Points

Points transfers 101: turning card points into flights

Next to each flight, Tern shows what that fare could cost in transferred card points. Here is how to read those numbers — and when not to trust any points math blindly.

The options come from public transfer ratios between major card programs and airline partners. They are estimates for comparing value; the actual transfer and award booking always happen inside your card and airline accounts.

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  1. Transfer only after you can see award space. Transfers are one-way; points parked in an airline program lose flexibility.
  2. Compare against the cash fare every time. If the cents-per-point value is poor, paying cash and keeping points is winning.
  3. Transfer bonuses appear and vanish monthly. The program pages, not third-party posts, are the source of truth.
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