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When I first started using points for travel, I didn’t even know transfer bonuses existed.
I was thrilled just to book a flight or hotel without paying cash. But once I figured out how to time my transfers around these bonuses, everything changed. Transfer bonuses are now one of my favorite ways to stretch our transferable points for family travel—especially with a big family.
If you’re just getting started, my Beginner’s Guide can help you understand the basics. But today, let’s talk about the strategy that lets us travel more, stay longer, and fly better—without spending more points.
What is a transfer bonus?
A transfer bonus is when a credit card company offers extra points or miles when you move your transferable points to a partner airline or hotel program. It’s usually something like: “Transfer now and get 20% more.”
So instead of transferring 10,000 points and getting 10,000 airline miles, you might get 12,000. That small change adds up fast—especially when booking multiple flights or long hotel stays.
Why transfer bonuses matter for transferable points for family travel
When you’re booking travel for one person, saving 5,000 points might not feel like a big deal. But when you’re booking for a family of five or six, those savings multiply.
A 25% bonus could mean:
- Getting one flight free just from the bonus alone
- Reducing how many points you need to transfer for a big hotel stay
- Stretching your stash of points far enough for two trips instead of one
I’ve seen 15%, 20%, and even 100% bonuses over the years—and I try to plan our redemptions around them whenever possible.
Real-life example: Flights to Italy
We’ve been looking at taking our family to Italy, and while comparing flight options, I found a one-way business class seat from Rome to the U.S. for 400K points, and just 55,000 points—through a partner airline.
But here’s where it gets better: a 25% transfer bonus meant I only needed to transfer 44,000 points to get the full 55,000 miles needed. That’s a savings of 11,000 points for just one seat. Multiply that across a few family members, and it’s a huge savings.
This is one reason I always recommend focusing on transferable points for family travel—you get access to these kinds of opportunities that fixed points just can’t match.
But what about hotels?
Hilton and Marriott with a transfer bonus
Hotel programs often get overlooked in transfer strategies, but they can be a goldmine when a bonus is running. One thing to know: one of the major banks transfers to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio—which means for every 1 point from your credit card, you get 2 Hilton points.
So if you transfer 44,000 credit card points, you’ll receive 88,000 Hilton points. Now add a 25% transfer bonus on top of that, and you’d end up with 110,000 Hilton points total—because the bonus is applied to the Hilton points, not the credit card points. That’s enough for two nights at a hotel that costs 55,000 Hilton points per night.
And here’s the kicker: properties like the Grand Wailea in Maui have been bookable around that rate with points. When you consider you’re getting that stay for just 44,000 credit card points per night, and a comparable property like the Grand Hyatt Kauai can run 45,000 points per night, Hilton actually comes out ahead—at least in this scenario. So yes, timing a transfer bonus can absolutely flip the script
Want to learn more about maximizing Hilton stays with points? Check out my Guide to Hilton.
Now let’s talk about Marriott.
Say what you want about Marriott points—but I’ve used them for dream hotels in Europe that sometimes cost fewer points than a Hyatt stay. Yes, the dynamic pricing can feel frustrating, especially for domestic properties. But internationally? That’s where Marriott can shine.
We have friends who honeymooned at the St. Regis Rome and said it was the best hotel they’ve ever stayed in—complete with a personal butler. That property can run about 114,000 points per night in the summer. Another standout? The JW Marriott Venice, located on a private island with its own boat to St. Mark’s Square, sometimes costs around 101,000 points.
Here’s where transfer bonuses can come in: a 50% transfer bonus to Marriott would bring the cost of the St. Regis down to just 63,000 credit card points. That’s in right in line with what you’d pay for some of Hyatt’s top-tier hotels.
So while Hyatt is still my favorite for beginners (thanks to its award chart and predictable pricing), Marriott can offer real value—especially if you’re heading to Europe and a great Hyatt option isn’t available.
I also cover how we use hotel points in this post: How to Transfer Points to Credit Card Partners
For more on Hyatt strategies, visit my Mom’s Guide to Hyatt, and for Marriott tips, see my Marriott Guide.
How to find and use transfer bonuses for family travel
Most programs don’t announce these far in advance, but they tend to pop up every few months. Here’s how I stay on top of them:
- Check the transfer page regularly: If your card has a travel portal or partner page, that’s where they’ll be listed.
- Join email lists: Some deals are targeted, so make sure your email preferences are turned on.
- Follow trusted sources: I share current bonuses when they’re live—especially ones that work well for families. Join my newsletter if you don’t want to miss any!
If you want to keep your points organized while you’re planning, I highly recommend Travel Freely. It helps me track offers, due dates, and more.
My favorite cards for transferable points
If you’re ready to start taking advantage of transfer bonuses, you’ll want cards that earn flexible points.
These are my favorite flexible points cards.
Final thoughts
Transfer bonuses are one of the most valuable strategies in points travel. They don’t require elite status, they don’t take much effort—and they can make your transferable points go 20%, 30%, or even 40% further.
If you’re planning travel for your family and trying to make those points stretch, this make sure you’re on my newsletter to get regular transfer bonus updates!
Want more help? Check out my free beginner guide or come find me on Instagram for updates.
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