Credit card transfer bonuses (February): New Marriott bonus to Chase, Citi bonus to Qatar Airways

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers; some offers may be expired. If you truly want to maximize your points and miles, periodic transfer bonuses can offer lucrative opportunities for fantastic award redemptions. You can sometimes get significantly more value from your rewards by transferring them to a …

Feb 17, 2025 - 23:28
 0
Credit card transfer bonuses (February): New Marriott bonus to Chase, Citi bonus to Qatar Airways

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers; some offers may be expired.

If you truly want to maximize your points and miles, periodic transfer bonuses can offer lucrative opportunities for fantastic award redemptions. You can sometimes get significantly more value from your rewards by transferring them to a specific airline or hotel partner during one of these bonuses.

However, these are limited-time offers — so act fast if you find one that suits your travel plans.

We’ve compiled transfer bonus updates for most major programs with transferable rewards to make tracking these offers easier. Just note that transfer bonuses are sometimes targeted, so some may not be available.

American Express Membership Rewards transfer bonus

Virgin Atlantic plane
ROBERTO MACHADO NOA/LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES

There is currently a transfer bonus running for American Express Membership Rewards: Avianca LifeMiles members who transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to LifeMiles this month can get 15% additional LifeMiles.

Since LifeMiles is offering this bonus, you won’t be targeted in your American Express account; rather, you’ll find it when you log into your LifeMiles account, as shown below.

LIFEMILES

Per the stated terms and conditions, members must transfer a minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28 for an additional 15% LifeMiles, which should appear in their account within 72 hours.

How to earn American Express Membership Rewards points

If you’re looking to earn more of these valuable points, the following Amex cards could prove useful additions to your wallet:

Check the CardMatch tool to see if you’re targeted for an even higher welcome offer (subject to change at any time).

You can also earn extra Membership Rewards points when you enroll in Amex Offers and shop with Rakuten.

Based on TPG’s February 2025 valuations, Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents each, and our tests indicate that they transfer instantly to most of Amex’s transfer partners.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards points for maximum value

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer bonus

hotel rooftop pool with waterfall and cabanas overlooking city
Hotel Indigo El Paso Downtown. IHG

Chase Ultimate Rewards is currently offering to transfer bonuses:

  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members can earn a 30% bonus when converting Chase points into Virgin points. So, for example, transferring 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points would yield 1,300 Virgin points through this promo. U.S.-based Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members are eligible for this promotion from Feb. 3-17. You can redeem Virgin points for flights, hotel stays, cruises and experiences through Virgin Red and Flying Club.
  • There’s also a 50% transfer bonus when you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to your Marriott Bonvoy account through 11:59 p.m. EST March 31.
screenshot of Marriott Chase promo
CHASE

Bear in mind that TPG currently values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.85 cents and Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, so this is likely not the best use of your Marriott points.

How to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points

If you want to earn more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, the following Chase cards could make good additions to your wallet:

If you have one (or more) of the above cards, you can combine your Ultimate Rewards points in a single account. Then, you can effectively convert the cash-back earnings on the following cards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points:

  • Chase Freedom Flex®: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy in the first year (on up to $20,000 spent), worth up to $300 cash back.
  • Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Earn up to $750 bonus cash back — $350 after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
  • Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Earn $750 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s February 2025 valuations, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents each when maximized with travel partners. Most Ultimate Rewards transfers will process instantly.

Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value

Capital One transfer bonus

Capital One lounge logo IAD
EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY

Unfortunately, Capital One is not offering any transfer bonuses at the moment.

How to earn Capital One miles

If you’re looking to earn more transferable miles, the following Capital One cards are solid options to consider:

TPG’s February 2025 valuations peg Capital One miles at 1.85 cents apiece, and most transfers from Capital One will process instantly.

For more details, check out our guides to the Capital One transfer partners and how to transfer Capital One miles to airline and hotel partners.

Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer bonus

Woman paying with a credit card while shopping online
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES

Citi ThankYou Rewards is offering a 20% transfer bonus when you transfer ThankYou Rewards points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios. Qatar Airways is one of five airlines that uses Avios currency, specifically:

This means you can transfer Avios between any of the participating programs at a 1:1 ratio, but the way in which you redeem Avios in each program can change the value of the points.

This promotion is valid for transfers through 11:59 p.m. EST on March 15. For example, you could transfer 1,000 Citi ThankYou points for 1,200 Avios.

THANKYOU

How to earn Citi ThankYou Rewards points

These Citi credit cards could make useful additions to your wallet for earning Citi ThankYou Rewards points:

Marriott Bonvoy transfer bonus

woman and girl at Marriott pool
FAIRFIELD ANAHEIM RESORT/FACEBOOK

Marriott Bonvoy is currently not offering any transfer bonuses.

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points

If you’re looking to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points, the following Marriott Bonvoy cards may be of interest:

According to TPG’s February 2025 valuations, Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.85 cents each. Before transferring points, review our tests of Marriott transfer times, since some airlines take a few days (or even weeks) to receive the points.

Related: Marriott Bonvoy program: How to redeem points for hotel stays, airfare and more

Should you transfer points?

We only recommend transferring points or miles if you have a short-term plan to use them. Many programs have implemented devaluations over the last few years, so speculative transfers could prove a losing proposition.

Transfers are irreversible, and you don’t want to be stuck with thousands of points or miles in a program you have little use for.

If you don’t have a specific redemption in mind but still want to earn points or miles, you’re likely better off earning rewards through card welcome bonuses and everyday spending.

And we always recommend you ensure award availability before transferring your rewards.

Bottom line

When a program with a transferable currency offers a transfer bonus, it’s important to run the numbers to determine whether it is worthwhile.

Generally, you won’t want to transfer your points or miles without a specific redemption in mind. After all, a large part of the value of transferable points and miles comes from their flexibility — which you’ll give up when you convert them to a partner’s currency. However, a transfer bonus can help you get more value from your points and miles if you use a partner program frequently or plan to redeem soon.

Related reading: