Skip to content
Go to Home Page
Guide

A complete list of transfer bonuses over the past decade — which issuer is the most generous?

Eric Rosen
Eric Rosen
Director of Travel Content
TPG's director of travel content Eric Rosen has used points and miles to visit some of the world's most remote corners, including swimming with whale sharks off Western Australia's Ningaloo Coast, exploring the wilds of Botswana's Okavango Delta and tasting the high-altitude wines of Argentina's Mendoza region.
,
Emily Thompson
Emily Thompson
Credit Cards Writer
Before joining TPG as a credit cards writer in 2022, Emily was a high school English teacher. She fell in love with points and miles when she realized that they allowed her to travel regularly in spite of her limited budget as a teacher. Now, she's passionate about helping others unlock the experiences that credit card rewards can make possible. She specializes in beginner content, using her teaching background to help demystify your credit score and help you choose your next (or first!) credit card.
and
Stella Shon
Stella Shon
Writer
Stella is a full-time writer with expertise in credit cards, points and miles, and all things travel. She is a journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and previously worked as a copywriter at JetBlue Airways and as a credit cards writer at LendingTree.
Sept. 19, 2023
•
9 min read
British Airways 777-300ER at Sydney Airport (SYD)
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.

Part of what makes transferable points programs like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards so great is the ability to convert points into miles with dozens of airline partners. What makes them even more attractive is that some issuers offer occasional transfer bonuses for doing so.

However, in order to know whether a transfer bonus is a good deal, it helps to have some context. For instance, a 20% transfer bonus to JetBlue TrueBlue might seem like a decent perk until you learn that another credit card issuer was offering a 25% bonus just a few months ago and will likely do so again.

delta one suites 777
A transfer bonus might be the best way to score a great award at a great price. NICK ELLIS/THE POINTS GUY

For that reason, we've compiled a list of all the airline transfer bonuses that the following programs have offered over the past 10 years:

Which major card issuer offers the most transfer bonuses?

American Express takes the cake for offering the most transfer bonuses. The company has the highest number of bonus transfer partner options, plus the greatest frequency of bonus offers.

Capital One and Chase have beefed up their transfer bonus opportunities over the past 18 months, while Citi has been the least generous of the four major issuers.

Which year has seen the most transfer bonuses?

2021 appears to have been the golden year for all four programs offering transfer bonuses. Still, we've seen plenty of transfer offers since then and are keeping an eye out for more offers this year.

It's also worth noting that this list may not be exhaustive. There are times when a transfer bonus is targeted to a select group of cardholders. However, the data points below are from widespread bonuses that appeared for virtually all customers.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Related: Why transferable points are worth more than other rewards

The history of American Express Membership Rewards transfer bonuses

American Express Membership Rewards currently transfer to 18 airline partners, such as Delta SkyMiles and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. This gives you great options for maximizing the rewards you earn on cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card.

Take advantage of Amex's frequent transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic. NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUY

Aer Lingus AerClub

  • July/August 2023: 30%
  • September 2022: 25%
  • September 2021: 40%
  • October 2019: 40%

Aeromexico Rewards

  • September 2022: 20%
  • September 2021: 25%
  • February 2019: 25%
  • November 2018: 25%
  • March 2015: 20%

Air Canada Aeroplan

  • September 2022: 15%
  • September 2021: 20%
  • December 2019: 10% to 20%
  • May 2019: 10% to 20%
  • November 2018: 20%
  • December 2017: 10% to 20%

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

  • September 2023: 25%
  • May 2023: 25%
  • November 2022: 25%
  • September 2022: 25%
  • September 2021: 25%
  • December 2020: 30%
  • April 2019: 25%
  • June 2018: 25%

Avianca LifeMiles

  • August 2023: 15%
  • May 2023: 15%
  • November 2022: 15%
  • September 2022: 15%
  • September 2021: 15%
  • April 2019: 15%

British Airways Executive Club

  • July/August 2023: 30%
  • September 2022: 25%
  • September 2021: 40%
  • October 2019: 40%
  • November 2018: 40%
  • September 2017: 40%
  • October 2016: 50%
  • January 2015: 40%

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

  • December 2020: 25%
  • January 2020: 10%
  • March 2019: 10% to 30%
  • September 2018: 10% to 30%

Choice Privileges

  • October 2022: 25%

Emirates Skywards

  • November 2018: 25%

Etihad Guest

  • June 2016: 20%

HawaiianMiles

  • January 2023: 20%
  • September 2022: 20%
  • September 2021: 25%
  • June 2021: 25%
  • June 2018: 25%
  • June 2017: 25%
  • June 2016: 25%
  • December 2015: 25%
  • June 2014: 20%

Hilton Honors

  • August 2023: 25%
  • September 2022: 30%
  • October 2021: 30%
  • June 2021: 40%
  • January 2021: 40%
  • October 2020: 40%
  • December 2019: 50%

Iberia Plus

  • July/August 2023: 30%
  • September 2021: 40%
  • October 2019: 40%
  • November 2018: 40%
  • December 2016: 50%
  • December 2015: 25%

JetBlue TrueBlue

  • December 2019: 25%
  • June 2019: 40%
  • October 2018: 25%
  • March 2018: 10% to 30%
  • November 2017: 25%
  • May 2017: 25%
  • September 2014: 25%

Marriott Bonvoy

  • September 2022: 20%
  • October 2021: 30%
  • June 2021: 40%
  • December 2020: 30%
  • February 2020: 30%
  • June 2019: 40% to 50%

Qantas Frequent Flyer

  • September 2022: 20%
  • September 2021: 20%
  • February 2020: 20%
  • June 2019: 20%

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

  • June 2023: 30%
  • September 2022: 30%
  • September 2021: 30%
  • December 2019: 30%
  • July 2019: 30%
  • December 2018: 30%
  • November 2018: 10% to 30%
  • September 2018: 30%
  • November 2017: 30%
  • May 2017: 30%
  • May 2016: 30%
  • April 2015: 25%
  • November 2014: 35%
  • May 2014: 30%
  • November 2013: 30%

The history of Capital One transfer bonuses

Capital One has improved its rewards program vastly over the past few years, adding new airline and hotel transfer partners, including Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and Choice Privileges. Only select Capital One credit cards earn transferable miles, but some top options include the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Business.

Fancy a flight in Cathay Pacific's first class? A transfer bonus might be able to help. JT GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

ALL — Accor Live Limitless

  • November 2022: 20%

Aeromexico Rewards

  • August 2021: 25%

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

  • July 2023: 20%
  • August 2022: 20%
  • September 2021: 30%
  • June 2019: 20%

Avianca LifeMiles

  • July 2021: 25%
  • December 2020: 15%
  • July 2019: 25%
  • June 2019: 15%

British Airways Executive Club

  • November 2022: 20%
  • August 2022: 20%
  • August 2021: 33%

Emirates Skywards

  • March 2019: 100%

JetBlue TrueBlue

  • May 2019: 50%

Virgin Red

  • March 2023: 30%
  • October 2022: 30%

The history of Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer bonuses

Although the Ultimate Rewards program launched more than a decade ago, transfer bonuses have been few and far between. However, Chase has offered more transfer bonuses since 2020. This has added substantial value for the rewards you can earn on cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.

Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
We've seen an IHG transfer bonus as high as 60% in the past. IHG

Aer Lingus AerClub

  • September 2023: 30%
  • September 2021: 30%

Air Canada Aeroplan

  • July 2023: 20%
  • November 2022: 30%

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

  • May 2023: 25%

British Airways Executive Club

  • September 2023: 30%
  • September 2021: 30%
  • December 2020: 30%
  • June 2019: 30%

Iberia Plus

  • September 2023: 30%
  • September 2021: 30%

IHG One Rewards

  • July 2023: 70%
  • August 2022: 50%
  • December 2020: 30%
  • August 2020: 60%

Marriott Bonvoy

  • August/September 2023: 50%
  • May 2023: 50%
  • March 2023: 50%
  • November 2022: 40%
  • August 2022: 50%
  • August 2021: 50%

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

  • May/June 2023: 30%
  • October 2022: 30%

The history of Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer bonuses

Citi has over a dozen airline partners, including Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Etihad Guest and Qantas Frequent Flyer. You can earn transferable ThankYou points on the Citi Premier® Card(see rates and fees).

Save up for a flight to Australia with your Citi ThankYou points. NICHOLAS ELLIS/THE POINTS GUY

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

  • June 2023: 25%
  • July 2019: 25%
  • August 2018: 30%

Avianca LifeMiles

  • March 2023: 20%
  • August 2022: 25%
  • February 2021: 25%
  • July 2019: 25%
  • December 2018: 25%

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

  • July 2023: 15%
  • January 2020: 15%
  • July 2018: 15%
  • September 2017: 20%

Etihad Guest

  • July 2017: 10%
  • July 2016: 25%
  • December 2015: 25%
  • May 2015: 25%

JetBlue TrueBlue

  • May 2018: 30%
  • October 2017: 25%
  • April 2017: 50%

Qantas Frequent Flyer

  • February 2020: 25%
  • April 2019: 25%
  • June 2016: 15% to 30%

Qatar Airways Privilege Club

  • June 2023: 30%

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles

  • February 2019: 25%

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

  • September 2023: 30%
  • March 2023: 30%
  • June 2019: 30%
  • October 2018: 30%
  • March 2017: 25%
  • April 2016: 25%
  • August 2015: 25%

Wyndham Rewards

  • September 2023: 20%

Bottom line

Transfer bonuses can make already useful points much more valuable. Before you take advantage of one, though, it is important to know whether it is a good deal, an unusually high bonus or something likely to be beneficial to you for an imminent redemption.

If a transfer bonus that appeals to you comes around, bookmark this page and our current transfer bonus page to see how it compares to past and current offers. Be sure to research ideas about maximizing your points with the best strategy possible.

Featured image by RYAN PATTERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.