Originally Posted by
Cathay Boy
I always like SPG more because of 20% bonus miles if you transfer 20K, and of course it can be use for their selection of fine hotels for only 8-10K points a night should you need it, and usually with 5th night being free.
Yeah but CX Elite Amex has 1 bonus mile per $8 spent on cathaypacific.com even on itineraries not originating from HK https://secure.cmax.americanexpress....conditions.pdf
Plus a HK$4 earning rate for paying USD.
So, paying USD3,000. Assuming:
- USD can be bought for HK$7.8110 (
http://www.hkab.org.hk/index.jsp)
- HK$0.1/mile valuation still holds (i.e. 1 mile is US$0.0128)
Starwood Amex:
- Pay US$3,000
- Receive 3,000x1.2 = 3,600 miles (taking account of Cathay Boy's transfer bonus above
- Payment net of miles = 3,000 - 3,600x0.0128 = US$2,953.92
CX Elite:
- USD amounts will be converted at roughly 1.7% premium to HKAB rate, so US$3,000 will be charged as $3,000 x 1.017 = US$3,051
(I assume you have the HKD to settle the $3,051 at HKAB sell rates)
- Receive 3,000 x 7.8110 x 1.017 / $8 x
32 miles (1 basic, 1 overseas spending
, 1 cathaypacific.com bonus) =
8,936.765,957.84 miles
- Payment net of miles = 3,051 -
8,936.765,957.84x0.0128 = US$
2,936.612,974.74
Seems like you end up slightly ahead with CX Elite. But that is conditional on whether you at least value an Asia Mile at $0.1/mile and can exchange USD to HKD at HKAB sell rates (or have enough balances of both to not require an exchange).Go with Starwood Amex. Particularly since Amex HK has since fit to fiddle with the rules without updating its own website.