Our “Famous Card Explorer”

Chase did this two tiered transfer bonus earlier this year as well (February), with 40% for two weeks, then 30%. They also had a flat 25% offer in the middle of this year. See all past transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic.

Redeem for flights starting at 6,000 points. We like using points for domestic Delta flights (when there is availability!) as well as for SkyTeam flights and, of course, ANA First and Business Class flights. Virgin’s own flight rewards are dynamically priced but with high surcharges. I’d been seeing a lot of Upper Class seats from 29,000 points but I’m not seeing much now so do some homework on what you are hoping to book before transferring.

ANA First and Business class awards:

• First Class to/from Japan from West Coast: 145,000 points Round Trip
• First Class to/from Japan from East Coast: 170,000 points Round Trip
• Business Class to/from Japan from West Coast: 105,000 points Round Trip
• Business Class to/from Japan from East Coast: 120,000 points Round Trip

(Note that you can book one way for half the price of the points price listed.)

Avianca is a Star Alliance partner that does not pass along fuel surcharges, however:

Keep in mind that Avianca recently devalued their program. Also see: Downsides of the LifeMiles program.

With frequent website issues, terrible customer support, and change/cancel fees of up to $200 a ticket, it’s just not for me. Aeroplan also does not pass along surcharges (nor does United) and both are much easier to deal with.

At a mere 15%, I cannot see a case for the transfer unless you were literally about to make a Lifemiles booking anyway. This is the 3rd transfer bonus from Amex alone to Avianca Lifemiles.

See all historical transfer bonuses.

Avianca is a Star Alliance partner that does not pass along fuel surcharges, however:

Keep in mind that Avianca recently devalued their program. Also see: Downsides of the LifeMiles program.

With frequent website issues, terrible customer support, and change/cancel fees of up to $200 a ticket, it’s just not for me. Aeroplan also does not pass along surcharges (nor does United) and both are much easier to deal with.

At a mere 15%, I cannot see a case for the transfer unless you were literally about to make a Lifemiles booking anyway. This is the 3rd transfer bonus from Amex alone to Avianca Lifemiles.

See all historical transfer bonuses.

British Airways Avios used to be best for shorthaul flights on Oneworld carriers but recent changes have killed that. Where a flight from New York to Toronto (under 650 miles) used to be as little as 4,500 miles in years past, it’s now 12,000 miles.

However, you can still transfer these miles over to Qatar Airways Avios where that same flight would be 6,000 miles. And that’s the thing – you can transfer these Avios to any other Avios program airline.

Also – outside of the US, BA still prices flights under 650 miles (i.e. SYD-MEL on Qantas) at 6,000 miles in Economy and only 12,500 miles in Business.

BA does have a very favorable lap infant policy – 10% of the miles paid for the adult fare. But beware of their draconian surcharges on long haul awards.

Advanced Mode: Transfer to Finnair’s Avios program which has sweet spots like 62,500 Avios and less than $200 from the US to Finland on Finnair and, (available only by phone or chat) amazing deals on AA transcons. If you can find JFK-LAX/SFO with an available Saver seat in 3-Cabin First (Z class), it’s yours for just 40,000 Finnair Avios. Traveling within the EU in business class (yes, the standard economy seat with the middle blocked, but premium services) is also a steal on Finnair.

Chase did this two tiered transfer bonus earlier this year as well (February), with 40% for two weeks, then 30%. They also had a flat 25% offer in the middle of this year. See all past transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic.

Redeem for flights starting at 6,000 points. We like using points for domestic Delta flights (when there is availability!) as well as for SkyTeam flights and, of course, ANA First and Business Class flights. Virgin’s own flight rewards are dynamically priced but with high surcharges. I’d been seeing a lot of Upper Class seats from 29,000 points but I’m not seeing much now so do some homework on what you are hoping to book before transferring.

ANA First and Business class awards:

• First Class to/from Japan from West Coast: 145,000 points Round Trip
• First Class to/from Japan from East Coast: 170,000 points Round Trip
• Business Class to/from Japan from West Coast: 105,000 points Round Trip
• Business Class to/from Japan from East Coast: 120,000 points Round Trip

(Note that you can book one way for half the price of the points price listed.)

British Airways Avios used to be best for shorthaul flights on Oneworld carriers but recent changes have killed that. Where a flight from New York to Toronto (under 650 miles) used to be as little as 4,500 miles in years past, it’s now 12,000 miles.

However, you can still transfer these miles over to Qatar Airways Avios where that same flight would be 6,000 miles. And that’s the thing – you can transfer these Avios to any other Avios program airline.

Also – outside of the US, BA still prices flights under 650 miles (i.e. SYD-MEL on Qantas) at 6,000 miles in Economy and only 12,500 miles in Business.

BA does have a very favorable lap infant policy – 10% of the miles paid for the adult fare. But beware of their draconian surcharges on long haul awards.

Advanced Mode: Transfer to Finnair’s Avios program which has sweet spots like 62,500 Avios and less than $200 from the US to Finland on Finnair and, (available only by phone or chat) amazing deals on AA transcons. If you can find JFK-LAX/SFO with an available Saver seat in 3-Cabin First (Z class), it’s yours for just 40,000 Finnair Avios. Traveling within the EU in business class (yes, the standard economy seat with the middle blocked, but premium services) is also a steal on Finnair.

British Airways Avios used to be best for shorthaul flights on Oneworld carriers but recent changes have killed that. Where a flight from New York to Toronto (under 650 miles) used to be as little as 4,500 miles in years past, it’s now 12,000 miles.

However, you can still transfer these miles over to Qatar Airways Avios where that same flight would be 6,000 miles. And that’s the thing – you can transfer these Avios to any other Avios program airline.

Also – outside of the US, BA still prices flights under 650 miles (i.e. SYD-MEL on Qantas) at 6,000 miles in Economy and only 12,500 miles in Business.

BA does have a very favorable lap infant policy – 10% of the miles paid for the adult fare. But beware of their draconian surcharges on long haul awards.

Advanced Mode: Transfer to Finnair’s Avios program which has sweet spots like 62,500 Avios and less than $200 from the US to Finland on Finnair and, (available only by phone or chat) amazing deals on AA transcons. If you can find JFK-LAX/SFO with an available Saver seat in 3-Cabin First (Z class), it’s yours for just 40,000 Finnair Avios. Traveling within the EU in business class (yes, the standard economy seat with the middle blocked, but premium services) is also a steal on Finnair.

British Airways Avios used to be best for shorthaul flights on Oneworld carriers but recent changes have killed that. Where a flight from New York to Toronto (under 650 miles) used to be as little as 4,500 miles in years past, it’s now 12,000 miles.

However, you can still transfer these miles over to Qatar Airways Avios where that same flight would be 6,000 miles. And that’s the thing – you can transfer these Avios to any other Avios program airline.

Also – outside of the US, BA still prices flights under 650 miles (i.e. SYD-MEL on Qantas) at 6,000 miles in Economy and only 12,500 miles in Business.

BA does have a very favorable lap infant policy – 10% of the miles paid for the adult fare. But beware of their draconian surcharges on long haul awards.

Advanced Mode: Transfer to Finnair’s Avios program which has sweet spots like 62,500 Avios and less than $200 from the US to Finland on Finnair and, (available only by phone or chat) amazing deals on AA transcons. If you can find JFK-LAX/SFO with an available Saver seat in 3-Cabin First (Z class), it’s yours for just 40,000 Finnair Avios. Traveling within the EU in business class (yes, the standard economy seat with the middle blocked, but premium services) is also a steal on Finnair.