Best use of AMEX points suggestions
May 13, 2017, 10:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 8
Best use of AMEX points suggestions
Hi all,
I've accumulated a little over 250k of AMEX point. Any ideas or suggestions on how I can use it to get the best value out of it?
I prefer to use it towards flights but knowledge of other uses would also be useful.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
I've accumulated a little over 250k of AMEX point. Any ideas or suggestions on how I can use it to get the best value out of it?
I prefer to use it towards flights but knowledge of other uses would also be useful.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
May 13, 2017, 2:27 pm
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
In which country is your American Express card accounts issued?
In general the highest monetary value is achieved by transferring to an airline frequent flyer program and redeeming for an intercontinental business class flight. However, this isn't important if your plans do not call for that type of travel or if you do not value the comforts of premium cabin travel. You need to decide what suits your requirements and we will help you figure out how to use points effectively.
In general the highest monetary value is achieved by transferring to an airline frequent flyer program and redeeming for an intercontinental business class flight. However, this isn't important if your plans do not call for that type of travel or if you do not value the comforts of premium cabin travel. You need to decide what suits your requirements and we will help you figure out how to use points effectively.
May 15, 2017, 1:16 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 8
Thank you for your reply!
My AMEX is from US. I'm planning a trip to Europe in August and I actually would love to fly business class. I never have so might as well experience it if possible.
Which frequent flyer program are you referring to? Appreciate your help!
My AMEX is from US. I'm planning a trip to Europe in August and I actually would love to fly business class. I never have so might as well experience it if possible.
Which frequent flyer program are you referring to? Appreciate your help!
May 15, 2017, 1:49 am
#4
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Begin by reading the Wikipost at the top of this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...l-program.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...l-program.html
May 16, 2017, 12:27 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 117
Probably Aeroplan then. You can book a Star Alliance J award easily through Aeroplan.
Get an account at aeroplan.com and try searching for the route you want/need. If it's there, you can transfer in miles and then book.
May 17, 2017, 11:48 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 8
ok so checked out the wiki and came across transfer partners page.. https://rewards.americanexpress.com/...R&viewfullsite
When tried to search for flights across AMEX airline partners, most of them prompted me for account creation in order to find pricing and availability.. Kind of time consuming if you ask me... plus I don't really want to create 10 new accounts.
Do you guys know of any tools or a service that does this type of search?
When tried to search for flights across AMEX airline partners, most of them prompted me for account creation in order to find pricing and availability.. Kind of time consuming if you ask me... plus I don't really want to create 10 new accounts.
Do you guys know of any tools or a service that does this type of search?
May 18, 2017, 12:12 am
#10
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
May 18, 2017, 7:37 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
ANA for J roundtrip is going to be the cheapest at 88k but they pass on fuel surcharges (though Air Canada/Aeroplan does too) and I believe ANA allows stopover and 2 open jaws (same as Aeroplan) though I agree just create a free Aeroplan account, that's going to be the simplest and just search, click, and buy.
May 18, 2017, 4:14 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 8
Alright... Did some digging around on FlyerTalk and found few tools to find award flight availability!
AwardEx.io - seems like a very useful tool. Finds availability as you need it and provides all the details you need in regards to your flight as well as booking instructions on how to transfer points and which program to use. Besides you can easily do price comprising between programs. I actually liked this tool the most out of all I listed here but it does cost a bit (very little actually) once you run out your initial free credits
AwardNexus.com - Also useful tool but requires too much data entering and a bit costly after the initial 100 credits are used (which get used up fast btw), however you can find the availability and compare prices as well
KVS - finds availability but the app needs to be downloaded and saved locally on your computer and you need to be knowledgable to use it
ExpertFlyer.com - you have to provide your route and a flight number which requires to do some homework prior to completing any searches. Besides, you don't get search results right away - you get email alert if the flight you requested is available... Not a best way to find flights when needed in my opinion
To sum it all up, AwardEx is a winner in my book. Too bad they don't have multi day searching capability - ooh well it is what it is
Will continue my hunt for tools for hotel inventory
AwardEx.io - seems like a very useful tool. Finds availability as you need it and provides all the details you need in regards to your flight as well as booking instructions on how to transfer points and which program to use. Besides you can easily do price comprising between programs. I actually liked this tool the most out of all I listed here but it does cost a bit (very little actually) once you run out your initial free credits
AwardNexus.com - Also useful tool but requires too much data entering and a bit costly after the initial 100 credits are used (which get used up fast btw), however you can find the availability and compare prices as well
KVS - finds availability but the app needs to be downloaded and saved locally on your computer and you need to be knowledgable to use it
ExpertFlyer.com - you have to provide your route and a flight number which requires to do some homework prior to completing any searches. Besides, you don't get search results right away - you get email alert if the flight you requested is available... Not a best way to find flights when needed in my opinion
To sum it all up, AwardEx is a winner in my book. Too bad they don't have multi day searching capability - ooh well it is what it is
Will continue my hunt for tools for hotel inventory
May 18, 2017, 5:01 pm
#13
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
That's one way to use ExpertFlyer, it's not the only way. You can search directly for current award inventory on many airlines. The feature you described is used if there is not any current inventory, and you want to be notified if it comes available later.
May 19, 2017, 2:16 pm
#15
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741