Improvement2027-01-01Chase · IHG One Rewards (Premier Business card)improvement 40,000-point cap → 50,000-point cap
Chase notified IHG One Rewards Premier Business cardholders by email that Anniversary Free Night certificates issued after December 31, 2026 will be redeemable at properties costing up to 50,000 points per night, up from the current 40,000-point cap. Certificates issued through the end of 2026 keep the 40,000-point limit, and the ability to top up a certificate with points from an IHG account continues. The notice described no changes to the card's annual fee or to the personal IHG cards. IHG One Rewards receives 1:1 transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards.
What to do: If you want a property in the 40,001–50,000 range, plan to use a certificate issued in 2027 or later rather than topping up a 2026 one.
Improvement2026-10-01Chase · Sapphire Reserve (DoorDash benefit)improvement $5 monthly restaurant-only promo ($25/month total) → $15 any-order promo ($35/month total)
Chase confirmed that from October 1, 2026, the Sapphire Reserve's $5 monthly DoorDash restaurant promo becomes a $15 promo valid on any eligible order, lifting the card's maximum monthly DoorDash value from $25 to $35 ($300 to $420 a year). The two $10 non-restaurant promos and complimentary DashPass are unchanged; promos remain checkout discounts requiring separate orders. Chase's statement named only the personal Sapphire Reserve; application to the business card is presumed but unconfirmed.
What to do: Activate DashPass with the card as default payment before October 1 so the new promo appears on day one.
Improvement2026-02-25Chase · Ultimate Rewardsimprovement No partner → 1:1 permanent partner
Chase permanently added Wyndham Rewards as its fourth hotel transfer partner (and 14th overall) at a 1:1 ratio. Transfers occur in 1,000-point increments and typically post by the next business day (often instant in practice). This expands hotel redemption options for transferable Ultimate Rewards holders (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Ink Business Preferred, and related cards). The addition is structural and non-expiring. UR points feed Wyndham Rewards directly; the partner remains active.
What to do: Consider only for specific high-value Wyndham redemptions; otherwise prefer stronger hotel partners such as Hyatt.
Improvement2025-10-07Bilt · Bilt Rewardsimprovement No partner → 1:1 permanent partner
Bilt permanently added Etihad Guest as a transfer partner at a 1:1 ratio (increments of 1,000 points; Blue members may have a higher minimum). Transfers typically process quickly. This expands Middle East and partner-airline options for Bilt Points earners. The addition is structural and non-expiring. Bilt Points feed Etihad Guest directly; the partner remains active alongside Amex, Citi, and Capital One routes.
What to do: Transfer only for confirmed Etihad or partner awards; note the program’s change/cancellation rules and activity-based expiration.
Improvement2025-09-23Capital One · Capital One Miles (Venture, Venture X and other miles-earning cards)improvement no transfer option (19 partners) → JAL 2:1.5, Qatar 1:1, I Prefer 1:2 (22 partners)
On September 23, 2025, Capital One added three transfer partners, bringing its total to 22: Japan Airlines Mileage Bank at 2:1.5 (1,000 miles become 750 JAL miles), Qatar Airways Privilege Club at 1:1, and I Prefer Hotel Rewards at 1:2. JAL was previously reachable only from Bilt (1:1) and Marriott Bonvoy (3:1), so this is the first major bank currency to feed the program, though below par. Qatar Avios were already reachable indirectly via British Airways, and Citi transfers to I Prefer at a better 1:4. A launch-only 30% bonus to JAL ran through October 22, 2025; the standing ratios above are the permanent terms.
What to do: JAL at 2:1.5 still beats cash on business-class awards to Tokyo; open a Mileage Bank account early because new accounts wait seven days before redeeming.
Indirect only → 1:1 permanent direct partner
American Express permanently added Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios) as a direct 1:1 transfer partner. Transfers are typically instant in 1,000-point increments. Previously, members could reach Qatar Avios only indirectly via other Avios programs (BA/Iberia/Aer Lingus). The direct link simplifies access to QSuites and oneworld awards. Affects all transferable Membership Rewards accounts; the partner remains active. MR points feed Qatar Privilege Club (and the broader Avios ecosystem) directly.
What to do: Use the direct transfer for Qatar awards when it is more convenient than routing through other Avios programs.
Improvement2021-10-07Capital One · Capital One Miles (Venture / Spark Miles)improvement 2:1.5 (most) or 2:1 (Emirates/Singapore) → 1:1
Capital One permanently improved the transfer ratio from prior rates of 2:1.5 (or 2:1 for Emirates and Singapore) to a full 1:1 for Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Avios, Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles. This followed an earlier April 2021 wave of improvements and partner additions. The change applied program-wide to transferable Capital One Miles, substantially increasing the value of the currency for US cardholders by delivering 33–100% more miles per transfer to these partners. No expiration or temporary element; the ratios have remained the baseline since. Capital One Miles feed these airline programs directly.
What to do: Prefer Capital One Miles for transfers to these partners when building premium-cabin or partner awards.
Improvement2021-04-20Capital One · Capital One Miles (Venture / Spark Miles)improvement 2:1.5 → 1:1 (select partners); new partners added at launch ratios
Capital One improved ratios from 2:1.5 to 1:1 for Aeromexico Club Premier, Avianca LifeMiles, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Etihad Guest, Finnair Plus, Qantas Frequent Flyer, and Wyndham Rewards (plus Choice and TAP at launch). Simultaneously added British Airways, TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, and Choice Privileges as permanent transfer partners (initial ratios 2:1.5 or 1:1 depending on partner). This was a structural expansion and re-rating of the transferable currency that made Capital One competitive with other US bank points for the first time on multiple high-value partners. Affects all Capital One Miles holders; the partners remain available (with later refinements).
What to do: Use Capital One Miles for the newly 1:1 partners or the added programs when they offer strong awards.
Improvement2018-08-26Chase · Ultimate Rewardsimprovement No partner → 1:1 permanent partner
Chase permanently added JetBlue TrueBlue as a 1:1 transfer partner for Ultimate Rewards points. Transfers occur in 1,000-point increments with no fees. This expanded domestic and Caribbean redemption options for UR holders (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Ink Business Preferred). JetBlue remains a partner at 1:1. UR points feed JetBlue TrueBlue directly; the addition was structural and non-expiring.
What to do: Transfer UR to JetBlue only for specific TrueBlue redemptions where the value exceeds portal use.
Improvement2017-11-13Chase · Ultimate Rewardsimprovement Indirect/no direct partner → 1:1 permanent direct partners
Chase permanently added Aer Lingus AerClub and Iberia Plus (both Avios-based) as direct 1:1 transfer partners. Previously, members often routed via British Airways with activity/age requirements. The direct links simplified access to Ireland/Spain routes and short-haul European Avios awards. Affects all transferable UR accounts; both partners remain active at 1:1. UR feeds these programs (and the broader Avios ecosystem) directly.
What to do: Use direct transfers for Aer Lingus/Iberia awards instead of BA intermediary steps.
