A History of Amex Transfer Bonuses From 2010-Present
One of the biggest benefits of having American Express Membership Rewards points is taking advantage of transfer bonuses to the program's airline and hotel partners. Unfortunately, these bonuses used to be offered much more frequently. While we are going through a drought, I figured I'd put together a list of past bonuses so you can see any past trends and decide whether it makes sense to redeem now or wait for a new bonus.
I have no inside information, but if I were a betting man I'd bank on seeing a Virgin America or Starwood 50% bonus within the next couple of months, which I personally wouldn't take advantage of. I'd rather see a British Airways 30-50% bonus or even an Air France/Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic bonus that I could use towards promo awards (though those do carry big fees.)
While this might be wishful thinking, here's a list of past bonuses from 2010 for the US Membership Rewards program. I'm sure I probably missed a couple, so feel free to comment on any and I'll add to the list.
| Transfer Partner | Dates | Bonus Percentage | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan | November 22, 2010 – December 5, 2010 | 25% | 11 days | 5,000 bonus miles for 20,000 points, max |
| Aeroplan (for Candada Amex only) | August 9, 2010 – August 15, 2010 | 15% | 7 days | |
| Flying Blue Air France/KLM | September 10, 2012 – September 16, 2012 | 35% | 6 days | |
| Flying Blue Air France/KLM | February 2, 2012 – February 29, 2012 | 25% | 28 days | |
| AirTran | February 1, 2011 – April 1, 2011 | 25% | 29 days | A different points structure: 1,123 AmEx points get you 1 AirTran A+ credit. The equivalent of 9,000 points is good for one-way coach ticket |
| British Airways | December 3, 2012 – January 14, 2013 | 30% | 43 days | |
| British Airways | March 1, 2012 – March 31, 2012 | 50% | 31 days | This is for Canadian AmEx Rewards Program |
| British Airways | August 28, 2012 – September 27, 2012 | 40% | 31 days | |
| British Airways | March 15, 2012 – May 31, 2012 | 50% | 77 days | |
| British Airways | November 28, 2011 – January 31, 2012 | 30% | 65 days | |
| British Airways | June 1, 2011 – July 31, 2011 | 50% | 61 days | |
| British Airways | February 2, 2011 – March 31, 2011 | 40% | 58 days | |
| British Airways | November 2, 2010 – December 31, 2010 | 30% | 60 days | |
| British Airways (USA Platinum and Centurion) | April 1, 2010 – June 30, 2010 | 20% | 91 days | |
| British Airways (UK Amex cardholders) | January 23, 2010 – February 20, 2010 | 100% | 28 days | |
| British Airways (UK Amex) | December 3, 2010 – December 24, 2010 | 30% | 21 days | |
| Choice Hotels | April 3, 2012 – June 30, 2012 | 25% rebate* | 89 days | 33% bonus on an otherwise 1:1 ratio (750 AmEx = 1,000 Choice) |
| Choice Hotels | 31-Oct-11 | 50% | ||
| Delta | November 14, 2011 – November 30, 2011 | 30% | 16 days | *Plus a 15,000 bonus with every 50,000 transfer, so with that it would be 43% |
| Delta | July 25, 2011 – September 30, 2011 | 67% (40% rebate) | 68 days | *This was a 40% rebate offer, in 50k increments and with a $60 per 100k excise fee. Also, rebate certificates sent 6-8 weeks after transaction |
| Delta | June 9, 2011 – September 30, 2011 | 50% | 113 days | *Also 25,000 MQMs, requires 100,000 point transfer |
| Delta | June 1, 2011 – June 30, 2011 | 40% | 30 days | *100,000 or more points. 25% if less |
| Delta | April - May 2011 | 40% (25% rebate) | Approx 2 months | *40% on 100,000+, 25% on less |
| Delta | January 22, 2011 – May 31, 2011 | 50% | 130 days | *First time transfers only, 25,000 MQM as well |
| Delta | January 18, 2011 – March 31, 2011 | 30% | 73 days | |
| Delta | November 30, 2010 – December 31, 2010 | 67% (bonus, essentially) | 32 days | * 20,000 bonus (or $250 Macy’s card) for 50,000 transfer |
| Delta | November 1, 2010 – December 15, 2010 | 50% | 45 days | * 25,000 MQM w/ 50,000 point transfer |
| Delta | August 11, 2010 – September 30, 2010 | 20% | 41 days | |
| Delta | May 10, 2010 – June 30, 2010 | 25% | 51 days | |
| Delta | January 23, 2010 – February 28, 2010 | up to 40% | 36 days | * up to 49,000 for 10%, 50 to 149,000 for 20%, 150,000+ for 40% |
| El Al | November 1, 2010 – unknown | 25% | unknown | |
| Hilton | April 3, 2012 – June 30, 2012 | 25% rebate* | 89 days | *25% bonus on an otherwise 1:1.5 ratio (750 AmEx = 1,500 Hilton) |
| Iberia | September 19, 2011 – not specified, but Iberia rolled into Avios on November 16, 2011 | 20% | 59 days | |
| JetBlue | June 12, 2012 – June 17, 2012 | 30% | 6 days | |
| Priority Club | April 12, 2010 – June 3, 2010 | 20% | 21 days | |
| Starwood | April 3, 2012 – June 30, 2012 | 25% rebate* | 89 days | *44% bonus on an otherwise 3:1 ratio (750 AmEx = 333 SPG) |
| Starwood | March 1, 2012 – March 31, 2012 | 50% | 31 days | |
| Starwood | September 1, 2011 – September 14, 2011 | 25% | 14 days | |
| Virgin America | November 7, 2012 – November 21, 2012 | 50% | 14 days | *Targeted |
| Virgin America | August 27, 2012 – September 2, 2012 | 30% | 7 days | |
| Virgin America | March 19, 2012 – March 26, 2012 | 30% | 7 days | |
| Virgin Atlantic | April 1, 2012 – May 15, 2012 | 25% | 45 days | *Also a 1:2 ratio transfer, Virgin to Hilton |
| Virgin Atlantic | November 27, 2012 – December 29, 2012 | 35% | 32 days | |
| Virgin Atlantic | 3-Jun-11 | 25% | Unknown | |
| Virgin Atlantic | January 10, 2011 – February 28, 2011 | 15% | 39 days | |
| Virgin Atlantic | October 1, 2010 – October 31, 2010 | 20% | 31 days | |
| Virgin Atlantic | July 19, 2010 – July 30, 2010 | 15% | 20 days | |
| Virgin Atlantic | February 22, 2010 – at least March 16, 2010 (last mention in post) | 15% | 23 days (?) |
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