If you’ve been stockpiling points, October is one of those months where they stretch further—but only if you already see seats you can book. Below are the live bonuses, the fastest ways to use them, one setup that makes Avios far more flexible, and two tools that make finding award space way easier.
What’s live right now (with deadlines)
Citi ThankYou → airlines
- Turkish Miles&Smiles: +50% (through Oct 18). Strong for Türkiye and quirky sweet spots like U.S.↔Hawaii on United via partners.
- Avianca LifeMiles: +25% (through Oct 18). Solid Star Alliance pricing with usually friendlier surcharges.
- Virgin Atlantic (Virgin Red): +30% (through Oct 18). Great for ANA premium cabins via Virgin—sanity-check fees before you move.
- Qatar Airways Avios: up to +40% (through Oct 15). Bonus is funded by Qatar and can post after the base miles; don’t plan a same-day ticket around it.
Chase Ultimate Rewards → partners
- Avios (British Airways / Iberia / Aer Lingus): +30% (through Oct 31). Easy Oneworld top-offs.
- IHG One: +80% (through Oct 22). Only if you’ve priced a specific hotel stay—IHG can be points-hungry.
American Express Membership Rewards → partners
- Air France–KLM Flying Blue: +20% (through Oct 31). Often lines up nicely with Promo Rewards to Europe.
- Marriott Bonvoy: +30% (through Nov 9). Case-by-case; transfer only for a confirmed reservation you’ve already costed out.
Capital One Miles → partner
- Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank: +30% (through Oct 22). Excellent when JAL’s distance chart beats partner pricing on your exact routing.
How to play it (fast decision paths)
Oneworld (Qatar / BA / Iberia)
1) Find seats first in British Airways and Qatar Airways. Use the search tools below.
2) If it’s bookable now, top up with Citi ThankYou → Qatar or Chase → Avios based on what you hold.
3) Remember: the Qatar bonus may arrive after the base miles, so don’t count it for a same-day redemption.
Star Alliance (Europe, Türkiye, Hawaii, etc.)
Compare Turkish Miles&Smiles vs Avianca LifeMiles on your exact route. Transfer only after you see the seats.
Japan premium cabins
Price with JAL Mileage Bank first. If it wins, move Capital One → JAL and ticket.
The one rule that saves you from “orphaned” miles
Never transfer just because there’s a bonus. Bank transfers are one-way. If you push points without a flight you can ticket right now, you risk getting stuck in the wrong program and missing a better deal elsewhere. The order never changes: find seats → check total miles + taxes/fees → transfer → book.
Make Avios flexible (do this once)
- Link Qatar Privilege Club ↔ British Airways Executive Club. Make sure your name and date of birth match exactly; after that, Avios move instantly and free in either direction. You can also use BA’s Combine Avios page.
- Prep Iberia Plus now. BA ↔ Iberia transfers usually behave only when your account is 90+ days old and shows some prior activity (any small earn/burn).
Find award seats quickly (so you don’t guess)
Use PointsYeah or point.me to scan multiple programs and set alerts.
Want help picking the right card for your trip? Visit TheCardsGuy.com. I’ll add a link in the comments with step-by-step screenshots and the live promo list.
FAQs
What are the best credit card transfer bonuses in October 2025?
Citi ThankYou → Turkish (+50%) and Chase Ultimate Rewards → Avios (+30%) lead this month, followed by strong AmEx and Capital One bonuses.
Which transfer bonus is best for travel to Europe?
Air France–KLM Flying Blue (+20% from AmEx) pairs perfectly with Flying Blue Promo Rewards, giving easy, low-cost redemptions to Europe.
How can I maximize a transfer bonus without losing flexibility?
Always find award seats first, then transfer. Move points only when you can book immediately to avoid “orphaned” miles.
Can I combine Avios from different programs?
Yes — link Qatar, British Airways, and Iberia accounts. Once linked, Avios transfer instantly and free between programs.
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