moops380

mia

Not if redeemed for paid airfare, which appears to be ariholland's use. For a Business Platinum account 1 MR point yields $0.0154 airfare, and 1.5 Membership Rewards points yields $0.0231 airfare. SPG Flights uses a bracket system, which makes it unlikely to maximize value, and is capped at $0.01325.

Xyzzy

I'm wondering where the 5x points from Amex for qualifying airline ticket purchases (not with points) fits in. If ariholland purchases a lot of airline tickets that is something to cnsider...

moops380

Great point. I've been thinking about what I would do with 6 million spg points/year. I did use 15k last year for some MLB playoff tix, (great seats and amazing value fwiw). Right now the travel packages to alaska miles seems to be the best deal. The united 157k for 90k spg was good, the aeroplan deal was good, and for the companion pass a great deal as well(RIP). After doing several calculations I stand behind my 1 spg>1.5 MR valuations at present time. I still hold 1.5x amex card (edp)and will use it for grocery bonus, which is great. Usage of the marriott cat 5 7 night cert may change your valuation. Changing of tiers for marriott will as well not help but the power of JAL and alaska miles is something special. (i'd put asiana as a 3rd, non-promo best deal)

What would you do with 6 million spg points/year? retire to some exotic island? I need to start spending 6MM/yr.

bodiddely

Hey all,

My Business Platinum card fee was billed, and I'm on the fence about renewing (was told no retention offer despite 50k or so spend, as I also had an offer last year). I have to cancel or pay fee within 5 days or so. I'm also looking to book flights for Easter. If I were to book today or tomorrow and cancel my card in 5 days, would I still get 35% refund in a month? Any DPs/T&C knowledge on this?

tdankmyer

I have the same question but I have exactly 30 days from now .

serialportme

I know I’ve seen this before, but can’t find.

Booking directly with United using my Platinum card, they are my selected airline with my Platinum card.

If I call amex after billing saying I want I want to pay with points will I still be eligible for bonus of 50% points back.

I hate using amex website for travel bookings.

Thanks.

KDS777

IIRC you have the option to pay with points on approved purchases by using the website/app. I've never called AMEX to do this, just clicked the mouse.

Can't answer your other question accurately though, but I am going to "assume" the answer is yes, as the two transactions and benefits are not intertwined.

mia

Assuming you have Platinum Business, you must book through American Express Travel to Pay with Points or receive the 35% (formerly 50%) refund. You do not have to book online, you can call Business Platinum Travel, but you cannot book directly with the airline or through another agency:

thexfactor

While that is true officially, that is often not the case in practice, especially when you get an "exception" beforehand.

mia

Can you get an exception simply because you don't like the website, rather than because there is a specific problem as there was with Delta at one point?

thexfactor

Usually requires a reason, e.g. pricing discrepancy, missing airlines (Spirit), general error, error on booking, etc., but the can be gotten simply for asking.

absoluy

I went through this last year when trying to book a fare that was considerably cheaper directly with the airline vs. the prices being quoted online or by the platinum travel desk. I was told by the travel desk that I could book directly and still use points (and get the rebate) since they couldn't match the price... which I did. I then waited two months for the points to post (calling every 3 weeks or so and being told to wait a few more weeks each time). Eventually I was told that because I didn't book through AmEx directly I would not be getting any rebate - one agent event put it that I should be glad I was even able to apply points to the purchase without the rebate!

After about a month of calling AmEx and being passed around various departments (Travel : "we can't help, we don't deal with points, we would never have told you that you could get the rebate if you don't book with us, speak to Membership Rewards", Membership Rewards : "we can't help you we don't deal with travel, we would never have told you that you could get the rebate if you don't book with us, speak to whoever in Travel told you that you would get the rebate"). It got to the point that the phone reps suggested that I was lying and that they would not have told me that I could get the rebate.

Eventually, after pulling the call logs, a customer service manager agreed to process the rebate manually (deducting the bonus points i got for booking the tickets originally) as "an exception".

This was an extremely painful process which I wouldn't recommend to anyone else. It was so painful, in fact, that I will be cancelling my platinum cards after more than 5 years with AmEx.

jeepie

I’m curious as to how some of you more experienced travelers decide on when/whether to use the Business Platinum 35% benefit (thus getting about $.015 per point) as opposed to waiting until you can find a good transfer opportunity? I am finding my points are building up (now 1.1mm) and two upcoming international flights aren’t likely to be transfer opportunities. TIA.

Xyzzy

Do you need to earn points/miles/dollars on whatever carrier you will be flying? Is a mileage ticket even available? There are all srts of reasons to choose one option vs. another.