Case for Transferring all Canadian MR points to SPG before August?
May 2, 2018, 1:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Aeroplan, Amex AeroPlat
Posts: 977
Hi,
I see some people recommend Canadian Amex holders to transfer all Amex MR points to SPG at 2:1 before August 1, in case CA Amex MR gets devalued to 3:1 ratio.
I have 150K MR points now; should I do this? I generally transfer MR to Aeroplan or BA Avios to suit our flight needs but now that Arroplan is likely getting crappier in 2020, the only viable transfer option for MR is BA Avios at 1:1, with 30% bonus twice a year.
Should I, as someone who travels once or twice a year to Europe or Asia, transfer all my MR to SPG as a speculative move? I have the CA Amex Plat and SPG Amex.
Would like to add that CA MR points cannot be transferred to AA, Alaska, KrisFlyer etc.
I see some people recommend Canadian Amex holders to transfer all Amex MR points to SPG at 2:1 before August 1, in case CA Amex MR gets devalued to 3:1 ratio.
I have 150K MR points now; should I do this? I generally transfer MR to Aeroplan or BA Avios to suit our flight needs but now that Arroplan is likely getting crappier in 2020, the only viable transfer option for MR is BA Avios at 1:1, with 30% bonus twice a year.
Should I, as someone who travels once or twice a year to Europe or Asia, transfer all my MR to SPG as a speculative move? I have the CA Amex Plat and SPG Amex.
Would like to add that CA MR points cannot be transferred to AA, Alaska, KrisFlyer etc.
Last edited by mia; May 2, 2018 at 2:10 pm
May 2, 2018, 2:14 pm
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Would you be transferring the Starpoints to airline miles before August 1st, or allowing them to rollover to New Marriott points?
Would you be redeeming the New Marriott points for hotel stays or for airline miles?
The new base airline ratio has been published (60,000:25000), but I do not know if Travel Packages rates have been published.
Would you be redeeming the New Marriott points for hotel stays or for airline miles?
The new base airline ratio has been published (60,000:25000), but I do not know if Travel Packages rates have been published.
May 2, 2018, 3:11 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Aeroplan, Amex AeroPlat
Posts: 977
Would you be transferring the Starpoints to airline miles before August 1st, or allowing them to rollover to New Marriott points?
Would you be redeeming the New Marriott points for hotel stays or for airline miles?
The new base airline ratio has been published (60,000:25000), but I do not know if Travel Packages rates have been published.
Would you be redeeming the New Marriott points for hotel stays or for airline miles?
The new base airline ratio has been published (60,000:25000), but I do not know if Travel Packages rates have been published.
May 3, 2018, 5:33 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
As I’ve stated for months in the Amex Canada thread, I’ve been doing this with our churn team now since the beginning of the year. I’ve banked almost 2M SPG points, and strongly suggest you do the same. Canada has already had a more favorable transfer rate to Spg than the US, and with the merger it just makes more sense now than ever. Message me if you have questions about my strategy and plans. Marriott travel packages are just so flexible and such a good deal.
May 14, 2018, 10:21 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PVR
Programs: Aeroplan, Alaska Airlines
Posts: 420
I'm also trying to figure out what to do with my MR points. In the past I transferred everything to aeroplan. My goal was and is business class flights to South East Asia every winter. I stopped the transfers a while ago and still have over 500k aeroplan, who knows what they will worth in 2020.
I currently have about 250k MR and 50k SPG. I'm not sure if there's a better option than dumping the MR into SPG before August. I looked at Avios, but they don't seem to be a good value for my needs. I briefly looked in Asia Miles but that seems to be a mess and really hard to figure out.
I also read that the Amex agreement with aeroplan ends in Dec. I wonder if they will add more airline transfer partners, anyone hear anything about that? I don't really get why there are so many more options in the U.S.
I currently have about 250k MR and 50k SPG. I'm not sure if there's a better option than dumping the MR into SPG before August. I looked at Avios, but they don't seem to be a good value for my needs. I briefly looked in Asia Miles but that seems to be a mess and really hard to figure out.
I also read that the Amex agreement with aeroplan ends in Dec. I wonder if they will add more airline transfer partners, anyone hear anything about that? I don't really get why there are so many more options in the U.S.
May 16, 2018, 10:40 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
spg will certainly have a lot of airline transfer partners
before aug
40K amex > 20K SPG > 60K marriott > 25K miles = 1.6 > 1
after aug
120k amex > 60k points > 25k miles = 4.8 > 1
180K amex > 60K points > 25K miles = 7.2 > 1
before aug
40K amex > 20K SPG > 60K marriott > 25K miles = 1.6 > 1
after aug
120k amex > 60k points > 25k miles = 4.8 > 1
180K amex > 60K points > 25K miles = 7.2 > 1
May 16, 2018, 1:01 pm
#7
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Jul 12, 2018, 6:13 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 29
As I’ve stated for months in the Amex Canada thread, I’ve been doing this with our churn team now since the beginning of the year. I’ve banked almost 2M SPG points, and strongly suggest you do the same. Canada has already had a more favorable transfer rate to Spg than the US, and with the merger it just makes more sense now than ever. Message me if you have questions about my strategy and plans. Marriott travel packages are just so flexible and such a good deal.
Jul 12, 2018, 6:54 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*E50, AE dBlack, Club Carlson Concierge, NEXUS
Posts: 73
I've already made my large points move from my Cobalt's MR to SPG; I've got a bunch of hotel nights to cover on my next big vacation.
I haven't seen any official ratios on AmEx Canada; regardless, the 2:3 ratio right now seems pretty darn good for Marriott (via SPG).
I haven't seen any official ratios on AmEx Canada; regardless, the 2:3 ratio right now seems pretty darn good for Marriott (via SPG).
Jul 13, 2018, 5:04 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
I have 7 figure Canadian MR. My transfers are primarily to Air Canada (Aeroplan) and would like to move a position to SPG prior to Aug 1. My most frequent transfer partners are Air Canada and other Star Alliance, SPG, Delta (occasional). Should I send a large position to SPG prior to Aug 1 knowing the uncertainty of transfers to AC post 2020?
the other issue is this: if you don’t transfer them to SPG now, you’ll never be able to again, and then what will you use them for? Delta, at less than 1:1? Aeros, with no one really knowing what they’ll be able to buy in two years? Avios, when half the time their site doesn’t even populate AA flights at all? I don’t think so. I got out while the getting was good: SPG, IMO, is the way to go big time.
Jul 27, 2018, 3:33 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3
I am UK based, and was wondering if I should transfer my MR points to SPG before August. I will keep them in SPG ultimately (not transferring to any airlines).
In the UK, the ratio is 2 MR to 1 SPG currently. Does anyone know if this is likely to be devalued in the new program? As far I can see there isn’t even any info on the new Amex SPG credit cards for the UK market, which may have given me some clues about the new transfer ratio for MR.
As it is, the current Amex SPG card earns you 1 point per GBP, so already ~30% worse off compared to the US!
Thanks
In the UK, the ratio is 2 MR to 1 SPG currently. Does anyone know if this is likely to be devalued in the new program? As far I can see there isn’t even any info on the new Amex SPG credit cards for the UK market, which may have given me some clues about the new transfer ratio for MR.
As it is, the current Amex SPG card earns you 1 point per GBP, so already ~30% worse off compared to the US!
Thanks
Jul 27, 2018, 8:03 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: Priority Club Platinum & Ambassdor, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 505
The new transfer ratio for AMEX Canada for MR to Marriott will be 1000:1200. So effectively 20% devaluation from the AMEX-SPG ratio. I would lean that the UK ratio will be similiar...
Jul 28, 2018, 12:42 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3
Thanks, it’s useful to know the new ratio for Canada, it’s a good reference...
I called up Amex today and they said the ratio in the UK will remain unchanged for the time being, and any changes would in any case have to be communicated at least a month in advance. The UK seems to be lagging the US/Canada... even with the SPG Amex card over here, there have been no changes announced yet. I guess I’m better off the longer it stays the same!
I called up Amex today and they said the ratio in the UK will remain unchanged for the time being, and any changes would in any case have to be communicated at least a month in advance. The UK seems to be lagging the US/Canada... even with the SPG Amex card over here, there have been no changes announced yet. I guess I’m better off the longer it stays the same!
Jul 28, 2018, 12:58 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Thanks, it’s useful to know the new ratio for Canada, it’s a good reference...
I called up Amex today and they said the ratio in the UK will remain unchanged for the time being, and any changes would in any case have to be communicated at least a month in advance. The UK seems to be lagging the US/Canada... even with the SPG Amex card over here, there have been no changes announced yet. I guess I’m better off the longer it stays the same!
I called up Amex today and they said the ratio in the UK will remain unchanged for the time being, and any changes would in any case have to be communicated at least a month in advance. The UK seems to be lagging the US/Canada... even with the SPG Amex card over here, there have been no changes announced yet. I guess I’m better off the longer it stays the same!