American Express Membership Rewards - Amex MR Points

Would like to poll the community on the best use of Amex MR points for travel. Are there any 1 to 1 transfers? It seems that most everything takes a lot of MR points (airlines, hotels in particular). Looks to me that it is better to accumulate hotel and airline points on their respective affinity cards. I just could not believe how many points it took to convert MR points to an airline or a hotel.

Best travel use suggestions for MR points?

Are there any 1 to 1 transfers?

All the airlines listed on this page accept Membership Rewards 1:1, except those which do not uses miles as their unit. I believe those exceptions are El Al, Iberia, JetBlue and Southwest. To see the transfer ratios, click on the airline's logo.

http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/travel/NewPointsTransfer.aspx?tab=airlines&mrnavlink=topnav:TravelFreqFlyerProg

Please review this recent thread for a discussion of the other question...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/1003758-what-best-way-use-membership-points.html

Best travel use suggestions for MR points?

It really depends on where you fly from and where you'd like to go. Many people complain that Delta's programme is bad, but they have the best itinerary for one of my regular TATL routes, so I usually book an upgradeable fare and upgrade with miles to Business Elite.

Most will say that the best value for any points/miles for air travel is international travel in Business or First Class, just in terms of the amount of miles needed for the cash value of the ticket.

Others think that flights are no longer the way to go, due to the hefty surcharges & taxes, so opt for hotel rewards. Many would not go the upgrade route as I do because the price of the upgradeable fare is excessive in comparison to the cheapest coach fare.

So it really depends on your own travel pattern as to where you would get the best value for MR points. If you read the other thread that mia pointed to, then perhaps post your question with more specifics once you have an idea what you'd like to do, people here would most likely chime in on options.

Susan

Perhaps the OP has a Membership Rewards Options account? Would like to poll the community on the best use of Amex MR points for travel. Are there any 1 to 1 transfers? It seems that most everything takes a lot of MR points (airlines, hotels in particular).

Just to answer your question shortly:

The 4.000 Amex MR points voucher for a car rental at Avis is a good choice for the 1 day rental.

Only disadvantage is that you "only" get a car of group A/B but for a small drive it is ok. In my opinion the best way to use that points.

And I think you are right that the conversion rate to some airline programmes is not very good but always I try to keep in mind that this Membership rewards programme is a thank you for customers.

So if you are flying just accumulate your miles at the airline, and the MR rewards and Amex and so you have a kind of "double dip" (to use one hotel chain's expression for collecting points in two systems with one purchase...).

So I think MR rewards is according to the possibilities and costs a good fringe benefit for the customers. :D:D

Edit:
Just have seen that the 4,000 points voucher is for rentals in Germany. The US membership rewards has 5,000 points as 50 USD deduction in car rental price. This means a "rebate" of 1 %. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/travel/TravelPartner.aspx?brandId=3538&N=13100000&aid=51291

Enjoy your points.

Perhaps the OP has a Membership Rewards Options account?

I think we have ruled out that explanation. In another thread SimpleManToo mentioned Gold Rewards Plus, which participates in full Membership Rewards.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12734260-post8.html

Perhaps the OP has a Membership Rewards Options account?

If they have the option at all for hotel and air travel rewards then they definitely don't have MR Options. :-: