Three transfer bonuses from Chase and Amex all expire March 31, 2026. If you hold Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards points and have been considering a transfer, this window closes at end of month.
Here is what each bonus is worth and whether it makes sense to act now.
| Transfer | Standard Ratio | Bonus Ratio | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase UR to Avios (British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia) | 1:1 | 1:1.2 (20% bonus) | March 31, 2026 |
| Chase UR to Wyndham Rewards | 1:1 | 1:1.3 (30% bonus) | March 31, 2026 |
| Amex MR to Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | 1:1.15 (15% bonus) | March 31, 2026 |
Chase to Avios: The Most Useful of the Three
The 20% Chase to Avios bonus is the most broadly useful of the three. Avios are the shared currency for British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub. You can transfer Chase points into any of these programs and pool them across all three.
At the standard ratio, 1,000 Ultimate Rewards equals 1,000 Avios. With the bonus, 1,000 UR becomes 1,200 Avios. On a 50,000-point transfer, that is 10,000 extra Avios at no additional cost.
Where Avios are genuinely useful
Avios price short-haul flights by distance zones rather than using a traditional award chart. British Airways prices partner-operated flights on domestic U.S. routes under 650 miles at 7,500 Avios one-way in economy. Routes between 651 and 1,151 miles run 11,000 Avios one-way. For short hops like New York to Boston, Chicago to St. Louis, or Los Angeles to San Francisco, this can represent 30 to 50% savings compared to redeeming Chase points through the travel portal.
Iberia offers strong value on transatlantic business class to Spain and Latin America when booking during Avios sale periods. Aer Lingus uses Avios for transatlantic economy routes out of Dublin at competitive rates.
Where Avios are less useful
Long-haul flights on British Airways metal carry fuel surcharges that can reach $500 or more round-trip on transatlantic routes. The surcharges often make the cash price of a ticket competitive with the award price. Do the math before booking long-haul BA.
Who should act on the Chase to Avios bonus
Act if you have a specific short-haul award in mind and confirmed award space at the right Avios pricing. Transferring speculatively is rarely the right move, but this bonus makes it worth considering if you are a few thousand points short on a specific redemption.
Cards that earn transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred (3x dining and travel, $95/year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x travel and dining, $795/year), and Ink Business Preferred (3x on shipping, advertising, travel, and telecom up to $150,000/year). Chase Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited earn cash-back points that convert to transferable UR only when linked to a Sapphire or Ink Preferred account.
Chase to Wyndham: The Biggest Headline, the Smallest Value
The 30% Chase to Wyndham bonus has the largest percentage of the three, but context matters. Wyndham became a Chase transfer partner in February 2026, and this is the first bonus Chase has offered for the program.
With the bonus, 1,000 UR transfers to 1,300 Wyndham points. Wyndham points are worth approximately 0.7 to 0.9 cents each at reasonable redemptions. That means 1,300 Wyndham points translates to roughly $9 to $12 in hotel value.
Chase Ultimate Rewards are commonly valued at 1.5 to 2 cents each when transferred to airline partners or used at 1.5 cents through the travel portal with a Sapphire Reserve. That means you are giving up approximately $15 to $20 in value to receive $9 to $12 back from Wyndham, even with the 30% bonus applied.
When the Wyndham transfer makes sense
Wyndham’s “Go Free” awards start at 7,500 points per night at Category 1 properties. The portfolio includes La Quinta, Days Inn, Super 8, Travelodge, Ramada, and several other budget brands. If you have a specific Wyndham redemption confirmed at a property where the points-per-dollar math works in your favor, and you are short on Wyndham points, the 30% bonus improves the case somewhat.
For most readers, transferring Chase points to Wyndham during this window is not the best use of flexible points. Airline partners and hotel programs with stronger per-point value typically offer better returns on Ultimate Rewards.
Amex to LifeMiles: Star Alliance Access at a Discount
The 15% Amex Membership Rewards to Avianca LifeMiles bonus brings the transfer ratio from 1:1 to 1:1.15. On a 50,000-point transfer, that is 7,500 free LifeMiles.
LifeMiles are Avianca’s currency and a Star Alliance partner program. The program books seats on United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, and other Star Alliance members.
Best LifeMiles redemptions
LifeMiles does not pass on carrier-imposed surcharges the way some airline programs do, which makes it particularly valuable for Lufthansa and Swiss awards where other programs charge significant fees. Business class to Europe on Lufthansa or Swiss has been available through LifeMiles at rates that are more accessible than using other transfer partners. Verify current pricing on Avianca’s award booking tool before transferring, as award pricing changes.
LifeMiles also books United Airlines domestic and transatlantic awards at competitive rates. If you primarily earn Membership Rewards but want access to United flights, this transfer path delivers that.
LifeMiles expiration warning
LifeMiles expire 12 months after your last account activity. If you transfer points, set a calendar reminder at the 11-month mark to make a small booking or account activity before the expiration clock hits. Losing transferred miles to expiration is one of the most costly outcomes in points travel.
Cards that earn transferable Amex Membership Rewards
Amex Platinum ($895/year, 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel), Amex Gold ($325/year, 4x at U.S. restaurants and U.S. supermarkets up to $25,000/year then 1x), Amex Business Platinum, and Amex Business Gold. Earning rates verified as of 2026-03-22.
Who Should Not Transfer During This Window
- You do not have a confirmed award in mind. Points transfer instantly and cannot be reversed. Only move points when you have verified award availability at the right price on a specific date.
- You are transferring to Wyndham based on the 30% headline alone. Run the math on your specific redemption. In most cases, the per-point value does not compete with airline transfer partners.
- The bonus is covering a shortfall you could close another way. If a small purchase or organic accumulation would close a points gap, that may cost less than transferring a larger block from a flexible program.
- You plan to use your Amex MR for something else soon. MR points are among the most flexible in the market. Transferring to LifeMiles locks them into a program with expiration rules. Only commit if you have a near-term redemption planned.
Bottom Line
The Chase to Avios 20% bonus is the most useful of the three for readers with short-haul awards in mind. The Amex to LifeMiles 15% bonus is worth acting on for Lufthansa or United awards where LifeMiles pricing is favorable. The Chase to Wyndham 30% bonus has the largest headline number, but the underlying value of Wyndham points means most readers are better off keeping Chase points in more flexible programs. All three expire March 31, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer both Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards to Avios?
Chase transfers to British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub. Amex also transfers to all three. If you hold both Chase and Amex cards, you can transfer from either account into Avios and pool them across programs.
How long does a transfer take?
Chase to Avios and Chase to Wyndham transfers are typically instant or near-instant. Amex to LifeMiles generally takes one to five business days, though many transfers post within 24 hours. Do not transfer at the last minute before a booking deadline.
What if I transfer now but do not find an award?
Your points stay in the partner program and can be used at any time, subject to each program’s expiration policies. Avios expire after 36 months of inactivity. LifeMiles expire after 12 months of inactivity. Wyndham points expire after 18 months without earning or redeeming. Know the rules before transferring speculatively.
Is the Avios bonus available on all Chase cards?
The bonus applies to any Chase card earning transferable Ultimate Rewards: Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, and Ink Business Preferred. Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited points become transferable only when linked to one of those accounts.