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There’s more than one way to earn the points or miles you need for an award flight or free night stay. And if you don’t already have enough in your account, two of the quickest methods are transferring points from a transferable rewards program or simply buying miles outright.
But before you click transfer or make a purchase, it’s important to consider how long it’ll take for those points or miles to arrive in your account. Setting your expectations matters for a lot of reasons.
Thankfully, AwardWallet makes this process simple — and can even alert you the moment your miles arrive. In this post, we’ll explain why posting times are important and show you where to find our resources on average purchase and transfer timelines so you can make the most of these features.
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Why Purchase and Transfer Times Matter
If you’ve booked even a few trips with points or miles, you’ve probably experienced the disappointment of missing out on your preferred itinerary because award availability changed or someone else booked it first. Or maybe you’ve purchased or transferred points for a last-minute hotel stay, only to find yourself anxiously waiting to see whether they’ll post to your account in time to use them.
Both situations are stressful, but they’re a little easier to manage when you know what to expect.
If you need to buy or transfer points to book an award, you can’t take action until those points actually post. That’s also one of the reasons we built Balance Watch, which notifies AwardWallet members as soon as their account balance changes.
By using Balance Watch — or simply referring to our resources on average transfer and purchase times — you can hopefully avoid some of that disappointment and uncertainty.
Transfer Times: How Long Does It Take for Transferred Miles to Arrive?
There are all kinds of transferable points offerings. Some programs are run by banks and financial institutions, while others originate from airlines, hotels, and more. But not every transfer to every partner takes the same amount of time. Some are instant, some take a few hours, and others can take days.
To help you understand which programs offer the fastest transfers (and which take a bit longer), AwardWallet publishes the average posting times for major transferable points programs and their partner loyalty programs.
Click here to access the transfer times resource. Then type the name of the airline, hotel, or program you’re curious about into the search bar.
And if there's an ongoing transfer bonus, you'll see it flagged there as well.
You may have also noticed transfer times widgets in many AwardWallet blog posts. For instance, here are the transfer partners and transfer times for Chase Ultimate Rewards points:
These widgets are powered by the same backend database, so you should see the same details.
Purchase Times: How Long Does It Take for Purchased Miles to Arrive?
Similar to the above, AwardWallet also tracks the average amount of time it takes for purchased points and miles to deposit into users’ loyalty accounts. And just like with transfer times, some programs post faster than others.
So, if you’re hoping to book a coveted award flight or a hotel stay that frequently sells out, it may be worth purchasing points from a program that typically posts quickly rather than one that can take several days.
Click here to access the points and miles purchase times resource. Then type the name of the airline, hotel, or program you’re considering purchasing from into the search bar.
Plus, if a program is selling points or miles with a bonus or discount, we’ll flag that deal there as well and provide a direct link to make a purchase if you want to top off your account.
Here's a text version of the full list — along with current buy points and miles deals:
Why Your Points and Miles Might Post Later Than Expected
Like most things in travel, your experience may vary. Purchased miles might post faster than average, while transferred points could take a few extra hours or even an extra day.
A few common factors can cause delays:
- Technical issues: When transfer partners run into system problems, averages go out the window. We don’t automatically flag unusual delays, so if you notice something out of the ordinary, let us know in the comments.
- Incorrect details: Typos happen. Entering an incorrect account number or name when transferring or purchasing points can cause delays or failed transactions. Taking an extra moment to double-check details can save a lot of frustration, since resolving these issues can take a long time.
- Selection bias: For programs that usually post instantly, our data may skew toward longer wait times. When transfers happen immediately, users often don’t activate Balance Watch, so we don’t capture those instant data points.
It’s also worth noting that if a transfer or purchase takes much longer than the program’s stated terms, reaching out to the originating program can help identify and resolve any underlying issues (should there be any).
Final Thoughts
Before you buy or transfer points or miles, it’s worth taking a moment to set your expectations for when those rewards will arrive in your loyalty account. That way, you’ll have a better sense of how quickly you can actually use them.
And if you’d like alerts whenever your balances change, consider upgrading to AwardWallet Plus for access to Balance Watch and tons of other useful features.
Sometimes they are too expensive
Maybe a data point … I’ve used Amex to transfer point a few times already – to : SQ, EK, BA, KL, and DL, the experience is consistent that the point will show up in a matter of a few minutes.
Thank you so much. So interesting.
Thanks for this service. This is the most comprehensive list I’ve seen. Another reason why I’ve used Awardwallet for so many years.
Great to hear Bob. This list will get more refined and accurate the longer it is up as we get new data points every day on transfer times.
AwardWallet tools are really valuable to reduce the chance of losing a ticket, but we have to keep an eye on it anyway to claim solution for possible errors.
This is such helpful information! I’ve always been hesitant to attempt to transfer between programs. Knowing this helps me understand it all so much better. Thank you!
Great Post, I have experienced some delays with AVIANCA!
What about transfers for hotel points. It seems that there are always offers to transfer marriot points into frequent flyer but not the other way around, why is that?
Great post, interesting to see the average purchase times
Excellent information to be able to transfer between programs.
Wow…this is very useful information. It seems like most transfers are not instantaneous. :/ I have experienced though, that Chase UR to British Airways Avios does complete in about 30 minutes.
Very useful information! Thank you very much!
Great info! For me it is a major headache to trace every loyalty program. Specially airline and hotel adward programs.
For my the best program is Avios, usefull and easy to move your miles within the avios group.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing the useful information.
I was thinking about what to do for my expiring AA points and buying points was one of the options. Very helpful post!
I do love the tracking feature, nice job!
These days most transfers from most cards post pretty quickly.
So it looks like Amex is best for quick transfers.
Very useful, thank you! Certainly useful information for the future. Keep it up!
The table is great. As a rookie in moving points around we looked for something immediate. What would be a useful addition, and maybe it’s somewhere else, is how long do various airlines allow you to hold a reservation to get the points together, if they do that at all. Thank you for this data.
Very useful functionality. Thanks!!.
We buy points on a regular basis. AA has always been our go to, but recent devaluations have pushed us away.
You have supplied important and explanatory information which is greatly appreciated. I will be paying attention to this in the future.
Very timely this article on transferring points. Thanks.
This is incredibly useful information. Thank you!
This information can be very handy both when planning a trip and scrambling last second! My friend missed a flight in Shanghai and just assumed that he could book an award fare with Singapore Air only to find out his miles/points wouldn’t transfer for 2 days. Whoops.
That’s a great feature! Thanks!
Nice to see this tracked.
Timing is important. Showing these transfer times is important so as to not lose that ticket that one is hoping to score. Thanks for these timings.
Don’t forget you may have the option to call in and hold the reservation and can call back when the points show up.
I haven’t had to wait yet on any miles coming into my account. I know that some airlines allow you to hold a reservation still. I know that I’ve read that on some posts. Now I’m nervous about transferring and redeeming miles with an airline where I have to wait. I like that you’re tying to alleviate some worrying. Thank you! How many nails have ya’ll bitten off when you’ve had to wait and book?
I’ve only used instant transfers too: BA and Hyatt. Granted I don’t have the same concern for hotels as I do airlines.
This is really cool. Thanks for this and making it free. I’m very happy to generate ad revenue for you. 🙂
Very useful the transfer time table.
Anyway, I don’t undestand the line Avios -> Iberia Plus 4 days, 23 hours.
What kind of transfer it is?
I think that the move of Avios between BA, IB, Aer Lingus are immediate.
Hey Rosario, thanks for pointing that one out. This one is based on a single transaction, so it’s possible the person had an unusual delay with an Avios to Iberia transfer, or possibly that they chose the wrong account as the source of the transfer.
Thanks for explaining this!
Amex had a glitch on transferring points recently, all resolved now. Good to know average times.
this is very useful information. thank you!
This is game changing data!
Not sure about “game changing”, as many bloggers have dedicated posts to this topic for many years, but hugely useful in terms of tracking current trends. Another (helpful) enhancement to what is already, for me, the most useful website for our hobby.
Thanks Guys! Glad to hear 🙂 We’re cool with debate on whether it’s “game changing” as long as it’s helpful
Haha fair enough! Well, I was excited I guess 🙂
Thank you. I really appreciate this since I routinely use transfers to keep accounts active and like to wait until the last minute.
Just don’t wait too long. What is it really worth to have an expiration date one week later but risk a technical glitch and then lose everything.
Will bookmark this post for use when I need it.
Anyone idea on how long transfers from RBC Avion to AAdvantage take?
My miles will be expiring in February. The only match for RBC on the tracking page is for the RBC Royal Bank Visa to BA- even though the AA page lists this option: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/miles/partners/credit-card/aadvantage-credit-cards.jsp
This is really important information! There’s nothing worse than finding great award seats and having to wait for the points to transfer while hoping the seats don’t disappear. This is another great post to bookmark.
Anything that reduces the stress and increases the simplicity of life is very welcome in my world. And, this post just just that.
What an absolutely great and welcome post!!!!
Thanks for helpful info!
OK, I admit it: I am addicted to my CSR card. Points, lounges, etc. Love it. (sorry Amex).
Thank you! Great insight into transferring points.
For me, AMEX to BA has been very quick and a good use of my MR points.
My point transfers have been instantaneous, but points from shopping portal purchases sometimes take weeks to show up.
Weeks? took almost 5 months to get UA miles from their portal….
I’ve had issues with Best Buy where they never show up – both AA and UA. I never even get the emaul that my order is tracked so I have to contact them and request it manually. I have to do it now with United to get 750 miles and 2,500 bonus miles.
Thanks. This is helpful information. Marriott is one of the only programs, if not the only one, that allows you to hold awards for a lengthy period before transferring the points to your account. Otherwise, knowledge of the transfer time is key to locking in a coveted award.
The transfer times and purchase times lists are cool resources. My list of transfers is pretty select, but this is a great reference for those special occasions.
Similar. I’ve used Hyatt and BA and will use United at some point too.
What a great tool. Thanks
Great information! Thank you!!!