If one concept separates those who travel cheaply on miles from those who merely "collect points", it's the transfer bonus. Mastering it is the difference between paying R$ 30 and R$ 12 for the same cost per thousand. This guide covers the concept, the math, the timing, the step-by-step and — just as important — the mistakes to avoid.
What a transfer bonus is
It's a campaign where an origin program — almost always a points coalition like Livelo or Esfera — offers extra miles when you move points to an airline program. At 100%, 10,000 points become 20,000 miles; at 80%, 18,000. It differs from buying miles with a bonus (here you already have the points; you just transfer them) and it's the most efficient accumulation route for most Brazilians.
The math: why the bonus changes everything
What matters isn't the percentage itself, but your final cost per thousand. Say you accumulated 50,000 Livelo points via card spend. Without a bonus you'd have 50,000 miles. With a 100% bonus you have 100,000 miles for the same effort — the cost per mile halved. That's why transferring without a bonus is almost always a waste.
After transferring, confirm the redemption value with the Miles Calculator: if the value per thousand you get on the redemption beats your accumulation cost, you're ahead.
How to tell if a bonus is good
An 80% bonus can be great for one pair and mediocre for another. The right benchmark is the history of that specific pair (e.g. Livelo → Smiles). Use the Bonus History to see the highest ever, the average and the frequency. As a general Brazilian-market reference:
- 100% or more — excellent. If you have a redemption in sight, it's usually time to act.
- 80% to 90% — good.
- Below 60% — usually worth waiting, unless your miles are about to expire.
When campaigns appear
There's no fixed date, but there is seasonality. The Promotions Calendar shows the yearly pattern. Programs like Smiles historically run the most campaigns — see the Program Ranking to compare each program's activity.
Step-by-step to maximize it
- 1. Accumulate patiently at the origin. Concentrate points in one or two coalitions.
- 2. Have a redemption in mind. Knowing where and when you want to fly avoids impulse transfers.
- 3. Monitor bonuses. Turn on alerts and track Transfer Promotions.
- 4. Compare with history. Check the Bonus History.
- 5. Simulate before confirming. Use the Bonus Transfer Simulator.
Pros and cons
Pros: drastically cuts the cost per thousand; lets you accumulate without flying; flexible; and combined with the coalition's club can yield even better ratios.
Cons and risks: transfers are usually irreversible; miles then follow the destination program's validity; and transferring without a plan risks miles expiring or being devalued by chart changes.
Costly common mistakes
- Transferring without a bonus — mistake #1.
- Transferring with no redemption in sight.
- Ignoring the pair's history.
- Forgetting boarding fees — the bonus cheapens the mile, but the redemption still has cash fees.
- Not simulating.
When NOT to transfer
Avoid transferring when: the bonus is well below the pair's average; you have no concrete redemption in sight; the destination has an expensive dynamic chart at that moment; or when buying miles directly would be cheaper (compare in the Miles Purchase Simulator).
Transfer, buy or fly?
Three ways to get miles; the best depends on the final cost. Transferring with a bonus is usually cheapest for those who accumulate points daily; buying miles makes sense in strong promos or to top up a redemption (see Is buying miles worth it?); and flying accumulates naturally but rarely as the main route.