Chase 30% Transfer Bonus to British Airways, Iberia

Benefit from a 30% Chase Transfer Bonus to British Airways or Iberia Avios, when transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus. Since the current AMEX 30% Transfer Bonus to BA and Iberia ends on 8/31/23, this Chase transfer bonus is ideal. We especially like using Chase Ultimate Rewards points because they're so much easier to earn than AMEX Membership Rewards points, given generous signup bonuses and category bonuses: the Ink Business Cash card earns 5X on all Internet, cable, and phone services, as well as 5X at office supply stores, where you can purchase gift cards for Whole Foods, earning 5X on all grocery store spend. The 100K Ink Business Preferred only has an $8000 minimum spend to earn the 100K bonus. The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3X on all travel and dining. And the Chase Freedom 5X cards earn 5X points on different categories that rotate quarterly, but typically include grocery stores, Amazon, and gas stations, among other categories during the year.

Since it's best to retain as many points as possible in transferable points currencies such as Chase Ultimate Rewards and AMEX Membership Rewards, as hedges against an award chart devaluation in any one airline frequent flyer program, we only recommend transferring points if you have a near-term use for them, after having first checked award availability in the program you're transferring to.

Here are the offer terms, followed by some of our favorite redemptions.

Earn 30% more Avios when transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus from 8/28/23 until 11:59 ET on 9/22/23.
Minimum transfer: 1000 points; must transfer in increments of 1000 points
Most points transfers are instant, but terms state that the transfer may take up to 7 business days.

In our experience with transfers to British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus, the transfers have always been instant. Note that the Chase interface now only reflects the number of points you're transferring, and not the expected Avios you'll receive, which should include the 30% bonus. Calculate the Ultimate Rewards points you need to transfer by dividing the desired number of British Airways Avios or Iberia Avios by 1.3, rounding up to the nearest thousand.

Best Uses of British Airways and Iberia Avios

One of our preferred Avios business class awards is Iberia Business Class to and from Madrid, as this avoids British Airways Business Class high fuel surcharges and UK air passenger duty taxes. Iberia Business Class from Madrid to Mexico City, a nearly 11 hour flight, is 62,500 British Airways Avios (49,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the 30% transfer bonus) + $163. Similarly, fly Los Angeles LAX to Madrid MAD, also a nearly 11 hour flight, for 62,500 Avios + $132, while the return, Madrid to LAX, is 62,500 Avios + $166. Depending on dates, LAX-MAD-LAX in Iberia Business Class can range from $4300-$12,000, so that's 4-12 cents per Chase Ultimate Rewards point in value, far better than any non-airline partner uses of Chase points.

A shorter flight, such as the 7 hour Iberia Business Class flight from Boston BOS to Madrid MAD is 50,000 Avios (39,000 Chase points with the 30% transfer bonus) + $121. Again, a great use of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at less than 40K points each way for business class.

Keep in mind that if reserving Iberia awards, you'll likely want to transfer to Iberia Plus, because its award calendar opens several days ahead of British Airways Executive Club, giving you an advantage in snagging an award for your preferred date.

Other decent uses are short haul flights in Asia, such JAL Business Class or Cathay Pacific Business Class. JAL Business Class Tokyo HND to Bangkok BKK is 38,750 Avios (30K Chase points) + $161, or fly JAL First Class for 51,500 Avios (40K AMEX points) for the 6.5 hour flight.