Run the math first
taxes + fees always move
under baseline → cash may win
This is the kind of math you run before moving points — transfers usually don’t come back.
Illustrative sample — run your own current numbers before booking.
See the worked guides →What Chase, Amex, Citi, and Capital One points are worth by redemption mode — computed with this site’s points math from each issuer’s own published rates and transfer ratios, checked September 15, 2026.
No. JetBlue's Blue Sky FAQ says TrueBlue points cannot go even to United MileagePlus, and none of the JetBlue pages we read lists an airline they can move to. You can book United and some partner flights with points, pool them free with up to 6 other people, or pay to transfer them to another member. Includes bank-to-JetBlue rates.
Search Emirates awards with Classic Rewards on emirates.com or through Qantas, check the First Class status rule and Saver fees, then transfer bank points only when the seat shows.
Chase lists 10 airline and 4 hotel transfer partners, moves points in 1,000-point steps and can take up to 7 business days. Which partners change the math (Hyatt, Avios, JetBlue), which airlines Chase cannot reach, and the order to transfer in without stranding points.
Marriott converts points to most airline programs at 3:1, and adds 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points (10,000 for United; no bonus for Delta, American or Avianca). That makes the transfer size and the hotel value you give up the whole decision: here is the math, then the checks before you move points.
American Express Membership Rewards transfers to 20 programs. 14 are 1:1; Cathay, Emirates and JetBlue give 800 per 1,000 points, Aeromexico 1,600 and Hilton 2,000. Transfers to Delta and JetBlue add a fee of $0.0006 a point, up to $99. Here is what each partner costs from Amex against Chase, Citi and Capital One, and how to tell when a transfer beats Amex Travel.
Sometimes you can hold an award seat before transferring points, but only when the airline or loyalty program you will actually book through offers a hold for your exact itinerary, account, and timing. Do not assume a search result, partner relationship, or another airline’s policy protects the seat. Ask the booking program for a hold first; if it cannot hold the award, keep flexible points where they are until you can ticket immediately or choose a safer fallback.
Assumptions
Award pricing, transfer bonuses, and card benefits change constantly, so every example shows its math and the date it was checked.