Guides

Transferable Points vs Airline Miles: Which Should You Earn?

Why most frequent travelers should focus on flexible bank points rather than tying themselves to a single airline.

Transferable points

Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou, Capital One miles, and Bilt Rewards transfer to dozens of airline programs. You only commit to a specific airline at the moment of booking.

Airline miles

Co-branded airline miles are stuck with one program. They're still worthwhile if you fly that airline frequently and benefit from elite-night credits, free checked bags, and priority boarding.

Best of both

Most savvy travelers carry one or two transferable-points cards plus the co-branded card of their favorite airline. The transferable points hedge against devaluations while the co-branded card unlocks travel benefits.

Information on this page is provided for educational purposes and may change without notice. Always confirm program details on the airline's official site before booking.