The August 3-9 cycle was unusually useful for travelers who are ready to apply or who already have transferable points. Hotel-card welcome offers moved up, three transfer bonuses created real booking opportunities, and Citi gave its top AAdvantage card a much more complicated value proposition. Here are the changes worth acting on—and the ones worth ignoring.

Credit Card & Program News

Marriott and IHG welcome offers get meaningfully better

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express is now offering 125,000 Bonvoy points plus a $150 statement credit after $5,000 in purchases within six months; the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is at 150,000 points plus a $250 statement credit after $6,000 in six months. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless has four free-night awards (up to 50,000 points each) after $3,000 in three months, while the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is at 160,000 IHG One Rewards points after $3,000 in three months, plus five $20 food-and-beverage vouchers. The certificates make Boundless the cleaner offer for a planned short stay; otherwise, don't apply just because the headline number is loud.

Aeroplan's elevated offer is back, while Citi remakes its premium AAdvantage card

The Aeroplan Card is offering 75,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points after $4,000 in three months, plus 25,000 more after $20,000 in the first year. That 75,000-point first tier is the part that matters; the second tier is a nice kicker only if the large-spend requirement already fits your plan. Meanwhile, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard increased its annual fee to $695 and trades several old credits for American Airlines vacation and inflight/Admirals Club credits, plus Loyalty Point milestones; its current 100,000-mile bonus requires $10,000 in three months, so this remains a card for lounge users who can actually use the credits.

Transfer Bonuses & Partners

Three timely ways to stretch transferable points

American Express Membership Rewards has a 30% bonus to British Airways Executive Club through September 27; transfer only after pricing the exact Avios booking, since a bonus does not rescue a poor redemption. Citi ThankYou has a 40% bonus to Turkish Miles&Smiles through August 31, capped at 125,000 bonus miles, and the bonus miles are scheduled to arrive in early September. Capital One's 15% bonus to Avianca LifeMiles runs through September 15; it can be valuable for Star Alliance awards, but confirm that the seat is really bookable before moving points.

The overlooked bonus: Chase to IHG

There is also a current 70% bonus from Chase Ultimate Rewards to IHG One Rewards, ending August 31. It is one of the biggest headline bonuses on the board, but the right move is still to compare the resulting IHG price with cash and other points options—transferable points are too flexible to burn speculatively.

Airline & Hotel Deals

A short Southwest Companion Pass window and a Hyatt resort promotion

Southwest Rapid Rewards members can earn a promotional Companion Pass for January 5 through March 3, 2027 by registering, booking two one-way flights or a round trip by August 6, and flying by November 18. That booking deadline is already past as of publication, so this is a reminder to watch for targeted promotions rather than a new action item. Separately, World of Hyatt is offering a Category 1-4 free-night award for every three nights at participating Caribbean and Latin American resorts in the first quarter of 2027, up to five awards; register before committing to a resort-heavy winter trip.

Card Curator Take

The actionable theme is simple: apply only when a welcome offer matches a real use case, then transfer only when an award is ready to book. The Aeroplan, Marriott, IHG, and AAdvantage changes give prospective applicants legitimate choices, but none rewards a rushed application more than a planned one.

For existing points balances, the 40% Citi ThankYou-to-Turkish Miles&Smiles bonus, 30% Membership Rewards-to-British Airways bonus, and 15% Capital One-to-LifeMiles bonus are the week’s strongest levers. Keep the transfer on your side of the line until availability, taxes, and cancellation rules all check out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best new credit-card offers from August 3-9, 2026?

The standout offers are the Aeroplan Card's 75,000-point first tier after $4,000 in three months, Marriott Bonvoy's elevated Bevy, Brilliant, and Boundless offers, and the IHG Premier's 160,000-point offer. The best choice depends on where you will redeem, not on which headline total is largest.

Is the Citi ThankYou to Turkish Miles&Smiles transfer bonus worth using?

It can be, especially when a Turkish award is already available and the 40% bonus through August 31 reduces the points required. Do not transfer speculatively: bonus miles are expected in early September, and award inventory can disappear before then.

Should I transfer Amex or Capital One points during a bonus?

Only after confirming the exact award and total cash cost. The 30% Membership Rewards-to-British Airways bonus and 15% Capital One-to-LifeMiles bonus improve the math, but transfers are irreversible and both programs can have booking quirks.

Use Card Curator to track how these changes affect your wallet.