Capital One Adds Three New Transfer Partners: JAL, Qatar Airways, and I Prefer Hotel Rewards

New Transfer Partners and Ratios

Here’s how the transfer ratios work for each of the new partners:

As with all Capital One partners, transfers start at 1,000 miles and can be made in 100-mile increments after that, allowing you to transfer the exact amount you need without leaving orphaned miles behind.

Limited-Time 30% Transfer Bonus to JAL

To celebrate the addition of Japan Airlines, Capital One is offering a 30% transfer bonus for JAL Mileage Bank through October 22, 2025. With this bonus, the effective transfer ratio improves to nearly 1:1 — specifically, every 1,000 Capital One miles will yield 975 JAL miles during the promotion period.

This significantly enhances the value proposition for JAL transfers, especially for those looking to book premium cabin awards to Japan. To calculate how many Capital One miles you need to transfer, simply multiply the required JAL miles by 1.0256.

One important note: JAL Mileage Bank typically requires accounts to be 60 days old before redeeming miles. However, Capital One has negotiated special terms allowing cardholders to redeem miles within seven days of transferring, even with newly created accounts. If you’re interested in JAL redemptions, it’s wise to create a Mileage Bank account now to start the clock.

Best Ways to Use Japan Airlines Miles

Japan Airlines offers some exceptional sweet spots on their award chart, particularly for flights to and from Japan. Here are some of the best redemption opportunities:

JAL Flights to Japan

• Economy: 27,000 miles one-way (28,000 Capital One miles with bonus)
• Premium Economy: 40,000 miles one-way (41,000 Capital One miles with bonus)
• Business Class: 55,000 miles one-way (57,000 Capital One miles with bonus)
• First Class: 110,000-140,000 miles one-way depending on seasonality (113,000-144,000 Capital One miles with bonus)

These rates apply from JAL’s nine North American gateways, which include Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Boston, and San Diego.

One major advantage of booking through JAL’s own program is significantly better award availability compared to partner programs like American AAdvantage or Alaska Mileage Plan. This makes JAL Mileage Bank one of the best options for securing premium cabin seats to Japan, especially when planning 11+ months in advance.

If you’re flying from New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), or Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), you might even find availability on JAL’s new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, featuring their latest business and first class suites.

Partner Awards with JAL Miles

As a member of the oneworld alliance, JAL miles can also be used to book flights on partners like American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and British Airways. While partner redemptions generally offer less value than JAL’s own flights, there are still some good opportunities, particularly for premium cabin travel within Asia.

Best Ways to Use Qatar Airways Avios

Qatar Airways Privilege Club uses the Avios currency, which can be freely transferred between several programs including British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. The most compelling use of Qatar Avios is booking their renowned Qsuites business class product.

Qatar Qsuites

• US to Doha: 70,000 Avios one-way in business class
• US to Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc.): 75,000 Avios one-way in business class
• US to Indian Subcontinent: 80,000 Avios one-way in business class
• US to Maldives/Seychelles: 85,000 Avios one-way in business class
• US to Southeast Asia/South Africa: 95,000 Avios one-way in business class

Qatar Airways typically adds about $250 in taxes and fees for one-way business class flights from the US to Doha, and slightly more for connecting itineraries. While not insignificant, this is a reasonable price to pay for one of the world’s best business class experiences.

A key advantage of booking through Qatar’s own program is the ability to book nearly a full year in advance — about a month earlier than when American Airlines opens booking. This critical window can help you secure Qsuites before they’re available through other programs.

Domestic Flights on American and Alaska

Qatar Avios can also be used to book domestic flights on oneworld partners like American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, sometimes at more favorable rates than the airlines charge their own members. This can be particularly valuable for short-haul domestic flights.

Best Ways to Use I Prefer Hotel Rewards Points

Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ I Prefer program encompasses over 600 independent luxury and boutique hotels across 80+ countries. While not as widely known as major hotel chains, the program offers unique properties and experiences that can’t be found elsewhere.

Award nights range from 15,000 to 150,000 I Prefer points, with the 1:2 transfer ratio from Capital One making redemptions quite accessible. Here are some standout opportunities:

Luxury Safari Lodges

One of I Prefer’s unique strengths is its collection of luxury safari properties in Africa. For example, Last Word Kitara near Kruger National Park in South Africa typically costs around $1,500 per night but can be booked for 150,000 I Prefer points — requiring just 75,000 Capital One miles with the 1:2 transfer ratio.

Urban Luxury Hotels

In major cities like New York, London, and Tokyo, I Prefer offers boutique luxury options that can provide excellent value. For instance, The Prince Kitano in Midtown Manhattan often goes for $500+ per night but can be booked for 50,000 I Prefer points (25,000 Capital One miles).

It’s worth noting that Citi ThankYou points transfer to I Prefer at an even better 1:4 ratio. If you have both currencies, Citi points would be the more efficient choice for I Prefer redemptions.

Complete List of Capital One Transfer Partners

With these three new additions, Capital One now offers 22 transfer partners — more than any other major U.S. credit card rewards program. Here’s the complete list:

Remember that all transfers are one-way — once you move Capital One miles to a partner, you cannot convert them back. Always confirm award availability before transferring.

Cards That Can Transfer to These New Partners

The following Capital One cards are eligible to transfer miles to these new partners:

Additionally, if you hold a Capital One cash back card like the Savor or Quicksilver, you can convert your cash back to miles at a 1:1 ratio if you also have one of the above cards.

Should You Transfer Capital One Miles to These New Partners?

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

The JAL partnership is most compelling during the current 30% transfer bonus period, which brings the ratio to nearly 1:1. This is an excellent opportunity to book premium cabin awards to Japan, where JAL offers superior availability to its own members compared to partner bookings.

Even after the bonus expires, the 2:1.5 ratio can still provide good value for certain redemptions, especially JAL’s own flights in business and first class. If you’re planning a trip to Japan or Asia in the next year, this is definitely worth considering.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club

The 1:1 transfer ratio to Qatar is solid, but it’s worth noting that Qatar Avios was already accessible through Capital One’s existing partnerships with British Airways and Finnair. Avios can be freely transferred between all the programs that use this currency.

The main advantage of the direct partnership is eliminating an extra step in the process. If you’re looking to book Qsuites, transferring directly to Qatar gives you the earliest possible access to award space.

I Prefer Hotel Rewards

The 1:2 transfer ratio to I Prefer is generous and can unlock some unique properties, particularly luxury safari lodges and boutique urban hotels. However, if you also collect Citi ThankYou points, note that Citi offers an even better 1:4 transfer ratio to I Prefer.

This partnership is most valuable for booking properties that fall outside the footprint of major hotel chains, especially in destinations like Africa where traditional hotel points are less useful.

Bottom Line

Capital One continues to enhance the value of its miles by expanding its transfer partner network, now offering more partners than any other major U.S. credit card program. The addition of Japan Airlines is particularly noteworthy, especially with the limited-time 30% transfer bonus making it an excellent opportunity to book premium cabin travel to Japan.

While Qatar Airways was already accessible indirectly through other Avios programs, the direct partnership streamlines the process. And I Prefer Hotel Rewards opens up a world of unique boutique and luxury properties that complement Capital One’s existing hotel transfer partners.

These new partnerships further cement Capital One’s position as one of the most flexible and valuable transferable points currencies, giving cardholders even more options to maximize their miles for exceptional travel experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions