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American Express to Virgin Atlantic Points Transfer Promotions: A Historical Analysis and 2025 Prediction

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American Express to Virgin Atlantic Points Transfer Promotions: A Historical Analysis and 2025 Prediction

  • American Express has historically offered transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club during May and June, but as of May 2025, there is no active bonus. However, Chase and Citi are currently offering 25% and 30% bonuses, respectively.
  • The analysis reveals that Amex typically offers transfer bonuses one to three times annually, with a focus on the late summer or early fall periods, particularly in September and October. May-June promotions are common but not the only opportunities for enhanced transfer rates.
  • A 40% bonus was offered by American Express to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club in April-May 2024, which is the highest bonus percentage observed in recent years. This suggests that Amex may introduce a similar promotion later in June 2025 to remain competitive.
  • Given the competitive landscape, it’s possible that Amex will offer a transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic in June 2025. However, the exact timing and details of any future promotion are subject to American Express and Virgin Atlantic’s strategic decisions.
  • To maximize the value of loyalty points for potential travel savings on Virgin Atlantic, cardholders should monitor for June announcements from Amex and Virgin Atlantic, consider competing offers from Chase and Citi, and be prepared to act quickly if a bonus is announced.

1. Executive Summary

This report analyzes the history of American Express (Amex) Membership Rewards points transfers to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club with a bonus during the months of May and June for the past five years (2020-2024). The objective is to identify patterns and trends in these promotions to provide a data-driven prediction for the likelihood and timing of a similar offer in May-June 2025. The analysis reveals that Amex has offered transfer bonuses during this period in several of the past five years. Notably, a 30% bonus was active in May-June 2024.6 However, as of May 2025, research indicates that American Express is not currently offering a transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic.2 In contrast, both Chase and Citi are offering transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic during this period.1 Given the competitive landscape, it is possible that Amex may introduce a promotion later in June 2025. These transfer bonuses are crucial for individuals seeking to maximize the value of their loyalty points for potential travel savings on Virgin Atlantic and its partner airlines.

2. Introduction: Understanding Amex to Virgin Atlantic Transfer Bonuses

Credit card loyalty programs have become a cornerstone of modern travel, allowing cardholders to accumulate points on their spending and redeem them for various rewards, including flights and hotel stays.1 A particularly valuable aspect of these programs is the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners, often unlocking significantly greater value than standard redemption options. Transfer bonuses further enhance this value proposition by offering an increased number of airline miles or hotel points for the same number of credit card points transferred. These promotions are typically offered for a limited time, requiring individuals to stay informed and act promptly to take advantage of these lucrative opportunities.1

American Express Membership Rewards is a prominent credit card loyalty program that partners with a variety of airlines and hotels, including Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.4 The standard transfer ratio between Amex Membership Rewards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is 1:1, meaning that for every American Express point transferred, the recipient receives one Virgin Point.4 The transfer process is often swift, with points typically credited to the Virgin Atlantic account almost instantaneously.

Transferring Amex points to Virgin Atlantic can be particularly advantageous due to the airline's unique redemption opportunities. Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program offers attractive redemption rates for its own premium cabin flights, such as Upper Class. Furthermore, Virgin Atlantic is a partner with several other airlines, most notably All Nippon Airways (ANA), where Flying Club points can be used to book coveted First and Business Class seats on long-haul routes, often at very competitive mileage levels. These high-value redemption possibilities make Amex to Virgin Atlantic transfer bonuses particularly appealing to travelers seeking premium experiences. This report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the historical occurrence of these bonuses during the May-June period and offer a prediction for the current year.

3. Historical Analysis of May-June Amex to Virgin Atlantic Transfer Promotions (Last Five Years: 2020-2024)

To understand the likelihood of an Amex to Virgin Atlantic transfer bonus in May-June 2025, it is essential to examine the history of such promotions over the preceding five years. The following table summarizes the findings for the period of 2020 to 2024:

Year

Start Date

End Date

Bonus Percentage

2020

None Found

None Found

None Found

2021

May 2021

September 30, 2021

30% 10 / June 2021: 25% 11

2022

May 2022

May 2022

40% 7 / September 2022: 30% 11

2023

May 1, 2023

June 15, 2023

30% 6

2024

April 22, 2024 11 / May 9, 2024 11

May 31, 2024 6

30% 6 / 40% 17

The year 2020 shows no evidence of an Amex to Virgin Atlantic transfer bonus specifically during May or June.1

In 2021, a 30% bonus from Amex to Virgin Atlantic commenced in May and extended until September 30th.1 Additionally, a 25% bonus was also reported specifically for June 2021.11

For 2022, while some sources indicate no bonus in May-June but a 30% bonus in September 4, one source specifically noted a 40% bonus in May 2022.7

The year 2023 shows a clear pattern, with multiple sources consistently reporting a 30% transfer bonus from Amex to Virgin Atlantic running from May 1st to June 15th.6

In 2024, American Express offered a 30% transfer bonus starting in late April or early May and running until May 31st.6 Additionally, a 40% transfer bonus was available at some point in May 2024 and extended until December 31, 2024.17

4. Analysis of Overall Amex to Virgin Atlantic Transfer Promotion Trends

Beyond the specific May-June timeframe, examining the general frequency of Amex to Virgin Atlantic transfer bonuses throughout the year provides valuable context. Research suggests that Amex typically offers these bonuses one to three times annually.6 There is an indication of a recent trend towards a more consistent offering, with at least two such promotions appearing each year.8 While Virgin Atlantic is noted as a frequent recipient of transfer bonuses from various credit card programs 2, the focus here remains on bonuses originating specifically from American Express.

Analysis of the historical data reveals recurring patterns in the timing of these promotions. Besides the occurrences in May and June, Amex frequently offers transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic in the late summer or early fall, particularly in September and October, and again towards the end of the year in December.8 The most commonly offered bonus percentage appears to be 30% 8, although higher bonuses of 40% have been observed periodically.17 This broader temporal analysis indicates that while May-June promotions are common, they are not the only opportunities for Amex cardholders to benefit from enhanced transfer rates to Virgin Atlantic.

5. Prediction for This Year's (2025) May-June Promotion

Based on the historical data, which shows a May-June Amex to Virgin Atlantic transfer bonus in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, there was a reasonable expectation for a similar promotion in May-June 2025. However, current research indicates that as of May 2025, American Express is not offering a transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic.2

It is important to note that both Chase and Citi are currently offering transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic. Chase is offering a 25% bonus until June 15, 2025 1, and Citi is offering a 30% bonus until May 17, 2025.1 This competitive environment might prompt American Express to introduce a transfer bonus later in June 2025 to remain competitive in the market.

It is important to acknowledge that the exact timing and details of any future promotion are subject to American Express and Virgin Atlantic's strategic decisions. Factors such as Virgin Atlantic's marketing plans and the competitive landscape of other credit card transfer bonuses could influence the timing and bonus percentage.

6. Conclusion and Recommendations

The analysis of the past five years reveals a consistent pattern of American Express offering transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club during May and June. While there is no active Amex transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic as of May 2025, both Chase and Citi are offering bonuses. Given the historical precedent and the current competitive landscape, it is still possible that Amex may introduce a transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic in June 2025.

Based on these findings, the following recommendations are provided:

  • Monitor for June: Keep a close watch on the official American Express and Virgin Atlantic websites, as well as reputable travel rewards blogs and news outlets, for any announcements regarding a potential June 2025 transfer bonus.17
  • Consider Competing Offers: If you are looking to transfer points to Virgin Atlantic in May, consider the current offers from Chase and Citi.1
  • Consider Speculative Transfers Cautiously: Exercise caution when considering speculative point transfers without a specific redemption in mind. Loyalty program award charts and point values can change, potentially diminishing the value of transferred points.8
  • Be Prepared to Act Quickly: Transfer bonuses are typically available for a limited duration. If a June promotion is announced and aligns with your travel goals, be prepared to initiate the transfer promptly to benefit from the offer.11

Works cited

  1. Credit card transfer bonuses (May): 25% bonus to Virgin Atlantic, Flying Blue and more, accessed May 4, 2025, https://thepointsguy.com/loyalty-programs/current-transfer-bonuses/
  2. Transfer Bonuses and Sales on Points & Miles: May 2025 – Travel Mom Squad, accessed May 4, 2025, https://travelmomsquad.com/transfer-bonuses-and-sales-on-points-miles-may-2025/
  3. Credit Card Transfer Bonuses in May 2025 – Scott's Cheap Flights, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.going.com/guides/credit-card-transfer-bonuses
  4. Membership Rewards Transfer – American Express, accessed May 4, 2025, https://global.americanexpress.com/rewards/transfer
  5. Exchange points – Flying Club – Fly With Virgin Atlantic, accessed May 4, 2025, https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/earn-points/exchange-points.html
  6. AMEX 30% Transfer Bonus To Virgin Atlantic – Guides – Maximize Your Points for Travel, accessed May 4, 2025, https://roame.travel/guides/amex-30-virgin-atlantic-bonus
  7. Current Credit Card Transfer Bonuses: May 2025 – NerdWallet, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/credit-card-transfer-bonuses
  8. 40% Virgin Atlantic Transfer Bonus From Amex Membership Rewards – AwardWallet, accessed May 4, 2025, https://awardwallet.com/blog/membership-rewards-transfer-bonus-virgin-atlantic/
  9. 25% bonus when transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to Virgin Atlantic – Frequent Miler, accessed May 4, 2025, https://frequentmiler.com/25-bonus-when-transferring-chase-ultimate-rewards-to-virgin-atlantic/
  10. A Complete History of Airline & Hotel Transfer Bonuses – AwardWallet, accessed May 4, 2025, https://awardwallet.com/blog/transfer-bonus-history/
  11. Transfer Bonus History – MilesMastery, accessed May 4, 2025, https://milesmastery.com/transfer-bonus-history/
  12. Current Point Transfer Bonuses for May 2025 – Roame, accessed May 4, 2025, https://roame.travel/guides/points-transfer-bonuses
  13. May Credit Card and Loyalty Program Transfer Bonuses – Upgraded Points, accessed May 4, 2025, https://upgradedpoints.com/news/current-credit-card-transfer-bonuses/
  14. Current point transfer bonuses for May 2025 – Frequent Miler, accessed May 4, 2025, https://frequentmiler.com/current-point-transfer-bonuses/
  15. Credit Card Transfer Bonuses Of 2025 – Forbes, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/credit-card-transfer-bonuses/
  16. Complete history of transfer bonuses over the past decade – The Points Guy, accessed May 4, 2025, https://thepointsguy.com/loyalty-programs/complete-history-credit-card-transfer-bonuses/
  17. Transfer Amex Points To Virgin Atlantic With 40% Bonus – One Mile at a Time, accessed May 4, 2025, https://onemileatatime.com/deals/amex-virgin-atlantic-transfer-bonus/
  18. Transfer Amex to Virgin Atlantic with a 40% Transfer Bonus – Monkey Miles, accessed May 4, 2025, https://monkeymiles.boardingarea.com/amex-virgin-atlantic-transfer-bonus/
  19. Here are all the banks offering a transfer bonus to partner programs (Updated 04/14/25), accessed May 4, 2025, https://monkeymiles.boardingarea.com/here-are-the-banks-offering-a-transfer-bonus-to-partner-programs/
  20. Transfer Bonus: AmEx to Virgin Atlantic 30% : r/awardtravel – Reddit, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/awardtravel/comments/bjguno/transfer_bonus_amex_to_virgin_atlantic_30/
  21. How often do airline and hotel programs offer transfer bonuses? – Frequent Miler, accessed May 4, 2025, https://frequentmiler.com/how-often-do-airline-and-hotel-programs-offer-transfer-bonuses/
  22. (EXPIRED) 20% Transfer Bonus from AMEX Membership Rewards to Air France/KLM Flying Blue – Frequent Miler, accessed May 4, 2025, https://frequentmiler.com/20-transfer-bonus-from-amex-membership-rewards-to-air-france-klm-flying-blue/
  23. Amex just released a ton of transfer bonuses : r/awardtravel – Reddit, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/awardtravel/comments/x3as82/amex_just_released_a_ton_of_transfer_bonuses/
  24. 40% points transfer bonus to Virgin Flyer Club. Opinions sought. : r/AmexPlatinum – Reddit, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/AmexPlatinum/comments/1hggner/40_points_transfer_bonus_to_virgin_flyer_club/
Q. When did American Express last offer a transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club?
A. In May-June 2024, there was a 30% bonus available.

Q. What is the standard transfer ratio between Amex Membership Rewards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club?
A. The standard transfer ratio is 1:1, meaning one American Express point equals one Virgin Point.

Q. How often does American Express typically offer transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club?
A. Research suggests that Amex typically offers these bonuses one to three times annually.

Q. What was the bonus percentage offered by American Express in May-June 2024?
A. There was a 30% bonus available during this period.

Q. Are there any current transfer bonuses available for Virgin Atlantic Flying Club as of May 2025?
A. No, as of May 2025, American Express is not offering a transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic.

Q. What are the current transfer bonuses offered by Chase and Citi to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club?
A. Chase is offering a 25% bonus until June 15, 2025, while Citi is offering a 30% bonus until May 17, 2025.

Q. Can Amex cardholders benefit from speculative point transfers without a specific redemption in mind?
A. Yes, but it’s essential to exercise caution as loyalty program award charts and point values can change.

Q. How should Amex cardholders prepare for potential transfer bonuses?
A. They should be prepared to act quickly if a promotion is announced and aligns with their travel goals.

Q. Are there any historical patterns in the timing of Amex to Virgin Atlantic transfer promotions?
A. Yes, besides May-June, Amex frequently offers transfer bonuses in late summer or early fall (September-October) and towards the end of the year (December).