Jan 23, 2017, 12:30 pm
1.3 is conversion rate to Mileageplan
Dec 19, 2016, 3:32 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,602
If you have both credit cards, there's no reason to use the AS Visa (except for AS purchases) for the time being.
In fact, although I was optimistic for at least a 1 = 1.5 conversion, thinking about the CC portion of the formula, it might have been too expensive a proposition given the % of points earned at $1 spend = 1 VX point. I know I spent over $30K on the VX Visa this year, so I know that I've earned what will turn into an extra 10K MP miles.
Dec 19, 2016, 4:27 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Disc
Posts: 217
Depends how you earned your points.
If you have both credit cards, there's no reason to use the AS Visa (except for AS purchases) for the time being.
In fact, although I was optimistic for at least a 1 = 1.5 conversion, thinking about the CC portion of the formula, it might have been too expensive a proposition given the % of points earned at $1 spend = 1 VX point. I know I spent over $30K on the VX Visa this year, so I know that I've earned what will turn into an extra 10K MP miles.
If you have both credit cards, there's no reason to use the AS Visa (except for AS purchases) for the time being.
In fact, although I was optimistic for at least a 1 = 1.5 conversion, thinking about the CC portion of the formula, it might have been too expensive a proposition given the % of points earned at $1 spend = 1 VX point. I know I spent over $30K on the VX Visa this year, so I know that I've earned what will turn into an extra 10K MP miles.
The arbitrage play now is SPG-->VX-->AS, if you're so inclined, as it now yields a 30% bonus over going straight SPG-->AS.
Dec 19, 2016, 4:42 pm
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
As to the 1.3 conversion ratio, I think it is pretty fair. Works much more in favor of pax who want the short-haul awards, I think, but still fair overall.
Dec 19, 2016, 5:53 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: New York City, Northern NJ
Programs: AS, AA, Hilton, Hyatt
Posts: 1,041
There's no way you're the target audience for the program. Wrong side of the country and not flying on AS/VX metal on those routes.
As to the 1.3 conversion ratio, I think it is pretty fair. Works much more in favor of pax who want the short-haul awards, I think, but still fair overall.
As to the 1.3 conversion ratio, I think it is pretty fair. Works much more in favor of pax who want the short-haul awards, I think, but still fair overall.
Dec 19, 2016, 6:57 pm
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 187
I think some of you folks are missing one hell of an opportunity.
Many people are currently targeted for a 35% discount on buying SPG points. You can buy 20,000 points for $455.00. Transfer those to VX with a 5k bonus for 25k total. Then that converts to 32,500 Alaska miles!
32,500 Alaska Miles for $455.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many people are currently targeted for a 35% discount on buying SPG points. You can buy 20,000 points for $455.00. Transfer those to VX with a 5k bonus for 25k total. Then that converts to 32,500 Alaska miles!
32,500 Alaska Miles for $455.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 19, 2016, 7:47 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
I think some of you folks are missing one hell of an opportunity.
Many people are currently targeted for a 35% discount on buying SPG points. You can buy 20,000 points for $455.00. Transfer those to VX with a 5k bonus for 25k total. Then that converts to 32,500 Alaska miles!
32,500 Alaska Miles for $455.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many people are currently targeted for a 35% discount on buying SPG points. You can buy 20,000 points for $455.00. Transfer those to VX with a 5k bonus for 25k total. Then that converts to 32,500 Alaska miles!
32,500 Alaska Miles for $455.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 19, 2016, 8:33 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 133
I get the trick with making the earnings comparable on the two airlines, which drove the 1.3:1 conversion. What would be awesome is if Alaska gave a 1-time 15% bonus to Elevate members (for miles as of 12/19) upon activation/ linking of Alaska airlines mileage plan account. Would be a meaningful move & help retain customers. Anyone listening?
Dec 20, 2016, 1:45 am
#25
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
I get the trick with making the earnings comparable on the two airlines, which drove the 1.3:1 conversion. What would be awesome is if Alaska gave a 1-time 15% bonus to Elevate members (for miles as of 12/19) upon activation/ linking of Alaska airlines mileage plan account. Would be a meaningful move & help retain customers. Anyone listening?
By the way, what's the going rate for buying Elevate points versus Mileage Plan miles? If another significant discount offer were to come along with Elevate I might just bite...I think I'm going to have enough miles in the bank when this all settles out to grab at some interesting TATL awards. Irony here is that I have no interest in dealing with AS, but if I could get a good TATL award in F on BA that's another story...and I think I might have enough miles in hand when this is over for about 5 such legs. It's not the ten I would have liked to extract out of VS UC on the same balance, but...eh, I'm sure I'll survive.
Dec 20, 2016, 10:49 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Disc
Posts: 217
Citi TY points and AmEx membership rewards points allow transfers to VX, but not AS. Both are 2:1 VX, so you'd just be getting 1.3 Alaska miles for every 2 points, which I wouldn't do, personally -- particularly given that you can transfer directly from either of those currencies to many of AS's international partners at 1:1.
Dec 20, 2016, 12:50 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 187
Dec 20, 2016, 12:51 pm
#29
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Preferably waiting for takeoff
Programs: AA EXP, MVPG, DL Silver, United Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 458
Dec 20, 2016, 1:00 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 398
Just chiming in here too...but if you have the SPG card, it's 2x points on points purchases also. So you could factor that in for a little bit additional savings/points.