Chase Ultimate Rewards has just rolled out a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, giving cardholders a lucrative new way to stretch their points for travel. This bonus means every 1,000 Chase points you transfer nets you 1,300 Virgin points, opening up some of the best sweet spots in airline award travel.
Our Take
Good news for international award travelers. This 30% transfer bonus is a big win for anyone eyeing Virgin Atlantic or partner redemptions—especially for those seeking outsized value on ANA First or Delta One awards. At our 2.05¢/point valuation, this bonus can push your redemption value well above 2.5¢ per point, making it one of the most lucrative transfer opportunities we've seen from Chase this year.
What Changed
- Transfer bonus: 30% more Virgin points per Chase point transferred
- Applies to transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Effective immediately (see Chase or Virgin for official end date)
Who Benefits Most
- ANA First Class aspirants: 85,000 Virgin points (normally 65,385 Chase points with 30% bonus) can book ANA First Class one-way from the US to Japan, worth $10,000+ cash—your Chase points now deliver over 3¢/point in value.
- Delta One deal hunters: Delta One business class between the US and Europe can be booked for 50,000–60,000 Virgin points, requiring only ~39,000–46,000 Chase points with the bonus (vs. 50,000–60,000 without).
- Virgin Atlantic flyers: Direct Virgin Atlantic Upper Class flights from the US to London start at 47,500 points one-way—now just 36,500 Chase points with the bonus, saving you thousands of points per trip.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve holders: With all-time-high bonuses (100,000 UR = $2,050 value), transferring now can maximize your sign-up windfall.
Who Should Be Cautious
- Domestic-only travelers: Virgin Atlantic miles are best for international premium cabins; domestic US flights on Delta via Virgin often have high surcharges or limited availability.
- Those needing flexibility: Transfers are one-way and irreversible—once points are in Virgin, you can't move them back to Chase or another partner.
- Travelers with no near-term plans: Virgin points can devalue or expire; only transfer if you have a redemption in mind.
What To Do Right Now
- Check your Chase Ultimate Rewards balance and current travel plans.
- Research Virgin Atlantic and partner award charts—especially for ANA and Delta premium cabins.
- Confirm award space before transferring points; use Virgin’s website or call for partner bookings.
- Initiate the transfer from your Chase account if you find a valuable redemption—act soon, as transfer bonuses are usually time-limited.
- Track your transfer and book promptly to lock in availability and value.
