Can I Transfer Miles from one Airline to Another?

There are different steps you can take to convert miles from one airline to another, but not in the same way you would move money from your financial accounts.

Delta, for example, is famous for being the Slum Lord of mileage programs. Miles come in, and they don’t transfer out.

Most of the time you end up with less miles than you begin with. Frequent flyer accounts are proprietary currencies controlled by the airlines that provide them.

Let’s look at two possible methods of moving miles:

Change points from one account to another… to another…
Oftentimes, you can transfer points from airlines to hotels or other services, and then back to an airline.

Airline to airline is more difficult without an in between stop. You’ll need to open a few other accounts, and there’s a delay as your points travel from program to program.

Your options are not the appealing, because you give up a lot of value. If you need better options, there’s a calculator and planner at Webflyer.com that offers conversion alternatives.

Points.com

Some time ago Points.com merged with Milepoint.com. These companies are on a mission to capitalize on people like you. Not all airlines are signed on to this service, and (check this out) they won’t tell you what the conversion rates are until you’ve signed up AND registered your accounts with them.

Then they’ll clobber you with useless emails on a very regular basis. Neither option is traveler friendly, but if you’re pressed enough for that free seat, maybe you can make it work for you.

transfer points