Apr 22, 2015, 10:57 am
Last edit by: mia
Effective June 2017 the USA Business Platinum airfare Pay-with-Points refund was reduced to 35%. This brings the net value to $0.0153 per point, essentially the same as Chase Sapphire Reserve's Pay-with-Points redemption rate.
USA Business Centurion cardholders will continue to receive a 50% refund. The Centurion version is also broader than the Platinum benefit:
Centurion: beginning October 6, 2016 you will get 50% Membership Rewards® points back when you use the Pay with Points feature for all or part of a flight on any airline. The maximum rebate per calendar year for Centurion members is (_______?)
Platinum: Business Platinum Card Members will receive 5 extra points for every 10 points they redeem for either a First or Business class flight on any airline, or for flights with their selected qualifying airline using Membership Rewards Pay with Points with American Express Travel (35% Airline Bonus). The maximum rebate per calendar year for Business Platinum Card Members is 1,000,000 points.
FAQ
Q1. How does the process work?
A1. Here is an example, buying a $1,000.00 ticket:
Q2. Must the Business Centurion or Platinum card be used to purchase the ticket?
A2. When the benefit was refreshed in October 2016 you could pay with any card linked to the same Membership Rewards account, but it appears this changed in April 2017.
Q3. Will I earn Membership Rewards points on the purchase price?
A3. You will not earn base points, but you may earn bonus points if you pay with a card that awards a bonus for airline ticket purchases, such as Business Platinum, Personal Platinum, Business Rewards Gold, Premier Rewards Gold.
Q4. What happens if I cancel the ticket?
A4. There are mixed reports, but in most examples the cost of the ticket is refunded (a second time) to the card account. In one example American Express refunded the remainder of the points instead. If you prefer the points refunded rather than a cash credit, phone into AMEX and they will restore the points and remove the credit.
Q5. Can this benefit be combined with the International Airline Program companion ticket?
A5. One poster was told no, but another was able to do so.
USA Business Centurion cardholders will continue to receive a 50% refund. The Centurion version is also broader than the Platinum benefit:
Centurion: beginning October 6, 2016 you will get 50% Membership Rewards® points back when you use the Pay with Points feature for all or part of a flight on any airline. The maximum rebate per calendar year for Centurion members is (_______?)
Platinum: Business Platinum Card Members will receive 5 extra points for every 10 points they redeem for either a First or Business class flight on any airline, or for flights with their selected qualifying airline using Membership Rewards Pay with Points with American Express Travel (35% Airline Bonus). The maximum rebate per calendar year for Business Platinum Card Members is 1,000,000 points.
FAQ
Q1. How does the process work?
A1. Here is an example, buying a $1,000.00 ticket:
- $1,000 charged to American Express card [Day 1]
- 100,000 Membership Rewards points redeemed [Day 1]
- $1,000 credited to American Express card [Day 2]
- _35,000 Membership Rewards points returned [~a month later]
- Net: $1,000 ticket for 65,000 points = $0.0154/point
Q2. Must the Business Centurion or Platinum card be used to purchase the ticket?
A2. When the benefit was refreshed in October 2016 you could pay with any card linked to the same Membership Rewards account, but it appears this changed in April 2017.
Q3. Will I earn Membership Rewards points on the purchase price?
A3. You will not earn base points, but you may earn bonus points if you pay with a card that awards a bonus for airline ticket purchases, such as Business Platinum, Personal Platinum, Business Rewards Gold, Premier Rewards Gold.
Q4. What happens if I cancel the ticket?
A4. There are mixed reports, but in most examples the cost of the ticket is refunded (a second time) to the card account. In one example American Express refunded the remainder of the points instead. If you prefer the points refunded rather than a cash credit, phone into AMEX and they will restore the points and remove the credit.
Q5. Can this benefit be combined with the International Airline Program companion ticket?
A5. One poster was told no, but another was able to do so.
Pay-with-Points flights. BUSINESS Centurion 50% refund, Plat 35%, Gold 25% (2015-23)
Dec 30, 2018, 7:21 pm
#946
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
- The feature discussed in this thread is only available if you hold a Business Platinum or Business Centurion. Which do you have?
- Typically, all of the points are commingled in the same Membership Rewards account. The system would not care which card earned the points.
Dec 30, 2018, 10:19 pm
#947
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,335
Confused.
- The feature discussed in this thread is only available if you hold a Business Platinum or Business Centurion. Which do you have?
- Typically, all of the points are commingled in the same Membership Rewards account. The system would not care which card earned the points.
2. Yes I'm aware. It did sound a little fishy. According to the rep, either card could be used to book the flight but the system would only allow the MR credit to post to my BB+. Apparently there wasn't a "listing" for my MS Plat. I said it didn't matter which card got the credit but apparently it has to be the card you make the purchase with. The points in question were earned on both cards but it shouldn't have made a difference which one was used as you note. I'm just relaying what I was told by the MR travel agent.
Last edited by sexykitten7; Dec 30, 2018 at 10:20 pm Reason: fixed typo
Jan 3, 2019, 12:47 pm
#948
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,785
I have the Amex Plat Card and have recently opened the Business Platinum after re-opening after a year away.
I am looking to book a One Way F fare today and looking to maximise earnings of 5x and 35% rebate on MR,
How should I perform this transaction ? Should I use the Business Card to pay or Platinum to get 5x,
Another thing I ave noted when i log into Amextravel online the GUI highlights the 5x Bonus for Flights purchased, no mention of 35% Bonus / rebate on American Business Plat when using MR points even though system shows I have the business platinum card, not worried about this as I can raise a manual query to have points rebated back to me but wanted to raise and see if others had same issue.
I am looking to book a One Way F fare today and looking to maximise earnings of 5x and 35% rebate on MR,
How should I perform this transaction ? Should I use the Business Card to pay or Platinum to get 5x,
Another thing I ave noted when i log into Amextravel online the GUI highlights the 5x Bonus for Flights purchased, no mention of 35% Bonus / rebate on American Business Plat when using MR points even though system shows I have the business platinum card, not worried about this as I can raise a manual query to have points rebated back to me but wanted to raise and see if others had same issue.
Last edited by navatwal; Jan 3, 2019 at 4:55 pm
Jan 4, 2019, 8:11 am
#949
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
I have the Amex Plat Card and have recently opened the Business Platinum after re-opening after a year away.
I am looking to book a One Way F fare today and looking to maximise earnings of 5x and 35% rebate on MR,
How should I perform this transaction ? Should I use the Business Card to pay or Platinum to get 5x,
Another thing I ave noted when i log into Amextravel online the GUI highlights the 5x Bonus for Flights purchased, no mention of 35% Bonus / rebate on American Business Plat when using MR points even though system shows I have the business platinum card, not worried about this as I can raise a manual query to have points rebated back to me but wanted to raise and see if others had same issue.
I am looking to book a One Way F fare today and looking to maximise earnings of 5x and 35% rebate on MR,
How should I perform this transaction ? Should I use the Business Card to pay or Platinum to get 5x,
Another thing I ave noted when i log into Amextravel online the GUI highlights the 5x Bonus for Flights purchased, no mention of 35% Bonus / rebate on American Business Plat when using MR points even though system shows I have the business platinum card, not worried about this as I can raise a manual query to have points rebated back to me but wanted to raise and see if others had same issue.
Jan 4, 2019, 12:41 pm
#950
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 262
I have the Amex Plat Card and have recently opened the Business Platinum after re-opening after a year away.
I am looking to book a One Way F fare today and looking to maximise earnings of 5x and 35% rebate on MR,
How should I perform this transaction ? Should I use the Business Card to pay or Platinum to get 5x,
Another thing I ave noted when i log into Amextravel online the GUI highlights the 5x Bonus for Flights purchased, no mention of 35% Bonus / rebate on American Business Plat when using MR points even though system shows I have the business platinum card, not worried about this as I can raise a manual query to have points rebated back to me but wanted to raise and see if others had same issue.
I am looking to book a One Way F fare today and looking to maximise earnings of 5x and 35% rebate on MR,
How should I perform this transaction ? Should I use the Business Card to pay or Platinum to get 5x,
Another thing I ave noted when i log into Amextravel online the GUI highlights the 5x Bonus for Flights purchased, no mention of 35% Bonus / rebate on American Business Plat when using MR points even though system shows I have the business platinum card, not worried about this as I can raise a manual query to have points rebated back to me but wanted to raise and see if others had same issue.
Jan 4, 2019, 2:25 pm
#951
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
This feature was added to USA Business Gold in November 2018.
Business Centurion: 50% rebate nets to $0.02/point
Business Platinum: 35% rebate nets to $0.0154/point
Business Gold: 25% rebate nets to $0.0133/point
Business Centurion: 50% rebate nets to $0.02/point
Business Platinum: 35% rebate nets to $0.0154/point
Business Gold: 25% rebate nets to $0.0133/point
Jan 8, 2019, 11:49 am
#952
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Quick question. AA is my selected airline on my business platinum card and I'm looking to book IAH - JNB. Can book an AA marketed flight, operated by BA, which is the lowest price and get the 35% rebate? On Amex Travel it shows as BA. Thanks for your help!
Jan 17, 2019, 5:46 pm
#953
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: United GS/MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 242
You would pay with the personal Platinum. Not sure if this still works as shown from the post (#941) from holyPockets. Give it a try (nothing to lose) and let us know how it worked out.
1) Purchase $10,000 ticket using 1M MR
+1x MR 10,000 (Ticket)
-1x MR 10,000 (PWP Credit)
2) Cancel your ticket from the airline
+$10,000 Credit (Ticket Refund)
-1x MR 10,000 (Ticket Refund)
Now you are at:
-1M MR converted to +$10,000 Credit
-10k MR
3) Rebook the ticket using AmexTravel (Business Plat) or directly from the airline (Personal Plat)
+55k MR (5x AmexTravel +0.5x >5k Bonus) [Business Plat]
OR
+50k MR (5x Airline) [Personal Plat]
-$10,000 (New ticket purchase)
4) You end with either:
[Business Platinum] +45k MR
[Personal Platinum] +40k MR
Jan 18, 2019, 7:58 am
#954
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Jan 19, 2019, 10:37 pm
#955
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: United GS/MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 242
If the points post as expected, you should get a cashout rate of 1/(1-.35-.045) ~= 1.65 cents/MR. You'd also earn the airline points from the paid booking, pushing you over 2 cents/MR depending how you value the airline points.
Jan 20, 2019, 10:37 am
#956
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,545
wait 31 days to cancel the $10K refundable ticket until after the 35% rebate posts
some airlines, like AS, will directly refund an amex-issued ticket
this scheme doesn’t combine best of all worlds though with both 5x on the purchase price and the insider fare savings (unless booking last step offline w/ $39 fee).
some airlines, like AS, will directly refund an amex-issued ticket
this scheme doesn’t combine best of all worlds though with both 5x on the purchase price and the insider fare savings (unless booking last step offline w/ $39 fee).
Jan 20, 2019, 10:39 am
#957
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 81
-1,000,000MR (converted to $) + 55,000MR (5.5x earned with Biz Plat) = 945,000MR (net used).
$10,000 ÷ 945,000 = 1.058¢ per MR pt
You don't get to double-count the air miles earned because you would earn them through the Amex Travel portal just the same. Also, I'm assuming Amex won't refund 350,000MR points because the flight was refunded. I'm not sure in actuality how that would play out, though. I personally wouldn't risk the known 350,000MR rebate in the chance that I could pick up an extra 55,000MR.
Jan 20, 2019, 10:53 am
#958
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,545
there is zero downside risk.
either amex has rebated 35% at the end of the day OR amex will redeposit the 1M points upon request (leaving you none the worse). canceling tickets is not uncommon and amex certainly doesn’t seek out ways to punish those who need to cancel.
the only drawback is not getting the benefit of the Insider Fares discount.
of course, selecting Southwest as your airline and calling amex after ticketing also still works as a cash-out method that gets the 35% rebate.
for me, i keep a healthy amex balance solely for insider fares (without the $39 fee).
either amex has rebated 35% at the end of the day OR amex will redeposit the 1M points upon request (leaving you none the worse). canceling tickets is not uncommon and amex certainly doesn’t seek out ways to punish those who need to cancel.
the only drawback is not getting the benefit of the Insider Fares discount.
of course, selecting Southwest as your airline and calling amex after ticketing also still works as a cash-out method that gets the 35% rebate.
for me, i keep a healthy amex balance solely for insider fares (without the $39 fee).
Last edited by Colin; Jan 20, 2019 at 10:58 am
Jan 21, 2019, 10:11 am
#959
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,545
my Dec 16th and 18th pay with points bookings (using my Biz Plat) have not posted the 35% rebate yet.
come to think of it, i never got the usual rebate confirmation email a few days after ticketing either.
come to think of it, i never got the usual rebate confirmation email a few days after ticketing either.
Jan 21, 2019, 2:15 pm
#960
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 262
there is zero downside risk.
either amex has rebated 35% at the end of the day OR amex will redeposit the 1M points upon request (leaving you none the worse). canceling tickets is not uncommon and amex certainly doesn’t seek out ways to punish those who need to cancel.
the only drawback is not getting the benefit of the Insider Fares discount.
of course, selecting Southwest as your airline and calling amex after ticketing also still works as a cash-out method that gets the 35% rebate.
for me, i keep a healthy amex balance solely for insider fares (without the $39 fee).
either amex has rebated 35% at the end of the day OR amex will redeposit the 1M points upon request (leaving you none the worse). canceling tickets is not uncommon and amex certainly doesn’t seek out ways to punish those who need to cancel.
the only drawback is not getting the benefit of the Insider Fares discount.
of course, selecting Southwest as your airline and calling amex after ticketing also still works as a cash-out method that gets the 35% rebate.
for me, i keep a healthy amex balance solely for insider fares (without the $39 fee).