With October’s credit card transfer bonuses in full swing, it’s a great time to evaluate how you can make the most of your points. Whether you’re looking to boost your miles for a planned trip or simply exploring the best value for your rewards, here’s a breakdown of the top transfer bonuses available this month and how to maximize them.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Bonuses
This October, Chase is offering enticing transfer bonuses to its popular loyalty program partners. Here’s what you can expect:
- British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub:
- Transfer Bonus: 30%
- Effective Transfer Ratio: 1:1.3
- Dates: Until October 31
- Marriott Bonvoy:
- Transfer Bonus: 50%
- Effective Transfer Ratio: 1:1.5
- Dates: Until November 15
If you transfer 1,000 Chase points with the Marriott Bonvoy 50% bonus, you’ll receive 1,500 Marriott points. But keep in mind that you might be losing some value here, as TPG values Chase points at 2.05 cents each, compared to Marriott Bonvoy points at just 0.85 cents each. Therefore, you’ll want to consider these transfers carefully, especially if you have a specific redemption in mind that maximizes the value.
How to Earn More Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
To maximize these bonuses, you’ll need Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Here are a few cards that offer great earning potential:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 90,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first three months.
You can also pair these cards with others like the Chase Freedom Flex®, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, or Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card to further enhance your earning strategy.
Capital One Transfer Bonuses
While Capital One doesn’t currently have any transfer bonuses available, their miles are still highly valuable, especially for those looking to travel. Valued at 1.85 cents each, Capital One miles can be earned through the following cards:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 in the first three months.
Since Capital One miles can be transferred to various travel partners, it’s always wise to keep an eye on their promotions for potential bonuses in the future.
Citi ThankYou Rewards Transfer Bonuses
This October, Citi ThankYou Rewards is offering two transfer bonuses:
- Avianca LifeMiles:
- Transfer Bonus: 25%
- Effective Transfer Ratio: 1:1.25
- Dates: Until October 19
- Leaders Club (The Leading Hotels of the World):
- Transfer Bonus: 25%
- Effective Transfer Ratio: 4:1
- Dates: Until October 19
Citi points, valued at 1.8 cents each, are a good choice if you’re looking to maximize rewards on travel purchases. For instance, if you transfer 1,000 Citi points to Avianca LifeMiles, you’ll receive 1,250 LifeMiles, which are valued at around 1.6 cents each. This can be an excellent option if you’re planning to redeem on Avianca or Star Alliance partners.
How to Earn Citi ThankYou Rewards Points
To take advantage of these bonuses, consider these Citi cards:
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Earn 70,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
- Citi Rewards+® Card: Earn 20,000 points after spending $1,500 in the first three months, plus bonus points on select travel categories through 2025.
These cards can help you accumulate points quickly, allowing you to take advantage of transfer bonuses and boost your rewards value.
Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Bonuses
Marriott Bonvoy is currently offering a 15% transfer bonus to Air Canada’s Aeroplan program through October 31. Under this promotion, Marriott Bonvoy points convert to Aeroplan at a 3:1 ratio, with an additional 15% bonus. For every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer, you’ll receive 20,000 Aeroplan points, plus an additional 5,000 bonus points and a 15% bonus, totaling up to 28,000 Aeroplan points.
While Marriott points are valued at 0.85 cents each, Aeroplan points are valued at 1.5 cents each. This bonus could be valuable if you’re looking to redeem Aeroplan points for upcoming flights, especially if you’re planning a specific redemption with Air Canada or one of their Star Alliance partners.
How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points
To build up your Marriott Bonvoy points, consider the following cards:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 95,000 points after spending $6,000 within the first six months.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Earn 125,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn five free night awards after spending $8,000 within the first six months, each night valued at up to 50,000 points.
Should You Transfer Points?
When deciding whether to transfer points, it’s essential to consider your travel plans and reward goals. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Check Award Availability: Make sure that the redemption you want is available before transferring points, as transfers are usually irreversible.
- Evaluate the Bonus Value: Not all transfer bonuses provide good value, so use point valuations to determine if the conversion is worth it.
- Avoid Speculative Transfers: Points and miles can be devalued at any time, so only transfer if you have an immediate or planned redemption.
Ultimately, the best approach is to align transfers with specific travel goals. Whether it’s a last-minute booking or a future adventure, transferring points with a clear redemption plan can help you maximize the value of your rewards.
By taking advantage of October’s transfer bonuses and carefully selecting your credit card strategy, you can make the most of your rewards and enjoy more travel experiences for less.
