Transfer Bonus Value Calculator: Is This Bonus Actually Worth It?

By Mike · Updated August 3, 2026 · 2 min to use

Does the math, doesn't tell you to transfer speculatively

Every transfer bonus looks exciting until you do the math against what the destination points are actually worth to you. Enter your balance, the bonus on offer, and what you realistically value the destination program's points at, and this tells you the real number.

Points you're considering transferring

Transfer bonus (%)

Destination program value (¢ per point)

Total redemption value

from 0 points after the bonus

Metric	Value
Points before bonus	0
Points after bonus	0
Effective value per original point	0¢

How to read this: if the effective value per original point beats what you'd get redeeming in your current flexible currency (usually 1.5 to 2 cents for a solid cash-equivalent or fixed-rate redemption), the bonus is doing real work. If it's close to or below that, the bonus isn't the reason to transfer, a specific redemption you actually want is. Never transfer on the bonus percentage alone.

How to find your destination value

Price an actual flight or hotel stay you'd book in the destination program, divide the cash price by the points required, and that's your real cents-per-point for that redemption, not a published average. Our sweet spots guide lists the programs that consistently deliver 2 cents or more, which is a reasonable number to plug in if you don't have a specific trip priced yet.

FAQ

What's a good cents-per-point value to use? A cent or under is weak, 1.5 to 2 cents is solid, 3 cents or more is a genuine sweet spot. Use our sweet spots guide if you don't have a specific redemption priced yet. Does a bigger bonus percentage always win? No, a 100% bonus into a program worth 0.8 cents a point can be worse than a 20% bonus into a program worth 3 cents a point. The calculator is built to catch exactly that. Should I transfer without a redemption in mind? No, this calculator estimates value, it doesn't replace having an actual flight or stay priced and ready to book. See the offers board for our take on which live bonuses are worth pricing out.