You cannot transfer Chase points directly to another person, but you can use them to buy travel or gift cards that someone else can use
Chase does not allow you to move points from your account into someone else's Chase account. The points stay tied to the cardholder whose name is on the account. However, you have several ways to use your points for someone else: you can book travel in their name, purchase a gift card they can spend, or transfer points to an airline or hotel partner and have that partner issue a ticket or reservation to them.
The method you choose depends on who you want to benefit and what you want them to do with the value. A spouse on a joint account can use points freely. A friend or family member on a separate account will need you to either spend the points on something you give them, or transfer to a travel partner who can issue the ticket or room directly to them.
Key Takeaways
- Chase points cannot move between separate cardholders' accounts, but you can use your points to book travel or buy gift cards for someone else.
- If someone is an authorized user on your Chase card, they can use points from that account for their own travel or purchases.
- Transferring points to an airline or hotel partner and having that partner issue a ticket or room to someone else is the closest thing to a direct transfer.
- Gift cards purchased with points can be given to anyone, but the recipient cannot convert them back to points or move them to another card.
- Some Chase cards allow you to add a spouse as an authorized user with full account access, which gives them the ability to use points directly.
Using points to book travel for someone else
The simplest way to give someone the benefit of your points is to book a flight, hotel, or rental car in their name using your Chase account. Log into your Chase account, go to the travel portal, and search for the trip you want to book. When you reach the passenger or guest name field, enter the other person's name instead of your own. Complete the booking with your points and payment information.
This works for flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. The confirmation will be issued to the name you entered, and that person can use it to check in or pick up the reservation. You pay with your points; they receive the travel. No transfer happens—you are simply using your points to purchase something in their name.
Adding an authorized user to your Chase card
If you want to give a spouse, adult child, or other family member ongoing access to your points, you can add them as an authorized user on your Chase card. Contact Chase by phone or through your online account to request this. The authorized user will receive their own card in the mail with their name on it, and they can log into the account online to see the points balance and use points for their own purchases or travel.
Authorized users do not have a separate points balance—they draw from the same pool as the primary cardholder. If you add someone as an authorized user and later remove them, they lose access to the points immediately. This method works best for spouses or long-term household members you trust completely with the account.
Transferring points to airline and hotel partners
Many Chase cards allow you to transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs at a set rate—often one point equals one mile or point in the partner program. Once points land in an airline or hotel account, that program can issue a ticket or room reservation directly to anyone, including someone who is not a member of that program.
To do this, log into your Chase account, find the transfer partners section, and select the airline or hotel you want to transfer to. You will need the recipient's loyalty account number or email address. After the transfer completes (usually within 24 hours), the points appear in their loyalty account, and they can book travel or redeem rewards under their own name.
This method works well if the other person already has a loyalty account with that airline or hotel. If they do not, they will need to create one before you transfer. Some Chase cards offer transfer bonuses—extra points when you transfer in certain quantities—which can make this route more valuable than booking directly through Chase.
Buying gift cards with your points
You can use Chase points to purchase gift cards through the Chase rewards portal and give them to anyone. The gift card is issued in the recipient's name or as a generic card code they can use. This works for retailers, restaurants, travel sites, and other merchants that Chase partners with.
Gift cards bought with points are final—the recipient cannot convert them back to points, transfer them to another card, or move them to a different account. They can only spend them at the merchant or site the card is for. This is the most straightforward way to give points value to someone outside your household, but it locks the recipient into spending at a specific place.
What you cannot do with Chase points
Chase does not allow you to transfer points directly between two separate cardholder accounts. You cannot log into your account, enter someone else's account number, and move points over. You also cannot sell your points to another person or convert them to cash and give that cash to someone else (though some cards do allow cash redemption for the primary cardholder).
You cannot combine points from multiple Chase cards into one account unless you merge the cards themselves through Chase customer service. If you close a Chase card, any remaining points on that card are forfeited—they do not transfer to another card or person.
Tax and gift considerations
Points themselves are generally not considered taxable income to you or the recipient when you use them to book travel or purchase something in someone else's name. The IRS treats points as a discount on the purchase price rather than a gift of cash value. However, if you transfer points to someone else's loyalty account and they later convert those points to cash or a cash equivalent, that person may owe tax on the value—though this is rare and depends on the loyalty program's rules.
If you are concerned about gift tax implications (which typically only apply to very large transfers between non-spouses), consult a tax professional. For most household transfers and occasional gifts to friends, there is no tax consequence to using your points on someone else's behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Chase points to my spouse's Chase card?
Not directly between separate accounts. However, if your spouse is an authorized user on your card, they can use the points from your shared account. Alternatively, you can transfer points to an airline or hotel partner and have that partner issue a ticket or reservation to your spouse's name.
What happens to my points if I add someone as an authorized user and then remove them?
The points remain in your account. Authorized users do not own points—they access the primary cardholder's points. Once you remove them, they lose access to the account and cannot use any points.
Can I transfer points to a friend who does not have a Chase card?
Yes. You can book travel in their name using your points, transfer points to an airline or hotel partner (they will need to create a loyalty account), or buy a gift card and give it to them. You cannot move points directly to their account, but you can spend your points on something they can use.
Do I lose points when I transfer them to an airline partner?
The transfer rate varies by card and partner, but you typically do not lose points—one Chase point usually converts to one airline mile or hotel point. Some transfers offer bonuses. Check your card's terms to see the exact conversion rate before you transfer.
Can the person I book travel for change the reservation to their own name?
No. Once you book a flight or hotel in someone else's name using your points, that reservation is locked to that name. They can use it to travel, but they cannot change the passenger or guest name. If they need a different name on the reservation, you would need to cancel and rebook.