American Express Membership Rewards - Amex Hong Kong - Best FFP to convert points to?

Hello everyone,

I always get envious when I see how well Amex treats US based customers compared to those based in Hong Kong. Frankly, the Hong Kong rewards to points ratio is a joke.

Nevertheless, I do have a lot of points which I would like to use. However, I don't know which FF programme will get me the most value for my points?

The programmes covered by Amex in HK are: Asiamiles, BA, China Airlines, Finnair, Malaysian, Thai, Singapore Airlines and Virgin. For roughly every USD 1 you spend, you get 1 Air Mile.

Does anyone know which of these FF programmes offers the best value?

Thanks.

... the Hong Kong rewards to points ratio is a joke.
...For roughly every USD 1 you spend, you get 1 Air Mile.


This is the same as in the USA, spend $1 = 1 MR point = 1 mile in most programs. You will receive better advice if you mention the destinations to which you travel, and the class of service.

uhh do you know what you're talking about?

The HK rewards ratio is HKD 7.5 to 1 mile

the US rewards ratio is 1USD which is 7.75HKD to 1 mile.

Its pretty much exactly the same.

It depends on where you want to go. If you want ultimate flexibility, convert to SPG and then you have access to practically all FF programs that matter.

... If you want ultimate flexibility, convert to SPG and then you have access to practically all FF programs that matter.

What is the conversion rate from Membership Rewards (HKG) to SPG? In the USA is is 3:1, in some other markets 2:1.

its 8000 points to 330 SPG points.

so HKD 4000 (since its 2 points for every dollar spent) to get 330 SPG points

516USD for 330 SPG Points

about 1.56:1

factor in the SPG 25% bonus with 20k transfer its about 1.2:1 if my math is correct

uhh do you know what you're talking about?

The HK rewards ratio is HKD 7.5 to 1 mile

the US rewards ratio is 1USD which is 7.75HKD to 1 mile.

Its pretty much exactly the same.


Only partially correct.

http://www.americanexpress.com/hk/en/personal/Cards/rewards/ftr.shtml

HK AMEX cards need to pay HK$240 (~US$30) to enroll in Membership Rewards Turbo program to be able to transfer to FF programs, enrollees earns 2 points per HK$1 spend, 15 point transfers to 1 miles, which translates into the HK$7.5 / miles ratio mentioned above.

However the double earnings is only valid for the first HK$160,000 of spending (~US$20,500) , afterwards it's 1 point / HK$1 spend, in other words, HK$15 (~US$2) of spending earns 1 mile.

And for OP:
It depends on the tickets you are trying to redeem for.

For short flights in Asia, BA's Avios is good.

You can use it book flights on CX, often at less miles than Asia Miles.

e.g. 9,000 miles roundtrip from Hong Kong to Taipei.
20,000 miles roundtrip from Hong Kong to Tokyo.

( 2x miles for Biz, 3x for First )

The thing is...

To transfer from Amex HK to the listed partner airlines, the ratio is 15000 MR points for 1000 airline miles!

So in most cases you need to spend ~2000 USD to get 1000 airline miles.

~2000 USD = ~15000HKD = 15000 MR = 1000 airline miles.

Unless you have their Turbo MR program and you have spent below the threshold at which it cuts off (160k HKD per YEAR! So basically "nothing") it's pretty poor.

Anyone from green Amex to Plat also has to pay a cash fee per redemption to airline partners (see screenshot I just grabbed from my account area).

Trust me (and the OP): The HK Amex products are nothing to write home about.

HK Centurion can convert 12000 MR to 1000 airline miles and get the MR "Infinite" for "free" which pays 3 MR per HKD spent overseas (but we pay 2.7% forex conversion fee) and 1.5 MR per HKD spent locally with no cap but still....

If I had a US-based Cent and SPG Amex I'd be much better off.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7465090200_1e935f743e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80181154@N06/7465090200/)
amex-hk-mr-redeem (http://www.flickr.com/photos/80181154@N06/7465090200/) by forumpersona999 (http://www.flickr.com/people/80181154@N06/), on Flickr

Just to update my previous statement: HK Centurion no longer gets 12000 MR Points : 1000 Airline mile transfers. They're now 15000:1000 just like Platinum cards so a significant drop in value. :td:

GUYS IMPORTANT QUESTION HERE-- FOR CENTURION HONG KONG CAN YOU UPGRADE YOUR PLANE TICKET,SAY, FROM ECONOMY TO BUSINESS OR FIRST CLASS ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTSS??? AND DO YOU GET LHR SECURITY FAST TRACKS??? tHANK YOUU!!