How to Transfer Credit Card Points to Airline Miles in India (Step-by-Step)

Transferring credit card points to airline miles is the single highest-value action you can take with accumulated rewards. The process isn’t complicated, but it has specific steps, minimum requirements, and critical timing considerations that can make the difference between a successful transfer and losing miles to a failed process.

This step-by-step guide covers the three most common transfer routes in India.

Before You Transfer: The Pre-Transfer Checklist

Step 1: Have a linked airline account with the same name The most common transfer failure reason: the name on your credit card account doesn’t exactly match the name on your airline loyalty account. Both accounts must be in the same name. If your credit card is in “Rahul Sharma” and your KrisFlyer account is “R. Sharma,” the transfer will be rejected or delayed.

Fix this before initiating any transfer — contact the airline to update your name if needed (requires documentation).

Step 2: Know your airline membership number You’ll need the exact membership number of your airline frequent flyer account. Don’t guess — log in and copy it precisely.

Step 3: Check the minimum transfer amount Most programs have minimum transfer thresholds:

• HDFC to KrisFlyer/Air India: typically 1,000 RP minimum
• Axis EDGE Miles to KrisFlyer: typically 1,000 EDGE Miles minimum
• Amex MR: varies by partner

Step 4: Calculate the value before committing Transfers are irreversible. Once your HDFC RP become KrisFlyer miles, they cannot be converted back. Make sure the transfer makes sense for your planned redemption.

Step 5: Have enough miles for a specific redemption in mind Don’t transfer speculatively. Transfer when you have enough points to reach a target redemption or are close enough that the transfer gets you there.

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Route 1: HDFC Reward Points → Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Step 1: Log in to HDFC SmartBuy

Go to smartbuy.hdfcbank.com and log in with your HDFC Bank netbanking credentials (customer ID + password).

Step 2: Navigate to “Redeem Points”

Look for the “Redeem Points” or “Points Transfer” section in the SmartBuy dashboard. This is separate from using points to shop — you want the loyalty program transfer section.

Step 3: Select Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

From the list of transfer partners, select Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

Step 4: Enter your KrisFlyer membership number

Type in your exact KrisFlyer membership number (9-digit number beginning with your account details). Double-check this.

Step 5: Select the amount to transfer

Enter the number of HDFC Reward Points you want to convert. Remember the ratio: 2 RP = 1 KrisFlyer Mile.

Example: Transfer 20,000 RP → receive 10,000 KrisFlyer Miles.

Step 6: Confirm the transfer

Review the details (membership number, RP amount being transferred, miles to be received). Confirm only when you’re certain everything is correct.

Step 7: Wait for processing

HDFC typically takes 2–7 business days for KrisFlyer transfers. During this period, the RP will be deducted from your account but the miles may not yet show in KrisFlyer. Don’t panic if there’s a delay; check again after 7 business days.

If 10 business days pass with no credit: Contact HDFC SmartBuy helpline with the transaction reference number. They can track and escalate the transfer.

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Route 2: HDFC Reward Points → Air India Flying Returns

The process is identical to the KrisFlyer transfer above, with these differences:

• Select Air India Flying Returns as the partner
• Enter your Flying Returns membership number (found in your Air India account)
• Transfer ratio: 2 RP → 1 Flying Return Mile
• Processing time: 3–10 business days (Air India transfers can be slower during peak periods)

Post-merger note: With Vistara integrated into Air India, Flying Returns is now the single Air India Group loyalty program. Check the current redemption chart for domestic routes before transferring — redemption rates may have been updated since the merger.

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Route 3: Axis EDGE Miles → Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Step 1: Log in to Axis Bank Internet Banking

Go to axisbank.com and log in, or use the Axis Mobile app.

Step 2: Navigate to EDGE Rewards / EDGE Miles

In the rewards section, look for “EDGE Miles” specifically (not EDGE Points — these are different).

Step 3: Select “Transfer Miles” and choose Singapore Airlines

Select the transfer to partner option, then choose Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer from the partner list.

Step 4: Enter your KrisFlyer number and transfer amount

Transfer ratio is 1 EDGE Mile → 1 KrisFlyer Mile. Confirm the amount carefully.

Step 5: Confirm and track

Processing time: 3–10 business days. Use the reference number from the confirmation to track if needed.

Alternative via EDGE Travel portal: Axis also has the EDGE Travel portal (axisbank.com/edgetravel) where you can initiate transfers or redeem EDGE Miles for travel bookings directly. The portal may have a slightly different interface but the process is equivalent.

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Route 4: Amex Membership Rewards → IndiGo 6E Rewards

Step 1: Log in to American Express India

Go to americanexpress.com/in → log in to your account.

Step 2: Go to “Membership Rewards” → “Transfer Points”

Find the rewards section and look for the transfer to partner options.

Step 3: Select IndiGo 6E Rewards

IndiGo is one of Amex India’s available transfer partners. Confirm the current transfer ratio (typically 1:1 or close to it, but verify).

Step 4: Link your 6E Rewards account

You may need to link your IndiGo 6E Rewards account number the first time. Ensure your name matches exactly.

Step 5: Enter the transfer amount and confirm

Processing time: Amex transfers typically complete within 3–7 business days.

Amex → KrisFlyer: A similar process applies for KrisFlyer transfers through Amex India — select KrisFlyer from the partner list and confirm the current transfer ratio (typically 2 MR → 1 KrisFlyer Mile, though Amex ratios have changed over time — always verify before initiating).

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mismatched names: This is the #1 reason transfers fail. Your full name must match across both accounts. Middle names, prefixes (Mr./Mrs.), and name order all matter.

Transferring without a redemption target: Points transferred impulsively may sit in an airline account until the airline’s own expiry rules catch up. KrisFlyer expires after 3 years of inactivity — any earn or redemption activity resets the clock.

Not checking award availability first: Before transferring for a specific flight redemption, search award availability on the airline’s website. Confirm seats exist on your preferred route and dates before making the irreversible transfer.

Minimum transfer amounts: Some programs reject transfers below their minimum threshold (often 1,000 points). Check this before initiating small test transfers.

Processing time assumptions: During holidays and bank system maintenance periods, transfers can take longer than the stated processing time. Don’t transfer miles expecting to use them within 24–48 hours for an imminent booking.

Final Tip: Use a Spreadsheet

If you’re accumulating across HDFC, Axis, and Amex simultaneously, track your balances, expiry dates, and transfer history in a simple spreadsheet. Knowing exactly what you have, what it’s worth, and when it expires turns rewards from a vague benefit into a real, plannable travel asset.