milkchug

I know this might sound like a repeat post but there are so many regarding this topic, I wanted to get some clarification for my situation since I know there are so many skilled FTers who can maneuver around this situation.

Here's where I am:

Amex MR : 140K
I have about 140k Amex MR points that I want to use that I've accumulated on my Gold card. I've fully transitioned to my SPG Amex but want to get the most out of my points before I close the card.

I've read that you can transfer the MR points to BA miles and then use them domestically on AA flights. Can anyone confirm if thats the case? I know the points don't transfer into my AAdvantage account (I'm a platinum member) but can I just book AA flights from my BA account and use my Platinum privileges?

Thanks for all your help!

Microwave

Yes and yes. BA miles can be used for domestic AA travel, and for such tickets BA do not charge the dreaded fuel surcharge. Note that award tickets cannot be upgraded (unless you are offered a LFBU at a kiosk), but your AA Platinum status will get you through the elite security line and on the plane earlier.

BlassSJU

You just also missed a great opportunity... AMEX was offering a 40% bonus on transfers to BA Executive Club until Mar31. Great deal.

guv1976

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

Note that when you redeem BA miles for AA flights, it is BA's award chart and award rules that govern, not AA's. There are some differences between the two programs.

milkchug

Argh, I know... What a waste!
Maybe they will do it again?

JumboD

While it's not a very good exchange rate, you could also "launder" your points through SPG so they could go directly to your AA account. 1,000 MR points is good for 333 Starpoints, but then you can get a 25% bonus if you transfer them in blocks of 20k, so 140k MR points is good for roughly 46,660 Starpoints, which convert to 56,660 AA miles (assuming you only transfer those points taken from your Amex account).

sk3

Would the OP also be able to book exit rows?

or rather, if I used my BA miles to fly AA domestic Y, would my lowly AA Gold status still entitle me to choose the exit rows on this BA award ticket?

JumboD

I don't think so. Pretty sure there was a thread on here about someone booking AA metal with an AA FF # but an IB flight number and they weren't able to book preferred seats.

janetdoe

I can confirm that's true for IB/AA, but I think that's a codeshare and an "Iberia is bass-ackwards" issue, and may have no bearing on the scenario in question.