Amex to DC points Transfer
Jul 20, 2011, 3:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BD (in memoriam), BA
Posts: 1,359
Jul 20, 2011, 6:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 5,706
Do they not use the rate for the currency they are issued in? Hence this thread over on the BA board about moving your large MR balance to a UK-issued USD card (and therefore multiplied by 1.6 when it is converted to dollars), and still redeeming at 1 point/mile. But that wouldn't work for bmi if it's 2 points/mile on a USD MR account.
Last time I checked, the UK issued ICC cards had airline and hotel programme conversion rates (from MR to programme currency) that were exactly the same as the rates used by UK domestic cards (in all partner schemes I checked). [Hence they were actually more generous that some local Amex cards in certain markets.]
Having just checked again, it looks like the redeption rates for UK issued ICC cards have changed (in the case of redemptions to BMI DC) to 2:1 - with the UK domestic cards staying at 1:1.
So, rawilliam has spotted something that is a change to how it was the last time I looked at it (~6 months ago?) - even though doesn't sound like the rates they were themeselves looking for (i.e. they have a normal UK card).
Jul 21, 2011, 3:39 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BD (in memoriam), BA
Posts: 1,359
Ah, I see what you mean. So all currencies for UK-issued cards used to use 1:1, but obviously that is much more generous if you are earning 1 point/$ rather than 1 point/£. Strange that only DC would be targetted for such a change, and 2:1 is quite a hit if you've got a EUR card.
Jul 21, 2011, 3:46 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,875
As I posted on the BA version of the thread back in April:
"1. Some airline schemes (BA, VS, SAS, Singapore, Delta) offer substantial better value via IDC as they are 1:1 in both and so you get 60% bonus miles, assuming £1=$1.60, even without a transfer bonus
2. All of the hotel programmes and Flying Blue and Iberia are marginally better via IDC, but most would be worse if the $ rate dropped below £1=$1.50
3. BMI is substantially worse via IDC (2:1 v 1:1)
4. IDC has a couple of programmes n/a to UK MR holders (Malaysia, Cathay Pacific) "
There is now a refer-a-friend bonus for the IDC card which gives a 50% fee reduction ($50 for 1st year) and 5,000 bonus MR points to you and your referrer. Whilst useless for BMI transfers due to the worse transfer rate, it is a bonanza for BA / VS account holders. Even paying $50 for 5,000 miles is not a bad deal, and you get a 61% (at current FX rate) uplift on your MR balance as well. And when your balance is almost 300,000, as mine is ....!
"1. Some airline schemes (BA, VS, SAS, Singapore, Delta) offer substantial better value via IDC as they are 1:1 in both and so you get 60% bonus miles, assuming £1=$1.60, even without a transfer bonus
2. All of the hotel programmes and Flying Blue and Iberia are marginally better via IDC, but most would be worse if the $ rate dropped below £1=$1.50
3. BMI is substantially worse via IDC (2:1 v 1:1)
4. IDC has a couple of programmes n/a to UK MR holders (Malaysia, Cathay Pacific) "
There is now a refer-a-friend bonus for the IDC card which gives a 50% fee reduction ($50 for 1st year) and 5,000 bonus MR points to you and your referrer. Whilst useless for BMI transfers due to the worse transfer rate, it is a bonanza for BA / VS account holders. Even paying $50 for 5,000 miles is not a bad deal, and you get a 61% (at current FX rate) uplift on your MR balance as well. And when your balance is almost 300,000, as mine is ....!
Jul 22, 2011, 3:55 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,875
You read the BA board thread linked in post 5 above! Once your IDC card is up and running, you need to telephone a certain department at Amex (in the thread). Note you can only do it ONCE per year.
Your total is uplifted by the current $/£ FX rate, so today you would get a 61% bonus ($1.61). Obviously this is still rubbish for a BMI transfer, but great for the other airlines.
Your total is uplifted by the current $/£ FX rate, so today you would get a 61% bonus ($1.61). Obviously this is still rubbish for a BMI transfer, but great for the other airlines.
Jul 22, 2011, 10:26 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK oop north
Programs: BMI Diamond Club RIP,BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,692
There is now a refer-a-friend bonus for the IDC card which gives a 50% fee reduction ($50 for 1st year) and 5,000 bonus MR points to you and your referrer. Whilst useless for BMI transfers due to the worse transfer rate, it is a bonanza for BA / VS account holders. Even paying $50 for 5,000 miles is not a bad deal, and you get a 61% (at current FX rate) uplift on your MR balance as well. And when your balance is almost 300,000, as mine is ....!