One-way Mileage Redemption?
May 13, 2009, 10:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York
Programs: SPG Platinum, AA 2.0 MM, DL Plat, Hertz Plat, LY Gold
Posts: 1,602
One-way Mileage Redemption?
Is there any way to book a one-way mileage redemption on Air New Zealand (or via Star Alliance)? I have tons of AMEX and SPG points and I need a flight from Auckland to either Beijing or Hong Kong...
May 13, 2009, 5:57 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,424
Having previously redeemed SPG into Airpoints, it is slow to transfer and the redemption rates are horrible. Just quickly trying then, a oneway redemption for AKL-HKG is approx 1430 Nz ApD, i.e. 60,075 SPG = 1155 Nz ApD + 17,875 SPG = 275 Nz ApD = 77950 SPG just for economy.
I'm pretty sure it'll be cheaper through another *A program. Not sure which one is the best for oneway *A redemptions though. ANA will at least you look at availability online, but Awards cannot be issued for one-way travel.
Through Krisflyer may be another suitable option, especially if you can use the 50% or 25% discount and fly SQ via SIN. Or you may be able to use your AA miles for a one-way redemption on CX or QF.
I'm pretty sure it'll be cheaper through another *A program. Not sure which one is the best for oneway *A redemptions though. ANA will at least you look at availability online, but Awards cannot be issued for one-way travel.
Through Krisflyer may be another suitable option, especially if you can use the 50% or 25% discount and fly SQ via SIN. Or you may be able to use your AA miles for a one-way redemption on CX or QF.
Last edited by futaris; May 13, 2009 at 6:46 pm
May 14, 2009, 10:19 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: AKL
Programs: A3, AA, AF, AS, BA, SQ, UA, US, IHG, SPG
Posts: 352
bmi Diamond Club
I think bmi Diamond Club is your best shot - you only need 18750 miles + about 150 pounds (US$230ish) including taxes with Cash + Miles redemption, for a one-way AKL-PEK/PVG/HKG on NZ C.
I don't know if you can transfer AMEX points to Diamond Club miles (I know that you CANNOT transfer SPG points to bmi), but you can purchase Diamond Club miles at 1000 miles/12 pounds, plus a 15 pound transaction fee. Maximum of 24000 miles can be purchased/transfered in an account within 12 consecutive months. So it works about about NZ$1000/US$600 for a one-way ticket in NZ C - pretty darn good value if you ask me!
I think AKL-PEK should not be too hard to get seats on. AKL-PVG is a breeze, so is AKL-NRT (if you can't get seats on flights to China or want to stopover in Tokyo). AKL-HKG is more difficult, generally you have to wait until 2 weeks before flight departure for Air NZ to release more seats from my recent experiences.
If you are heading to other Chinese cities, the mileage and Cash requirement (18750 miles + 112.50 pounds + taxes) is the same for the entire North Asia region, AND you can have a stopover - so you could do for instance AKL-PEK/PVG-any Chinese city served by Air China and Shanghai Airlines, the Chinese members of Star Alliance.
Cheers
milehighclubnz
I don't know if you can transfer AMEX points to Diamond Club miles (I know that you CANNOT transfer SPG points to bmi), but you can purchase Diamond Club miles at 1000 miles/12 pounds, plus a 15 pound transaction fee. Maximum of 24000 miles can be purchased/transfered in an account within 12 consecutive months. So it works about about NZ$1000/US$600 for a one-way ticket in NZ C - pretty darn good value if you ask me!
I think AKL-PEK should not be too hard to get seats on. AKL-PVG is a breeze, so is AKL-NRT (if you can't get seats on flights to China or want to stopover in Tokyo). AKL-HKG is more difficult, generally you have to wait until 2 weeks before flight departure for Air NZ to release more seats from my recent experiences.
If you are heading to other Chinese cities, the mileage and Cash requirement (18750 miles + 112.50 pounds + taxes) is the same for the entire North Asia region, AND you can have a stopover - so you could do for instance AKL-PEK/PVG-any Chinese city served by Air China and Shanghai Airlines, the Chinese members of Star Alliance.
Cheers
milehighclubnz
May 14, 2009, 11:01 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,424
Here are the options from SPG. Let us know if any of them are good value for oneway redemptions.
- Air Canada Aeroplan - 20k SPG : 25k
- Air China Companion - 20k SPG : 25k
- Air New Zealand & Air Points - 20025 SPG : NZ Ap$ 385
- ANA - 20k SPG : 25k
- Asiana Airlines - 20k SPG : 25k OZ
- Lufthansa Miles & More - 20k SPG : 25k LH
- Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - 20k SPG : 25k
- United Airlines - 20k SPG : 12.5k
- US Airways Dividend Miles - 20k SPG : 25k US