Chase 30% Transfer Bonus to British Airways, Virgin Atlantic

Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points with a 30% Bonus to British Airways Avios or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. While the 30% bonus isn't as lucrative as the recent 40% AMEX transfer bonus to British Airways, Ultimate Rewards points are easier for most people to earn, thanks to category bonuses: 5X Chase Freedom rotating bonuses, 3X on all travel and dining with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and 5X on all Amazon and Whole Foods spend by buying gift cards at office supply stores using the Chase Ink Cash 5X.

Ultimate Rewards 30% Transfer Bonus to British Airways Avios

Log into Chase, go to an Ultimate Rewards-linked card and select the “Redeem” link, then “Transfer to Travel Partners” to view the 30% transfer bonus to British Airways
Ensure that the name on your Chase account exactly matches the name on your British Airways Executive Club account
Minimum transfer is 1000 Ultimate Rewards points
Get a 30% transfer bonus for transfers until 11:59 ET on 7/31/22
Transfers from U.S. Ultimate Rewards accounts to British Airways are typically instant, but can take up to 7 business days
Transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards to frequent flyer accounts are permanent and can't be reversed. Check award space before transferring

Best Uses of British Airways Avios

British Airways Avios are best used for shorter award flights, such as American Airlines flights within the U.S. or to the Caribbean, intra-Australia flights on Qantas and intra-Asia flights on JAL or Cathay Pacific. Avios can also be good for flying Qatar Qsuites Business Class flights to the Middle East and India, although be aware that unlike a few months ago, you'll now pay more to add on Doha to the Maldives, and it can be very challenging to get business class on that DOH-MLE segment. JAL Business Class Sky Suite flights to Japan (once Japan opens to tourists) can also be a decent use with the bonus. British Airways charges 77,250 Avios + ~$360 each way for JAL Business Class between San Francisco and Tokyo, which is 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points given the 30% transfer bonus. The $360 in taxes and fees is a pity, since Alaska Mileage Plan only charges 60K Mileage Plan miless + $19, but Alaska miles are harder for most people to earn unless they regularly credit flights to Alaska. 60K Ultimate Rewards points is just $12,000 spend when earning 5X points per dollar. With high fuel prices and inflation, recent cash fares for JAL Business Class have been ~$9500 roundtrip, so $4750 each way; that provides a valuation of over 5 cents per British Airways Avios for the above award redemption, and over 7 cents per Ultimate Rewards point. That's a far better redemption than using points for gift cards or the like. Avoid using Avios for travel on British Airways, given the high fuel surcharges and taxes on flight into and out of the UK.

Ultimate Rewards 30% Transfer Bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Minimum transfer is 1000 Ultimate Rewards points
Get a 30% transfer bonus for transfers until 11:59 ET on 6/15/22
Transfers from U.S. Ultimate Rewards accounts to Virgin Atlantic are typically instant, but can take up to 7 business days

In the past our favorite redemption with Flying Club miles was ANA First Class but ANA first class award availability for partners has become practically non-existent, especially in the new ANA “The Suite” First Class on the 777-300ER. That said, the new ANA “The Room” Business Class also looks very comfortable, and even old ANA Business Class is still a decent product to fly to Japan.

With Flying Club miles, ANA Business Class from SFO or LAX to Japan is just 45,000 miles, so 35,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the 30% transfer bonus, vs. 88,000 United miles. ANA used to require roundtrip awards, but one way awards are now permitted. You must call Virgin Atlantic at 800-365-9500 to book ANA awards.