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Best Credit Cards for Transfer Points

Review Updated
Brittney Myers
Author: Brittney Myers
Brittney Myers
Brittney Myers
Writer

Brittney started her writing career in the world of science, putting her physics degree to good use. Her journey into finance started with building her personal credit, but soon grew into a borderline obsession with credit cards and travel rewards. For the last 7 years, she has enjoyed the ability to share her expertise with readers, as well as the opportunity to interview companies and individuals making an impact on our financial lives. She wholly believe most problems can be solved with the right research -- and a good spreadsheet -- and she specializes in translating complex financial topics into actionable advice to help educate and empower readers.

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Nathan Alderman
Fact Checked: Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Fact checker

Nathan Alderman has been a full-time Motley Fool employee since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As Motley Fool Money's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.

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Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Most stories about how valuable credit card rewards can be revolve around the transferable points you get from the top travel rewards cards. These points can be turned into frequent flyer miles or hotel loyalty points with dozens of popular travel brands, turning them into free flights and hotel stays.

Every rewards card with transferable points will have its strong points -- and its weak ones. Let's explore the best cards for transfer points and how to make the most of them.

American Express® Gold Card
Apply Now for American Express® Gold Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

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Best credit cards for transfer points

Ratings Methodology

American Express® Gold Card

Great for: Rewards on dining and groceries

Apply Now for American Express® Gold Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

American Express® Gold Card
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for American Express® Gold Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases), and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

1X-4X Membership Rewards® Points

Annual Fee

$325

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 Membership Rewards® points

  • This card offers considerable value, as it earns 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X) and 4X points at restaurants. Plus, earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on American Express Travel. Meanwhile, over $500 in value annually can potentially offset the entire $325 annual fee. (Terms apply.) Overall, it’s an incredibly lucrative card for those who spend a lot in its bonus categories and can use its spend credits. Read Full Review

    • Impressive welcome offer
    • Restaurant rewards
    • U.S. supermarket rewards
    • Travel and dining credits
    • High-value rewards points
    • Annual fee
    • Inflexible spending credits
    • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
    • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
    • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
    • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
    • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
    • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
    • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
    • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
    • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
    • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • Annual Fee is $325.
    • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
    • Terms Apply.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Trip delay insurance underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
 • Extended warranty, baggage insurance plan, car rental loss & damage insurance, and purchase protection warranty underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Why we picked it: This card offers an excellent combination of everyday rewards and travel potential. The bonus rewards on supermarket and dining purchases are easy to maximize for many people, while the Membership Rewards points you earn are extremely versatile transferable travel rewards. If you can justify the annual fee with the credits, this card is an easy win.

Who it's best for: Folks who spend a lot on dining and/or groceries, and who can make full use of the card's various dining-related statement credits.

What to watch out for: It will be hard to justify this card's annual fee on rewards alone, so make sure you can maximize at least some of the statement credits. If not, consider a card with similar rewards that has a lower annual fee.

Apply for the American Express® Gold Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express
Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Ratings Methodology

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Great for: Premium travel perks

Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

The Platinum Card® from American Express
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.

1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points

Annual Fee

$695

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 Membership Rewards® Points

  • This luxury travel card has some of the most prestigious perks you'll find — access to over 1,400 airport lounges, elite status with Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required), and spending credits worth over $1,500 in value every year. Just be ready for the hefty annual fee, which can be offset in the first year with a welcome bonus worth $800 in points. Terms apply. Read Full Review

    • Big welcome offer
    • Substantial spending credits
    • Airport lounge access
    • Hotel benefits
    • Flexible travel points
    • Annual fee
    • Limited bonus categories
    • Spending credits can be complicated to manage
    • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
    • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
    • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
    • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
    • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
    • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
    • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
    • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
    • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
    • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
    • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
    • $695 annual fee.
    • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
    • Terms Apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip delay and cancellation insurance and cell phone protection underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Extended warranty, purchase protection, car rental insurance, and baggage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Why we picked it: This card is nearly synonymous with travel rewards -- and not just because of the transferable Membership Rewards points it earns, though those are versatile and valuable. The Amex Platinum also tends to offer eye-poppingly good welcome bonuses and has a metaphorical plane-load of travel perks.

Who it's best for: Frequent flyers who book directly with airlines and who can maximize the travel perks, particularly the airport lounge access and statement credits.

What to watch out for: This is a perks card. Most people won't earn enough in rewards to justify the annual fee past the first year (and that's only because of the welcome bonus). If you can't maximize enough of the perks and statement credits to make up for the high annual fee, consider a less costly alternative.

Apply for the The Platinum Card® from American Express

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Reserve®

On Chase's Secure Website.

Ratings Methodology

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Great for: Rewards on travel and dining

Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Reserve®

On Chase's Secure Website.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Reserve®

On Chase's Secure Website.

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

21.74% - 28.74% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠.

Annual Fee

$550

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 bonus points

  • All the perks we've come to expect from a top travel card, including a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and big bonuses on travel and dining. Points are transferable to airline and hotel partners or worth 50% more if you book through Chase Travel. The annual fee is hefty, but if you can use all its features, this card could be well worth the cost. Read Full Review

    • Travel credits
    • Airport lounge access
    • Travel and dining rewards
    • Welcome offer
    • Flexible travel points
    • Annual fee
    • Limited-time benefits
    • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
    • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
    • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
    • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
    • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
    • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
    • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
    • Member FDIC

Why we picked it: I rank Chase Ultimate Rewards points as the best transferable currency, beating out Amex's close second place in large part due to the Chase Travel portal. This card is absolutely the best pick for the travel portal thanks to the bonus cardholders earn, giving you an effective $0.015 per point in the portal.

Who it's best for: Regular travelers who can maximize the card's travel perks, including those who prioritize flexibility and use the Chase Travel portal often.

What to watch out for: You get a few statement credits with this card that can help offset the annual fee, but it isn't easy to make up the whole annual fee on statement credits alone. Consider whether the rewards and Chase Travel redemption bonus are worth what you're paying each year vs. a card with a lower fee (such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card).

Apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Ratings Methodology
Award Icon 2025 Award Winner

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Great for: High-value transfer partners

Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

On Chase's Secure Website.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

On Chase's Secure Website.

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. N/A

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Enjoy benefits such as 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, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 bonus points

  • Bonus travel and dining rewards, along with an annual $50 hotel credit, make this card worth the (very reasonable) annual fee. Chase points are both valuable and easy to use, offering 25% more value for bookings through Chase Travel, which simplifies the experience compared to other travel cards. Not to mention it provides robust travel protections, including primary rental car insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Read Full Review

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • Travel rewards
    • Dining rewards
    • Flexible travel points
    • Consumer and travel protections
    • Annual fee
    • Limited-time perks
    • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
    • Enjoy benefits such as 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, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
    • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
    • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
    • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
    • Member FDIC

Why we picked it: This card is an excellent compromise between annual fee and travel features, starting with earning the eminently versatile Ultimate Rewards points. While the Chase Travel portal redemption bonus is lower than the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you still get a boosted $0.0125 per point in the portal. Plus, this card usually has a better welcome offer than its more expensive sibling.

Who it's best for: Folks who want to earn and use Chase Ultimate Rewards points without spending a fortune on annual fees.

What to watch out for: You can only be the primary cardholder for one Sapphire card at a time, so you'll need to choose between the two options. You can choose to downgrade (or upgrade) later, but you may miss out on the welcome offer for the other card if you choose this path, so consider carefully.

Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Ratings Methodology

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Great for: One-card travel wallet

Apply Now for Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking. Travel insurance protection: Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption (Common Carrier), Trip Delay, Lost or Damaged Luggage, MasterRental Coverage (Car Rental).

1x - 10x points

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$95

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.

75,000 ThankYou® Points

  • Citi Strata Premier offers a unique combination of bonus categories we don't see on many travel cards. It earns 3X points on travel and everyday-type categories, including supermarkets and gas/EV charging. You can also earn a welcome bonus worth $750. That combination of rewards is an excellent value for a relatively low annual fee. Plus, if you run into any problems on a trip, its complimentary travel protections (including coverage for trip delays, trip cancellations and interruptions, and lost/damaged luggage) could save the day. Read Full Review

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • Annual hotel savings offer
    • Travel and dining rewards
    • Grocery and gas rewards
    • Flexible travel rewards points
    • Travel insurance protections
    • Annual fee
    • Redemption options
    • For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
    • Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
    • Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
    • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
    • $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
    • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Why we picked it: Citi's ThankYou rewards program is often overlooked, but it could be an excellent fit for people who can make use of its interesting array of travel partners. You may have to be a bit more savvy to fully maximize your ThankYou Points, but it's still possible to get a great return. Moreover, this card is one of the few everyday cards that earns travel rewards, giving you bonus purchase rewards in several popular categories.

Who it's best for: Travelers who can make use of Citi's travel partners and who want a well-rounded everyday rewards card.

What to watch out for: Citi's partner list is missing the big four domestic carriers (Delta, AA, United, and Southwest), so you'll need to make use of airline alliances to redeem ThankYou Points on those airlines (if at all). It's a good idea to research Citi's partners -- and those partner's alliances -- before jumping into the ThankYou Rewards ecosystem.

Apply for the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Ratings Methodology

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Great for: Flat-rate travel rewards

Apply Now for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Excellent (740-850)
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Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Excellent (740-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

2X-10X miles

Annual Fee

$395

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 75,000 Miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

75,000 Miles

  • The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a favorite among our experts thanks to benefits that easily offset the $395 annual fee — an easy-to-use $300 annual travel credit, 10,000-mile bonus every anniversary (worth $100), huge welcome bonus (worth $750), unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, and up to 10X miles on eligible travel. Pile on access to a global airport lounge network, Global Entry/TSA Pre✓® reimbursement, and experience credits to get you where you want to go in comfort. Read Full Review

    • Big travel rewards bonus
    • High rewards rate
    • Travel credits
    • Easy-to-use miles
    • Annual fee
    • Other card issuers have more valuable travel rewards
    • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
    • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
    • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
    • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
    • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
    • Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
    • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
    • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
    • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Why we picked it: The Venture Rewards program is still fairly young, comparatively, but it already has a solid lineup of transfer partners. This card connects you to all of them, as well as a few interesting travel perks, including access to the new Capital One airport lounges.

Who it's best for: Folks who want simple flat-rate rewards and a few travel perks while having the option to transfer points or redeem in the Capital One portal.

What to watch out for: As with Citi, Capital One's program is missing the main domestic carriers (Delta, AA, United, and Southwest), so look into alliances for domestic bookings. Also, the travel credit for this card requires booking through the Capital One Travel portal, which may not be a good fit for folks who prefer to book directly. (If the travel credit isn't of interest to you, consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card's lower annual fee.)

Apply for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Ratings Methodology

Bilt Mastercard®

Great for: Earning on rent payments

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Bilt Mastercard®
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Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good (670-850)
Read Review
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

See Terms

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 1x points on rent payments through Bilt with no transaction fee, up to 100,000 points per calendar year. 2x points on flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises when booked directly with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies. 3x points at restaurants. You can earn double points, up to 6x, on first day of each month (excluding rent payments). You must make 5 transactions that post each statement period to earn points.

1x - 6x rewards points

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • If you use Bilt to pay rent, this is a good way to waive the transaction fee. It's also a nice option for a no annual fee travel card thanks to its transferable rewards.

    • Purchase rewards
    • Transferable points
    • Waived rent payment fee
    • No annual fee
    • Transaction minimum
    • No sign-up bonus
    • No intro-APR offers
    • Earn points on rent and much more.
    • 1x points on rent payments through the Bilt app with no transaction fee, up to 100,000 points per calendar year.
    • 2x points on flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises when booked directly with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies.
    • 3x points on dining.
    • Earn double points, up to 6x, on purchases (excluding rent payments) made on the first day of each month.
    • Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
    • No annual fee.

Why we picked it: This card is a bit of an outlier, as it's not part of a major issuer's program. Instead, it's a niche program with an interesting mix of transfer partners that include some of the most popular options from the larger rewards programs. It's also a fairly interesting card, offering bonus rewards on rental payments, as well as a couple other useful categories, all with no annual card fee. 

Who it's best for: Renters who want to earn travel rewards and/or folks who like the travel partners and can maximize the dining and travel categories.

What to watch out for: This card doesn't have a regular welcome bonus, so you may be forfeiting a good chunk of travel rewards by choosing this card over another option. Plus, there's an annual cap on how many points you can earn from rental payments, so keep this in mind.

Read our full Bilt Mastercard® review

Ratings Methodology

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Great for: High rewards for low fee

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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
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Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good (670-850)
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Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.

1X-5X points

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip

60,000 bonus points

  • This value-packed travel card earns unlimited 3X to 5X points on hotel, airline, travel, and restaurant purchases, plus 1X points on other purchases. It includes useful travel benefits, cellphone protection insurance, and an annual $50 airline credit (with minimum purchase). Its flexible redemption options, including transferring rewards to eligible travel partners, make this a stand-out card for frequent travelers. Read Full Review

    • Generous welcome bonus
    • Several bonus reward categories
    • Airline statement credit (w/ minimum purchase)
    • Ability to transfer rewards to travel partners
    • Flexible redemption options
    • Travel protections
    • Cellphone protection insurance
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Annual fee
    • Limited transfer partners
    • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
    • Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
    • Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
    • $95 annual fee.
    • Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
    • Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
    • Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
    • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Why we picked it: Wells Fargo's foray into transferable rewards got off to a solid start. The list of transfer partners is still quite short, but it has some notable inclusions. The card itself is a competitive option, offering high rewards rates on travel, particularly flights and hotel stays, as well as an annual statement credit to help offset the annual fee.

Who it's best for: Travelers who can make use of the card's limited transfer partners and who want to explore Wells Fargo's card ecosystem.

What to watch out for: This is a more recently initiated transfer program, so the options are going to be limited for a while. Make sure you research the available partners to ensure you can put your points to good use before you commit to earning them.

Read our full Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card review

  • At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.

    Our highest-rated credit cards have:

    • A rewards rate above 2% (or 2x points or miles) with average spending, or competitive 0% intro APR balance transfer and purchase offers
    • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
    • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
    • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

    We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

How to choose the best transfer partner

The best transfer partner will change depending on a lot of factors, including:

  • Where you travel: Every airline has its set routes, and even with alliances there may be limitations on where those specific points can take you. Similarly, hotels only have so many locations, so a particular hotel brand may not have a property where you want to go.
  • How you travel: Some partners are better for budget travelers, while others will be better-suited for luxury travelers.
  • When you travel: Availability can be a big problem on some airlines, especially around busy travel times. Also, rewards programs can have sporadic temporary transfer bonuses that make certain partners more valuable for a short time.

To help you better compare options, we'll take a look at some notable transfer partners from each credit card travel rewards program. But first, an important note.

TIP

Be cautious with transferring points

Transferring your credit card points to a travel partner is a one-way trip; you cannot get a refund or reversal. It's best to wait until you are ready to book your awards before transferring your points.

Quick overview of transfer partners

The best American Express Membership Rewards transfer partners

Amex's most notable transfer partner is probably Delta, since Amex is the only credit card rewards program I know that can transfer to Delta SkyMiles (it's 1:1). Contrary to most frequent flyer programs, I've seen the best value when using Delta miles for main cabin fares.

Folks who want to capitalize on international business class can get good value from Aeroplan (Air Canada) and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM). You can also use LifeMiles (Avianca) and KrisFlyer (Singapore Airlines) points to book first-class fares, though availability may be tough.

Read our complete American Express Membership Rewards guide for a full list of transfer partners.

The best Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners

Chase shares several popular partners with Amex (and others), including Air Canada Aeroplan and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM). However, Chase also has several nearly-exclusive partners, and one that is totally exclusive.

Specifically, other than Bilt, Chase Ultimate Rewards are the only credit card points that transfer to World of Hyatt and United MileagePlus. Chase is also the only credit card rewards program I know to transfer to Southwest Airlines.

Hyatt points are widely considered to be the most valuable hotel points since they're generally easy to redeem for $0.015 to $0.02 each. United miles are also quite popular due to the reasonable award requirements, low fees, and wide reach (between United and its alliance partners, there are few places you can't go).

Read our complete Chase Ultimate Rewards guide for a full list of transfer partners.

The best Capital One Venture Rewards transfer partners

Capital One's program shares a few popular partners, including my oft-recommended Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France/KLM FlyingBlue, and Avianca LifeMiles. You can get good international deals from these partners, particularly to Europe.

As exclusive partners go, Capital One has a few smaller airlines just to itself -- Finnair Plus and TAP Air Portugal -- but you'll need to determine how valuable these miles are to you.

Read our complete Capital One Venture Rewards guide for a full list of transfer partners.

The best Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer partners

Similar to Capital One, the best Citi ThankYou transfer partners are also available with other programs; most noteworthy I think are Singapore KrisFlyer, Air France/KLM FlyingBlue, and Avianca LifeMiles.

Citi has a few exclusive, albeit niche, transfer partners, though the value of them is questionable. For airlines, it includes Thai Royal Orchid Plus -- known for high surcharges -- and Qatar Airways. (Citi also has a retail transfer partner, ShopYourWay, but we don't recommend using points for this.)

Read our complete Citi ThankYou Rewards guide for a full list of transfer partners.

The best Wells Fargo Rewards transfer partners

Wells Fargo's rewards program is still quite young, so it only has about a handful of partners. Despite this, you can still find some good redemptions from Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) and Avianca LifeMiles.

Although not necessarily top of the list for other programs, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club can occasionally offer a good domestic redemption (on Delta-operated flights). And British Airways Executive Club might offer some reasonable domestic redemptions (on American Airlines flights); just avoid using British Airways for UK flights due to high surcharges.

Read our complete Wells Fargo Rewards guide for a full list of transfer partners.

The best Bilt Rewards transfer partners

Bilt's program has several partners of note, including the popular Chase partners United and Hyatt, both of which are 1:1 partners for Bilt Rewards. Hyatt is especially popular as a hotel partner since the points are generally easy to redeem for a high value.

That said, Bilt's most intriguing partner is arguably Alaska Airlines, as Alaska has no other credit card transfer partners and the miles are considered to be quite valuable.

In addition to flying many useful routes itself, Alaska is part of the Oneworld alliance, so you can redeem for flights on American Airlines and British Airways. Alaska also has a host of non-alliance partnerships that could be very useful, including Icelandair, another airline without credit card transfer partners.

Read our complete Bilt Mastercard® review for a full list of transfer partners.

How to get the most value from transferable points

In general, the highest per-point dollar value will come from redeeming for international upper-class flights (business or first class). That doesn't mean you can't get good per-point value out of other types of flights. 

I suggest digging into your options when you know when and where you want to travel. There is a lot of variation even in the same program depending on the locations and time of year.

Here are a few tips to help you maximize your transfer values.

Pay attention to transfer rates

The majority of credit card point transfers will be 1:1, meaning you'll get one airline or hotel point per credit card point transferred. However, some partners may offer higher or lower rates, so verify the transfer rate ahead of time.

Take advantage of transfer bonuses when you can

Sometimes issuers will offer a transfer bonus for a specific partner. For example, you might get a 30% bonus on points transferred to a specific airline during the promotion. This would mean you would get 1.3 miles for every 1 point you transfer.

Transfer bonuses can seriously boost your per-point value, turning a so-so redemption into a solid deal. As we noted above, though, transfers are a one-way street, so be wary of taking advantage of transfer bonuses if you don't already have a redemption in mind.

Be flexible about dates and airports

The key to award travel is flexibility. Most airlines and hotels set aside a certain number of products for rewards redemptions, and once those are gone you'll need to look at other flights or hotels.

If your home (or destination) airport isn't giving you much availability, consider taking a positioning flight (or drive) to another airport for better options. Major hubs tend to have the best award availability and the cheapest award flights.

Use partner airlines

Most airlines are in a major airline alliance, which means you can usually use their miles for flights on other alliance airlines. This can improve your options and even uncover some nice deals.

Even if the airline isn't in an alliance, it could have other partnerships that offer similar benefits, so it's worth doing a bit of research. (I like to search "how to get to {destination} with miles" and see what tricks other travelers have learned!)

Compare the best credit cards for transfer points

The Picks
Card Rating Great For
Graphic of American Express® Gold Card
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Rewards on dining and groceries
Graphic of The Platinum Card® from American Express
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Great For:

Premium travel perks
Graphic of Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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Great For:

Rewards on travel and dining
Award Icon 2025 Award Winner
Graphic of Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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Great For:

High-value transfer partners
Graphic of Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
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One-card travel wallet
Graphic of Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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Flat-rate travel rewards
Graphic of Bilt Mastercard®
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Great For:

Earning on rent payments
Graphic of Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
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Great For:

High rewards for low fee
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Trip delay insurance underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
 • Extended warranty, baggage insurance plan, car rental loss & damage insurance, and purchase protection warranty underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip delay and cancellation insurance and cell phone protection underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Extended warranty, purchase protection, car rental insurance, and baggage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

FAQs

  • You can typically pool points from cards in the same rewards program, such as pooling all the Membership Rewards points from multiple Amex cards. You cannot combine points from different programs, however; for instance, you could not pool Amex and Chase points together.

    If you have points with different programs, and those programs share transfer partners, then you could transfer the points from both programs to that partner. 

    For example, Amex and Chase both transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan. You can separately transfer your Amex points to Aeroplan and your Chase points to Aeroplan. The miles would then all wind up in your single Aeroplan account.

  • Valuing transfer points is subjective since the ultimate value depends on how you redeem those points after they're transferred. That said, Chase Ultimate Rewards points and American Express Membership Rewards points are the two most popular programs with the best variety of travel partners.

  • No, all transfers of credit card points to travel partners are final. You can't get a refund or reversal. It's important to wait until you're ready to redeem your rewards before you transfer them to a travel partner.

    Most points transfers occur more or less immediately (within minutes). In some cases, it could take up to a couple of days, but this is less common.