Transfer partner map

Transfer Partner Map

Not all transfer partners are equal. Some are traps (bad ratio, fuel surcharges, devalued program). This skill maps the full partner tree for any currency and tells you which ones are worth using.

Contract

{
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12",
  "title": "Transfer Partner Map",
  "purpose": "For a given points currency, list every transfer partner with ratio, transfer time, value verdict, and best use case. Flag traps. Surface hidden gems the user may not know.",
  "constraints": [
    "List every partner, not just the good ones — user needs the full picture",
    "verdict must be: gem, good, situational, trap",
    "trap requires a specific reason (fuel surcharges, dynamic pricing, bad availability)",
    "Include transfer time — instant vs. 1-3 days matters for last-minute bookings",
    "Note any current transfer bonuses (e.g. 30% bonus to Air France this month)"
  ],
  "required": ["currency", "partners", "top_uses"],
  "properties": {
    "currency": { "type": "string" },
    "partners": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "required": ["partner", "type", "ratio", "transfer_time", "verdict", "best_use"],
        "properties": {
          "partner":       { "type": "string" },
          "type":          { "enum": ["airline", "hotel"] },
          "ratio":         { "type": "string", "description": "e.g. '1:1', '1:0.75'" },
          "transfer_time": { "type": "string", "description": "e.g. 'instant', '1-3 days', '3-5 days'" },
          "verdict":       { "enum": ["gem", "good", "situational", "trap"] },
          "best_use":      { "type": "string" },
          "trap_reason":   { "type": ["string", "null"] },
          "current_bonus": { "type": ["string", "null"], "description": "Active transfer bonus if any" }
        }
      }
    },
    "top_uses": {
      "type": "array",
      "description": "Top 3 highest-value redemptions using this currency",
      "items": {
        "required": ["redemption", "partner", "cpp_estimate"],
        "properties": {
          "redemption":  { "type": "string" },
          "partner":     { "type": "string" },
          "cpp_estimate": { "type": "number" }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Quick reference: known traps

Partner	Currency	Why it's a trap
BA Avios	Chase UR, Amex MR	Fuel surcharges on BA metal wipe out the value
Delta SkyMiles	Amex MR	Dynamic pricing, availability wall, no award chart
JetBlue	Amex MR, Chase UR	1:0.8 ratio, weak redemptions
Marriott Bonvoy	Amex MR	3:1 ratio, poor CPP vs. direct Amex hotel program
Southwest	Chase UR	Only useful if you have the Companion Pass

Known gems

Partner	Currency	Why it's a gem
Hyatt	Chase UR	Best hotel CPP in the game, 1:1 transfer
ANA (via Virgin)	Amex MR	Business class to Japan for 67.5k, incredible product
Flying Blue	Chase UR, Amex MR, Citi TY	Monthly promo awards, often 25-40% off
LifeMiles	Citi TY	No fuel surcharges, online booking, cheap Star Alliance
Turkish Miles	Citi TY, Miles&Smiles	~45k to Asia or US-Europe on Star Alliance