A Complete History of Airline and Hotel Transfer Bonuses

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Flexible points are great. You can scour dozens of airline and hotel programs to find the right redemption for your upcoming travel plans, then move your points to the program offering the best deal.

And while using your points and miles can provide great value, there are opportunities to improve the redemption. Conversely, if you don't have enough points for the booking you want, using a transfer bonus can help you make it happen.

That's why we have compiled this list of transfer bonuses, so you can see by their history whether or not you should take advantage of a transfer bonus promotion or whether it makes more sense to wait for a better one to come around. Understanding the frequency of transfer bonus promotions and the rate at which they are offered can help you make educated guesses for the future.

We will focus on the last few years of history for the most frequently used transferrable points programs:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Bilt Rewards
• Citi ThankYou^® Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Capital One

Then, we'll close out this guide by looking at recent transfer bonuses to three popular airline programs: Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Air Canada Aeroplan.

Related: All Current Credit Card Transfer Bonuses

Amex Transfer Bonus History

American Express Membership Rewards is far and away the strongest program when it comes to offering the most frequent transfer bonuses. A big reason for that is the massive number of Amex transfer partners.

You can transfer Amex points to 21 different airline and hotel partners. As a result, this gives you the best options for maximizing the points earned on cards like the American Express^® Gold Card or The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

In 2023 alone, for example, Amex offered 17 different transfer bonus promotions, an average of more than one a month. Now, let's look at the transfer bonus history Amex has offered in recent years, broken down by program.

Aer Lingus AerClub

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

Aeromexico Rewards

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

Air Canada Aeroplan

• November 2018: 20% bonus
• May 2019: 10% or 20% bonus
• December 2019: 10% or 20% bonus
• September 2021: 20% bonus
• September 2022: 15% bonus

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

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

Credit: Juan Hernández/Pexels

Avianca LifeMiles

• April 2019: 15% bonus
• September 2021: 15% bonus
• September 2022: 15% bonus
• November 2022: 15% bonus
• May 2023: 15% bonus
• August 2023: 15% bonus
• November & December 2023: 15% bonus
• February & March 2024: 15% bonus

British Airways Executive Club

• September 2017: 40% bonus
• November 2018: 40% bonus
• October 2019: 40% bonus
• September 2021: 40% bonus
• September 2022: 25% bonus
• July & August 2023: 30% bonus

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

• September 2018: 10% or 30% bonus
• March 2019: 10% or 30% bonus
• January 2020: 10% bonus
• December 2020: 25% bonus
• March 2024: 10% bonus

Choice Privileges

• October 2022: 25% bonus

Emirates Skywards

• November 2018: 25% bonus

Etihad Guest

• June 2016: 20% bonus
• March & April 2024: 20% bonus

Hawaiian HawaiianMiles

• June 2017: 25% bonus
• June 2018: 25% bonus
• June 2021: 25% bonus
• September 2021: 25% bonus
• September 2022: 20% bonus
• January 2023: 20% bonus

Hilton Honors

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

Iberia Plus

• November 2018: 40% bonus
• October 2019: 40% bonus
• September 2021: 40% bonus
• July & August 2023: 30% bonus

JetBlue TrueBlue

• May 2017: 25% bonus
• November 2017: 25% bonus
• March 2018: 10% or 30% bonus
• October 2018: 25% bonus
• June 2019: 40% bonus
• December 2019: 25% bonus
• October & November 2023: 25% bonus

Marriott Bonvoy

• June 2019: 40% or 50% bonus (targeted offers varied)
• February 2020: 30% bonus
• December 2020: 30% bonus
• June 2021: 40% bonus
• October 2021: 30% bonus
• September 2022: 20% bonus
• November 2023: 20% bonus

Sheraton Stockholm. Credit: Marriott

Qantas Frequent Flyer

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

Qatar Privilege Club

• November & December 2023: 10% bonus

Singapore KrisFlyer

• December 2023: 20% bonus

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

• May 2017: 30% bonus
• November 2017: 30% bonus
• September 2018: 30% bonus
• November 2018: 10% or 30% bonus (targeted offers varied)
• December 2018: 30% bonus
• July 2019: 30% bonus
• December 2019: 30% bonus
• September 2021: 30% bonus
• September 2022: 30% bonus
• June 2023: 30% bonus
• December 2023: 30% bonus

Related: All of the Cards That Earn American Express Membership Rewards

Bilt Transfer Bonus History

The Bilt Rewards program doesn't have the recognition of some other points programs, but it shouldn't be overlooked. Bilt is quite unique, as it's tailored towards renters, allowing them to bypass huge administrative fees when paying rent and earning Bilt points along the way. The Bilt Mastercard^® was issued by Evolve Bank and Trust prior to March 28, 2022 but is now issued by Wells Fargo.

From Avianca LifeMiles to United MileagePlus, Bilt is growing its transfer partners list and the value they provide. Transferring your points to one of the many Bilt transfer partners is the best way to maximize their value. You're more likely to find better redemption options for your points and miles directly through the hotel or airline programs than what you'd be required to spend through the Bilt travel portal.

Let's take a look at some of the past transfer bonuses on offer with Bilt to see what might be in store shortly.

Air Canada Aeroplan

• February 2024: 75%, 100%, 125%, or 150% bonus (offer targeted based on Bilt status tier)

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

• May 2023: 100% bonus
• January 2024: 75%, 100%, 125%, or 150% bonus (offer targeted based on Bilt status tier)

Emirates Skywards

• November 2023: 75%, 100%, 125%, or 150% bonus (offer targeted based on Bilt status tier)

Credit: Milind Shah/Unsplash

Hawaiian HawaiianMiles

• February 2023: 100% bonus

IHG One Rewards

• December 2022: 100% bonus
• January 2024: 75%, 100%, 125%, or 150% bonus (offer targeted based on Bilt status tier)

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or Virgin Red

• August 2023: 75%, 100%, 125%, or 150% bonus (offer targeted based on Bilt status tier)
• January 2024: 75%, 100%, 125%, or 150% bonus (offer targeted based on Bilt status tier)

Related: How Does Bilt Rewards Stack Up for Earning Rewards by Paying Rent?

Chase Transfer Bonus History

The Chase Ultimate Rewards program is one of, if not the most popular rewards programs out there. With over a dozen different Chase transfer partners, your choices for finding a program that matches what you're looking for are high.

In 2023, the Ultimate Rewards program came close to matching the number of transfer bonuses Amex offered, with a total of 14 transfer bonuses last year alone. These 14 transfer bonuses have substantially increased the value of rewards that you can receive when using cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, or Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card.

Here's how to transfer Chase points to airline and hotel partners. Now, let's look at the Chase transfer bonus history.

Aer Lingus AerClub

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

Air Canada Aeroplan

• November 2022: 30% bonus
• July 2023: 20% bonus
• December 2023 & January 2024: 20% bonus

Air Canada planes parked at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Credit: David Preston/Unsplash

Air France/KLM Flying Blue

• May 2023: 25% bonus
• October & November 2023: 25% bonus
• March & April 2024: 25% bonus

British Airways Executive Club

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

Iberia Plus

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

IHG One Rewards

• August 2020: 60% bonus
• December 2020: 30% bonus
• August 2022: 50% bonus
• July 2023: 70% bonus
• February 2024: 60% bonus

JetBlue TrueBlue

• November 2023 to January 2024: 25% bonus

Marriott Bonvoy

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

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

• October 2022: 30% bonus
• May & June 2023: 30% bonus
• October & November 2023: 30% bonus

Related: All of the Cards That Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards

Capital One Transfer Bonus History

The Capital One Rewards program has evolved in recent years by adding new hotel and airline transfer partners like Choice Privileges and Turkish Miles & Smiles. The list of Capital One transfer partners is now extensive.

Cards with “Venture” and “Spark Miles” in the names earn transferable Capital One miles, such as the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business and Capital One Venture X Business as well as the no-annual-fee Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

Here's how to transfer Capital One miles to airline and hotel partners. Now, let's look at the Capital One transfer bonus history.

Accor Live Limitless (ALL)

• November 2022: 20% bonus

Aeromexico Rewards

• August 2021: 25% bonus

Air France/KLM Flying Blue

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

Avianca LifeMiles

• June 2019: 15% bonus
• July 2019: 25% bonus
• December 2020: 15% bonus
• July 2021: 25% bonus
• September 2023: 15% bonus

Credit: Juan Hernández/Pexels

British Airways Executive Club

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

Emirates Skywards

• March 2019: 100% bonus

JetBlue TrueBlue

• May 2019: 50% bonus

Virgin Red

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

Related: All of the Cards That Earn Capital One Miles

Citi Transfer Bonus History

The Citi ThankYou program isn't short of its fair share of airline transfer partners, including the likes of Etihad Guest and Qantas Frequent Flyer. The best way to earn transferable Citi ThankYou Points is using cards like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card and Citi Double Cash^® Card. Citi closed applications to the Citi Prestige^® Card several years ago, meaning you can only access the full range of Citi transfer partners if you still hold that card or hold the Citi Strata Premier — a negative when compared to the number of cards that can access transfer partners in the other programs on this list.

Citi ThankYou Rewards has been lagging behind its competitors for some years now, but that all changed in 2023 when it offered 10 different transfer bonuses. Check out how to transfer Citi ThankYou points to airline and hotel partners before we dive into the Citi ThankYou transfer bonus history.

Accor Live Limitless (ALL)

• November 2023: 50% bonus

Air France/KLM Flying Blue

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

Avianca LifeMiles

• December 2018: 25% bonus
• July 2019: 25% bonus
• February 2021: 25% bonus
• August 2022: 25% bonus
• March 2023: 20% bonus
• October & November 2023: 25% bonus

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

• September 2017: 20% bonus
• July 2018: 15% bonus
• January 2020: 15% bonus
• July 2023: 15% bonus
• March 2024: 10% bonus

Etihad Guest

• July 2017: 10% bonus

JetBlue TrueBlue

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

Credit: Dushawn Jovic/Unsplash

Qantas Frequent Flyer

• April 2019: 25% bonus
• February 2020: 25% bonus

Qatar Privilege Club

• June 2023: 30% bonus
• November 2023: 30% bonus

Turkish Miles & Smiles

• February 2019: 25% bonus

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

• March 2017: 25% bonus
• October 2018: 30% bonus
• June 2019: 30% bonus
• March 2023: 30% bonus
• September 2023: 30% bonus
• February & March 2024: 30% bonus

Wyndham Rewards

• September 2023: 20% bonus

Related: Best Ways To Use Citi ThankYou^® Points That You Didn’t Know

Flying Blue Transfer Bonus History

Flying Blue — the joint loyalty program of Air France and Dutch carrier KLM — is one of our favorite currencies to collect. Buying Flying Blue miles doesn't always present the best per-mile value, but that can change considerably if a buy-miles promotion is on offer.

Many types of points transfer to Flying Blue and the program tends to see transfer bonuses quite often:

Virgin Atlantic Transfer Bonus History

AwardWallet members and casual readers alike may be aware of Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club loyalty program. But what might fly under the radar a bit (pun intended!) is the fact that Virgin Atlantic offers some of the best value in the industry.

Founded by the eccentric and enigmatic entrepreneur Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Keep an eye out for deals, such as buy-points promotions, as it's special moments like this that airlines typically celebrate by offering bonuses and discounts.

Another program that receives points transfers from numerous sources, Flying Club sees a fair number of transfer bonuses:

Related: Overlooking Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Can Be Costly

Aeroplan Transfer Bonus History

We wrap things up with another one of our favorite airline loyalty programs: Air Canada Aeroplan. One of the best perks of Canada's flagship carrier is the ability to book an incredible 50 airlines using Aeroplan points.

Air Canada frequently runs Aeroplan buy-points promotions; if there are no transfer bonuses available, keep your eyes peeled for this option instead. Just be mindful that Aeroplan transfer bonuses aren't as frequent as some other programs.

Bottom Line

Transfer bonuses are a great way to get more value from transferrable points. 2023 saw quite a significant jump in the number of transfer bonuses on offer, but tracking these bonuses allows us to see if 2024 will continue to trend in an upward direction.

While this resource can't predict the future, it can help us spot trends as we try to extract additional value from our points and miles.

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