American Express Membership Rewards - Best way to use AMEX MR Points [WAS-LAS in First Class]
rapmaster0
Dec 27, 10, 11:06 am
Hey guys,
I've always been on FT for the longest time, and I finally decided to register.
I have a question though, I'm going to a convention in Las Vegas and wanted to know the best way to get the best use of my AMEX points.
The departing is from DC area, BWI/DCA/or IAD on Jan 29th to LAS (Las Vegas).
Returning: February 2nd.
We have close to 200,000 Points but don't want to use all of them. However, we are trying to get 3 first class tickets. I have no idea what is cheaper to do, transfer to AA, CO or FL. Or buy the Coach and then upgrade with the miles.
Any ideas gurus!!???!!
transfer to AA, CO or FL.
Welcome.
AA does not participate in Membership Rewards. In principle you could transfer to BA and redeem for travel on AA, but this is typically not good value for domestic first class because BA requires 3x the coach redemption amount for a first class seat, even on a two-cabin aircraft -and- BA may add a fuel surcharge.
guv1976
Dec 27, 10, 11:34 am
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I would check availability of award seats at ua.com and/or usair.com. If you find the lowest-tier first-class award seats available on either site, consider transferring MR points into Air Canada's Aeroplan program, and then redeem for seats on UA or US.
guv1976
Dec 27, 10, 11:38 am
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transfer to AA, CO or FL.
Welcome.
AA does not participate in Membership Rewards. In principle you could transfer to BA and redeem for travel on AA, but this is typically not good value for domestic first class because BA requires 3x the coach redemption amount for a first class seat, even on a two-cabin aircraft -and- BA may add a fuel surcharge.
mia, is there any confirmation that BA is assessing fuel surcharges on redemptions for wholly domestic travel on AA? Or for international travel on AA that does not route through LHR (say, JFK-CDG)? Thanks.
millere2
Dec 27, 10, 1:06 pm
Hey guys,
The departing is from DC area, BWI/DCA/or IAD on Jan 29th to LAS (Las Vegas).
Any ideas gurus!!???!!
Off subject, but would this be the ASD merchandise show? If so I will be there also!
rapmaster0
Dec 27, 10, 2:27 pm
No! Unfortunately not, it's for the AHR Expo. What is the ASD show about?
macabus
Dec 27, 10, 3:35 pm
I would check availability of award seats at ua.com and/or usair.com. If you find the lowest-tier first-class award seats available on either site, consider transferring MR points into Air Canada's Aeroplan program, and then redeem for seats on UA or US.
This is indeed the best option.
rapmaster0
Dec 27, 10, 5:23 pm
What about with CO?
Also, we don't mind paying for a coach ticket and upgrading...whichever is cheaper! :)
guv1976
Dec 27, 10, 6:17 pm
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What about with CO?
Also, we don't mind paying for a coach ticket and upgrading...whichever is cheaper! :)
You can redeem Aeroplan miles on CO too, but I don't think that CO offers any nonstops between WAS and LAS.
... confirmation that BA is assessing fuel surcharges on redemptions for wholly domestic travel on AA? ...
I have not followed this issue closely enough to know the answer. I did write to BA for clarification, but the response was worthless boilerplate. I will try again, but I'm not motivated to pursue this relentlessly ;) because we are unlikely to use BA miles for any flight operated by AA.