The Thrifty Traveler Podcast · Tuesday, September 8, 2026
When transferring points, a major pitfall is not checking award availability beforehand, leading to transferred points that cannot be used for desired flights. Other common mistakes include transferring to the wrong loyalty program number, not being aware of transfer ratios (though most are 1:1), and importantly, understanding that once transferred, points are irreversible. It's crucial to be certain about the redemption before confirming the transfer.
“The biggest pitfall is transferring points without first checking award availability. You don't want to transfer your points to United, only to find out that there are no award seats available for the flight you want to book.”
“Another pitfall is transferring points to the wrong program. Make sure you have the correct loyalty program number. Also, be aware of the transfer ratios. Most transfers are one-to-one, but some can be less. And finally, understand that once points are transferred, they cannot be transferred back. So, make sure you're certain about your redemption before you hit confirm.”