American Express Membership Rewards - Receiving 50K+ MR points but no airlines I like.

As part of a business deal (specifics not relevant), I asked for 50K United, AA, or US Air miles. Since the other person only has MR, what is the best way to have miles somehow transferred to my airlines? I know going through Starwood is a huge devaluation. Not sure how many MR points the other person is willing to give up in order for me to somehow receive 50K United/AA/USA miles.

I have about 115K AA, 70K US Air, and 130K United, while my spouse has roughly the same (a little less). We also have some Ultimate Reward points. We use miles mainly for international biz/first tickets to Asia.

I guess my last resort is the coupon connection but I don't qualify for it yet. Plus, someone else posted giving out 60K MR for 51K UR points. No takers so far.

TIA.

It's not a perfect solution, but you can transfer MR points to Air Canada and book flights on Star Alliance carriers, including United and USAir, or to British Airways and book on American.

Thanks for the tip, but I forgot to mention that 50K AC or BA miles are quite useless to me since I use miles for international first/biz tix. I have no desire to start earning AC or BA.

Thanks for the tip, but I forgot to mention that 50K AC or BA miles are quite useless to me since I use miles for international first/biz tix. I have no desire to start earning AC or BA.

AC/BA can still be helpful with one-way bookings. In addition, you can move move UR points to BA to top off for a 1-way biz/first intl award (or get the 100k Chase card).

AC/BA can still be helpful with one-way bookings. In addition, you can move move UR points to BA to top off for a 1-way biz/first intl award (or get the 100k Chase card).
Thx. I usually travel with my spouse so having only 50K in an account doesn't really help. We usually never use miles for domestic flights.

No good way to do it for UA. I think maybe transferring Amex to Virgin Atlantic to Hilton to UA is the only way, which takes about 4.5 to 1 or so. Otherwise it is Starwood, also a bad ratio.

Frequent flier currencies ebb and flow on CC. Three weeks ago Amex were desirable because BA had a transfer bonus. Next big bonus for Amex and the same will happen.

Thx. I usually travel with my spouse so having only 50K in an account doesn't really help. We usually never use miles for domestic flights.

It's not that complicated. If you're doing, say JFK-CDG for you and your spouse and X airline, you essentially have to book 4 one-way legs. Use the 50k+ MR points (transferred to, say BA, since you can top off BA with UR) to book 1 leg on a one-world partner, then use your other AA miles (after you have accrued enough) to book the other 3 legs. Same with AC and *A.

If you're dead set on redeeming your flights from one FF program, then you know what limited options you have. Transfer to a hotel program you like?

Same with AC and *A.

AC is less than ideal because it charges more than half of the round trip mileage requirement for one-way. There's a premium -- maybe like 60 percent or so.

No good way to do it for UA. I think maybe transferring Amex to Virgin Atlantic to Hilton to UA is the only way, which takes about 4.5 to 1 or so. Otherwise it is Starwood, also a bad ratio.

Frequent flier currencies ebb and flow on CC. Three weeks ago Amex were desirable because BA had a transfer bonus. Next big bonus for Amex and the same will happen.
Yeah, using the hotels is probably not worth it. thx.

It's not that complicated. If you're doing, say JFK-CDG for you and your spouse and X airline, you essentially have to book 4 one-way legs. Use the 50k+ MR points (transferred to, say BA, since you can top off BA with UR) to book 1 leg on a one-world partner, then use your other AA miles (after you have accrued enough) to book the other 3 legs. Same with AC and *A.

If you're dead set on redeeming your flights from one FF program, then you know what limited options you have. Transfer to a hotel program you like?

I'm always hesitant in not using miles from one FF account because if one part of the journey is cancelled or delayed, there's no recourse for you.

Plus, doesn't BA charge very high fuel surcharges for int'l flights?

I'd like to thank everyone for their poignant responses. The business partner has agreed to buy the miles from US Airways since they are having a 100% bonus promotion. I would rather have UA miles, but I'll setlle for US Airways. At least I'm getting something.