✈ This Trick Saves Me Thousands of Points Each Year, New Clear+ Pricing & More From TPG ✈

July 2, 2026

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Travel farther with fewer points

by Augusta Stone, Credit cards writer

How do you know when to redeem your rewards?

That’s a question my friends and family often ask me, and, to be honest, there’s no such thing as a perfect redemption — but there is a trick that I use to save thousands of points and miles each year.

Two words: transfer bonuses.

Transferring your points or miles for an epic trip is easier than most people think, and when you stack a transfer bonus on top, you can unlock some serious value.

Each month, credit card issuers typically offer a limited-time bonus when you transfer rewards to certain partners — and there are some killer ones available in July.

Here’s how I would use them:

Fly round-trip to London. Economy awards on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (an all-around excellent economy experience) start at just 6,000 Virgin points one-way, so that a round-trip could run 12,000 points (plus taxes and fees). Right now, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic with a 30% bonus, which means you could cover the trip for just 10,000 Chase points. (Bonus ends July 14.)
Fly business class to Europe. You can book a Swiss International Air Lines business-class seat to Zurich for 63,000 Avianca Lifemiles (plus taxes and fees). But since you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards to Avianca with a 15% bonus right now, you could cover that flight with just 55,000 Amex points. (Bonus ends July 15.)
Splurge on a swanky lie-flat business-class seat to Taiwan. One-way business-class awards from the U.S. to Asia on EVA Air start at 75,000 miles. Capital One miles normally transfer to EVA Air at a ratio of 1,000:750, but a current 30% bonus between the programs means you’d only need 77,000 Capital One miles. (Bonus ends July 31.)

One big mistake to avoid: Confirm the award availability before you make any transfers. You can’t transfer your points back once you move them to a loyalty program.

But if you find that perfect award and you’re able to stack a transfer bonus on top, you’ll be getting top value for your hard-earned points.

Want to keep track of which transfer bonuses are available? We are constantly updating our running list.

And here are some more resources:

Happy transferring!

Augusta

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Photo Credit: SWISS AIR.

TOGETHER WITH

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of a new language

You already know how to get there for less. Now make the most of every destination once you land.

Learning the local language is the one travel upgrade no points strategy can replicate — better experiences, hidden gems and connections that turn a good redemption trip into an unforgettable one.

Built by 150+ linguists, the Babbel Method takes just 10 minutes a day and you could be speaking out loud in as little as three weeks.

This 4th of July, get 20% off Babbel Lifetime — the language app that goes everywhere your points take you.

Get 20% Off Lifetime Access

A lot of cards do one thing well. This one does several

We love recommending credit cards (we practically live for it), but we know not everyone wants five cards in their wallet.

If you’re looking for just one card to maximize rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card continues to be our most recommended travel rewards card.

It can be your go-to for everything since it streamlines big earning power, useful perks and travel-friendly benefits into one card. And its points transfer to some of the best travel partners you could find. (Think World of Hyatt, United MileagePlan, etc.)

Add a limited-time welcome offer letting you earn a whopping 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening — and this a perfect storm.

Those 100,000 bonus points are worth more than $2,000 in travel, per our June 2026 valuations, so take advantage of this big opportunity while you still can.

See the offer

Today’s top stories

Clear+ is getting more expensive: Here’s how you can still get it for free or discounted

The company hiked its annual membership dues for the second straight year.

How much does a ‘free’ hotel stay really cost? I compared Marriott and Hyatt to find out

"Free" hotel nights aren't always free. Here's what I paid out of pocket on comparable Marriott and Hyatt award stays in downtown Houston.

American Airlines adds 3 Chicago routes, including one to Japan

American Airlines is adding three new routes from Chicago O'Hare, including a return to Tokyo.

Amazon Prime members can save 50 cents per gallon on gas this holiday weekend

From July 2 to 5, Amazon Prime members can save a total of $0.50 per gallon on one fuel purchase.

Quarterly statement credits and bonus categories: Maximize these Q3 benefits before Sept. 30

Keep track of your statement credits and bonus categories to maximize value.

The latest

1.	Does it make sense to hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve?

2.	Predict your TSA wait: This handy app is back up and running after 2 government shutdowns

3.	Was the ‘fast, free’ Wi-Fi really slow on your flight, too? Here’s what’s going on

4.	Coca-Cola ousts Pepsi as the official soda at Marriott hotels worldwide

5.	My biggest assumption about the Chase Sapphire Preferred was wrong

6.	New bonuses on Atmos Rewards credit cards: Up to 70,000 points, companion fares and more

7.	Why the Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred make a great pairing

8.	The dining statement credits that save me over $1,000 every year

9.	American to open new grab-and-go lounge at New York JFK by end of year

10.	A month later, Lufthansa First awards still aren’t showing through partner programs: Here’s why it matters

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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. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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