Transferring points from Esfera (Santander's coalition) to Smiles (GOL's loyalty program) is one of the most used routes for point collectors in Brazil. Done at the right time, this transfer can double your miles and slash the cost per thousand miles to very attractive levels. Done at the wrong time, you throw away half your potential. This guide shows the complete step-by-step, the points ratio, how recurring bonuses work and — most importantly — when it is and isn't worth hitting the transfer button.
How the Esfera to Smiles ratio works
The base ratio between the two programs is 1:1: 1 Esfera point becomes 1 Smiles point (mile), with no bonus. So 20,000 Esfera points turn into 20,000 Smiles miles in a plain transfer. This is where many people go wrong: transferring 1:1 with no promotion almost never pays off, because you are moving flexible points into a specific airline program without getting anything in return.
The game changes completely with a bonus transfer. With a 100% bonus, those same 20,000 Esfera points become 40,000 Smiles miles. With 80%, they become 36,000. The bonus is what turns this route into one of the best in the Brazilian market.
Step-by-step transfer
The process is fast and done entirely through the Esfera app or website:
- 1. Open the Esfera app or website and log into your account.
- 2. First, check whether a bonus campaign is active and whether you need to register for it (many require prior sign-up on the promotion page, on the Smiles or Esfera site).
- 3. In the menu, look for "Points transfer" and select Smiles as the destination program.
- 4. Enter the number of points and check how many Smiles miles you will receive (with the bonus, if any).
- 5. Confirm the miles go to the correct Smiles account/CPF — ownership usually has to match.
- 6. Complete the transfer and, if using points + cash, finalize the payment.
If you prefer, also check our complete Smiles guide to understand how to use the miles once received.
Minimum transfer amount
Esfera usually works with a minimum of around 30,000 points per transfer (always confirm the current figure in the app, as it may change). Those who don't reach that volume can use the "Points & Cash" feature, detailed below, to make up the required amount.
Points + Cash: how to complete the transfer
The "Points & Cash" feature lets you complete the transfer by paying in reais for the portion of points you are missing. In practice, you use the points you have and pay the rest in cash to reach the desired volume — you typically need at least a small fraction (around 1%) of the total in points in your account.
Combined with a good bonus, this feature is what drives the Smiles cost per thousand miles down. In recent campaigns, the final cost reached the R$14 to R$15 range using Points & Cash, with even better values for club subscribers. The cash portion can usually be split into up to 12 installments on the card.
Recurring bonuses: what to expect
Bonus promotions on Esfera to Smiles transfers are recurring — they usually appear several times a month, often lasting only a few days (for example, a 3-to-4-day window). The ranges that show up frequently sit between 40% and 100%, and in more aggressive campaigns there have been even higher offers. One key point: the highest bonuses are usually reserved for Smiles Club subscribers and higher-tier customers (such as Diamond/Magno), while other customers get a smaller range in the same campaign.
A real example of the segmented structure: in a July 2026 campaign, Smiles Club subscribers and Diamond/Magno customers received a 70% bonus, while other customers received 40%. In other windows during the year, ranges of 75%, 80%, 90% and 100% appeared. The lesson is clear: track the campaigns and transfer when the percentage is high for your profile.
| Scenario | Esfera points | Smiles miles | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| No bonus (1:1) | 20,000 | 20,000 | Rarely worth it |
| 40% bonus | 20,000 | 28,000 | Common range for general customers |
| 80% bonus | 20,000 | 36,000 | Good window to transfer |
| 100% bonus | 20,000 | 40,000 | Excellent — doubles the miles |
The values above are illustrative to help you understand the bonus impact; the real percentages vary with each campaign.
Esfera Club and Smiles Club: why they matter
The subscription clubs of both programs boost this strategy in two ways:
- Esfera Club: speeds up monthly point accrual and usually offers perks like free express transfer (miles credited within a few hours instead of days) and better Points & Cash conditions.
- Smiles Club: besides crediting miles every month, it is what unlocks the highest bonus percentages in transfer campaigns and the best Points & Cash pricing. In many promotions, the maximum bonus is only available to subscribers.
If you transfer often, subscribing to the clubs (or at least Smiles Club during campaign weeks) usually pays for itself quickly through the difference in bonus and cost per thousand miles.
Crediting timeframes
A plain transfer usually lands within 3 business days. There is also an express option, which credits miles within a few hours (up to around 3 hours) for an additional cost in points — often waived for Esfera Club subscribers. The campaign bonus miles, on the other hand, may have a longer crediting timeframe and, once credited, usually carry their own validity (generally 12 months). Always read the campaign rules to know when the bonus posts and how long it lasts.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Transferring without a bonus: mistake number one. Moving points at a plain 1:1 wastes half the potential. Wait for the promotion.
- Not registering for the campaign: many promotions require prior sign-up on the offer page. Without registering, you transfer and don't receive the bonus.
- Transferring without a redemption in mind: Smiles miles expire. Transfer when you have a clear destination/use, or at least awareness of the validity.
- Ignoring profile segmentation: the "up to X%" percentage advertised may not be yours. Check which range applies to your profile (club subscriber, tier) before counting on the full number.
- Not comparing the cost per thousand miles: not every promotion pays off. Use our calculator and the how to calculate mile value guide to check whether the final cost justifies the transfer.
- Forgetting the minimum transfer: if you don't reach the minimum, plan to use Points & Cash instead of leaving points idle.
Where Esfera points come from
Before transferring, it's worth understanding how to feed your Esfera account, because the more points you accumulate, the more Smiles miles you generate in bonus windows. The main sources are Santander miles cards, such as the Santander Unlimited Visa Infinite, which accrue points per dollar spent and deposit them into Esfera. In addition, Esfera offers accrual on purchases in its partner shopping mall, in seasonal promotions and by converting bank investments and products. Those who also hold co-branded cards, like the Smiles Santander Visa Infinite or the Smiles Bradesco Visa Infinite, can accrue straight into Smiles, skipping the transfer — which changes the strategy math.
The great advantage of concentrating accrual in Esfera is flexibility: you aren't locked into Smiles and can direct points to other partner programs based on the best bonus of the moment. That's why many people keep the bank card as their main accrual engine and only decide the destination at redemption time.
Esfera to Smiles vs other routes
Esfera transfers to several airline programs, not just Smiles. Before moving points, compare: if LATAM Pass or Azul have a better bonus the same week and serve your route, it may be more worthwhile to send there. The choice depends on three factors: the active bonus percentage for your profile, award seat availability at the destination you want, and the resulting cost per thousand miles in each program.
Smiles usually stands out on GOL flights and international partners, plus specific offers like promotional awards and route clubs. For segments operated by LATAM or Azul, the respective programs tend to yield more. The practical rule: don't be loyal to a single program out of habit — be loyal to the best value for each redemption. Our Miles Calculator helps compare each option objectively.
When it's worth it vs when it isn't
✓ Worth transferring when
- There is a high active bonus for your profile (80%, 90%, 100%)
- You have a concrete redemption in mind on Smiles
- The final cost per thousand miles (with Points & Cash) came out below what you'd pay buying miles outright
- You are a club subscriber and unlock the maximum bonus
- Smiles miles serve your destination better than other programs
✕ Not worth it when
- There is no bonus (plain 1:1 transfer)
- You don't yet know which ticket you'll redeem (expiry risk)
- Another program (LATAM Pass, Azul) serves your route better with a similar bonus
- The advertised bonus doesn't apply to your profile
- You'd have to pay too much on Points & Cash, raising the cost per thousand miles
Conclusion
The Esfera to Smiles route is powerful when used with strategy: base 1:1 ratio, recurring bonuses of 40% to 100% (with the highest percentages reserved for club subscribers), a Points & Cash feature to drive down the cost per thousand miles, and a transfer that lands within 3 business days (or hours in express mode). The golden rule is simple: transfer only with a bonus, register for the campaign, confirm your profile's range and have a redemption in mind. Before confirming any transfer, run it through our Miles Calculator and follow the transfer promotions to always catch the best window.