50% TRANSFER BONUSES FOR BRITISH AIRWAYS & US AIRWAYS
There are currently two great transfer bonuses available that you should know about and consider. Both could be good for you depending upon your travel goals and current needs. AMEX Membership rewards has just announced a 50% transfer bonus to British Airways. Receive a 50% bonus when you transfer Membership Rewards points into Executive Club through May 31, 2012. For the period of the promotion you will receive 1,500 Avios when you transfer 1,000 Membership Rewards points into your Executive Club account! You may use Avios points in your Executive Club account to book a flight on British Airways or one of its oneworld alliance partners.
Since British Airways changed it’s program many redemption’s have gone up. Flying to Europe from the US using BA Avios is a really bad idea because the fees are so high it’s like a waste of your Avios/miles. The real value for BA Avios for Americans now is the domestic flights many of which have gone down in the amount of Avios/miles required. Short hauls to South America are very cheap too! So if you have a trip you are saving for coming up that is domestic or you are heading to South America, check how many Avios/miles are required. You might find that this 50% transfer will be a great value if this is your situation. I just redeemed some BA Avios for 4 tickets from SFO-BOS and paid only $20 in taxes.
To transfer your Membership Rewards points, sign into your account here and click on “Use Points” and “More Travel” then “Transfer Points”. You will now see the British Airways special offer. Click on it and follow the steps to transfer your points.
*Note: This offer is available through May 31, 2012.
US Airways is also offering a 50% transfer on converting your hotel points to miles with any participating hotel partners. Here are the participating hotels and transfer rates.
Best Western
5,000 points for 1,000 miles
Choice Privileges
5,000 points for 1,000 miles
Club Carlson
Variable offers
Hilton Honors
10,000 points for 850 miles
Hyatt Gold Passport
Variable offers
Marriott Rewards
Variable offers
Priority Club
10,000 points for 2,000 miles
Starwood
Variable offers
Wynham Rewards
Variable offers
La Quinta
6,000 points for 1,000 miles or 10,000 points for 2,000 miles
This does not include your 50% transfer bonus.
I’m not super crazy about this transfer bonus because I personally think that it can be harder to earn hotel points for free accommodations whereas airline miles offers come pretty easy. But it’s all really what you are needing or looking to build. If you have a ton of hotel points laying around and need some flights US Airways is a great airline because of it’s connection with the Star Alliance. You can book any flight on the following airlines:
Plenty of choice to fly anywhere in the world. You can view their award chart here and the star alliance partner award chart here.
So there you have it! These transfer bonuses might help you get to your goal. I’m toying with the idea of the British Avios bonus but honestly I think I’ll hold off and wait for AMEX to bring back the 50% Delta transfer. I have a balance I need to add to there. Everyone can rip on Delta and call them Skypesos but they really do work well in many situations. I like Delta and I’ve flown them for years. United is my preference though but I spread my earning all over the boards. I recommend you do the same. Loyalty completely to any airline or hotel brand is not going to give you the most free travel. Diversification will and it is key!
