In short: find an award seat, compare which programs can book it, check which of your banks reaches that program, hold the seat if you can, then transfer and book. Transfers can't be undone, so the seat always comes first.
The most common points mistake is moving points to an airline and then looking for a seat. Do it in this order instead.
1. Find a seat you can book with miles
Award seats are limited and not every flight has them. Search the airline alliance, not just one airline: a United flight might be bookable with Air Canada miles, and an American flight with British Airways or Qatar Avios.
Be flexible where you can. A day earlier, a nearby airport, or a connection opens up a lot more seats.
2. Work out which program prices it best
The same seat can cost very different amounts in different programs, with different taxes and fees. Check two or three that can book it before choosing.
3. Check which of your banks can reach that program
Then check the ratio from your card. Most are 1 to 1, but not all, and some changed in 2026. The full list is in where your points can go.
4. Hold the seat if you can, then transfer
Some airlines let you hold an award for a day or two. Transfer only once the seat is there and the price is confirmed. Most transfers arrive instantly, but some take days, and transfers can't be undone.
5. Book, then check the taxes
Taxes and fees on award tickets range from a few dollars to hundreds, depending on the airline and the route. They're part of the real cost. Use the cents per point check with the taxes included.
Which bank points reach each alliance
These are the alliance programs the five big banks transfer to. Any of them can book flights on its alliance partners.
| Alliance | Programs you can transfer to | Banks |
|---|---|---|
| Star Alliance (United, Lufthansa, ANA, Air Canada, Singapore and more) | Air Canada Aeroplan, United, ANA, Singapore KrisFlyer, Avianca LifeMiles, Turkish, TAP, EVA Air, Thai | All five |
| oneworld (American, British Airways, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and more) | British Airways, Iberia, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Finnair, American, Alaska | All five |
| SkyTeam (Delta, Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic and more) | Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Aeromexico | All five |
Not in an alliance, but on the transfer lists: Emirates, Etihad, JetBlue, Southwest and Aer Lingus.
Mistakes this order avoids
- Points stuck in the wrong program. Transferred miles can't go back to the bank.
- Paying more than you had to. The first program you check is often not the cheapest one for that seat.
- A worse ratio than needed. Some banks reach the same program at different ratios, so check before choosing.
- Missing a bonus. If a transfer bonus is running to the program you picked, it can lower the price.