November’s here, and the big banks kicked it off with a fresh slate of transfer bonuses. Also today: Cancún on SkyMiles, how to book EVA flights with points, and last call on Delta’s best card offers.
💸 A Trio of New Transfer Bonuses to Kick Off November
Put away the candy and the patio furniture … and study up on these transfer bonuses!
As we all flip the calendar to November, the big banks are out with a handful of new transfer bonuses of 20% to 30% or even more – and that’s on top of several ongoing bonuses!
Most of these new bonuses will stick around through the end of the month, and some, naturally, are much better than others.
As we try to do every month, let’s rank them from worst to first using Thrifty Traveler’s patented flame emojis (the more 🔥🔥🔥, the merrier you should be) with a quick blurb about why it’s a hit … or not.
🛌 80% from Chase to IHG
Valid through Dec. 3
Rating: 🔥
The biggest bonus is also the worst. I’d give this a half-flame if I could.
Despite that eye-popping 80% figure, I’d pass on this new transfer bonus from Chase Ultimate Rewards to IHG, the hotel chain behind brands like InterContinental, Kimpton, Holiday Inn, and others. There are just better ways to get more value out of your Chase points.
So unless if you’re an absolute IHG aficionado and/or a few thousand points short of a massive redemption, move on.
🛌 35% from Amex to Marriott Bonvoy
Valid through Dec. 10
Rating: 🔥
You could easily convince me this bonus from Amex, and the one above to IHG, should swap places. Personally, I value Marriott Bonvoy points more than IHG … enough to outweigh a much bigger bonus.
Bottom line? Neither of these hotel transfer bonuses is big enough to move the needle.
🇫🇷 20% from Capital One to Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Valid through Nov. 30
Rating: 🔥
Capital One has been on a roll lately with transfer bonuses, and we are here for it. But this latest addition is just kind of … meh?
Don’t get me wrong: I love me some Air France/KLM Flying Blue miles, whether I’m using them to book Delta flights for less, fly several other partner airlines, or (of course) fly Air France or KLM themselves.
But a 20% bonus doesn’t make me jump out of bed to go book something – especially after the airlines’ brutal changes with stingy new “light” award fares a few months back.
🇬🇧 30% from Amex to Virgin Atlantic
Valid through Nov. 30
Rating: 🔥🔥
Transferring points to Virgin Atlantic without a bonus just seems foolish at this point – these promos are so reliable, you might as well wait for them.
From roundtrip flights throughout Europe for 24,000 miles to an Upper Class seat for as low as 23,000 miles – albeit with some nasty taxes and fees – there are tons of great ways to redeem Virgin points.
🇬🇧 30% from Capital One to Virgin Atlantic
Valid through Nov. 20
Rating: 🔥🔥
Yes, another Virgin transfer bonus.
I’m putting this one slightly higher than the identical bonus from Amex because while 30% bonuses from Amex (and Chase) are almost a monthly occurrence, this bonus is a rare treat for Venture and Venture X cardholders.
🇬🇧 30% from Chase to British Airways, Iberia & Aer Lingus
Valid through Dec. 1
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥
I saved the best for last.
This new 30% bonus from Chase to a trio of Avios-using airlines deserves the top spot for two reasons:
- This is the biggest bonus from Chase to British Airways & Co. we’ve seen in a year, and …
- It’s actually even better. Because you can combine Avios between five different airlines, you can use this to get 30% more Qatar Avios and Finnair Avios, too.
That opens the floodgates to making some amazing redemptions even cheaper. Hawaii and back for 24,000 points? Yep. Business class to Madrid and back for 63,000 points? Sure thing. Thirteen-plus hours in the best business class in the world for 54,000 points? You got it.
Read our full walkthrough of how to maximize this transfer bonus!
Honestly, transfer bonuses don’t get much better than this.
– Kyle Potter, executive editor
🤝 Deal of the Day: Use Your SkyMiles on Flights to Cancún!
Heat scale (out of 3): 🔥
Why we love it: Book your winter trip now before SkyMiles rates go up!
Flying to Cancún (CUN) with the best availability this January – when you’ll most want a winter escape!
Fares starting at just 12,000 SkyMiles roundtrip, with all fares under 28,000 SkyMiles roundtrip!
Sign up now to get all the details on this deal & don’t miss the next flight deal alert.
Already a member? Log in to see all your deals.
– Gunnar Olson, Thrifty Traveler Premium deal analyst
🥂 How to Book EVA Air Business Class With Points
EVA Air is one of our team’s favorite airlines in the world. Its business class is among the best you’ll find flying to Asia – and unlike many carriers, it actually releases seats you can book with points.
The catch? You’ll want to use EVA’s own Infinity MileageLands program to book them. Yes, the name is a mouthful … and yes, the website can be a real pain.
But it’s worth learning the ins and outs: Business class costs just 75,000 miles each way from the West Coast, or 80,000 miles from the Midwest, Texas, or the East Coast. That’s the same price whether you fly nonstop to Taipei (TPE) or connect onward to Bangkok (BKK), Bali (DPS), Tokyo (NRT), and other cities throughout Asia.
Better yet, EVA miles are within reach for plenty of Americans: Citi ThankYou points transfer 1:1, and Capital One miles transfer at a 1,000:750 ratio. So that 75,000-mile ticket from Los Angeles (LAX) costs 75,000 Citi points or 100,000 Capital One miles.
Here’s how to book it:
- Create an EVA account for every traveler. Everyone on the reservation needs their own (free) account – including kids. Write down each account number.
- Log in and find the right search page. Hover over “Plan & Book,” then click “Member Award Tickets.” Use the EVA/UNI Air search for EVA-operated flights.
- Enter the account number and password for each passenger. This is what trips most people up. Searching for two travelers? Fill in the “Companion Passengers 1” fields before you search.
- Book “Available” seats only – skip the waitlist. Dates marked “Waiting” aren’t guaranteed to clear, so don’t transfer points for them.
- Add companions as transfer nominees. If one person is footing the bill with their points, register companions as nominees online. Just know it takes 24 hours to go into effect.
- Get the miles into each traveler’s account. EVA requires every passenger to have their own miles. Either everyone transfers from their own Citi or Capital One account, or you transfer to your account and then move miles to your nominees.
- Choose “Online Ticketing” at checkout. Expect taxes and fees of roughly $260 each way nonstop to Taipei, or up to $375 with an onward connection.
Admittedly, this takes more patience than booking with most airline programs – especially if you’re traveling with family or friends. Budget at least a day of setup for multiple passengers.
But for a lie-flat seat on one of the world’s best airlines to just about anywhere in Asia, a few extra hoops are a small price to pay. And it’s now the only realistic way to book EVA business class with points.
Read our full guide to booking flights with EVA Air miles for screenshots, direct links, and tips for booking Star Alliance partners!
– Jackson Newman, senior editor
🎙️ On the Pod: Basic Fares are Getting Worse + Other News
📻 Kyle and Gunnar break down all the news that’s fit to podcast in this week’s episode, touching on main cabin upgrade prices, Southwest’s latest changes, plus big switch-ups at Amex and Bilt among other things.
Watch it now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And stay tuned for the next installment next week!
🐻 See Us This Weekend at the Chicago Seminars!
Want to learn more about earning and redeeming points from some of the brightest minds in this crazy game? And also from me?
See what I did there?
Anyway, I’m speaking at this year’s Chicago Seminars in – you guessed it – Chicago this weekend, Nov. 6 to Nov. 8. And I’m one of a few dozen experts spitting facts about all things award travel throughout the weekend.
Planning to go? We’re organizing a small happy hour nearby on Saturday, Nov. 7 – RSVP here!
I’ll be at my most presidential with a special address: “The State of the Union Award Travel,” an overarching look at the (increasingly sad) state of award availability, the trends driving devaluations and loyalty program changes, how airlines’ loyalty priorities have shifted, and what that means for redeeming points and miles in 2027 and beyond.
Trust me: It’s not all doom and gloom. Thrifty Traveler Premium members know better than just about anyone that there are still stellar deals out there … and there always will be.
See you this weekend!
Get your tickets – use promo code THRIFTY for $10 off!
– Kyle Potter, executive editor
✈️ Other Travel Tidbits
- 🦠 Starting Tuesday, Nov. 3, everyone flying to the U.S. from abroad, including Americans, must sign a statement confirming they haven’t been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past 21 days. The rule runs through Dec. 18 for now. (CDC)
- 💺 Singapore Airlines unveils its long-awaited new first and business class seats this Friday, Nov. 6. They’re set to debut on retrofitted A350s early next year. (One Mile at a Time)
- ⏰ Last call: Delta’s elevated card offers end Wednesday, Nov. 4. The headliner is on the Delta Reserve Card. Spend $10,000 in six months, and you get 50,000 SkyMiles plus two round-trip Delta Comfort certificates good anywhere in the mainland U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- 🔧 Bilt Cash now covers home projects. Members can redeem up to $50 in Bilt Cash on a Thumbtack booking twice a year. (Bilt)
- 💳 Alaska has new, bigger welcome offers on all three of its Atmos Rewards credit cards, worth up to 100,000 points.
