Originally Posted by
hpark21
I used Chase until last year to collect points and spend on Skypass (got 4 biz tix).
Now KE is no longer transfer partner, I am wondering whether it is time to ditch Chase and start collecting Amex points to transfer to ANA (95K points on Asiana Biz round trip)
Granted Amex point is more difficult to collect due to limited places to use them and I am just not used to using it, but I can adapt..
Currently, I do have about 195k AA miles (so maybe I can use this?) and about 300K Chase UR points. However, to redeem UR points to UA for partner redemption on Asiana does not sound like a good deal - 160k points for round trip on biz - 320k for 2 tix)
Is there something I am overlooking? Should I start applying for Amex cards for membership reward point collection?
I don't have particular date in mind. Probably 2020 or 2021 trip in spring or fall. My home airport is PHL, but I don't mind NYC or DC area flight.
Thanks.
I sure hated it when KE left UR!
For a look at what different programs charge in miles, plus transfer partners - adjust search parameters as desired:
AwardHacker
While AMEX acceptance is pretty sparse outside the US, I only rarely encounter issues in the US these days - not enough to be a noticeable impact to mileage-earning, in my experience anyway. And there are a number of good AMEX Membership Rewards-earning cards, personal and business, for welcome bonuses and daily earnings.
Also take a look at Marriott points for transfers to airline programs - there you have both Chase and AMEX cards for earning and NH (plus AA, KE and many others) are transfer partners.
You have enough AA miles to work with as they're 120K roundtrip, though you'll likely find better availability with AA partners than their own metal.
Alaska is another option with good mileage rates, though accruing their miles without flying is tougher as the welcome bonus isn't huge and Bank of America has cracked down on churning their co-branded AS card. AS is a Marriott transfer partner.