New 40% Amex transfer bonus for Hilton, 25% Cathay Pacific bonus still alive

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Redeeming your points with Amex transfer partners during large promotional bonuses is often the best way to use Amex points. But whether or not a transfer bonus is worthwhile largely depends on the partner.

Now through October 31, 2020, there is a 40% transfer bonus to Hilton. Let’s take a brief look at what you can do with Hilton points and Asia Miles.

Current Amex transfer bonus deals

Below is a list of the current Amex transfer bonuses which apply to cards that earn Amex Membership Rewards points, like the following:

To see which deals your Amex Membership Rewards account is eligible for follow these steps:

1. Log into your Amex account
2. Select one of your cards that earns Amex points
3. Click “Explore Rewards”
4. Then select “Transfer Points”
5. To see all your transfer options click “View All”

Any transfer partner targeted for a bonus will have the offer listed.

40% transfer bonus to Hilton

Expiration date: October 31, 2020

Transfer ratio: 1,000:2,800

Amex points regularly transfer to Hilton at a ratio of 1:2 (1 Amex points = 2 Hilton points). With this bonus, you’ll earn 2.8 Hilton points for every Amex point you transfer. What does this mean for you?

The 100,000 bonus points you’ll earn after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening The Platinum Card® from American Express could equal 210,000 Hilton points! There is no Hilton award chart, but Hilton prices its hotels between 5,000 and 95,000 points, depending on hotel quality (there are a few exceptions).

We estimate that Hilton points value averages around 0.5 cents each, so you’ll get a value of 1.4 cents per Amex point by taking advantage of this transfer bonus. However, we estimate Amex points value to be around 2 cents each. So, if you plan to transfer your Amex points to Hilton, you’ll want to ensure you’re receiving a value of AT LEAST 0.7 cents per point for your stay.

Even so, this bonus isn’t strong enough to convince many of us to transfer our points to Hilton. There are many more valuable ways to use Amex points (namely for unbelievable business and first class seats on airlines), so unless you’re desperate for Hilton points, maybe better to simply open a Hilton credit card to accrue points. They’ve got gigantic bonuses, after all.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles 25% transfer bonus

Expiration date: Dec. 31, 2020

Transfer ratio: 1,000:1,250

Good deal or not: Asia Miles is a solid currency. You can receive good value from them, though their award chart isn’t stellar. What does make their program stand out is that they offer increased award availability on Cathay flights when booking through Asia Miles, so you’re more likely to find that coveted first or business class seat.

Featured image by JT Genter