October 19-25 was a transfer-partner-heavy week, with Citi expanding its options and several worthwhile bonuses landing at once. Southwest also rewrote some important loyalty rules, while its card offers and a few new benefits made this a week to check the details before making a move.

Credit Card & Program News

Citi adds Copa ConnectMiles as a transfer partner

Citi ThankYou Points added Copa ConnectMiles to its transfer roster, giving points collectors another Star Alliance route to examine. The value will come from Copa's award pricing and actual award availability—not from the partner announcement alone—but a new option is always useful when an itinerary does not cooperate with the usual suspects. Compare the rate available to your specific ThankYou card before transferring.

Southwest redraws elite status and makes the Southwest Plus offer more interesting

Southwest Rapid Rewards announced new Silver, Gold, and Platinum elite tiers requiring 35,000, 65,000, and 140,000 tier-qualifying miles, respectively. Its Companion Pass also becomes harder to earn unlimited trips from January 1, 2027, with a 140,000-point threshold; existing cardholders should rework any 2027 status strategy now. On the application side, Card Curator currently shows a targeted 80,000-point offer on the Southwest Plus after $1,000 in purchases in three months, ending December 2, 2026—strong headline value, but only if the offer is actually available to you.

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard adds an inKind dining credit

The premium AAdvantage card now carries a $200 annual inKind dining credit, split into one $100 credit for January-June and another for July-December. That is a meaningful offset only for someone who will naturally use inKind; manufactured value from a niche credit rarely justifies a premium annual fee. It does, however, improve the renewal math for frequent American Airlines lounge users who already dine within the network.

Transfer Bonuses & Partners

For the live, continuously updated list rather than this week's snapshot, see current credit card transfer bonuses.

Citi ThankYou Points to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles has a 10% bonus through November 14

The current Citi-to-Cathay bonus turns 1,000 ThankYou points into 1,100 Asia Miles through November 14, 2026. Ten percent is not enough to rescue a poor redemption, but it can lower the cost of an award you have already found, particularly on oneworld itineraries. Confirm the award before moving points: transfers are one-way.

Targeted American Express Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy bonus reaches 35%

Some Membership Rewards members are seeing a 35% Amex-to-Marriott bonus through December 10, 2026. That changes the ratio to 1:1.35, but Marriott's award rates are variable enough that the bonus is not automatically a deal. Use it to finish a specific high-value booking, not to bulk up a Bonvoy balance on hope.

Capital One to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has a 30% bonus through November 20

Capital One's current transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic yields 1,300 Flying Club points for every 1,000 Capital One miles through November 20, 2026. Virgin can still unlock excellent partner awards, but taxes, fees, and limited inventory can erase the gain quickly. This is the kind of bonus that rewards a ready-to-book traveler, not a speculative transfer.

Card Curator Take

The practical plays are simple: lock in a real Virgin, Cathay, or Marriott redemption before moving transferable points, and reassess Southwest status plans before the January 2027 rules take effect. Citi's Copa addition is the longer-term story—it broadens the menu without demanding an immediate transfer.

The Southwest Plus offer deserves attention only for eligible applicants who can use Rapid Rewards and clear the modest spend without contorting their budget. Keep points flexible until availability, price, and the fine print all line up; that discipline matters more than any bonus percentage.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Citi ThankYou transfer bonus to Cathay Pacific end?

The current Citi-to-Cathay bonus adds 10% and ends November 14, 2026. Transfer only after confirming the Asia Miles award you want, since points generally cannot be transferred back.

Is the Southwest Plus 80,000-point offer available to everyone?

No. Card Curator's current record identifies the 80,000-point Southwest Plus offer as targeted, with $1,000 in spending required in the first three months and an end date of December 2, 2026. Do not apply assuming that offer will appear unless you can see its terms.

Is a 35% Amex to Marriott transfer bonus worth using?

The targeted Amex-to-Marriott bonus can be worthwhile when it completes a specific Bonvoy award that beats the cash price. Because Marriott award prices vary, calculate the exact redemption value before transferring Membership Rewards points.

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