A complete list of transfer bonuses over the past decade — which issuer is the most generous?
Part of what makes transferable points programs such as 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.
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 also has the highest number of bonus transfer partner options, plus the greatest frequency of bonus offers by a fair margin.
Chase and Citi have beefed up their transfer bonus opportunities over the past 18 months, while Capital One has been the least generous of the four major issuers.
Which year has seen the most transfer bonuses?
2023 appears to have been the golden year for all four programs offering transfer bonuses. Per our records, American Express, Chase and Citi all offered their highest annual total of transfer bonuses last year.
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.
Related: Why transferable points are worth more than other rewards
The history of American Express Membership Rewards transfer bonuses
American Express Membership Rewards points currently transfer to 18 airline partners, such as Delta Air Lines 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.
American Express typically offers the most transfer bonuses when compared to other issuers, outpacing the field each year across the last decade. In 2023, American Express Membership Rewards offered a whopping 17 transfer bonuses — the most the program has ever offered in a single year.
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
- February/March 2024: 15%
- November/December 2023: 15%
- 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
- March 2024: 10%
- 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 Airways Guest
- March/April 2024: 20%
- June 2016: 20%
Hawaiian Airlines 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
- November/December 2023: 30%
- 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
- October/November 2023: 25%
- 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
- November 2023: 20%
- 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%
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- November/December 2023: 10%
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- December 2023 (targeted): 20%
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- December 2023: 30%
- 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 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 can 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.
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
- September 2023: 15%
- 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.
In fact, the Ultimate Rewards program was on pace with the notably generous American Express Membership Rewards program in 2023, offering 14 transfer bonuses last year — the most we've tracked in a single year from Chase by a long shot. By comparison, American Express also offered its highest number of transfer bonuses in 2023 at 17.
These bonuses have added substantial value to the rewards you can earn on cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
The information for the Ink Business Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Aer Lingus AerClub
- September 2023: 30%
- September 2021: 30%
Air Canada Aeroplan
- December 2023/January 2024: 20%
- July 2023: 20%
- November 2022: 30%
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- March/April 2024: 25%
- October/November 2023: 25%
- 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
- February 2024: 60%
- July 2023: 70%
- August 2022: 50%
- December 2020: 30%
- August 2020: 60%
JetBlue TrueBlue
- November 2023/January 2024: 25%
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
- October/November 2023: 30%
- 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 Airways Guest and Qantas Frequent Flyer. You can earn transferable ThankYou points on the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees).
Citi ThankYou Rewards began to catch up with the other programs in 2023 when the issuer offered 10 transfer bonuses, its highest number across a single year. Last year was also the first time Citi has offered at least five transfer bonuses in a single year since 2019.
Accor Live Limitless
- November 2023: 50%
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- June 2023: 25%
- July 2019: 25%
- August 2018: 30%
Avianca LifeMiles
- October/November 2023: 25%
- March 2023: 20%
- August 2022: 25%
- February 2021: 25%
- July 2019: 25%
- December 2018: 25%
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- March 2024: 10%
- July 2023: 15%
- January 2020: 15%
- July 2018: 15%
- September 2017: 20%
Etihad Airways 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
- November 2023: 30%
- June 2023: 30%
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- February 2019: 25%
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- February/March 2024: 30%
- 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, and programs were more likely to offer them in 2023 than in any prior year. It's worth tracking to see if that trend continues in 2024, as this could be advantageous for future redemptions.
Before you take advantage of a transfer bonus, 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.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.