Current Transfer Bonuses

While it’s always hard to recommend speculative transfers, Hilton points have gotten more attractive since integrating SLH hotels into Hilton Honors (See Dave’s recent musing about his thinking on how Hilton points may be becoming more valuable). The integration is already providing exceptional value at properties with rates in the $1,000 – $2,000 a night range for, on average, 120,000 points a night. So, it appears his musing has become a reality.

And as long as you have at least the lowest tier Hilton status, the 5th night is free on any award and resort fees are also waived on award stays.

We value an Amex point at 1.7 cents and a Hilton point at 0.5 cents and while those values are an average, with a 5th night free award you can definitely do well transferring 1,000 Amex points for 2,800 Hilton Honors points.

Our advice is to run some sample searches for potential redemptions to see the value you’re likely to get before transferring.

For context on the size of this bonus, since 2022 Amex has had 5 transfer bonuses to Amex. A 40% one for Platinum Card holders only early this year and the other 4 were 30%, 25%, 30% and 30%. So this is in line with a standard offer that Amex offers 2 to 3 times a year.

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 – hello, sweet spot!

BA does have a very favorable lap infant policy – 10% of the miles paid for the adult fare.

Beware their draconian surcharges on long haul awards.

On the same day as transfer bonuses to BA and Aer Lingus, keep in mind that all Avios can be moved between programs.

Iberia’s chart is similar to BA’s however, note that I recommend only using for travel on Iberia. That is not only because fees will be lowest (you can fly from the East Coast of the US to Madrid in Business Class off peak for 34,000 Avios) but because award travel on partner airlines booked with Iberia Avios is non-refundable!!

Flying Blue rates are variable, so run a search before transferring. When you get lucky, business class from the US to Europe can run as low as just 50,000 Flying Blue miles. That would be just 42,000 Capital One Miles during this promotion!

Flying Blue is the best way to book Virgin Atlantic Upper Class from the US to Europe and beyond, due to the lowest taxes of any way to book Virgin Atlantic. It can also book Delta, KLM, and other SkyTeam members.

Transfers should be instant. Promotion ends 11:59PM Eastern Time on 09/29/2024

Bilt members will receive up to a 100% transfer bonus on September 1st when they transfer their Bilt points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or Virgin Red.

Bilt points can be converted in increments of 1,000.* A member’s transfer bonus will be based upon your Bilt Membership Status as of the time you elect to transfer your Bilt points on September 1, 2024, as follows:

*Blue members must transfer a minimum of 2,000 Bilt points.

Two great uses are domestically on Delta within the US or US-Mexico/Canada and for economy flights to/from Europe that are as few as 12,000 miles each way on partners such as KLM or Delta.

Another great use is on ITA Airways to/from Italy for 75,000 miles in Business Class. Surcharges are low; even FCO to JFK has only $55 in fees. And if you could actually find a Delta One award FROM Europe to the US, it would be just 50,000 points. Availability is a unicorn. Unfortunately, awards TO Europe on Delta now cost more and have $1,000 + surcharges)

The other, well known, “best use” is to book 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

All Bilt members will receive a 50% transfer bonus on September 1, 2024 when they transfer their Bilt points to Avianca LifeMiles. Bilt points can be converted in increments of 1,000.

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

Keep in mind that Avianca just devalued their program.

Also see: Downsides of LifeMiles program.

The only way to book nonstop flights from the US to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines. Prices are variable.

You can also redeem with ANA, Korean Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia.

Technically JetBlue as well, but it’s a very poor value option.

Don’t forget you’ll pay Amex an excise tax of 60 cents per 1,000 miles transferred up to a max of $99 per transfer. This is done on transfers to US based airlines, only with Amex.

You *might* consider this is a speculative move to parlay Amex points into Alaska MileagePlan miles due to the impending merger however note that the DOJ has extended its review period to even decide if it it will contest the merger and there is plenty after that before it’s a done deal so be aware of the risk that your miles get stuck as HawaiianMiles if the merger fails.

The Qantas frequent flyer program tends to have very expensive rates, however, there are often times that they make First and Business Class seats from the US to Australia available with Qantas Frequent Flyer and not with partners. Still, a 20% bonus is probably not enough to move the needle unless you see an award to book today.

You can also book Emirates First and Business class flights with Qantas. Compare against the Emirates Skywards program before transferring.

Flying Blue rates are variable, so run a search before transferring. When you get lucky, business class from the US to Europe can run as low as just 50,000 Flying Blue miles. That would be just 40,000 Citi ThankYou points during this promotion!

Flying Blue is the best way to book Virgin Atlantic Upper Class from the US to Europe and beyond, due to the lowest taxes of any way to book Virgin Atlantic. It can also book Delta, KLM, and other SkyTeam members.

Transfers should be instant.

Citi Strata Premier and Citi Prestige cardholders (the only cards in the ThankYou program that enable transferable points) can get a 20% bonus when transferring their ThankYou points to Wyndham Rewards.

Wyndham isn’t a super popular program on its own, but there is value to be found.