There are a number of rewards credit cards that let you transfer the reward points you earn to different frequent flyer programs. These cards are sometimes referred to as indirect rewards credit cards. The process for transferring frequent flyer points from a rewards credit card varies depending on the credit card provider and the frequent flyer program. This guide looks at the different credit card providers that offer this service and how it works so that you can make your credit card and frequent flyer rewards go further.
Credit card rewards programs covered in this guide
How do I transfer my credit card rewards to a frequent flyer program?
The following section provides details of the transfer process for individual credit card providers and airline loyalty programs, so that you know exactly what steps you need to take.
American Express Membership Rewards
If you have an American Express credit card that earns Membership Rewards, you can transfer points to a wide range of frequent flyer programs using the following steps:
Log into your account.
Link your frequent flyer membership number to your Membership Rewards account.
Select the ‘redeem’ option.
Follow the prompts to transfer your Membership Reward points to your chosen frequent flyer program.
American Express offers Membership Rewards on a wide range of its personal and business cards, including:
200 Membership Rewards points = 1 Airpoints Dollar
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Minimum transfer amount: 5,000 points
Estimated transfer time: 3 business days
2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Asia Mile
Emirates Skyward
Minimum transfer amount: 3,000 points
Estimated transfer time: 1 business day
3 Membership Rewards points = 1 Skywards Mile
Etihad Guest
Minimum transfer amount: 1,000 points
Estimated transfer time: 7 business days
2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Etihad Guest Mile
Hawaiian Airlines
Minimum transfer amount: 2,000 points
Estimated transfer time: Up to 1 business day
2 Membership Rewards Points = 1 HawaiianMiles
Malaysia Airlines Enrich
Minimum transfer amount: 1000 points
Estimated transfer time: 2 business days
2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Enrich Mile
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Minimum transfer amount: 500 points
Estimated transfer time: Up to 1 business day
2 Membership Rewards Points = 1 Avios
Qantas Frequent Flyer (Only available for select cardholders, e.g. those enrolled in the Business Ascent and Ascent Premium programs)
Minimum transfer amount: 2,000 points
Estimated transfer time: 6 business days
2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Qantas Point
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Minimum transfer amount: 7,500 points
Estimated transfer time: 1 business day
3 Membership Rewards points = 1 KrisFlyer Mile
Thai Royal Orchid Plus
Minimum transfer amount: 5000 points
Estimated transfer time: 5 business days
2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Royal Orchid Plus Mile
Virgin Australia Velocity
Minimum transfer amount: 2000 points
Estimated transfer time: 1 business day
2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Velocity Point
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Minimum transfer amount: 2000 points
Estimated transfer time: 1 business days
2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Flying Club mile
Hilton Honors
Minimum transfer amount: 2000 points
Estimated transfer time: 1 business day
2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Honors point
Marriott Bonvoy
Minimum transfer amount: 1000 points
Estimated transfer time: 3 business days
3 Membership Rewards points = 2 Marriott Points
American Express also notes that points transferred to frequent flyer programs are not reversible and are subject to the terms and conditions of both Membership Rewards and the partner program. So you may want to double-check details before transferring points from your Membership Rewards card.
Citi Rewards, Citi Premier cards: 3 points = 1 KrisFlyer Mile
Citi Prestige card: 2.5 points = 1 KrisFlyer Mile
Eithad Guest (Citi Prestige only)
Minimum transfer
Not publicly listed. Log in to see full transfer details.
Estimated transfer time: Allow up to 10 business days for your Citibank Reward Points to be exchanged to Etihad Guest Miles.
Starts from 1.5 Premier Miles to 1 Etihad Guest Mile
Citi also says it reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time without notice. So for the most up-to-date details, login to your Citi Rewards account and check your options there.
The CommBank Awards program allows you to transfer Awards points to either the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program or the Velocity Frequent Flyer Program. There are different requirements for each of these options, which are outlined in the table below. To transfer points, you will need to have one of the following cards:
The Diners Club Rewards program gives you the ability to transfer your reward points to a number of frequent flyer programs. If you're an existing cardholder, you can redeem your points by logging into your account or calling Diners Club. Important: Diners Club has announced it is closing down in Australia and any Diners Club Rewards Points must be redeemed by 30 July 2024.
We have kept the details below based on past point transfer options, but keep in mind that point transfers may vary and be more limited. Existing cardholders can log in to get full details.
Frequent flyer program
Transfer requirements
Points rates
Air Canada Aeroplan
Rewards must be redeemed by the primary cardholder and the frequent flyer account must be in their name.
Estimated transfer time: Up to 28 days
2 Rewards points = 1 Aeroplan point
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Rewards must be redeemed by the primary cardholder and the frequent flyer account must be in their name.
Estimated transfer time: Up to 28 days
2 Rewards points = 1 Mileage Plan point
American Airlines AAdvantage
Rewards must be redeemed by the primary cardholder and the frequent flyer account must be in their name.
Estimated transfer time: Up to 28 days
2 Rewards points = 1 AAdvantage point
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Rewards must be redeemed by the primary cardholder and the frequent flyer account must be in their name.
Estimated transfer time: Up to 28 days
2 Rewards points = 1 Asia Mile
Delta SkyMiles
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
2 Rewards points = 1 Delta SkyMile
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
3 Rewards points = 1 Infinity MileageLands Mile
Emirates Skywards
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
2.5 Rewards points = 1 Skywards Mile
Etihad Guest
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
2 Rewards points = 1 Guest Mile
EL AL Israel Airlines Matmid Club
Rewards must be redeemed by the primary cardholder and the frequent flyer account must be in their name.
Minimum transfer. Your redemption must be in blocks of 4,000 Diners Club Reward points.
Estimated transfer time: Up to 28 days
2 Rewards points = 1 Matmid Point
Flying Blue(Air France and KLM)
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
2 Rewards points = 1 Flying Blue Award Mile
Flybuys
Subject to Flybuys terms and conditions
1 Rewards point = 1 flybuy point
Frontier Airlines Early Returns
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
2 Rewards points = 1 EarlyReturns Mile
Garuda Indonesia Frequent Flyer
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
2 Rewards points = 1 Garuda Frequent Flyer Mile
Hawaiian Miles
Rewards must be redeemed by the primary cardholder and the frequent flyer account must be in their name.
Minimum transfer. Your redemption must be in blocks of 4,000 Diners Club Reward points.
Estimated transfer time: Up to 28 days
2 Rewards points = 1 Hawaiian Mile
Malaysia Airlines Enrich
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
2 Rewards points = 1 Enrich Mile
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
2 Rewards points = 1 Avios
SAS EuroBonus
Rewards must be redeemed by the primary cardholder and the frequent flyer account must be in their name.
Minimum transfer. Your redemption must be in blocks of 4,000 Diners Club Reward points.
Estimated transfer time: Up to 28 days
2 Rewards points = 1 EuroBonus Point
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
2 Rewards points = 1 KrisFlyer Mile
South African Airways Voyager
Rewards must be redeemed by the primary cardholder and the frequent flyer account must be in their name.
Minimum transfer. Your redemption must be in blocks of 4,000 Diners Club Reward points.
Estimated transfer time: Up to 28 days
2 Rewards points = 1 Voyager Mile
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
Rewards must be redeemed by the primary cardholder and the frequent flyer account must be in their name.
Minimum transfer. Your redemption must be in blocks of 4,000 Diners Club Reward points.
Estimated transfer time: Up to 28 days
2 Rewards points = 1 Rapid Rewards Point
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
2 Rewards points = 1 Royal Orchid Plus Mile
Virgin Australia Velocity
Subject to frequent flyer program terms and conditions
If you have an HSBC credit card enrolled in Rewards Plus, you can transfer your points to three different frequent flyer programs. Just provide your frequent flyer membership number to HSBC and login to your account to redeem your reward points for the selected frequent flyer miles. There are two HSBC credit cards that offer Rewards Plus:
Minimum transfer. You can transfer either 2,500 or 5,000 HSBC points at a time.
Estimated transfer time: 4-6 weeks
1 HSBC Premier Reward Points = 0.5 Asia Miles
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (HSBC Premier only)
Minimum transfer. You can transfer either 2,500 or 5,000 HSBC points at a time.
Estimated transfer time: 15 working days
1 HSBC Premier Reward Points = 0.5 KrisFlyer Miles
Virgin Australia Velocity
Initial transfer: Minimum 5,000 HSBC Rewards Points. Your redemption must be in blocks of 5,000 or 10,000 HSBC Rewards Points. Estimated transfer time: Up to 5 business days
1 HSBC Premier Reward Points = 0.5 Velocity Points
With a St.George credit card that earns Amplify Rewards, you can transfer your points to three different frequent flyer programs. You can get Amplify Rewards with any of the following St.George credit cards:
Points can only be redeemed in multiples of 500 and you must be a member of the selected frequent flyer program. 3,000 point minimum for transfers unless opting into Velocity auto-redemption.
Virgin Australia Velocity: 2 Amplify Points = 1 Velocity Point
Suncorp’s Points Transfer option is only available on Suncorp Platinum and Business Clear Options credit card accounts enrolled in Suncorp Bank Rewards.
Frequent flyer program
Transfer requirements
Points rates
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Minimum transfer. Minimum of 25,000 Suncorp Rewards points per transfer
2.5 Reward points = 1 KrisFlyer Mile
Virgin Australia Velocity
Minimum transfer. Minimum of 25,000 Suncorp Rewards points per transfer
The Westpac Altitude Rewards program lets you convert your points to a selection of major international airline frequent flyer programs. You must have earned at least 3,000 points before you can claim any rewards. There are two personal Westpac Altitude cards and two business options to choose from:
You can compare the exchange rates from Altitude Rewards to frequent flyer points below, but please not that some of these transfer terms and conditions will change from 9 November 2018.
Frequent flyer program
Transfer requirements
Points rates
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Minimum of 3,000 Altitude Points required per transfer, with multiples of 500 points after that. Minimum of 6 Altitude Points for autoredemption.
3 Altitude Points = 1 Velocity Point
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
A minimum of 3,000 Altitude Points applies per redemption. Then multiples of 600 Altitude Points apply.
3 Altitude Points = 1 Asia Mile
Air New Zealand Airpoints
There is a minimum conversion of 1,920 Altitude Points. Then multiples of 580 Altitude Points. Allow up to 3 working days for points to appear on your Airpoints account.
180 Altitude Points = 1 Airpoint
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Minimum transfer amount. A minimum of 3,000 Altitude Points are required per redemption and can only be processed in multiples of 500 Altitude Points. Only whole Altitude points can be redeemed for frequent flyer points and no fraction of points can be redeemed.
3 Altitude Points = 1 KrisFlyer Mile
Malaysia Airlines Enrich Miles
You must redeem a minimum of 3,000 Altitude Points per transfer to Enrich points, with redemption of additional Altitude Points in multiples of 600 Reward Points.
Consider the following factors before transferring your credit card reward points to a frequent flyer program to make sure it is worth it.
Frequent flyer membership. You must be a member of the frequent flyer program before you request a point transfer from your credit card. Keep in mind this could lead to an additional membership cost.
Participating frequent flyer programs. Some credit card providers let you transfer points to a wide range of airline loyalty programs, while others may only offer one or two frequent flyer transfer options.
The number of points required. There may be a minimum or maximum amount of credit card rewards you can transfer to a frequent flyer program.
The points rate. The amount of credit card rewards you need to get frequent flyer points varies. For example, 1 credit card reward point may equal 0.5 frequent flyer points.
The transfer time. After you transfer your credit card rewards to a frequent flyer program, it could be up to a month or even longer before they are credited to your frequent flyer account.
Credit card fees. If you get a rewards credit card and want to transfer points to frequent flyer programs, make sure you consider the annual fee, interest rates and other potential costs so that you know it is an affordable option for your needs.
Program changes. Most credit card issuers reserve the right to change their reward program options and redemptions at any time. The same is true for frequent flyer programs, so it’s important to get up-to-date information on your reward options before you transfer points to an airline loyalty program.
Whether you’re a member of several different frequent flyer programs or just want to find other ways to use your credit card rewards, by learning about point transfers you can choose exactly where your points go and how you use them.
Finder survey: How often do Australians redeem their points for flights?
Response
Male
Female
Less than once per year
10.53%
6.38%
1-2 times per year
10.15%
5.86%
Never
4.51%
2.93%
3-4 times per year
2.44%
1.21%
5+ times per year
1.5%
0.34%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1113 Australians, December 2023
Frequently asked questions
No. Once you transfer your credit card’s reward points to frequent flyer points, a reversal is not possible.
Frequent flyer programs don’t normally allow transfer of their points to other frequent flyer programs. However, you can often use your points to redeem rewards with other airlines.
This depends on the card provider. While some credit card reward points never expire, some can expire in a given time period, so it if you’re considering transferring your reward points make sure you pay attention to this aspect.
You can check if you can redeem your rewards points for flight tickets through your rewards program itself. Card providers also keep making additions to their list of partners, so you might want to check if they have any new additions in the pipeline.
Sally McMullen was a creative content producer at Finder. Sally wrote about credit cards for almost 5 years, authoring almost 900 articles on Finder alone. She has also been published in Yahoo Finance, Dynamic Business, Financy and Mamamia, as well as Music Feeds and Rolling Stone. Sally has a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies majoring in Journalism (Hons) from the University of Wollongong.
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Hi Jo,
It depends on the bank or credit card brand that’s associated with your Mastercard. Usually, you need to log in to your credit card account or the associated rewards program, choose “rewards” and follow the steps to transfer them. Some credit card reward programs even have a “frequent flyer” or “points transfer” category where you’ll find these details. Otherwise, contact the rewards program – there should be a phone number on your card or in the rewards program terms and conditions booklet. I hope that helps.
Thanks for getting in touch! The conversion of Altitude Rewards and Altitude Qantas’ terms and conditions depends on the card you are holding. Generally, if you have an Altitude Visa card, Altitude Mastercard, Altitude Platinum Mastercard, Altitude Platinum Plus Mastercard, Altitude Platinum Plus Visa card, Altitude Platinum Visa card, or Altitude Black Mastercard, you may switch all cards linked to the card account between Altitude Rewards and Altitude Qantas programs at any time and any number of times, subject to the time it takes us to process each request. Note that you must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to convert your Altitude rewards to Altitude Qantas. You should allow at least 10 business days for a request to switch to be processed or as advised at the time of your request.
Check your card’s terms and conditions to know if you can convert your Altitude points to Qantas frequent flyer points.
I have a Westpac Altitude Black card with just over a million points. What airline/s could I use to purchase an around the world ticket leaving Australia to USA to UK and then home to Australia
With Westpac Altitude Black, you can redeem your Altitude points through their airline partners which are Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and Air New Zealand. You can log-in to your Altitude Rewards Account to book your flights on any of the above airlines with the available destination of your choice.
I hope this helps.
Let us know if there is anything else that we may assist you with.
I have an Amplify Credit Card that attracts QFF points.
I also have remaining points still sitting in QFF that I was told would be transferred to my Credit Card . Can I merge these 2 lots of points for one flight? Or how can I have the QFF transferred to my Credit Card
Upon checking the page that you’re on, Your qantas frequent flyer points can be added to your credit card if your card is directly linked to a frequent flyer program. You can redeem them for rewards including flights, flight upgrades and travel packages.
Take note that the frequent flyer program may vary because most of the credit card issuers change their reward program options and redemptions at any time. It is best to get an up-to-date information or contact them about your reward options before to transfer points to an airline loyalty program.
So I can assist you further, may I know from what Rewards program are you transferring your points from? The procedure and conversion rates vary depending on your current rewards program.
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How do I convert my MasterCard points to my virgin frequent flyer?
Hi Jo,
It depends on the bank or credit card brand that’s associated with your Mastercard. Usually, you need to log in to your credit card account or the associated rewards program, choose “rewards” and follow the steps to transfer them. Some credit card reward programs even have a “frequent flyer” or “points transfer” category where you’ll find these details. Otherwise, contact the rewards program – there should be a phone number on your card or in the rewards program terms and conditions booklet. I hope that helps.
I would like to convert altitude points to quantas frequent flyer points
Hi Peter,
Thanks for getting in touch! The conversion of Altitude Rewards and Altitude Qantas’ terms and conditions depends on the card you are holding. Generally, if you have an Altitude Visa card, Altitude Mastercard, Altitude Platinum Mastercard, Altitude Platinum Plus Mastercard, Altitude Platinum Plus Visa card, Altitude Platinum Visa card, or Altitude Black Mastercard, you may switch all cards linked to the card account between Altitude Rewards and Altitude Qantas programs at any time and any number of times, subject to the time it takes us to process each request. Note that you must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to convert your Altitude rewards to Altitude Qantas. You should allow at least 10 business days for a request to switch to be processed or as advised at the time of your request.
Check your card’s terms and conditions to know if you can convert your Altitude points to Qantas frequent flyer points.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Nikki
I have a Westpac Altitude Black card with just over a million points. What airline/s could I use to purchase an around the world ticket leaving Australia to USA to UK and then home to Australia
Hi Denis,
Thank you for contacting finder.
With Westpac Altitude Black, you can redeem your Altitude points through their airline partners which are Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and Air New Zealand. You can log-in to your Altitude Rewards Account to book your flights on any of the above airlines with the available destination of your choice.
I hope this helps.
Let us know if there is anything else that we may assist you with.
Cheers,
Ash
I have an Amplify Credit Card that attracts QFF points.
I also have remaining points still sitting in QFF that I was told would be transferred to my Credit Card . Can I merge these 2 lots of points for one flight? Or how can I have the QFF transferred to my Credit Card
Hi Bonita,
Thank you for your inquiry,
Upon checking the page that you’re on, Your qantas frequent flyer points can be added to your credit card if your card is directly linked to a frequent flyer program. You can redeem them for rewards including flights, flight upgrades and travel packages.
Take note that the frequent flyer program may vary because most of the credit card issuers change their reward program options and redemptions at any time. It is best to get an up-to-date information or contact them about your reward options before to transfer points to an airline loyalty program.
I hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Asia
how do i transfer my points to use on qantas or emirates please
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your question.
So I can assist you further, may I know from what Rewards program are you transferring your points from? The procedure and conversion rates vary depending on your current rewards program.
Cheers,
Anndy