Biggie Fries

+1 Maybe this is the 3rd point, but when there are advantages to qualifying for status with an airline -- like I think double EQMs on AA flying in J -- I like the fact that tickets bought with these points count toward EQMs (and, now, EQDs).

jeepie

moops380

Totally depends on where you are flying to/from. 88k ANA points r/t for star alliance business class from say Cody, Wyoming to Santorini, Greece is a heck of a deal 99.9% of the time, but if you are flying LAX to Tokyo where you can snag a cheaper business class fare using the points at .0154 plus earn status miles, that might be a good deal too. I guess as a general rule, I would not do a transfer if I was knew I was going to get less than .0154 of value or so from them. Aeroplan also has some good uses, but they block some carriers and also are changing the program in a few years so I wouldn't leave any points sitting there. If there were a transfer bonus to British Airways I would consider transferring some there (I think as high as a 40% bonus has happened), but again you need to know when and when not to use avios and be familiar with aer lingus and iberia options.

Only negative things about ANA would be the inability to book for non family easily, fuel surcharges on alot of carriers (avoidable some of the time), and you have to book 4 days before the flight, so no last minute bookings, and it can take up to ~48 hrs to transfer the points from amex.

If you have access to way more points than you can use that also factors into your calculations, and if you want to chase status, and if you want to learn how to use ANA/iberia/aeroplan points, etc).

friedablass

Just adding a data point. I have Business Platinum with the 50% bonus through 6/2/18. Purchased fares via Amex travel on preferred airline on 3/17/18, 50% bonus points posted 4/18/18 = 32 days.

mjgoldstein9

Sorry if this is a silly question. I took the plunge and got the Amex Business Platinum card, and will be selecting Delta for the airline credits. Are all KLM and AF tickets coded as DL thru Amex Travel? I have been mixed success trying to this between google flights and Amex Travel. I want to make sure I'd get the points refund, and am a bit confused on how this works when flying on a airline's partner within an alliance.

Colin

AMEX Platinum Travel (via telephone agents) does issue all US to Europe (and then beyond) tickets where the first flight is marketing by any of DL/AF/KL on DL ticket stock, which would be the trigger for the 35% pay-with-points rebate 31 days after ticketing on economy bookings. If the ticket is in business or first, then the ticket stock is irrelevant as the 35% rebate applies in all pay-with-points cases.

I do not know if AMEX Platinum Travel (via online bookings) behave the same way with respect to DL ticket stock, though I suspect the answer is that they do.

mjgoldstein9

Does this work the same way if I choose United or AA as my selected airline?

Colin

I am not aware of AMEX Platinum Travel issuing etickets on AA ticket stock where the first segment is not AA marketed. Same for UA.

jediwho

What if one closes the Business Platinum card a few days after purchasing the tickets with points but before getting the 35% credit? Do we still get the 35% refund? I purchased a ticket a week ago and today I saw the $450 annual fee hit my account. I would like to close the account but I am expecting a credit of about 10,000 point.

friedablass

My husband booked by phone UA flights on UA metal with UA being his preferred airline. He had to do it by phone because the online system kept booting him out every time he logged in and attempted to book regardless of browser or device being used and none of the reps could figure out the problem. He is well past the 31 day mark (actually past 5 weeks by now) and no bonus points have posted. Attempts to get anyone to do something have been futile, some reps say he needs to wait 6 weeks and others 10 weeks which is very frustrating.

As I noted above, my own points posted on the 32 day mark as mine were easily booked online. I am sure that his issue is that it was booked by phone as both our tickets were otherwise identical, but all the reps are denying that. We are really annoyed because right now we can book with points again and still get 50% back, but having to wait 10 weeks (at which point I also doubt they will post) will put him beyond the date where he is still eligible for 50% so that opportunity will have been lost.

thexfactor

Hang up, call again.

friedablass

Thanks, I will tell him to call as the past few attempts to get the points posted he did via online chat. Hopefully calling will get a better response.

MaxVO

According to AmEx agents, the points rebate will post automatically after a month, even if the Business Platinum account is closed. In practice, I used the Pay.W.Points 3 times, and never got the rebate automatically within the promised period. I would follow up on that issue by phone, and an agent would credit me the rebates manually. So I think the follow up step could be a bit more complicated when the underlying account is closed.

absoluy

MaxVO

No, those phone agents are worse than the website. You need to call Platinum Travel Service. It's a separate dept with highly competent agents, who will likely find you the best options. There will be a $39 fee to book with them.