Choose Chase points when direct transfers to United are central to your Newark strategy. Choose Amex when its earning categories and available airline partners fit your trips better. For Europe, search the same available awards before comparing card bonuses: the bookable seat is the deciding factor.
Compare the path to the seat
| Decision | Chase Ultimate Rewards | Amex Membership Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| United MileagePlus booking | United appears on the eligible Chase transfer list | Do not assume a direct United transfer; evaluate eligible partner programs |
| Air France / KLM trip | Flying Blue is a listed transfer partner | Compare the eligible transfer option in your account |
| Delta flight through a partner | Search listed airline partners for actual inventory | Search eligible airline partners for actual inventory |
| Transfer mechanics | Check the account’s ratio, increment and timing | Check the account’s ratio, increment, timing and any fee |
| Points earning | Match the card’s categories to your existing spending | Match the card’s categories and caps to your existing spending |
Transfer eligibility depends on the exact card and rewards account. This compares US rewards systems for premium-flight planning, not every issuer product or international card version. A transfer partner is a possible booking path, not evidence that your preferred flight is available.
Sources: Chase Sapphire Preferred: fees, rewards and transfer partners, Chase: how point transfers work, American Express: transferring Membership Rewards.
Our verdict for three common trips
- Newark to Europe on United: start with Chase because direct MileagePlus transfer access simplifies the search and booking path. Compare partner pricing when the same seat is actually offered.
- JFK to Paris on Air France: search Flying Blue first, then compare the points needed from each eligible bank account, including any current transfer bonus. Airport choice and bookable dates matter more than loyalty to a bank.
- Flexible JFK travel with substantial dining and grocery spending: evaluate Amex Gold’s earning fit, then verify that its available partners serve the award options you would use.
The practical winner is the system that gets you a suitable seat at an acceptable total cost. A lower published award price on an unavailable date is not a better deal. Keep a second acceptable itinerary ready if a transfer or ticketing step takes longer than expected.
Worked example: compare bank points, not headline miles
Hypothetical: an airline award needs 80,000 miles plus $250 in charges. At a 1:1 transfer rate it requires 80,000 bank points. With an eligible 25% transfer bonus and that same base ratio, it requires 64,000 bank points before increment rules. The $250 is still due. Neither rate nor bonus is asserted as a current offer.
If the second account has a different ratio, enter that ratio rather than assuming all transfers are 1:1. Round up to the permitted transfer increment. Compare those bank points with their next-best realistic use, not an inflated retail business-class fare you would never pay. Our calculator handles that comparison; taxes, positioning and cancellation conditions still need your own trip inputs.
The safe sequence for either rewards system
- Find the exact bookable cabin for every passenger.
- Read taxes, surcharges and change or refund conditions.
- Verify the eligible account, transfer ratio and expected timing.
- Confirm the passenger’s loyalty account can receive the transfer.
- Transfer only the amount needed, after any required rounding.
- Return to the airline program and complete ticketing; save the confirmation.
Both issuers describe transfers as final. Avoid speculative transfers just because a promotion is expiring. If a booking is not held, availability may disappear during the transfer. Keep points flexible until there is a practical booking reason to move them.
Sources: Chase: how point transfers work, American Express: transferring Membership Rewards.
Welcome bonuses, APRs and eligibility can differ by applicant and channel. This guide favors booking mechanics over a rapidly aging bonus leaderboard. Use the direct issuer links to inspect your current offer and pricing.
Questions, answered
Can I transfer points between Chase and Amex?
These are separate rewards systems. Do not assume one bank balance can be moved into the other; compare their eligible airline transfer routes.
Is a transfer bonus always a good deal?
Only if it reduces the cost of an award you can book and want. Stranded airline miles can outweigh the apparent bonus.
Sources & verification
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: fees, rewards and transfer partners
- Chase: how point transfers work
- American Express: transferring Membership Rewards
- American Express Gold: current card terms
Source review: September 30, 2026. Tables combine sourced facts with editorial decision analysis. Examples are hypothetical unless identified otherwise. Editorial methods & corrections.