How to Make the Most of Point Transfer Promotions

For anyone who collects credit card points or bank loyalty points, there’s one strategy that consistently multiplies the value of your rewards: taking advantage of point transfer promotions. These limited-time offers can increase your balances by 20%, 30%, even 100% when you transfer to a travel partner — but only if you know how and when to use them.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to make the most of point transfer promotions, including how they work, where to find them, and how to maximize their potential while avoiding common mistakes.

What Are Point Transfer Promotions?

Point transfer promotions are temporary offers where bank programs or loyalty platforms give you extra miles or points when you transfer to a participating airline or hotel program.

Example

Let’s say Livelo is offering a 100% bonus to transfer to Smiles (GOL):

• You transfer 10,000 Livelo points
• You receive 20,000 Smiles miles

That’s a doubling of value, which can significantly cut the cost of a flight or increase the number of trips you can book.

These promotions typically last from a few days to a couple of weeks, and the bonus percentages can range from 10% up to 120% in some rare cases.

Who Offers Transfer Promotions?

Several banks and loyalty programs run transfer promos regularly. Some of the most common are:

In Brazil

• Livelo (Bradesco, Banco do Brasil)
• Esfera (Santander)
• Iupp (Itaú)
• Átomos (C6 Bank)

These platforms allow you to transfer points to airline programs like:

• Smiles (GOL)
• LATAM Pass
• TudoAzul
• TAP Miles&Go

Internationally

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Points
• Capital One Miles

They often run transfer bonuses to:

• British Airways Avios
• Air France/KLM Flying Blue
• Emirates Skywards
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Marriott Bonvoy

Why These Promotions Matter

Most points lose some value when transferred, especially to programs with dynamic pricing or poor availability. But a transfer bonus increases the effective value per point, which means:

• You need fewer points to book the same trip
• You can reach higher cabin classes or longer trips faster
• You reduce the out-of-pocket cost (especially when paying taxes + fees)

It’s one of the best ways to amplify the value of your daily spending.

How to Prepare for Transfer Promotions

To take full advantage, preparation is everything. Here’s how to get ready:

1. Build a Balance of Flexible Points

Focus on collecting points from programs that offer wide transfer options:

• In Brazil: Livelo, Esfera
• In the U.S.: Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One

Avoid programs with limited or no transfer flexibility, as they won’t benefit from promotions.

2. Track Transfer Bonus History

Transfer bonuses are cyclical — some happen every few months with predictable patterns.

Create a spreadsheet or use a tracker like AwardWallet to monitor:

• Which partners get bonuses
• When those promotions typically happen
• How much the bonus usually is (e.g., 20% vs. 100%)

This helps you hold off on transfers until a better deal appears.

3. Set Travel Goals in Advance

Transfer promotions are time-limited. You don’t want to scramble trying to decide where to go.

Set goals like:

• “Fly business class to Europe in August”
• “Book a weekend in Buenos Aires in October”
• “Upgrade to premium economy on my next trip to the U.S.”

Knowing what you want helps you act fast when a promo fits your plan.

4. Have Loyalty Accounts Already Set Up

Sometimes, transferring points requires the destination account (e.g., Smiles, LATAM Pass) to be at least 30 days old. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Create accounts in all the major airline programs you might use — even if you don’t have immediate plans to transfer points.

Best Practices During a Transfer Promotion

1. Check Award Availability First

Don’t transfer blindly just because there’s a big bonus. Many programs don’t allow reverse transfers, and availability might be low.

Search for:

• Exact dates
• Cabin classes
• Partner airlines
• Total fees and taxes

Only transfer once you confirm that the seat or room you want is available.

2. Do the Math on the Bonus

Calculate the value per point before and after the bonus to make sure the promotion is actually beneficial.

Example:

• A flight costs 35,000 Smiles miles
• You have 18,000 Livelo points
• 100% bonus → 36,000 miles after transfer
• That means you only needed 18,000 points instead of 35,000

Your points are worth nearly double what they were.

3. Act Quickly — But Thoughtfully

Transfer promos often create FOMO. Don’t rush into transfers unless they align with real travel goals.

• Ask yourself: “Will I use these miles in the next 6–12 months?”
• Check expiration policies on the destination program
• Read promo terms carefully (some bonuses are delayed or have caps)

4. Consider Tiered Bonuses and Multipliers

Some promotions are tiered, meaning you get different bonus rates depending on how many points you transfer.

Example:

• Transfer 10,000 = 40% bonus
• Transfer 50,000 = 80% bonus
• Transfer 100,000 = 100% bonus

Evaluate how much you’re willing to transfer based on the threshold that gives you the best return.

Real-World Examples

Brazil: Livelo to Smiles with 100% Bonus

• Livelo points needed: 25,000
• Bonus: +25,000 Smiles miles
• Total: 50,000 miles
• Booked: Round-trip GOL flight to Buenos Aires in economy
• Cash price: US$600
• Taxes: US$50
• Value per point: ~1.9 cents — excellent

U.S.: Amex to British Airways Avios with 30% Bonus

• Transfer: 60,000 Amex points → 78,000 Avios
• Redeemed for: Miami to Madrid one-way in business with Iberia
• Cash price: US$2,300
• Taxes: US$150
• Effective point value: Over 3.5 cents per point

These examples show how transfer promos amplify the power of your points when used well.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Transferring without award availability
• Forgetting taxes and surcharges — some redemptions have high out-of-pocket costs
• Ignoring expiration dates of transferred miles
• Assuming the promo applies to all transfer partners — always read the fine print
• Using points for poor-value redemptions just to “use the bonus”

When to Skip a Transfer Promotion

Even a 100% bonus isn’t always worth it. Consider skipping when:

• You don’t have a redemption plan
• The airline adds fuel surcharges that reduce value
• The points transferred will expire too soon
• The bonus applies only after a long delay (some take up to 90 days)

Tips to Maximize Value Long-Term

• Stack promos: Wait for a transfer bonus + an award sale
• Join airline clubs (e.g., Clube Smiles) to get exclusive transfer bonuses
• Keep a travel calendar with your redemption goals
• Subscribe to alerts from blogs or loyalty forums to act fast
• Be loyal to flexible programs that give you the most options

Final Thoughts: Let the Bonus Do the Work

Understanding how to make the most of point transfer promotions is one of the easiest ways to stretch your points further without spending more. These promotions reward patience, planning, and flexibility — the hallmarks of every smart traveler.

With the right timing, one well-used transfer promo can be the difference between flying economy or business, taking one trip or two, or simply making your dream destination fit within your budget.

Don’t just earn points. Grow them. Multiply them. Maximize them.