I've seen a number of threads dealing with the question of how to transfer miles to programs that don't participate in the HHonors Reward Exchange. The common answer is that it can't be done, but that's not entirely accurate. There is a way. You lose most of your miles in the process, but if you're really desparate to "top off" your account, it could be an option. I'll use the example of a person who wants to transfer 25,000 miles from OnePass:

1. Transfer 25,000 OnePass miles to HHonors -- you now have 50,000 points.

2. Transfer 50,000 HHonors points to Mileage Plus -- you now have 10,000 miles.

3. Transfer 10,000 Mileage Plus miles to Club Rewards -- you now have 10,000 points.

4. Transfer 10,000 Club Rewards points to 5,000 miles in almost any program.

Net loss: 80%
but if you start with Mileage Plus miles: only 50%


There are also some [more lucrative] strategies that work with specific programs; I'll post them when I get a chance.

(of course this only works if you have a Diners Club card)

[This message has been edited by Flying Dutchman (edited 12-30-2000).]

I once transferred United miles to British Airways without any loss using Diners Club (Diners was having a double transfer promo with BA then).

If you want to top off miles in a program it is better to use other partners - for example if you are checking into Hilton you can present one of several airline cards to get 500/1000 miles. Also you can transfer Clickrewards to one of several airline programs.

Also if you are transferring to Hilton, it may be better to leave the points there and use Hilton points for airline awards.