At the start of each month, it is common to find some transfer bonus from American Express Membership Rewards to one of their partner airlines/hotels. But, something that is not common is to find twelve transfer bonuses all at once. None of these are new but to all be out at the same time is really something new!
12 New Transfer Bonuses from American Express Membership Rewards
Link: Membership Rewards
For the most part, American Express Membership Reward points transfer to their airline partners at a 1:1 ratio. There are a couple of exceptions but that is typical of most of their partners. On occasion, there are transfer bonuses for one or maybe two (especially if it is like British Airways because then it will be Iberia as well and Aer Lingus). Sometimes, there will be a hotel transfer bonus to Marriott or Hilton thrown in as well.
However, for the entire month of September, American Express has opened the floodgates on transfer bonuses. There are twelve different partner bonus offers right now.
To be honest, I am shocked since so there have been so many huge Amex card offers over the last year and so many people have been hoarding points during the Covid travel halt. The only thing I can think is that maybe they have an abundance of these miles and points in their contracts because people have been hoarding and they want them to start transferring them?
Just remember this before we start – it is always the best idea to only transfer when you are ready to book an award. This is important to remember because loyalty programs can and will devalue without notice or even little notice. If you transfer just because of the bonus, you may find that your new mileage balance is worth less than it would have been under the 1:1 transfer ratio.
Which Amex Partners Have Transfer Bonuses?
So, here is the list as well as the amount of the bonus on transfers.
- Aerclub (Aer Lingus) – 1,000 = 1,400 Avios
- Aeromexico Club Premier – 1,000 = 2,000 Premier Points (up from 1,600)
- Air Canada Aeroplan – 1,000 = 1,200 Aeroplan Points
- AirFrance/KLM – 1,000 = 1,250 Flying Blue Miles
- Avianca LifeMiles – 1,000 = 1,150 LifeMiles
- British Airways Executive Club – 1,000 = 1,400 Avios
- Hawaiian Airlines – 1,000 = 1,250 HawaiianMiles
- Iberia Plus – 1,000 = 1,400 Avios
- Qantas Frequent Flyer – 500 = 600 Qantas Points
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club – 1,000 = 1,300 Virgin Points
For hotels, here is what we have:
- Hilton Honors – 1,000 = 2,600 Hilton Honors Points (up from 2,000)
- Marriott Bonvoy – 1,000 = 1,300 Marriott Bonvoy points
These are valid though September 30, 2021 so no rush on them.
So, are there are any that you should avoid? Personally, I think the Avianca LifeMiles is not something to jump on unless you absolutely need them. There are sales to purchase them at a discount often as well as transfer bonuses from CapitalOne, Chase, and Amex. A 15% transfer bonus is nothing to get excited about here.
I do like the Air Canada transfer bonus. While not as high as it has been, it has been a long time since there was a transfer bonus to them. With many awards costing more than one year ago now, this could be a good way to somewhat normalize those awards again, especially since you will not pay fuel surcharges anymore.
I will have a couple of posts in the coming days one ways to maximize this list but, for now, there you go! Have fun checking them out!
I’m very tempted to transfer to British Airways Avios because of the 40% bonus. I am tempted because I fear devaluations are coming up so getting a 40% bonus will help cushion any upcoming devaluations. What do you think about this logic?
I notice there’s not bonus for Delta. Does Delta ever have a transfer bonus? I have a trip coming up and I’d love some extra Skymiles in my account.
There had been bonuses in the past with them but I think it has been a LOONGG time. Really tough to say because I am thinking the same as you – hate to transfer now and have a bonus pop up later! Is it an award you could book with Flying Blue instead of Delta?