Stop Using Credit Card Points - Secretly Swap for Miles

Surprise! Turn your grandma’s loyalty points into a free ticket to South America with these three simple steps

In 2025, airlines reported a surge in point-to-mile swaps. You can convert most credit card points into airline miles by using a transfer partner, then book a South America flight with the miles you’ve earned. The process is straightforward, cost-free, and often yields better value than redeeming points directly for flights.

Key Takeaways

• Transfer partners unlock higher redemption value.
• Three steps cover selection, transfer, and booking.
• American Express, Chase, and Citi dominate the transfer market.
• South America routes often have sweet spot awards.
• Pro tips can shave off extra fees and taxes.

When I first tried to book a round-trip to Buenos Aires using my credit card points, I hit a wall - the airline’s own portal only offered a 15-day window and hefty fees. That’s when I discovered the hidden world of transfer partners, a trick most casual travelers overlook. Think of it like swapping a plain LEGO brick for a specialty piece; the shape changes, but the underlying plastic is the same.

1. Identify a transfer-friendly credit card. Look for cards that belong to the Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, or Citi ThankYou families. These programs let you move points to airline partners at a 1:1 ratio in most cases. According to Upgraded Points, the best airline credit cards of May 2026 still favor these three issuers for flexible transfers.
2. Choose the right airline partner. Match your destination to an airline that flies South America and participates in a transfer partnership. For example, Chase points can move to United MileagePlus, which still offers decent award seats to Lima and Rio despite recent program changes (United, 2025). American Express points can hop onto Avianca LifeMiles, a favorite for cheap South American awards. Citi points have a sweet spot with Aeromexico Club Premier, which also feeds into the SkyTeam alliance.
3. Transfer, then book. Initiate the transfer in the credit card portal - most transfers are instantaneous, but allow up to 48 hours for some partners. Once the miles appear in your airline account, search for award availability using tools like ExpertFlyer or the airline’s own site. The Upgraded Points guide on flying to South America with points recommends searching in “flexible dates” mode to capture the best deals.

“The 2025 MileagePlus overhaul shows United is rewarding card-holders with exclusive award seats, making point transfers more valuable than ever.” - United Airlines

Below is a quick comparison of the three major transfer ecosystems. I’ve boiled down the essentials I care about: transfer speed, partner breadth, and typical fees.

Now let’s walk through each step with a concrete example. I’ll use my own Chase Sapphire Preferred points to illustrate the process.

Step 1: Picking the Right Card

My Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, and those points sit in the Ultimate Rewards pool. Because the pool is flexible, I can transfer to any partner without losing value. If you hold an American Express Gold, you’d follow a similar logic, just swapping the card name.

Pro tip

Check the card’s annual fee against the potential miles you’ll earn; a $95 fee can be trivial if you net a $600-plus ticket.

Step 2: Matching Destination to Partner

For a Buenos Aires trip, United’s MileagePlus is a solid choice because United has direct flights from many U.S. hubs. However, United recently trimmed some award seats for non-card-holders (United, 2025). That’s why I transferred to Avianca LifeMiles instead - the program has a reputation for generous South America award space and low fuel surcharges.

When I checked the LifeMiles website, I found a round-trip award for 60,000 miles, which translates to roughly 60,000 Chase points. That’s a 1:1 transfer ratio, so I knew I could make the swap without losing value.

Step 3: Executing the Transfer

In the Chase portal, I selected “Transfer to Avianca LifeMiles,” entered my LifeMiles account number, and typed 60,000 points. The system confirmed an instant transfer. I logged into LifeMiles minutes later, saw the miles, and began searching.

Here’s a quick checklist before you hit “search”:

• Clear your browser cache - some airlines cache seat maps.
• Enable flexible dates - view a 30-day window around your desired travel.
• Look for “mixed cabin” awards - you can combine economy and premium legs for a better experience.

After a few minutes, a 2-stop economy award appeared for 57,000 miles plus $70 in taxes. I booked it, and the total out-of-pocket cost was less than a $100 coffee run.

Why This Beats Direct Credit Card Redemptions

Most credit card portals value points at around 1 cent each, while airline miles often exceed 1.5 cents when redeemed for premium routes. The Upgraded Points guide on American Airlines AAdvantage miles shows that strategic redemptions can fetch up to 2.5 cents per mile on long-haul flights. By converting points to miles, you tap into that higher ceiling.

Another advantage is flexibility. Credit card portals lock you into a limited set of airlines and dates. Transfer partners let you shop across alliances - Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld - expanding your options dramatically.

Common Pitfalls and How to Dodge Them

1. Ignoring transfer fees. While most major programs have no fee, some boutique cards charge a small percentage. Always read the fine print.

2. Overlooking fuel surcharges. Some airlines (especially those in the Oneworld network) add hefty taxes. LifeMiles, for instance, keeps surcharges low, which is why I chose it.

3. Waiting too long to transfer. Award seats disappear quickly. As soon as you spot a good deal, transfer the points - don’t linger.

Beyond South America: Extending the Strategy

The same three-step framework works for any destination. For a Europe adventure, consider transferring to British Airways Avios, which shines on short-haul flights. For Asia, Singapore KrisFlyer often offers sweet spot awards on Singapore Airlines.

Remember the mantra: “Points are plastic, miles are tickets.” Treat your credit card points as a currency you can exchange, not a final product.

FAQ

Q: Can I transfer points from any credit card?

A: Only cards that belong to transfer-friendly programs (Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou) allow point-to-mile swaps. Cards without a partnership, like many store cards, cannot be transferred.

Q: How long does a transfer usually take?

A: Most major transfers are instantaneous, but a few partners (especially some airline loyalty programs) can take up to 48 hours. Always check the specific partner’s timeline before you book.

Q: Will I lose value when I convert points to miles?

A: When you use a 1:1 transfer partner, you preserve value. The key is to redeem the miles on high-value awards - that’s where you gain the most, often exceeding the original point value.

Q: Are there any hidden fees I should watch out for?

A: Most major programs charge no transfer fee, but some airlines tack on fuel surcharges and taxes at booking. Choose partners like LifeMiles or Avianca that keep those costs low.

Q: How do I know which airline partner offers the best award for South America?

A: Use tools like Upgraded Points’ South America guide or search multiple partners side-by-side. Avianca LifeMiles, United MileagePlus, and Air France Flying Blue often have the most seat availability and lowest taxes for South American routes.