American Express Membership Rewards - Best overall use of AMEX rewards?

Anyone have any experience maximizing value from these points... looking at the shopping options it seems like a major feat to convert these at 1%. Thoughts?

I recommend you do some searching on this board and then some more on some specific airline boards like CO/DL/SQ/AC/etc.

I think you'll find that you get the most value from AMEX MR points by transferring to an airline and redeeming for business and first international travel. Not sure what your specific situation is, but that is what I try to do. I know some people who use them to "purchase" cheap domestic airfare at $0.01/point, but if you're trying to maximize value, that's not the route to take.

I recommend you do some searching on this board and then some more on some specific airline boards like CO/DL/SQ/AC/etc.

I think you'll find that you get the most value from AMEX MR points by transferring to an airline and redeeming for business and first international travel. Not sure what your specific situation is, but that is what I try to do. I know some people who use them to "purchase" cheap domestic airfare at $0.01/point, but if you're trying to maximize value, that's not the route to take.

I wasn't clear, sorry-- not looking to xfer to miles-- have way too many of those already. Was more curious about use of points on the Amex site.

Welcome to FT.

For 50k points converted into Virgin Atlantic miles you can upgrade from Premium Economy to Upper Class transatlantic - worth $4-5k - getting 8-10 cents per point. Of course it's only really worth that if you would have spend $6k on the seat in the first place. But OTOH, ig you would have paid an extra $1500 cash, then you are getting 3 cents/pt of real value.

The great thing about mileage upgardes on Virgin is that there is usually quite good availablity compared with US carriers, and on the day of flight there are no capacity controls at all - if there is an open seat when you check in you can upgrade into it.

I wasn't clear, sorry-- not looking to xfer to miles-- have way too many of those already. Was more curious about use of points on the Amex site.

In that case you wiill be very lucky to get even 1 cent per point - typically closer to half a cent based on best available price found through dealtime.com or the like.

I wasn't clear, sorry-- not looking to xfer to miles-- have way too many of those already. Was more curious about use of points on the Amex site.

Fair enough. In that case, you're going to be hard pressed to get value greater than $0.01/point. Perhaps consider trading to a friend or colleague. If one of my friends offered me 100,000 AMEX points for say, $1,500, I would jump at the opportunity.

Also, don't discount the value of having some points available for use in programs you do not typically earn in. I see that you are AA EXP. AA miles are great, but it doesn't hurt to have the option to transfer to a Skyteam or Star Alliance partner if necessary.

Fair enough. In that case, you're going to be hard pressed to get value greater than $0.01/point. Perhaps consider trading to a friend or colleague. If one of my friends offered me 100,000 AMEX points for say, $1,500, I would jump at the opportunity.

One point to note - although Amex T&C say that you cannot transfer MR to an FF program in somebody else's name, in practice you can - but only through the website. If ypou call to make the transfer the CS agent will enforce the rules.

One point to note - although Amex T&C say that you cannot transfer MR to an FF program in somebody else's name, in practice you can - but only through the website. If ypou call to make the transfer the CS agent will enforce the rules.

Unless they changed enforcement procedure very recently, you can indeed transfer to whomever you want over the phone as well.

im saving up my points for this nice Bang & Olufson sound system they got, 490kish points iirc

im saving up my points for this nice Bang & Olufson sound system they got, 490kish points iirc
How much is it to buy in a store? Is the 490k points a good deal?

How much is it to buy in a store? Is the 490k points a good deal?

Looks like the BeoSound 4 (http://www.bang-olufsen.com/web2/bs4/) is listed for 435K points (http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/productdetail/?result_id=RY2648&N=11007000&sortKey=Brand&mrip=502%3a70F8F56BF6CE38EE4E5EBD3CC6D68ACE&sortDir=ASC&aid=61015) and the BeoSound 9000 (http://www.bang-olufsen.com/page.asp?id=36) is listed for 760K points (http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/productdetail/?result_id=RY3653&N=11007000&sortKey=Brand&mrip=502%3a70F8F56BF6CE38EE4E5EBD3CC6D68ACE&sortDir=ASC&aid=66232). Those can be found for $2750 (http://www1.electronichouse.com/products/slideshow/440/10227.html) and $5250 (http://www.abt.com/product/16949.html)online, respectively.

Those prices put it at about a half a cent per point, which is a typical redemption value for merchandise from AmEx. It is not a good deal at all, but it is typical.

not really a good deal no, but if u got the points and you want it.....

I have bought aobut $1000 worth of home depot gift cards. they go for $0.01 per point.... since I spent a ton of dough at home depot already I figure I might as well do it this way....

I think the rental cars for one day are a much better deal than the merchandise.

Don't know the exact conversion rate or the amount they pay to the car rental, but I think the points/1 day car ration especially for the compact car is really fair. @:-)

It's 4000 points for a one day rental.

Either airlines or gift cards. I book a flight to Hawaii for 70k points and when I priced it the value was $1500

It's 4000 points for a one day rental.

Do you also have to pay taxes on top of that? The 4000 points is about $40 and depending on where you are renting a compact can be MUCH less than that, even including taxes. I've done MCO for <$30 all-in on more occasions than I can count.

I have bought aobut $1000 worth of home depot gift cards. they go for $0.01 per point.... since I spent a ton of dough at home depot already I figure I might as well do it this way....

Damn! I have already spent way too much money there. This will be my next choice.

For "merchandise", the steak houses also offer a $0.01 return. Yummy.

Steak is Yummy, but steak on Virgin Atlantic is an even better value. You lie down, sleep it off and wake up fully rested in London ;)

Do you also have to pay taxes on top of that? The 4000 points is about $40 and depending on where you are renting a compact can be MUCH less than that, even including taxes. I've done MCO for <$30 all-in on more occasions than I can count.

It's valid at "non-airport" stations including the "usual" conditions as that you have not a full collision damage waiver but in case of an accident you may have to pay about 350-500 Euro (don't remember exactly) by your own.

Was just an idea, I am sure that you have rented sometimes the compact car well lower than 30 USD. Never seen such a low price in German car rental, especially if you don't want to search and phone for the best deal. :)

Just wanted to share that info, I myself have the luck that a car rental station is nearer than 10 minutes ride by suburban train :D

One point to note - although Amex T&C say that you cannot transfer MR to an FF program in somebody else's name, in practice you can - but only through the website. If ypou call to make the transfer the CS agent will enforce the rules.

Are you sure about this? My sister needs a few credits for her next SW RR ticket and it would be great if I could transfer some of my MR points into her account to get her there. I'm assuming that the last names would not have to be the same.
Jim

Not sure this a good value dollarwise, but early in January of each year I transfer the minimum AMEX points (usually 1000) into frequent flyer/stay programs I don't regularly use to keep the airline/hotel program account alive and retain the existing points. It's easy, takes only a "few" AMEX points and then I don't risk forgetting.