Program Directory
Clear, structured references for major rewards programs — covering how they work, expiration rules, transfer partners, and who they are best for.
Bank Transfer Partner Matrix
See which bank programs transfer to which airlines and hotels
Bank
American Express Membership Rewards
Amex's transferable points program with 20 transfer partners — 17 airlines and 3 hotels — the largest partner network among US bank programs. Earned on Platinum, Gold, Green, and business Amex cards.
Bank of America Preferred Rewards
Bank of America's balance-based loyalty boost program that multiplies cash back on eligible BofA credit cards by up to 75% for customers with $100,000+ in combined BofA and Merrill investment and deposit accounts. Not a points currency — a spending multiplier that makes BofA cards competitive with Chase Sapphire and Amex Gold for customers already banking with Merrill.
Bilt Rewards
Bilt's transferable points program, built around a $0 annual fee Mastercard that earns points on rent payments with no transaction fee. The transfer partner list — 14+ airline and hotel programs at 1:1 — is unusually strong for a no-annual-fee card and puts Bilt in direct competition with paid travel cards.
Capital One Miles
Capital One's transferable points program — called Miles despite being a genuine transferable currency — earned primarily through the Venture and Venture X cards. The program's strength is a simple 2x earn rate on everything, backed by 22 transfer partners (18 airlines, 4 hotels) and a premium card (Venture X) whose $395 annual fee is largely offset by a $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles.
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase's transferable points currency, earned across Sapphire, Ink, and Freedom cards. Points transfer 1:1 to 14 airline and hotel partners — including World of Hyatt, which alone makes this the strongest bank program for hotel redemptions.
Citi ThankYou Points
Citi's transferable points currency, earned across the Strata Elite, Strata Premier, and no-fee cards. The unique selling point: exclusive access to American Airlines AAdvantage transfers, which no other bank program offers.
Discover Cashback Bonus
Discover's cash back program, built around 5% rotating quarterly categories and a first-year cash back match that doubles everything you earn in year one. No annual fee, no transfer partners, no points currency — purely cash back, with the first-year match making it one of the strongest beginner offers in the market.
U.S. Bank FlexPerks
U.S. Bank's rewards program, split between the Altitude Reserve (best-in-class for mobile wallet spending at an effective 7.5% return) and the FlexPerks Travel Rewards card (simpler, lower-fee tier). The Altitude Reserve's 5x on tap-to-pay purchases combined with a 1.5 cents-per-point travel redemption rate is the highest cash return on mobile payments of any card in the US market.
Wells Fargo Rewards
Wells Fargo's transferable points program, available through the Autograph and Autograph Journey cards. The Autograph Journey ($95/year) introduced airline transfer partners in 2024, making Wells Fargo one of the more recent entrants to the transferable points space among major US banks. The transfer partner list overlaps heavily with Capital One and Citi but includes Flying Blue and Avianca LifeMiles as the strongest options.
Airline
Air Canada Aeroplan
Air Canada's loyalty program and one of the most valuable Star Alliance programs for award redemptions. Aeroplan uses distance-based pricing for partner awards — making it a top transfer target from Chase UR and Amex MR.
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Air France and KLM's shared loyalty program, known for Monthly Promo Rewards — rotating monthly discounts on award pricing that can cut redemption costs by 25–50%. A top transfer target for transatlantic SkyTeam awards.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Alaska's frequent flyer program with a published partner award chart and the largest airline partner network of any US carrier — 40+ airlines. No major bank currency transfers in, so you must earn miles directly.
American Airlines AAdvantage
American Airlines' loyalty program, among the world's largest by enrollment. Oneworld alliance coverage across 14 member airlines with strong transatlantic and transpacific partner networks.
ANA Mileage Club
All Nippon Airways' frequent flyer program, notable for maintaining a fixed award chart when most carriers have abandoned them. The primary Star Alliance transfer target for Amex MR cardholders seeking Japan and Asia premium cabin redemptions.
Asiana Airlines Asiana Club
Asiana Airlines' frequent flyer program and a Star Alliance member — but one currently in the middle of a Korean Air acquisition that creates real uncertainty about the program's future. Not recommended for active accumulation until the merger situation clarifies.
Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca's Star Alliance frequent flyer program, notable for a fixed award chart that often prices Star Alliance partner flights cheaper than booking through the partner airline's own program. A strong transfer target for Amex and Citi cardholders — especially when transfer bonuses are running.
British Airways / The Club (Avios)
British Airways' loyalty program, rebranded as 'The Club' in late 2024. Avios are shared with Iberia Plus, Vueling, and Aer Lingus — and can be used for distance-based award pricing on American Airlines domestic routes.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Cathay Pacific's oneworld frequent flyer program, with a fixed award chart covering Cathay's own flights and oneworld partners. Best known for access to Cathay's Business Class and First Class products, rated among the finest in the industry.
Delta SkyMiles
Delta's frequent flyer program with no-expiration miles and dynamic award pricing. A SkyTeam founding member with global coverage across 19 member airlines.
Emirates Skywards
Emirates' frequent flyer program, best used for accessing its own premium cabin products — particularly the A380 Business and First Class. Transfer partners Amex MR and Citi TY make it reachable for US earners, but fuel surcharges on award redemptions are the primary cost to factor in.
Etihad Guest
Etihad Airways' frequent flyer program, based in Abu Dhabi. Reachable via Amex MR and Citi ThankYou transfers at 1:1. Best suited for travelers targeting Middle East or Australia routes where Etihad has competitive award pricing. Smaller network and less compelling than Emirates for most US travelers.
Frontier Airlines Frontier Miles
Frontier's frequent flyer program for a US ultra-low-cost carrier. Points are earned and redeemed against dynamic cash fares. The 6-month inactivity expiry is the most important thing to know.
JetBlue TrueBlue
JetBlue's frequent flyer program with points that never expire and dynamic award pricing. No alliance, but a standout premium product (Mint) on transcontinental and select transatlantic routes.
Korean Air SKYPASS
Korean Air's frequent flyer program, notable for a 10-year mile expiration window — among the most generous in the industry — and access to Delta First Class at fixed rates through the SkyTeam alliance.
Lufthansa Miles & More
Europe's largest frequent flyer program, spanning Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines. Known for the exclusive HON Circle tier — one of aviation's most coveted elite statuses.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Singapore Airlines' frequent flyer program, prized for access to its Suites and Business Class — widely considered among the best premium cabin products in the world. A top transfer target from Chase UR and Amex MR.
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest's loyalty program built around revenue-based earning and the legendary Companion Pass — one of the most aspirational status benefits in US domestic travel.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Turkish Airlines' frequent flyer program and a Star Alliance member. Best known among US travelers for its fixed award chart, which prices Star Alliance partner awards — including Lufthansa Business Class and ANA — at rates often below what those airlines charge through their own programs. Citi ThankYou is the only major US transfer partner.
United MileagePlus
United's frequent flyer program — the largest in the Star Alliance network. Strong domestic coverage from major US hubs combined with Star Alliance global reach across 1,300+ airports.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Virgin Atlantic's SkyTeam frequent flyer program. Unusual among airline programs in accepting transfers from all three major US bank currencies — Chase UR, Amex MR, and Citi TY — all at 1:1. Best known for ANA Business Class bookings to Japan and Upper Class awards to London without fuel surcharges.
Hotel
Accor Live Limitless (ALL)
Accor's global loyalty program covering 5,400+ properties across 50+ brands in 110 countries — from Raffles and Fairmont at the top to ibis at the bottom. The program to know if you travel heavily in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia-Pacific; largely irrelevant if you rarely leave North America.
Best Western Rewards
BWH Hotels' loyalty program covering 4,500+ properties in 100+ countries, spanning midscale Best Western brands, economy SureStay, extended-stay Executive Residency, and the WorldHotels luxury collection. The defining feature: points never expire, with no activity requirement whatsoever.
Choice Privileges
Choice Hotels' loyalty program, covering 7,500+ properties across budget and midscale US brands. The standout feature is inbound transfers from Amex Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points at 1:1 — rare for a budget hotel program — which opens up Cambria and Ascend Collection properties as occasional aspirational redemptions.
Hilton Honors
Hilton's loyalty program covering 7,500+ properties across 22 brands — the widest hotel footprint of any loyalty program. Points earn at high rates but redeem at below-average value; dynamic pricing makes costs unpredictable.
IHG One Rewards
IHG's loyalty program covering 6,000+ properties across 19 brands — from Six Senses and InterContinental at the top to Holiday Inn Express and avid hotels at the bottom. The program is ordinary without a Chase IHG Premier card; with it, the 4th night free on award stays transforms the math entirely.
Marriott Bonvoy
The world's largest hotel loyalty program by property count, spanning 8,500+ properties across 30+ brands from Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis down to Courtyard and Fairfield. Fully dynamic award pricing since 2022 makes luxury redemptions expensive and unpredictable, but the 5th Night Free benefit and sheer coverage make it worth holding for road warriors.
Radisson Rewards (Americas)
Radisson Hotel Group's loyalty program covering 1,100+ properties across brands including Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn, and Country Inn & Suites. The Americas and EMEAA programs run separately — your point balance and tier from one does not carry into the other.
World of Hyatt
Hyatt's loyalty program, widely praised as the best-value hotel points currency in the US. A fixed award chart, generous elite benefits at achievable thresholds, and a 1:1 transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards make it disproportionately powerful relative to Hyatt's smaller portfolio.
Wyndham Rewards
The loyalty program for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, covering 9,000+ properties across 24 brands — from Super 8 to Wyndham Grand — plus Vacasa vacation rentals. Free nights start at a flat 7,500 points, making this the most accessible hotel redemption in the industry.
Portals
Airline & Hotel Shopping Portals
Online shopping portals run by airlines and hotels that pay you miles or points per dollar spent at partnered retailers. Stack them with credit card rewards to double-dip on every purchase.
Amex Offers
Targeted statement credits and bonus Membership Rewards point promotions loaded through the Amex app or website. Available to every American Express cardholder — not just premium cards.
Chase Offers
Targeted merchant deals loaded through the Chase app or website. Activate an offer, pay with your Chase card, and get a statement credit or bonus Ultimate Rewards points automatically.
Rakuten
The largest cashback portal in North America with 17+ million members and $4.6 billion in total cashback paid. The real draw for points enthusiasts: you can redirect all cashback as Amex Membership Rewards points instead of cash.
Dining
American Express Dining (Resy)
Not a standalone loyalty program. Amex bundles dining credits, Resy reservation perks, and targeted Amex Offers into several premium cards. The value depends entirely on which Amex card you hold and whether you actively use the credits each month.
Chase Dining (via Ultimate Rewards Cards)
Chase Dining is not a standalone loyalty program. It is a credit card earn category (3x on dining) plus a reservation platform, both tied to Chase Ultimate Rewards cards.
OpenTable Dining Rewards
OpenTable awards points for honored reservations, redeemable as dining checks. The earn rate is low — treat it as a small perk on top of a useful reservation tool, not a loyalty program worth optimizing.
Rewards Network Dining (Airline & Hotel Dining Programs)
Rewards Network powers card-linked dining programs for major airlines and hotels, including United MileagePlus Dining, Delta SkyMiles Dining, and Marriott Eat Around Town. Register a credit card, eat at participating restaurants, and earn miles or points deposited directly into your loyalty account.