ADVERTISEMENT
A History of Amex Transfer Bonuses From 2010-Present
Brian Kelly
Founder + "The Points Guy"
Since launching TPG in 2010, founder Brian Kelly has expanded the team to include a distinguished editorial staff and an extensive network of freelancer contacts from around the globe. Today, TPG reaches 11 million unique monthly visitors and more than 3 million followers across social media platforms and has offices in New York City, Charlotte and the U.K.
April 11, 2013
•
7 min read
A History of Amex Transfer Bonuses From 2010-Present
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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
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 (?) |
[card card-name='Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express' card-id='22035076' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Best for businesses with high spending
Apply for Capital One Venture X Business
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Apply for Capital One Venture X Business
at Capital One's secure site
Rewards
2 - 10X miles
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 months
Annual Fee
$395
Recommended Credit
740-850
Excellent
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Apply for Capital One Venture X Business
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for businesses with high spending
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month