If you are a fan of Hilton Hotels, you already know how valuable Hilton Honors points can be for free nights. From budget-friendly Hampton Inn stays to luxury escapes at Waldorf Astoria or Conrad resorts, Hilton offers options for every traveler and every budget.

But here is a perk many people overlook: Hilton Honors points are not limited to hotel stays. 

With the right strategy, you can convert them into airline miles with more than 25 frequent flyer programs worldwide.

This flexibility can help you top off an airline account for a redemption, keep your points from expiring, or explore unique booking opportunities beyond Hilton properties.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the Hilton Honors transfer partners, including the full list of airlines, transfer ratios, minimum transfer amounts, timelines, and strategies for maximizing value.

By the end, you will know exactly when transferring Hilton Honors points makes sense and when you are better off saving them for a Hilton hotel redemption.

Hilton Honors Transfer Basics: Rules, Ratios, And Restrictions

The Hilton Honors program offers members the ability to transfer points to a wide range of airline loyalty programs. While this option is not always the best way to use Hilton points, it can be a lifesaver when you need a few extra miles to book a flight. 

Before you make your first transfer, here are the key rules and details you need to know.

Minimum Transfer Amounts

Hilton requires a minimum number of points per transfer. The threshold varies by airline, but in most cases:

• The standard minimum transfer starts at 10,000 Hilton Honors points.
• Some programs require more / less. For example:
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer allows transfers starting at 4,000 points.
  • Aeromexico Rewards requires 25,000 points.
  • Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club also requires 25,000 points.

Standard Transfer Ratio

The conversion rate between Hilton Honors points and airline miles is straightforward, but it does mean you will lose value compared to hotel stays.

The majority of Hilton transfers occur at a 10:1 ratio.

• That means 10,000 Hilton Honors points = 1,000 airline miles.
• Compared to hotel stays, this usually represents a poor value.

There are a few exceptions worth noting:

• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: 8:1 ratio
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 20:3 ratio
• Virgin Australia Velocity: 20:3 ratio
• AirAsia BIG: 10:2 ratio
• Aeromexico Rewards: 50:13 ratio

Transfer Timelines

Airline transfers are not always instant. Understanding how long they take helps you avoid losing award space.

• Transfers can take up to 30 days to complete.
• Some partners process faster, but there is no guarantee.
• This means award seats may disappear before your miles post.

TPA Pro Tip: Transfers are irreversible. Once points leave your Hilton Honors account, they cannot be moved back. Always confirm award availability with your airline before you initiate a transfer.

The Full Hilton Honors Transfer Partners List

Hilton Honors points can be converted into airline miles with more than 25 frequent flyer programs worldwide. While this provides flexibility across major alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and oneworld, most transfers come with a steep 10:1 ratio.

Use the table below to see the full list of Hilton Honors transfer partners, including transfer ratios and minimum transfer requirements.

Notes On Transfers And Timelines

• Most transfers are 10:1, which is generally a poor value compared to hotel stays.
• A few exceptions (Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Virgin Australia Velocity, and AirAsia BIG) provide slightly stronger ratios.
• Transfers can take up to 30 days, so plan well in advance.

Best Hilton Honors Transfer Partners

Not every Hilton transfer partner offers the same value. Most of the time, hotel stays are a better use of Hilton Honors points, but a handful of programs provide unique opportunities where a transfer can make sense.

Here are the Hilton Honors transfer partners that stand out for their stronger ratios or useful mileage redemptions:

• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. The best overall Hilton transfer partner thanks to its 8:1 ratio instead of the standard 10:1. KrisFlyer miles unlock access to the famous Singapore Suites First Class and Business Class cabins, which cannot be booked through most partner programs.
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Transfers convert at 20:3, making this one of the most favorable ratios available in the Hilton Honors network. Flying Club is well known for sweet spots like ANA First Class and Business Class awards from the U.S. to Japan.
• Virgin Australia Velocity. Also transfers at 20:3, offering better-than-average value. This is a strong option for flights within Australia or when leveraging the underrated Velocity airline partner network.
• AirAsia BIG. Another outlier with a 10:2 transfer ratio. While AirAsia is a low-cost carrier, this option can be practical for frequent travelers in Southeast Asia.

TPA Pro Tip: Focus your Hilton transfers on airlines that are otherwise hard to earn with credit card points, or ones that deliver outsized value in premium cabins. This is where the real magic of Hilton Honors transfer partners shines.

Worst Hilton Honors Transfer Partners

While Hilton Honors has more than 25 airline transfer partners, many of them provide very poor value. In most cases, you will get far more from keeping your points for Hilton hotel stays than converting them into miles with these programs.

Here are the Hilton transfer partners you should generally avoid:

• Aeromexico Rewards. The 50:13 transfer ratio is confusing and unattractive. Even with the under-the-radar Aeromexico Rewards around-the-world award chart, the poor conversion rate makes this an option to skip.
• Saudia Alfursan. Limited redemption opportunities combined with the standard 10:1 ratio make this a weak choice compared to other programs.

How To Transfer Hilton Points To Airlines: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting Hilton Honors points into airline miles is a straightforward process, but it does require planning since transfers are not instant and cannot be reversed. 

Here is a clear breakdown of each step so you know exactly what to expect.

Step 1 – Log In to Your Hilton Honors Account

• Visit Hilton.com.
• Click Sign In at the top right corner.
• Enter your Hilton Honors number or email and password to access your account.

Step 2 – Navigate to the Points Exchange Page

• Once logged in, go to Use Points and select Exchange Points.
• Choose Use Points to Get Miles.

Step 3 – Add or Select Your Airline Partner

• If this is your first transfer, you will need to add a Preferred Travel Partner.
• Enter your frequent flyer program and account number.
• Make sure your name matches exactly between Hilton Honors and your airline account to avoid delays.

Step 4 – Enter Transfer Details

• Choose your airline partner from the dropdown list.
• Select how many Hilton Honors points you want to transfer.
• Remember to meet the minimum transfer requirement for that airline.

Step 5 – Review and Confirm

• Double-check your frequent flyer number, partner selection, and transfer amount.
• Click Submit to finalize the transfer.
• Transfers are irreversible once submitted.

Step 6 – Wait for Miles To Post

• Transfer times vary by airline. Most take several days, and some can take up to 30 days.
• Check your airline account periodically to confirm when the miles arrive.

Important Tips For A Smooth Transfer

• Check Award Space First. Do not transfer points unless you have confirmed availability with your airline program.
• Watch For Promotions. Occasionally, airlines run bonus offers for hotel point transfers, which can boost your miles.
• Enter Details Carefully. A typo in your frequent flyer number can cause delays or rejections.
• Have A Backup Plan. Because transfers are slow and final, always know your alternatives in case award space disappears.

When Transferring Hilton Points Makes Sense

Hilton Honors points usually deliver their highest value when redeemed for free hotel nights. However, there are certain situations where transferring them to airline partners can be the smarter play. 

Here are the scenarios where it makes sense to convert Hilton Honors points into airline miles.

Topping Off An Airline Account

Sometimes you only need a few extra miles to book a dream redemption. Hilton transfers can be the quickest way to fill that gap.

• Great for situations where you are a few thousand miles short of an award.
• Example: You have 78,000 United Airlines MileagePlus miles but need 80,000 for a Business Class award. A 20,000-point Hilton transfer provides the missing 2,000 miles.

Booking Premium Cabin Flights

The biggest wins come when you use Hilton transfers for Business or First Class redemptions. These flights often cost thousands of dollars in cash.

• Excellent use for long-haul Business or First Class tickets.
• Example: Hilton Honors points → Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles → ANA Business Class to Tokyo.
• Hotel redemptions rarely deliver this level of cents-per-point value.

Access To Hard-To-Reach Airlines

Some airlines do not partner with the major transferable point currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, or Capital One Miles. Hilton Honors points may be your only way in.

• AirAsia BIG. Hilton Honors is one of the few hotel programs that can transfer directly to AirAsia, a practical option for frequent travelers within Southeast Asia.
• Japan Airlines Mileage Bank: A powerful program with unique round-the-world and partner awards, but very few transfer partners.

TPA Pro Tip: Transfers are best used strategically for top-offs, rare access to certain programs, promotions, and premium redemptions. They should not be your everyday strategy for Hilton Honors points, but they can unlock valuable opportunities when used wisely.

When You Should Avoid Hilton Transfers

Hilton Honors transfers can be powerful, but they are not always the best choice. In many cases, you will get more value and flexibility by holding onto your points for hotel stays. 

Here are the situations where you should think twice before transferring.

Poor Ratios And Slow Transfers Create Risk

Two challenges make Hilton transfers unreliable: the 10:1 ratio and the processing time.

• The 10:1 ratio means Hilton Honors points shrink quickly. What feels like a large balance – say 60,000 points – turns into just 6,000 airline miles with most partners.
• Transfers can take up to 30 days to post. Even though some process faster, there is no guarantee. Award seats often vanish long before your miles arrive, leaving you stuck with miles you may not want.

This combination of weaker ratios plus long transfer delays makes Hilton Honors points much more valuable for hotel bookings, where availability and value are clearer upfront.

Better Alternatives Exist for Airline Transfers

The Hilton Honors transfer partners often overlap with programs you can access through Amex Membership Rewards or Bilt Rewards, which are far more flexible and valuable options.

• 1:1 Ratio Example: Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to most airlines at a 1:1 ratio, compared to the Hilton Honors 10:1 ratio. This means 60,000 Amex points = 60,000 airline miles, while 60,000 Hilton points = only 6,000 miles in most cases.
  • Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Hilton Honors points at a 1:2 ratio.
• Instant Transfers: Both flexible point currencies typically transfer instantly, so you do not risk losing award availability while waiting for miles to post.
• Diversification: By keeping Hilton Honors points for hotel stays and using Amex Membership Rewards or Bilt Rewards for airline miles, you preserve flexibility and maximize redemption value across both categories.

Hilton transfers should be a backup strategy, not a first choice. Unless you are topping off for a specific redemption or using a promotion, you will almost always come out ahead by keeping Hilton Honors points for hotels and leaning on flexible point currencies for airline miles.

How To Earn Hilton Honors Points

Before you can think about transferring Hilton points to airlines, you need to build a strong balance. Fortunately, Hilton makes it easy to earn points through hotel stays, credit cards, and partnerships.

Here are the most effective ways to grow your Hilton Honors balance:

• Stay at Hilton Properties. Earn 10 base points per dollar on eligible room rates at most Hilton brands. Elite members earn additional bonuses: Silver (20%), Gold (80%), and Diamond (100%).
• Hilton Honors Credit Cards. Hilton partners with American Express, offering a range of cards to suit different travelers:
  • Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
  • Hilton Honors American Express Card
  • The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
  • Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• American Express Membership Rewards Transfers. You can transfer points from cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Gold Card, or American Express® Green Card into Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio.
• Bilt Rewards Transfers. Transfer points earned from rent payments and everyday spending on the Bilt Mastercard® directly to Hilton at a 1:1 ratio.
• Dining and Shopping Partnerships. Earn Hilton Honors points through the Hilton Dining Program, the Hilton online shopping portal, and partner bookings like car rentals, tours, and activities.
• Promotions and Special Offers. Hilton frequently runs promotions such as double or triple points on stays, brand-specific offers, or limited-time credit card bonuses. Always register for promotions as soon as they are available to maximize your earnings.

Other Ways To Use Hilton Points Besides Transfers

Most travelers use Hilton Honors points for hotel stays – or occasionally transfer them to airline partners – but there are a few other redemption options within the program. 

These alternatives do not usually deliver the same value as hotels or flights, though they may be useful in the right situation.

• Hilton Honors Experiences. Redeem points for concerts, sporting events, culinary packages, and exclusive activities. The value varies, but these redemptions can provide access to experiences that are not always available with cash.
• Charitable Donations. Hilton points can be donated to select charities through the Hilton PointWorthy partnership. Redemptions are made in increments of 3,500 points for a $10 donation.
• Amazon Purchases. You can link your Hilton Honors account to Amazon and use points at checkout. The rate is 500 points = $1, which equals 0.2 cents per point. This is one of the weakest redemption options available.

Final Thoughts

Hilton Honors is one of the largest hotel loyalty programs in the world, with a wide range of properties from affordable Hampton Inns to luxury resorts like Waldorf Astoria and Conrad. 

Most travelers think of Hilton Honors points as a hotel currency, but the program also offers flexibility with more than 25 airline transfer partners.

While this option can provide value in very specific cases, the reality is that the Hilton 10:1 transfer ratio is steep, and transfers can take up to 30 days to process. For most travelers, this makes airline conversions a poor everyday use of Hilton points. 

Hotel stays, especially with perks like the 5th Night Free, usually deliver far stronger value.

That said, transfers can still be useful when applied strategically. They are a great backup tool for topping off an airline account, taking advantage of rare transfer bonuses, or accessing hard-to-reach programs like Japan Airlines Mileage Bank or AirAsia BIG.

The best approach is to treat Hilton Honors as a hotel-first currency and a transfer-second currency. 

Save your points for memorable hotel stays whenever possible, but keep transfers in mind when you need flexibility or when a specific redemption makes sense.

Used with care, Hilton points can unlock both incredible hotel stays and unique flight opportunities, giving you the best of both worlds.

Kevin Zanes