AMEX Points to Lufthansa
Jun 17, 2007, 4:07 pm
#3
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I am not sure about US cards. For European cards the answer is no.
You can however transfer your Amex MR points to a Star Alliance airline participating in the US MR program. Then you can try to redeem an award flight through this program for an LH flight.
I think USAir is available for MR transfer.
I tried to look it up for you but the website seems to be down:
"We are completing system upgrades to the Membership Rewards program from June 16, 2007 until June 18, 2007.
As we upgrade our systems, you will be unable to explore or redeem for rewards online or over the phone. All Membership Rewards systems are currently unavailable.
Coming Soon:
Program enhancements and more of the brands you love, as requested by you. Stay tuned for what’s in store. "
You can however transfer your Amex MR points to a Star Alliance airline participating in the US MR program. Then you can try to redeem an award flight through this program for an LH flight.
I think USAir is available for MR transfer.
I tried to look it up for you but the website seems to be down:
"We are completing system upgrades to the Membership Rewards program from June 16, 2007 until June 18, 2007.
As we upgrade our systems, you will be unable to explore or redeem for rewards online or over the phone. All Membership Rewards systems are currently unavailable.
Coming Soon:
Program enhancements and more of the brands you love, as requested by you. Stay tuned for what’s in store. "
Jun 17, 2007, 6:57 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
welcome to FT 
i believe you have either membership rewards options or membership rewards (latter if your card is linked to a charge card) if either, you can transfer to Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, or Singapore Airlines in order to redeem an award for a flight on Lufthansa. membership rewards options is 2 points to 1 mile, and membership rewards is 1 point to 1 mile.
for future reference, this would be the forum for your question, as i think your question involves membership rewards/options. plus, the forum is basically all things amex, not just membership rewards.
i believe you have either membership rewards options or membership rewards (latter if your card is linked to a charge card) if either, you can transfer to Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, or Singapore Airlines in order to redeem an award for a flight on Lufthansa. membership rewards options is 2 points to 1 mile, and membership rewards is 1 point to 1 mile.
for future reference, this would be the forum for your question, as i think your question involves membership rewards/options. plus, the forum is basically all things amex, not just membership rewards.
Jun 17, 2007, 8:21 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,120
I would suggest transferring your miles to Singapore if you are going to stick to Star Alliance as they are probably the strongest partner in the alliance....
I do not know what the transfer rate...if it is 1-1 or less....stick to a transfer of 1-1 ...otherwise you are getting screwed...
By the way...Welcome to FlyerTalk and to your new addiction
I do not know what the transfer rate...if it is 1-1 or less....stick to a transfer of 1-1 ...otherwise you are getting screwed...
By the way...Welcome to FlyerTalk and to your new addiction
Jun 17, 2007, 9:37 pm
#6
Moderator
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Welcome to Flyertalk.
Further to Kagehitokiri's reply, American Express Blue cards participate in a diluted program called Membership Rewards Options. Options points transfer 2:1 to airline miles, meaning you need 2,000 points to receive 1,000 miles. (Purchases made with a Blue card could be treated as full Membership Rewards points if, and only if, the Blue card is "linked" to a Green, Gold, Platinum or Centurion card.)
How many points are "a bunch", and what class of service are you planning to fly economy, business or first?
Further to Kagehitokiri's reply, American Express Blue cards participate in a diluted program called Membership Rewards Options. Options points transfer 2:1 to airline miles, meaning you need 2,000 points to receive 1,000 miles. (Purchases made with a Blue card could be treated as full Membership Rewards points if, and only if, the Blue card is "linked" to a Green, Gold, Platinum or Centurion card.)
How many points are "a bunch", and what class of service are you planning to fly economy, business or first?
Jun 17, 2007, 11:06 pm
#7
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
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No idea why anyone with no status would transfer points to SQ. Besides, what does "strongest" mean? The most important things when transfering points are redeption rate and award availability. To the OP. I think you can not transfer MR points to LH anywhere in the world. There is a LH Credit Card however which would allow you to collect M&M miles.
Jun 18, 2007, 10:09 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,120
No idea why anyone with no status would transfer points to SQ. Besides, what does "strongest" mean? The most important things when transfering points are redeption rate and award availability. To the OP. I think you can not transfer MR points to LH anywhere in the world. There is a LH Credit Card however which would allow you to collect M&M miles.
Same as Cathay does in OW.... what difference would it make if she does not have status to transfer to AC or NH....best bet is still SQ....
Jun 18, 2007, 6:19 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Up in the air, or not
Programs: HHonors Diamond, UA 2P, Best Western Diamond
Posts: 66
At least last month, regular Membership Rewards accounts could transfer to Air Canada's Aeroplan. Just set up an Aeroplan account, log on to AMEX to link your new Aeroplan number to your Amex account and transfer the miles.
Miles transfer very quickly. My experience is they are moved in less time than it takes than you'll be on hold with AC to make reservations.
Kaghitokiri is correct - economy is 60,000 miles, business is 80,000, and first class is 100,000 for North America to Europe. More for South Pacific/Asia. See http://www.aeroplan.com/use_your_mil...eward_chart.do to see how many miles you need to go wherever. AC looks to "charge" fewer miles than UA for *A travel.
An account with ANA (/www.ana.co.jp/eng/index.html) is useful for checking seat availability.
Miles transfer very quickly. My experience is they are moved in less time than it takes than you'll be on hold with AC to make reservations.
Kaghitokiri is correct - economy is 60,000 miles, business is 80,000, and first class is 100,000 for North America to Europe. More for South Pacific/Asia. See http://www.aeroplan.com/use_your_mil...eward_chart.do to see how many miles you need to go wherever. AC looks to "charge" fewer miles than UA for *A travel.
An account with ANA (/www.ana.co.jp/eng/index.html) is useful for checking seat availability.
Jun 19, 2007, 1:38 pm
#12
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Some airlines have greater award availability on their flights (own metal) using their FFP's miles (in some cases only for top elite status members eg Qantas), or greater chance of extra award seats to be released for their own elites. Some FFPs restrict availability for redemptions on other airline metal flights (eg United doesn't allow award on NZ LAX-LHR flight). Some airlines restrict award availability on their flights (own metal) using certain other FFP's miles (eg SQ using UA miles).
But in general, award availability is the same between partners. That said, some FFPs have natural advantages (eg longer ticketing deadlines, waitlisting, converting revenue seats to award) on their own flights.
Jun 19, 2007, 7:05 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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from what ive read on FT, DL is definitely worse than other skyteam, and i personally have only seen avail once when looking at awards
again from what ive read on FT, NH is definitely better than other star alliance, havent heard the same about SQ though, and i seem to recall LH/LX being better as well
i seem to recall these kinds of things even being discussed in stickies..
again from what ive read on FT, NH is definitely better than other star alliance, havent heard the same about SQ though, and i seem to recall LH/LX being better as well
i seem to recall these kinds of things even being discussed in stickies..