Current Transfer Bonuses for December 2024

 

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What is a transfer bonus?

A transfer bonus from a bank is a promotion that allow you to transfer your points to an airline or hotel travel partner, and then receive additional bonus points.  Generally speaking, transfer ratios from banks to their travel partners are 1:1.  With a transfer bonus, you’ll receive a certain percentage more.

Here is an example of a Chase transfer bonus I was able to jump on when booking flights for our Tokyo trip in November of 2023:

This meant, that instead of a 1:1 ratio, from Chase to Virgin Atlantic, I got a 1:3 ratio, essentially needing to transfer less points to book 5 tickets on Virgin Atlantic.  (This transfer bonus is old, and no longer active.)

Current Transfer Bonuses

Capital One Miles

• None

American Express Membership Rewards®

• 40% to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, through 12/31/2024
• 35% to Marriott Bonvoy, through 12/31/2024

Chase Ultimate Rewards®

• 20% to Air Canada Aeroplan, through 1/15/2025
• 20% to Air France KLM Flying Blue, through 1/15/2025
• 70% to IHG One Rewards, through 1/15/2025

Citi ThankYou® Points

• None

 

Things To Consider Before Transferring Points

1 – Do you have a plan for the points/miles you are transferring to the respective travel partner?  Once points have been transferred, it can’t be undone.  Regardless of how great the transfer bonus promotion is, make sure you have a plan in mind for those points.  Some loyalty programs can also have expiration dates on their points.  This is just another reason to have a plan – as you don’t want to transfer points, and then not be able to use them.

2 – Make sure you have found the award availability prior to transferring your points.  I’d transfer points, and book the award redemption on the same day, ideally.  If that doesn’t work, do it as close in time as possible.  Award availibity can change very fast!

3 – Not all points and miles are created equal.  Just because a transfer bonus sounds great, doesn’t mean it is.  I love transferring my Chase points to World of Hyatt because of the high redemption value I get.  But I think twice, and don’t usually transfer them to Marriott, regardless of how high the transfer bonus is.  Marriott award rates/per night/per room are higher.  I have a family of 5, and need 2 rooms everywhere I go. I can’t get the same value from Marriott, that I currently can from Hyatt.

Final Thoughts

Bank transfer bonuses can be a great opportunity to really maximize those points, and make them go further.  It’s great to not to have to transfer as many points as I thought I would need to, because there’s a promotion that falls in line with my travel plans.  It takes a lot of points and miles to get my family to go, well, anywhere!  So when a new month rolls around, it’s a good idea to check for new bank transfer bonuses.

 

 

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issue, hotel, airline, or other entity. 

This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within this post.