How to Transfer Points: Step-by-Step Guide

Updated May 2026 | By Prism

Transferring credit card points to airline partners is how you turn 100,000 points into $3,000+ in travel. Here's the exact process — from finding award space to hitting "transfer."

⚠️ READ FIRST: The Golden Rule

Never transfer points without confirmed award space. Credit card points are non-refundable once transferred to airline partners. Always find available seats first, then transfer.

Step-by-Step: How to Transfer

Search for Award Space
Use these tools to find available seats on your desired dates:

• Aeroplan.com — Search Star Alliance availability
• BA.com — Search Avios availability
• Seats.aero — Award search engine for all programs
• Point.me — Aggregates award space across programs
Confirm Your Routing
Write down the exact flight numbers, dates, and cabin class. Take a screenshot of the availability. This is your proof before transferring any points.
Log Into Your Credit Card Account
Go to your credit card's rewards portal (AMEX, Scotiabank, CIBC, etc.) and navigate to Membership Rewards → Transfer Points.
Link Your Frequent Flyer Account (First Time Only)
If this is your first transfer to a specific airline, you'll need to enter your frequent flyer number. Most programs verify instantly.
Enter Transfer Amount
Enter the exact number of points needed (plus a small buffer). Most programs require 1,000-point minimums in 1,000-point increments.
Confirm the Transfer
Review the transfer ratio and confirm. Most transfers complete instantly or within 24-48 hours.
Book Your Flight
Once points appear in your airline account (check your dashboard), book immediately. Award space can disappear.

Transfer Times by Program

🍁 Aeroplan

Instant to 24 hours

Usually instant. One of the fastest transfer times.

🇬🇧 British Airways Avios

Instant to 24 hours

Typically instant. Good reliability.

🇭🇰 Asia Miles

1-7 days

Can be slow. Plan ahead.

🇨🇴 LifeMiles

Instant to 48 hours

Usually fast. Watch for bonuses.

🇦🇪 Emirates Skywards

Instant to 24 hours

Fast. Watch the 2:1 ratio though.

🇸🇬 Singapore KrisFlyer

1-14 days

Can be slow. Allow extra time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Transferring without confirmed space — The #1 mistake. Points are gone forever.
Not checking fuel surcharges — Some programs (BA, Iberia) add huge fuel surcharges. Check before transferring.
Transferring too few points — You can't combine transfers easily. Transfer more than you need.
Waiting too long to book — Award space is dynamic. Book within hours of finding space.
Ignoring stopover rules — Aeroplan allows one free stopover. Don't overpay by not using it.

When to Transfer (Pro Tips)

✓ Best Time to Transfer

AMEX periodically runs transfer bonuses — 30%, 50%, even 140% bonus points to specific partners. Combine a bonus with a low award rate for maximum value.

✓ The Buffer Strategy

Always transfer slightly more than you need (add 5-10%). It's better to have leftover points in your airline account than to be short.

🏆 Quick Summary

1. Find space first — Use Aeroplan, BA.com, or Seats.aero

2. Confirm the route — Write down exact flight details

3. Transfer points — Enter your loyalty number and amount

4. Book immediately — Don't wait or you might lose the space

Need Help Finding Sweet Spots?

Check out our guides on Aeroplan vs Avios and our AMEX MR Guide for the best ways to use your transferred points.