rewards, it makes more sense to earn and use them strategically—especially if you’re saving up for an upcoming trip.
One of the smartest ways to safeguard your rewards against sudden changes is by focusing on transferable points. If all your points are tied to a single airline or hotel program, a devaluation could significantly reduce their worth. But with transferable rewards, you have the freedom to move points where they’ll get you the best redemption rates when it’s time to book.
This flexibility means you’re not locked into a single program’s rules or sudden changes—you get to choose the most valuable option at the moment you need it.
More Options Across Airlines and Hotels
Unlike traditional airline or hotel loyalty programs, transferable rewards give you far more booking flexibility. Instead of being locked into a single program’s redemption options, you can move your points where they offer the best value.
Let’s say you’ve been earning Delta SkyMiles with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. Since these miles stay within the SkyMiles program, your only option is to book through Delta. If a flight from New York to London costs 100,000 Delta miles, that’s the rate you’re stuck with—no alternatives.
Now, compare that to earning Chase Ultimate Rewards with a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Instead of being tied to one program, you could transfer your points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Executive Club, or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club—whichever offers the best deal. And if you find a one-way ticket for $450, you could also book it through the Chase Travel℠ portal using 36,000 Chase points.
Since transferable points give you access to multiple programs, they typically hold more value than individual airline or hotel currencies. This added flexibility makes them a smarter choice for maximizing rewards.
Maximize Value with Transferable Rewards
Earning transferable credit card points means you’re not locked into a single airline or hotel program. Instead, you can convert your rewards into multiple loyalty currencies, giving you far more flexibility when it’s time to book travel.
If one airline or hotel program suddenly reduces the value of its points, you won’t be stuck with a devalued stash. Instead, you can shift your rewards to a partner program that offers better rates or perks. This flexibility allows you to make the most of every redemption, ensuring you get the best possible value from your points.
