I always recommend doing what you can to earn transferable points currencies for your credit card spending, as this gives you the most flexibility to maximize your points. This also safeguards you from devaluations in any particular frequent flyer program, which is great flexibility to have.
Continue reading: What To Do When Transferable Points Don’t Transfer As Expected: My Tips
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This is super useful. I've personally learned many of these tips the hard way. I'd add that the avios ecosystem is unbelievably picky and inconsistent with hyphenated names. Nowadays I personally think it's better to just omit any hyphens and let all your (given or family) names just mush into only one piece each.
I've "stress tested" transfers in the past by transferring the smallest increment and seeing how long it took and to ensure it did transfer. This was for high-demand awards, so I wanted to be ready when the time came.
Ben, not sure if you have any contacts at Chase or if youre even able to share but curious why they seem to be the worst offender BY FAR with non-instant transfers. Everyone else has figured it out (Amex/Citi/Cap 1/Bilt) with instant transfers for almost everyone (outside of niche ones like ANA/EVA). For some reason Chase frequently has issues with basic partners like BA/AF/etc. Do they just feel like they have no incentive to improve it? I've always wondered
BA is now routinely delaying first Chase transfers of 100K+ for 48 hours (subsequent transfers remain instant). Beware if you're transferring Chase points.
Ben you said the fragility of the tech behind the transfers. We have found many programs fragile. Especially Marriott.
Not just personal transfers, but also between programs, such as Marriott-United and Marriott-Hertz. Way too much following up to get them to correct it.
BA is pretty much unresponsive to any snag or problem.
Between all programs, it is certainly not as easy as it should be. They are behind.