Pam
Many readers want to know more about airline transfer bonuses – these really help your miles go further. A transfer bonus is when you transfer from a flexible currency like Chase, AMEX, Capital One, or Citi, and you receive a bonus (usually 10-50% more) with the airline or hotel that you transfer to.
I recently transferred AMEX rewards to Virgin Atlantic and got a business class seat to Edinburgh, Scotland from Newark for only 58K points. I also often buy IHG points. Believe me, taking advantage of these bonuses is HUGE!
Readers often ask us to provide information when sales on points/miles occur. We will try to keep this updated monthly so you will have this information available as you plan your travel.
Receive a 30% transfer bonus when you transfer Ultimate Rewards to Virgin Atlantic through June 30th.
Receive a 40% transfer bonus when you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott through June 15, 2024.
Receive a 30% transfer bonus when you transfer AMEX rewards to Virgin Atlantic by May 31, 2024.
Receive a 20% transfer bonus when you transfer AMEX rewards to AeroMexico through May 31, 2024.
We don’t normally recommend purchasing points and miles, but when you need more to book a planned award ticket or room, it can be worth doing. These are sold through a third party so that they won’t code as travel. Your best bet is to buy them with a Capital One card that earns 2 points per dollar spent.
Here is when it might make sense to buy points/miles:
Is it Worth Buying Points and Miles?
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Thanks, Koralea! So glad you are finding it helpful!
Through July 31, you can earn a 70% transfer bonus when you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to IHG. (I value these too high for use with Hyatt so I would wait for a bonus on IHG points purchases before doing this).
Regarding this mention above… are you saying that you value UR points too much to redeem them on a Hyatt stay? Thus, you are waiting for a bonus from IHG when using the points that way you get bonus from Chase when transferring and bonus from IHG when using? Sorry… just need a clarification.
Well, I did a horrible job explaining that – LOL! I value transferring them to Hyatt so much that I wouldn’t transfer to IHG even with a bonus transfer. I would prefer to purchase IHG points when they have a 100% bonus if I needed a few extra IHG points for a redemption.
I recently transferred points from Capital One to KLM on June 27th, just a few days prior to the transfer bonus that started on 7/1. So bummed I missed the bonus! Have you heard of credit cards ever honoring a promotion in a situation like this?
Nope, I think you are out of luck.
Hi, I just found you guys a few days ago. I’m excited to learn about the credit card points/rewards system. I got the Chase Sapphire Preferred in January and have accumulated 97,000 points. It’s been overwhelming reading all your information. I hope I can learn and take advantage of all the rewards. I have a question. My husband has a side LLC business not too much action goes into it. He’s never considered a business CC. But, what I’m reading, seems that is the way to go for points. But, how can a CC be used if there’s not much transactions required for his business. If he were to get one and accrue points, can they be used for personal travel? I’m just not sure I understand. Hope you can help me understand. Thank you!
Hi Pam,
So to do the math on the virgin bonus from Chase. I need 50,700 pts to book flights from LHR to MIA. Will I transfer 35,490 and get the additional 15k from the bonus? Thanks for the help.
Oh, no – you want me to do math? I think you are correct. Disclaimer: I’ve done it wrong in the past and had to add a few more!😜