Point Me To First Class 141. Listener Q&A: Canceling Cards, Transfer Partner Confusion & Shopping Portals vs. Welcome Bonuses
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Nov 10, 2025 This podcast dives into your burning questions about points and miles. Discover the ins and outs of transferring points between airlines, as well as whether that old United card is still worth keeping. Learn the pros and cons of co-branded versus transferable cards for better earning potential. Get insights on maximizing welcome bonuses against shopping portals, and understand the value of the Mesa card. Plus, a handy framework for choosing the best award booking program makes strategy simple and effective. Tune in to up your travel game!
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Transfers End At Airline Account
- Once points move from a transferable currency into an airline account, they cannot be moved to a different airline account.
- The major exception is Avios-sharing airlines (BA, Iberia, Qatar, Finnair, Aer Lingus) which allow Avios transfers between them.
Think Credit Impact Before Cancelling
- Avoid canceling very old cards if they significantly anchor your credit history because that can lower your credit score.
- Also avoid canceling cards that hold large credit limits because that can raise your utilization ratio and harm your score.
Keep Co-Branded Cards For Perks
- Keep airline co-branded cards if their perks matter to you, like free checked bags, priority boarding, lounge access, or expanded award access.
- Retain cards that grant tangible award benefits (e.g., United extra award inventory, Delta 15% off awards) even with low spend.