Update: The offers mentioned below have expired and are no longer available.
Who likes free flights? Everyone does, of course.
Fortunately, Chase has just launched a new transfer bonus between Ultimate Rewards and Avios that will help you get closer to reward flights on British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia.
Let’s take a look at the details.
Offer Details
Chase has transfer partnerships with the 3 Avios-earning programs (British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus Aer Club), with ratios of 1:1 — that means you’ll typically receive 1 Avios point for every Ultimate Rewards point you transfer, in increments of 1,000 points.
However, with this 30% transfer bonus, you’ll receive 1,300 Avios for every 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points you transfer.
Ultimate Rewards points are earned easily from non-bonus and bonus spending on a number of cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, and more.
Image Credit: ChaseThe offer is valid through September 26, 2021, which gives you just under a month to earn and transfer any points you’re wanting to burn.
British Airways Sweet Spots
Is this transfer a good deal? It can be, if you plan carefully.
British Airways is known for its hefty fuel surcharges on award flights, but you can avoid a lot of those costs by skipping out on business class.
There are a few other important things to note with British Airways’ program. First, it maintains a distance-based award chart, with different rates for peak, off-peak, and standard pricing.
Rates also vary according to which carrier you actually fly on. You’ll pay different award rates for flights operated by British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus than you would for flights operated by a partner airline, like American Airlines, for example. Finally, you’ll pay yet another rate for flights operated by a combination of partner airlines.
All of that sounds complicated, but there are still some gems when it comes to redeeming British Airways Avios. Most notably, economy class flights from the East Coast to London (and Dublin) are just 13,000 miles each way during off-peak times, which is a steal, even if you do have to pay some fuel surcharges.
Image Credit: British AirwaysBy taking advantage of this transfer bonus, you can effectively fly your way to and from Europe for just 20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points — not a bad deal at all!
Our helpful guide details more direct routes from the U.S. on British Airways (including plane types and seat options).
Hot Tip: Although you’ll have to call British Airways to book flights on Aer Lingus, you can save yourself a couple of hundred dollars in fuel surcharges by doing so — and the cost in Avios remains the same.
You can also opt to fly sub-600-mile flights from just 7,500 miles each way, which is a good deal in expensive markets. This deal works everywhere in the world, including the U.S.
Image Credit: British AirwaysIf you don’t already have a stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards and are still looking to fly with British Airways, Aer Lingus, or Iberia, keep in mind that you can also transfer American Express Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio.
Final Thoughts
Transfer bonuses are always welcome, especially when they don’t come along all too often. A 30% bonus when transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Avios is as good an offer as you’ll see, and represents a solid value for your points — even more so when you’re able to take advantage of British Airways’ distance-based award chart. Just make sure you take advantage of this offer before its expiration on September 26, 2021.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Unlimited® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Featured Image Credit:
Greg Stone
