How to Combine Points from Different Programs 

Introduction: The Realities of Combining Points from Different Programs 

Combining points from different loyalty programs isn’t just a dream for frequent travelers—it’s a strategic move backed by real mechanics and program rules. Whether you hold credit card points, hotel loyalty points, or airline miles, the good news is that many programs today allow for legitimate point transfers or pooling options. However, this is not as simple as clicking a button to merge all your rewards into one mega-account. The travel loyalty ecosystem is governed by strict rules, partnership agreements, and transfer ratios that must be understood before making any move.

This guide cuts through vague advice and explains how to combine points from different programs using real-world options. We'll discuss the role of transfer partners, point pooling within families or groups, credit card flexible currencies, and the intricacies of alliances such as Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam. We'll also explore real limitations—like programs that do not allow direct transfers—and offer workaround strategies for those seeking maximum value.

There is no universal solution to merge all points, but once you know which currencies are flexible and which partnerships exist, you can effectively redirect your earning and redemption strategy. Instead of letting unused points expire or sit idle, this guide empowers you to build a more cohesive rewards ecosystem—factually and strategically.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which programs allow what kind of combinations, the tools required to move points, and the best practices to optimize travel rewards across systems. Let’s dive into the real techniques behind merging points for maximum redemption power

1. Understanding Flexible Credit Card Points and Their Transfer Potential 

One of the most powerful tools for combining points across different programs is flexible credit card currencies. Issuers like American Express, Chase, Capital One, and Citi have developed reward systems that serve as the central hub for airline and hotel transfers.

American Express Membership Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to over 20 airline and hotel partners. Notably, these include:

• Airline Partners: Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios, Emirates Skywards, ANA Mileage Club

• Hotel Partners: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors

Each transfer has a defined transfer ratio, often 1:1 for airlines and 1:2 for hotels like Hilton. For example, transferring 1,000 Amex points usually nets you 1,000 Delta SkyMiles or 2,000 Hilton Honors points.

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase offers transfers to major travel programs, such as:

• Airlines: United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, British Airways Avios

• Hotels: World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy

Chase points are most valuable when transferred to World of Hyatt, thanks to high redemption values.

Capital One Miles

Capital One’s miles are transferable to both airlines and hotels, though the ratios may differ. Partners include:

• Airlines: Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles

• Hotels: Accor Live Limitless

Capital One often runs promotions for improved transfer ratios.

Citi ThankYou Points

Citi’s partners include:

• Airlines: Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways

• Hotels: Choice Privileges

The key advantage of these currencies is flexibility. You can’t combine airline miles from different programs directly (e.g., Delta and United), but you can transfer your Amex points to the respective airline when needed. This gives you indirect access to multiple ecosystems, making credit card points a powerful bridge.

To leverage these systems, understand:

• Minimum transfer amounts (usually 1,000 points)

• Transfer times (instant to a few days)

• Non-refundable nature of transfers

• Promotions offering bonus points (e.g., 30% bonus to British Airways)

Once you have a grasp of credit card points, you’re equipped to direct rewards where they have the most value based on your travel goals.

2. Using Airline Alliances to Maximize Point Transfers 

Airline alliances are among the most strategic methods to combine or leverage miles across different carriers. While you cannot directly transfer miles from one airline to another, alliances allow you to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines—effectively combining value without combining balances.

There are three major alliances:

• Star Alliance (26 airlines): Includes United Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada

• oneworld (13 airlines): Includes American Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways

• SkyTeam (19 airlines): Includes Delta Air Lines, KLM, Air France, Korean Air

How It Works:

If you earn miles with United Airlines, you can use them to book flights on any Star Alliance partner, like Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines. Similarly, British Airways Avios can be used to book American Airlines flights through oneworld.

This allows travelers to:

• Redeem for routes not operated by the airline they have miles with

• Get better availability through partner carriers

• Access lower redemption rates by using alternative partners (e.g., using Iberia Avios instead of British Airways)

Alliance-Based Booking Strategies:

• Use Avianca LifeMiles to book Lufthansa business class for fewer miles than Lufthansa Miles&More.

• Redeem Air France Flying Blue miles on Delta flights, often with lower surcharges than SkyMiles.

• Use British Airways Avios for short-haul American Airlines flights—offering great value in economy.

While alliances don’t allow true balance transfers, they provide shared value ecosystems, making your miles work across a broader network. This is a factual and underutilized method to extend point utility.

It’s also essential to know:

• Award availability varies by partner

• Taxes and fees may differ depending on the booking carrier

• Some partners block premium cabin access (e.g., United blocks Lufthansa First)

Understanding how to book across alliances and use miles tactically makes your existing miles feel far more flexible—even if you can’t technically merge balances.

3. Hotel Loyalty Programs with Transfer and Pooling Options 

Hotel loyalty programs offer more flexibility for combining points than airline programs, particularly through point pooling and transfer-to-travel-partner options.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott allows:

• Point transfers to airline programs (over 40 partners), typically at a 3:1 ratio

• Point pooling with other Marriott members (up to 100,000 points per year)

This means you can combine points with a spouse or family member and transfer to airlines like Delta, Emirates, or United—useful if you're topping off an account for a flight.

Hilton Honors

Hilton’s features include:

• Free point pooling with up to 10 other members

• Transfer to airlines, though often with poor value (e.g., 10,000 Hilton = 1,000 airline miles)

The key strength here is easy pooling, especially for group travel.

World of Hyatt

Hyatt allows:

• Points transfers to other members with a form

• Airline transfers (limited value but possible)

Hyatt points transfer to some airline programs at low rates, so it’s typically best to redeem within Hyatt. But pooling with family is excellent for combining balances.

IHG One Rewards

IHG offers:

• Point sharing (limited to paid feature)

• Transfers to airlines at poor ratios

Because transfer rates are so low, IHG points are best used for hotel stays.

Accor Live Limitless

Accor allows direct transfers to airline partners like Flying Blue or Qantas. However, rates are fixed and relatively low in value.

Pro Tip:

Hotel programs also frequently partner with credit card programs, creating multiple transfer opportunities. For instance:

• Transfer Amex or Chase points to Marriott or Hyatt

• Pool hotel points to a single member, then transfer to an airline program

These tactics give hotel points a unique advantage: while direct merging isn’t universal, pooling and indirect transfers through partnerships create real synergy.

4. Alternative and Creative Ways to Combine or Redeem Points 

When standard transfer methods don’t apply, creative workarounds allow travelers to still use their points efficiently across systems.

Points.com Platform

Some programs (like Aeroplan, Hilton, and IHG) partner with Points.com, allowing:

• Direct transfers or exchanges between loyalty programs

• Often poor rates, but useful to top off accounts

Always evaluate transfer ratios before proceeding. It’s not ideal for high-value redemptions but may be acceptable to prevent expiration or complete a needed award.

Family Pooling or Household Accounts

Certain programs allow family or household pooling, such as:

• British Airways Avios (up to 7 household members)

• JetBlue TrueBlue (family pooling with up to 7 members)

• Etihad Guest (family accounts)

• HawaiianMiles (share with family free)

This doesn’t combine points from different programs but consolidates balances within a group—hugely beneficial for families or joint redemptions.

Buy Points Promotions

Some travelers buy points during promotions to complete redemptions across programs. It’s not combining per se, but simulating a transfer by boosting balances in needed programs.

Mileage Brokers and Transfer Marketplaces (Not Recommended)

There are unofficial brokers and marketplaces that claim to allow point transfers across systems. These violate terms of service and may result in forfeiture of points or account closure.

Third-Party Tools and Tracking

Apps like AwardWallet and Point.Me don’t combine points but help track balances across systems, recommend transfer options, and highlight award availability—helpful for planning optimal combinations.

By knowing the exact tools and limitations available, you avoid wasting points or missing redemption opportunities. Creative combination strategies often involve triangular moves: transferring from credit card → hotel → airline or pooling to one person → then redeeming.

Real-world redemptions are about smart planning, not direct merging.

Conclusion: Combining Points with Strategy and Facts  

Combining points from different programs isn’t a myth—it’s a legitimate and strategic process based on understanding partnerships, flexible currencies, and program-specific rules. While no single method lets you throw all your miles and points into one mega-account, you can align your points across systems to work toward a single reward goal.

The most effective approach starts with flexible credit card currencies—these act as the main bridge between hotel and airline programs. Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points all provide gateways to multiple travel ecosystems. By understanding their transfer partners, you gain control over where your points ultimately land.

Next, you need to be aware of the airline alliance structures. While they don’t allow mile transfers, they do enable redemptions across partner networks. Booking a Lufthansa flight with United miles or an American Airlines trip with British Airways Avios are real, high-value examples.

Hotel programs offer pooling and family sharing, which is ideal for consolidating group balances and enabling redemptions like multi-room stays or joint bookings. Combining points this way doesn’t break the rules—it works within the system.

Ultimately, the key is to think strategically. Use transfer ratios, booking partners, and pooling options to bring value together, even if point balances technically remain separate. With knowledge and planning, you’ll turn scattered rewards into a powerful tool for free or discounted travel.

Don’t let your points sit idle in separate accounts. Start combining smartly—using real options, real partners, and proven methods.