One of the best ways to stretch credit card points is by taking advantage of transfer bonuses. These promotions boost the number of miles or points you receive when transferring to airline and hotel partners, leading to better redemptions. Here’s a breakdown of the best offers for February 2025 and how to use them effectively.
Chase Ultimate Rewards → Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (30% Bonus)
Promotion Details:
- Bonus: 30% more points when transferring to Virgin Atlantic
- Dates: February 3–17, 2025
- Transfer Ratio: 1,000 Chase points → 1,300 Virgin points
- Best for: Booking Delta One to Europe or ANA First Class
Best Uses of This Bonus
- Delta One Suites to Europe: Virgin Atlantic charges 50,000 points one-way from the U.S. East Coast to Europe in Delta One. With this 30% bonus, you’d only need 39,000 Chase points.
- ANA First Class to Japan: Virgin Atlantic offers ANA First Class for just 55,000 miles one-way from the West Coast (60,000 from the East Coast). With this bonus, that’s only 42,500 Chase points from LAX to Tokyo.
Things to Consider:
- Fuel Surcharges: Expect $100–$200 in fees when flying Virgin Atlantic, but Delta and ANA redemptions have minimal surcharges.
- Limited Availability: Delta One seats book up fast—check space before transferring. Use Air France’s website to search Delta flights or call Virgin Atlantic for ANA seats.
Read more about Chase’s transfer bonuses here.
Amex Membership Rewards → Avianca LifeMiles (15% Bonus)
Promotion Details:
- Bonus: 15% more miles when transferring to Avianca LifeMiles
- Dates: Throughout February 2025
- Transfer Ratio: 1,000 Amex points → 1,150 LifeMiles
- Best for: Star Alliance business and first-class flights
Best Uses of This Bonus
- Business Class to Europe: LifeMiles charges 63,000 miles for Lufthansa or Swiss business class from the U.S. With this bonus, you’d only need 54,800 Amex points.
- First Class to Asia: First class on ANA or Lufthansa to Japan normally costs 90,000 miles. With the bonus, transfer 78,300 Amex points instead.
Things to Consider:
- Booking Can Be Glitchy: LifeMiles’ site sometimes hides award space, so cross-check with United.com before transferring.
- No Fuel Surcharges: Unlike many programs, LifeMiles does not add high fees for Lufthansa or Swiss flights.
More details on Amex transfer bonuses.
Bilt Rewards → Avianca LifeMiles (Up to 100% Bonus on Feb 1st)
Promotion Details:
- Bonus: Up to 100% more miles when transferring to Avianca
- Date: One-day promotion on February 1, 2025
- Transfer Ratio: Varies by Bilt status; top-tier members get double miles
Best Uses of This Bonus
- Business Class to Europe for 31,500 Points: With a 100% bonus, a 63,000-mile award (normally requiring 63,000 Bilt points) would only need 31,500 Bilt points.
- U.S. Domestic Flights on United: 15,000-mile United flights cost just 7,500 Bilt points with the top-tier bonus.
Things to Consider:
- One-Day Promo: You must transfer points on February 1—so check award space beforehand.
- Bonus Varies by Status: Lower-tier Bilt members got a 50% bonus, making this less valuable for casual users.
More details on this Bilt promo.
Should You Transfer?
Transfer bonuses are great, but only if they fit your travel plans. Here are examples of when to transfer and when to wait:
✅ Transfer If:
- You found a business class seat on ANA, Lufthansa, or Swiss and need to book immediately.
- You have a high-value redemption lined up, like Delta One to Europe for just 39,000 Chase points.
- You frequently book flights with a program (e.g., you always use Virgin points for Delta flights).
❌ Don’t Transfer If:
- You’re speculating without a specific booking—points are stuck once transferred.
- Award space is scarce or unpredictable, like Lufthansa First Class (which only opens close to departure).
- A program has devaluation risks—Avianca LifeMiles sometimes raises redemption rates with little notice.
Final Thoughts
These transfer bonuses provide huge value for premium cabin redemptions, making business and first-class travel much more accessible. The 30% Chase bonus makes Delta and ANA flights incredibly cheap, while the Amex and Bilt LifeMiles bonuses are perfect for Star Alliance redemptions.
By leveraging these bonuses smartly, you can book luxury travel for fewer points and maximize your credit card rewards.
Which transfer bonus are you taking advantage of this month? Let me know in the comments!