The Chase Ultimate Rewards program has just introduced its latest transfer bonus. Of the major transferable point currencies, Chase Ultimate Rewards has historically had the fewest transfer bonuses, so it’s always nice to see one offered. This is in addition to the 25% bonus currently offered on transfers to Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
Chase offers 30% Virgin Atlantic transfer bonus
Until Wednesday, June 15, 2022, you can receive a 30% bonus when you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
This promotion is offered on the Chase side (in the US) and is hard-coded into the transfer ratio, which means you should see the bonus the moment you make the transfer. You can take advantage of this offer an unlimited number of times. Transfers from Chase to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club are usually instant.
There are several great cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and it’s easy to combine points between cards.
Should you transfer Chase Points to Virgin Atlantic?
Virgin Atlantic is definitely a loyalty program with more niche redemption opportunities. Generally, the two best uses of Flying Club points are travel on Virgin Atlantic and All Nippon Airways.
If you want to redeem Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points for travel on Virgin Atlantic, here’s what you can expect to pay in terms of round-trip award costs to and from London:
|
Directions to/from UK |
Economy |
Economy of the best quality |
Higher class |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Israel |
Standard: 18,000 |
Standard: 32,000 |
Standard: 56,000 |
|
India |
Standard: 20,000 |
Standard: 35,000 |
Standard: 75,000 |
|
United States – Northeast |
Standard: 20,000 |
Standard: 35,000 |
Standard: 95,000 |
|
Caribbean |
Standard: 20,000 |
Standard: 35,000 |
Standard: 115,000 |
|
United States – Midwest and South |
Standard: 25,000 |
Standard: 45,000 |
Standard: 95,000 |
|
Nigeria, China and Hong Kong |
Standard: 25,000 |
Standard: 45,000 |
Standard: 115,000 |
|
South Africa |
Standard: 25,000 |
Standard: 50,000 |
Standard: 115,000 |
|
United States – West |
Standard: 30,000 |
Standard: 55,000 |
Standard: 135,000 |
Generally, Virgin Atlantic buyout rates are high, at least for the upper class. On top of that, there are significant carrier-imposed surcharges (plus UK Air Passenger Duty), particularly for upper class travel. You can expect a return route from the US to the UK to cost you around $1,000, plus all points.
Beyond that, Virgin Atlantic has several airline partners, some of which are more lucrative than others. Probably the best use of Flying Club points is for ANA First Class and Business Class travel. Here are the redemption rates:
Paying 95,000 and 120,000 points respectively for business and first class between the US and Japan is phenomenal value to start with. Then when you consider the 30% transfer bonus, that means you only pay 74,000 and 93,000 Chase Points, respectively.
All Nippon Airways’ new First and Business classes are also incredible products. The catch is that Japan’s borders remain closed to tourists, and no one knows when they will reopen.
At the end of the line
Until June 15, 2022, you can receive a 30% bonus when you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. It’s definitely more of a niche program, but with a specific use in mind, there’s a lot of value to be had.
With the 30% bonus, some might find it worth booking on Virgin Atlantic for convenience. Virgin Atlantic is good at unleashing business class transatlantic rewards availability, so if you value the convenience of a nonstop and don’t mind paying carrier-imposed surcharges, there’s value there- low.
However, the real value here is booking with partners. The best deal is on All Nippon Airways, as you can fly ANA First Class round-trip to Japan for 93,000 Chase Points. The problem is that this redemption isn’t that valuable right now, with Japan’s borders remaining largely closed.
Do you plan to transfer Chase Points to Flying Club with a 30% bonus?
