How to Transfer Your Airline Points to Partner Airlines

How airline point transfers work

Most major airlines let you move points from your account to partner airlines through their transfer partners program. You log into your airline account, select the partner airline, enter how many points you want to send, and the transfer usually completes within a few hours to a few days. The receiving airline adds those points directly to the recipient's account with them — you do not need to create a new account first, though the recipient must have one to receive the points.

The exchange rate varies by partnership. Some transfers are one-to-one: one point becomes one point at the partner airline. Others are less favorable — you might give 1.25 points to receive one point at the destination airline. A few partnerships offer bonus conversions where you get more points than you send, though these are rare and usually limited to specific promotions.

Not every airline in an alliance accepts transfers from every other airline. Each carrier maintains its own list of transfer partners, which can include airlines in different alliances or unaffiliated carriers. Before you transfer, check whether your airline actually partners with the one you want to reach.

Key Takeaways

• Point transfers move directly from your airline account to a partner airline account within hours or days, with no intermediate steps required.
• Exchange rates differ by partnership — some are one-to-one, others charge a premium, and occasional promotions offer bonus conversions.
• Your airline's transfer partner list is fixed; not every airline accepts transfers from every other carrier, so verify the partnership exists before you initiate a transfer.
• Transferred points usually cannot be reversed once sent, so confirm the receiving account details and the exchange rate before you complete the transaction.
• Transfer partners often include airlines outside your carrier's main alliance, giving you access to award flights you could not book with your own points alone.

Finding your airline's transfer partners

Log into your airline account and look for a section labeled "Transfer Points," "Move Points," "Send Points," or "Partner Airlines" — the exact name depends on the carrier. Most airlines place this in the account menu or under a "Redeem" or "Use Points" tab. The page will show you a complete list of airlines that accept transfers from your account, along with the exchange rate for each one.

If you cannot find the transfer section online, call the airline's customer service line and ask them to confirm whether they transfer to a specific airline and what the rate is. Some carriers also publish their transfer partner list on their website under a help or FAQ section, which can be faster than logging in if you are just researching options.

Write down the exchange rate before you transfer. A partnership that looks good at first glance — say, one-to-one with a popular airline — might actually be worse than using your points directly with your own carrier if that airline's award prices are high.

When transferring points makes sense

Transfers are most useful when you need points from a specific airline to book an award flight, but your own airline does not have that route or the price is too high. For example, if you have 80,000 points with Airline A but need 100,000 points with Airline B to book a flight to a destination you want, and Airline A transfers to Airline B at a one-to-one rate, you can send 20,000 points and complete the booking.

Transfers also help when you have leftover points that are not quite enough for anything you want with your own airline. Rather than let them sit unused, you can move them to a partner where they might stretch further or unlock a specific route. Some people also transfer points strategically to build balances at multiple airlines, spreading their points across carriers that serve different regions or destinations.

Transfers are usually not worth it if the exchange rate is unfavorable — paying 1.25 or 1.5 points to receive one point at the partner airline often costs more than the value you get back. Before you transfer, compare the award price at the destination airline against what you would pay with your own points, accounting for the exchange rate.

The transfer process step by step

Start by confirming you have an active account with the receiving airline. You do not need points in that account yet, but the account must exist and be in your name. Log into your current airline account and navigate to the transfer or move points section.

Select the partner airline from the list. The page will show you the current exchange rate — confirm this matches what you expected before proceeding. Enter the number of points you want to transfer. Most airlines let you transfer in increments of 1,000 points, though some have different minimums or maximums.

Review the details one more time: the receiving airline, the number of points you are sending, the exchange rate, and the number of points the recipient will receive. Once you click confirm or submit, the transfer is usually final and cannot be reversed. Some airlines send a confirmation email; others show the transfer status in your account immediately.

The points typically appear in the receiving airline account within 24 hours, though some transfers take up to a week. Check your account at the partner airline to confirm the points arrived before you book an award flight.

Fees and restrictions on transfers

Most airlines do not charge a fee to transfer points to partners. However, some carriers impose a transfer fee — usually $10 to $25 per transfer — regardless of how many points you send. Check your airline's transfer policy before you initiate the transaction to avoid a surprise charge.

Once points are transferred, they belong to the receiving airline and follow that airline's rules. If the receiving airline has a points expiration policy, your transferred points will expire on the same schedule as any other points in that account. Some airlines expire points after three years of inactivity; others have different timelines. You cannot transfer points back to your original airline, so treat the transfer as permanent.

A few airlines restrict how often you can transfer or set a maximum number of points you can transfer in a single transaction or per year. These limits are uncommon but worth checking if you plan to move a large balance or transfer frequently.

Timing and promotional transfer bonuses

Airlines occasionally run promotions that offer bonus points when you transfer to specific partners. For example, an airline might offer a 25% bonus: transfer 10,000 points and receive 12,500 at the partner airline instead of the standard 10,000. These promotions are temporary and usually last a few weeks to a few months.

If you are considering a transfer, check whether a promotion is currently active. Log into your account and look for a banner or notification about transfer bonuses, or search the airline's website for "transfer promotion" or "bonus points transfer." Timing a transfer to coincide with a bonus can significantly increase the value you receive.

Promotional bonuses are not may provide to return, so do not wait indefinitely hoping for one. If you need the points now and the math works out at the standard rate, transfer them. If you are on the fence about whether to transfer at all, a promotion might tip the decision in favor of moving the points.

Alternatives to transferring points

Before you transfer, consider whether you can book the flight you want directly with your own airline's points. Some airlines have partnerships or code-share agreements that let you book flights on partner airlines using your own points, without transferring. This avoids the exchange rate penalty and keeps your points in your account.

You can also search for award flights across multiple airlines to see which one offers the best price in points. If your own airline charges 100,000 points for a route but a transfer partner charges 80,000, the transfer makes sense even at a one-to-one rate. Use award search tools or check each airline's website individually to compare prices before deciding.

Another option is to hold your points and wait for a sale or promotion at your own airline. Some carriers periodically discount award prices or offer limited-time deals on specific routes. If you are flexible on timing, waiting might let you book the flight you want for fewer points than transferring would cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer points to someone else's airline account?

Most airlines only let you transfer points to an account in your own name at the partner airline. Some carriers allow transfers to a spouse or family member if the accounts are linked, but this is rare. Check your airline's transfer policy to see whether they permit transfers to other people.

What happens if I transfer points but then change my mind?

Once a transfer is complete, it cannot be reversed. The points belong to the receiving airline and follow their rules. If you transferred to the wrong airline or realized you made a mistake, you cannot get the points back. Always double-check the receiving airline and the transfer amount before you confirm.

Do transferred points count toward elite status?

No. Transferred points are added to the receiving airline's account but do not count toward elite status qualification at that airline. Only points earned directly through flying, credit card spending, or other earning methods count toward elite status thresholds.

How long do transferred points stay in my account?

Transferred points follow the same expiration rules as any other points at the receiving airline. If that airline expires points after three years of inactivity, your transferred points will expire on the same schedule. Check the receiving airline's policy before you transfer.

Can I transfer points from one partner airline to another without going back to my original airline?

No. You can only transfer points from your own airline account to a partner airline. You cannot transfer directly from one partner to another. If you want to move points between two partner airlines, you would need to transfer them back to your original airline first, then transfer them to the second partner — though most airlines do not allow reverse transfers.