Convert your loyalty points into 25% more Etihad Guest Miles-Any devaluation in cards
Nov 19, 2015, 1:58 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 28
Australian AMEX does though, but I don't think there are any AA flights here. I looked on their website and flights would be operated by Qantas. Would it still work?
I've got to go to Europe next year, so I want to see if this would be an option or not.
I've got to go to Europe next year, so I want to see if this would be an option or not.
Nov 19, 2015, 2:32 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,265
To book EY using AU MR points, you have two choices: Convert to EY, or convert to SPG and then AA. I will try to explain using LHR-SYD as an example:
1. Convert to EY Guest Miles
The EY flights LHR-AUH-SYD in F costs 217k EY miles, GBP 197 of surcharges, and also other taxes. As the conversion rate from AU MR points to EY miles is 1:1 (and, currently, 25% bonus), this means that you need to convert 100k MR points to get 125k EY miles. The total cost to you is 173,600 MR points (under this promo) + AUD 420 of EY surcharge + taxes.
2. Convert MR points to SPG, then AA
The same LHR-AUH-SYD flight on EY F costs 100k AA miles, as long as it is booked before 22 March 2015. Since every block of 20k Starpoints converts to 25k AA miles, it means you need to obtain 80k Starpoints in order to make this redemption. And as the conversion rate from MR points to SPG is 2:1, it means you need 160,000 MR points to get the 80k SPG points. AA does not charge the EY surcharge, so the total cost to you is 160k MR points + taxes.
But if you are booking after 22 March 2016, the price goes up significantly and AA stops being a viable option. So if your travel is in the summer, and if you will not be able to finalise the booking before 22 March 2016, then EY is the only option.
1. Convert to EY Guest Miles
The EY flights LHR-AUH-SYD in F costs 217k EY miles, GBP 197 of surcharges, and also other taxes. As the conversion rate from AU MR points to EY miles is 1:1 (and, currently, 25% bonus), this means that you need to convert 100k MR points to get 125k EY miles. The total cost to you is 173,600 MR points (under this promo) + AUD 420 of EY surcharge + taxes.
2. Convert MR points to SPG, then AA
The same LHR-AUH-SYD flight on EY F costs 100k AA miles, as long as it is booked before 22 March 2015. Since every block of 20k Starpoints converts to 25k AA miles, it means you need to obtain 80k Starpoints in order to make this redemption. And as the conversion rate from MR points to SPG is 2:1, it means you need 160,000 MR points to get the 80k SPG points. AA does not charge the EY surcharge, so the total cost to you is 160k MR points + taxes.
But if you are booking after 22 March 2016, the price goes up significantly and AA stops being a viable option. So if your travel is in the summer, and if you will not be able to finalise the booking before 22 March 2016, then EY is the only option.
Nov 19, 2015, 6:20 pm
#33
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: QF(Platinum) VA(Platinum) EY(Platinum) NZ(Gold) AZ(Platinum) SPG(Gold)
Posts: 278
Before transferring any points, to either scheme, it is always recommended to see if it has a redemption you want available first before doing so. Speculatively transferring points from a flexible points currency (AMEX points) to a inflexible points currency (Etihad Guest or AAdvantage) comes with opportunity costs that you may regret if award availability dries up (and right now people are redeeming their AAdvantage balances in multitudes, so award seats will be in high demand). The best thing about flexible point currencies is that you can build up balances and have some protection from devaluations because usually you'll still have a decent transfer partner left.
I hope that helps and clears up any confusion caused to you.
Last edited by SuiteFlight; Nov 19, 2015 at 11:11 pm
Nov 19, 2015, 8:58 pm
#34
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,130
Reminder not to make any member specific comments. If you have a problem or feel commented upon, please report it to a moderator.
Anythings else will be summarily redacted, or if the context of the rest of the response cannot be preserved, summarily deleted. So if you had something meaningful in your post it would be a shame.
Best regards Oliver2002
Senior Mod
Anythings else will be summarily redacted, or if the context of the rest of the response cannot be preserved, summarily deleted. So if you had something meaningful in your post it would be a shame.
Best regards Oliver2002
Senior Mod
Nov 27, 2015, 2:02 am
#36
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: AU
Posts: 9
Nov 27, 2015, 3:28 am
#37
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
Nov 27, 2015, 6:19 am
#38
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Yorkshire & Bangsaen
Programs: HH Diamond, EY Gold, AY Silver, MR Plat
Posts: 526
Maybe others will correct me. But I think they do this sort of thing every 12 months or so. At least that is the case with my UK Amex rewards card.
Dec 12, 2015, 5:05 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
Dec 13, 2015, 4:55 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 343
Dec 13, 2015, 3:53 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
