Need Help w/ upgrades by using Amex air miles?
Jan 20, 2009, 8:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LA
Posts: 4
Need Help w/ upgrades by using Amex air miles?
Hi guys,
I will fly Cathay Pacific from LAX to HKG in the future. Is it possible to buy a Econ ticket and upgrade to Bus or 1st class by using Amex air miles?
Has any one done this before? can you tell me how? please!
I will fly Cathay Pacific from LAX to HKG in the future. Is it possible to buy a Econ ticket and upgrade to Bus or 1st class by using Amex air miles?
Has any one done this before? can you tell me how? please!
Jan 20, 2009, 9:13 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
By "Amex air miles" do you mean Amex Membership Reward points? If so then I guess what you need to do is open an AsiaMiles account, then transfer however many Reward Points it is that you need to get the miles you need for the upgrade (40,000 AsiaMiles for a one-way upgrade, 70,000 AsiaMiles for a round trip upgrade).
But bear in mind that you can only upgrade using AsiaMiles from the more expensive economy fares (those booking into subclasses Y, B, H or K) and not from the cheapest economy fares. And that there may be no availability for upgrade bookings on the days you want to travel.
But bear in mind that you can only upgrade using AsiaMiles from the more expensive economy fares (those booking into subclasses Y, B, H or K) and not from the cheapest economy fares. And that there may be no availability for upgrade bookings on the days you want to travel.
Jan 20, 2009, 9:31 pm
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: HKG
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, CX DM, QF GO, AA LT GO, UA SL, LH FT, Marr LT Titanium, Shang DM, Hyatt Glob, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,024
and is your Amex card a US one ? if so Asia Miles might not be a partner ? (unless it's the Starwood Amex, then you can convert to Starpoints first then to Asia Miles)
Jan 20, 2009, 10:22 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LA
Posts: 4
Hi guys, thank you very much for your replies.
Yes, it is a US Amex,
And yes, I mean Amex Membership Reward points.
I opened an Asia Miles Account yesterday already, but it's absolutly impossible to talk to a human being over there.
Is there a way to convert US Amex Reward Points --> AsiaMiles?
If they are not partners ( which i am not sure), can I convert Amex points --> ??? --> AsiaMiles?
Yes, it is a US Amex,
And yes, I mean Amex Membership Reward points.
I opened an Asia Miles Account yesterday already, but it's absolutly impossible to talk to a human being over there.
Is there a way to convert US Amex Reward Points --> AsiaMiles?
If they are not partners ( which i am not sure), can I convert Amex points --> ??? --> AsiaMiles?
Jan 20, 2009, 10:35 pm
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: HKG
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, CX DM, QF GO, AA LT GO, UA SL, LH FT, Marr LT Titanium, Shang DM, Hyatt Glob, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,024
you need to find out first if they're partners, but I'd guess no.
I think Starwood very likely should be a partner, so it could be your "???" - but I think the conversion rate probably isn't that good...
I think Starwood very likely should be a partner, so it could be your "???" - but I think the conversion rate probably isn't that good...
Jan 25, 2009, 12:49 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LA
Posts: 4
Hi guys, here is the update.
Finally talked to Asia Miles, not very helpful on this issue. Sent me back to Amex. Then Amex suggested That I convert Reward Points to Star Points, but the rate is very very bad, 3:1, no way! I need that for Virgin Airlines from LAX to London.
So, I've decided to open a personal starwood AE and a business one too. Hope That We will have enough miles for our trip in May. Cross my fingers.
One more question, Is there any non-Amex credit card associated with Asia Miles? Visa? MasterCard? Please!
Finally talked to Asia Miles, not very helpful on this issue. Sent me back to Amex. Then Amex suggested That I convert Reward Points to Star Points, but the rate is very very bad, 3:1, no way! I need that for Virgin Airlines from LAX to London.
So, I've decided to open a personal starwood AE and a business one too. Hope That We will have enough miles for our trip in May. Cross my fingers.
One more question, Is there any non-Amex credit card associated with Asia Miles? Visa? MasterCard? Please!
Jan 25, 2009, 8:31 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
Yes, plenty: http://www.asiamiles.com/am/en/earn/finance
Jan 26, 2009, 1:12 am
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: KSNA/KLAX
Programs: IML GOLD, Bonvoy LTPE, WOH Globalist, AAEXPLT
Posts: 645
Not relevant topic in this forum but Amex Membership Rewards is pretty weak for points. SPG gives you 20k miles at signup and 25% transfer bonus to CX. So if you are traveling with a friend/spouse, each account opened gives you 25k asia miles.
Its a bit of a dance but you need to make sure the segments are available for upgrade, and then buy the more expensive "upgradeable" fare. You should also buy and redeem at the same sitting.
I just redeemed LAX-HKG-LAX "U" class for 70k or so miles (i forgot). My total cost was $1250 for the econ ticket + 56000 points (25% transfer bonus).
Each point costs me $0.015 (cashback if i used a competing cc) so the total roundtrip business class airfare came out to $1250 + $840 (points) = $2090
Definitely much easier to redeem points these days
Its a bit of a dance but you need to make sure the segments are available for upgrade, and then buy the more expensive "upgradeable" fare. You should also buy and redeem at the same sitting.
I just redeemed LAX-HKG-LAX "U" class for 70k or so miles (i forgot). My total cost was $1250 for the econ ticket + 56000 points (25% transfer bonus).
Each point costs me $0.015 (cashback if i used a competing cc) so the total roundtrip business class airfare came out to $1250 + $840 (points) = $2090
Definitely much easier to redeem points these days