Originally Posted by
fakecd
Percy, i have different interpretation how did you get $3.75/mile? I'm thinking it's actually $2.5/mile for first HKD$160k of spending... Reading the terms 3x benefits is mutually exclusive to Turbo program
https://web.aexp-static.com/hk/en/co...num-TnC-EN.pdf
What the terms/condition say is
1) 3MR points for HKD$1 or equivalent foreign currency for spending on the airlines (AA/BA/CX&KA/AY/JL/QF are listed not sure about others, seems one-world specific?)... it say for both ONLINE/OFFLINE or can be via travel agent, but ANY current (meaning you can't double-dip foreign ccy with airlines spending)
2) 3 MR points for all foreign spending (but if you buy airlines in off-shore ccy, only the 3MR from
#1 above apply)
2) double MR points for any spending up to HK$160k
So in theory, for the first 160k HKD of spending, $1 on airlines will earn you 3 x 2 = 6 MR points... that's HK$2.5/miles (15MR = 1asiamiles)... similarly, $1 of foreign spending will earn 3 x 2 = 6MR... But once accumulated spending exceeds 160k/year, then turbo program's x2 boots disappears to earning ratio drops to HK$5/miles.
So in theory this card can be useful for all airlines spending in the year (to earn $2.5/miles) but once you exceeded $160k hkd spend then using CX elite-card on CX spend earns $3/miles which is better.
I thought about that one. Footnotes to
https://www.americanexpress.com/hk/e...latinum-card/:
Every HK$1 you spend for flights booked (both online and off-line in any currency) at the designated airlines stated above on your Platinum Card will earn 3 Membership Rewards points. Air ticket issued from a travel agent as long as the payment is made under any of the designated airlines is eligible for this offer. Transaction made at designated airlines in foreign currency can only earn a total of 3 Membership Rewards points. Turbo program benefits apply.
(Chinese for completeness
https://www.americanexpress.com/hk/c...platinum-card/)
白金卡會員於指定航空公司直接憑卡購買機票每簽賬HK$1可獲享3美國運通積分。透過旅行社購買之機票而該 項交易是由指定航空公司之商戶過數，亦可享此優惠。海外簽賬購買指定航空公司機票的外幣消費只可獲享3美國運通積分。「加倍加賞」積分計劃獎賞適 用。
I actually called AE Plat 2277 2233
When I called, the CS said he wasn't sure, they haven't had positive guidance one way or another ("it's new to us")
Edit 18:49: second call today (after holding me a few minutes to consult):
1. $1 --> 3 points even within first $160k of cardmembership year spending
2. Will not count towards Turbo Program $160k because "Turbo Program benefits have not been applied".
Today's CS statement (2) contradicts footnote statements. Spend at your own risk.