Question 1

How long do transfers take during bonus periods?

Accepted Answer

Transfer times generally remain the same during bonus periods as they are during normal times. Most transfers from Chase and Capital One to their partners process instantly or within a few hours. American Express transfers to Hilton typically process instantly as well. Citi transfers to Wyndham usually take 1-2 business days. However, during periods of high demand (such as during popular transfer bonuses), there can occasionally be slight delays in processing times.

Question 2

Do I need to register for these transfer bonuses?

Accepted Answer

No, registration is not required for any of the current transfer bonuses. The bonus will be automatically applied when you initiate a transfer during the promotional period. However, it's always a good idea to take a screenshot of the bonus offer and your transfer confirmation in case there are any issues with the bonus posting correctly.

Question 3

Can I transfer points to someone else's loyalty account?

Accepted Answer

Generally, you can only transfer your credit card points to loyalty program accounts in your own name. Some programs allow transfers to accounts of authorized users on your credit card or household members, but this varies by program. American Express allows transfers to the frequent flyer accounts of authorized users on your card. Chase allows transfers to a household member who is an authorized user. Citi allows transfers to any account with the same last name. Capital One allows transfers only to the primary cardholder's loyalty accounts.

Question 4

Are transfer bonuses targeted or available to everyone?

Accepted Answer

The current transfer bonuses listed in this article are public offers available to all eligible cardholders. However, credit card issuers occasionally offer targeted transfer bonuses to specific cardholders. It's always worth checking your account directly to see if you have any targeted offers that might be better than the public ones. You can do this by logging into your credit card account and navigating to the transfer partners section.

Question 5

What happens if I transfer points but can't find award availability?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, once points are transferred to airline or hotel partners, they cannot be transferred back to your credit card program. This is why it's generally recommended to confirm award availability before transferring points. If you transfer points and then can't find the award you were hoping for, your options are to find an alternative redemption within that program, hold the points for future use (being mindful of expiration policies), or potentially use them for a less optimal redemption like merchandise or gift cards (though this typically provides poor value).

Question 6

How often do transfer bonuses occur?

Accepted Answer

The frequency of transfer bonuses varies by credit card program and transfer partner. American Express typically offers the most frequent transfer bonuses, with some partners seeing bonuses 2-3 times per year. Chase and Capital One typically offer transfer bonuses a few times per year for select partners. Citi has historically offered fewer transfer bonuses but has increased their frequency in recent years. Some partnerships see regular bonuses (like Amex to Virgin Atlantic or British Airways), while others might go years between bonus offers.