AMEX Points Transfer Question - What's Everyone Doing?
Sep 24, 2011, 8:10 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
There's no way around this stupid transfer tax, is there? Annoying applies to the US FF programs only.
Sep 25, 2011, 1:34 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 78
Amex Points Advance and transferred all to CO
I used my Platinum Points advance of 60,000 as I will have that spend in time for the 12 months pay-off --else you pay 2.5% for each point not credited against a dollar spend through Sep. 2012.
Then I transferred all my points to Onepass which I use for international travel. Best value for points vs. flying domestic. With the points advance it's like continuing to earn CO mileage on Amex throughout next year.
Then I transferred all my points to Onepass which I use for international travel. Best value for points vs. flying domestic. With the points advance it's like continuing to earn CO mileage on Amex throughout next year.
Sep 25, 2011, 4:24 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
Just got an email a couple of days ago from CO re: Amex.
"The OnePass program will formally end on Dec. 31, 2011, followed by a wind-down period during the first quarter of 2012. Following the wind-down period, we will replace your OnePass reward miles — including your Membership Rewards® transfers — with an equivalent grant of MileagePlus® award miles."
If this is the case, why would there be a rush to convert to points, unless you know that you'll need them between now and first quarter. Sounds like a new program will start up to convert Amex points to MileagePlus miles.
"The OnePass program will formally end on Dec. 31, 2011, followed by a wind-down period during the first quarter of 2012. Following the wind-down period, we will replace your OnePass reward miles — including your Membership Rewards® transfers — with an equivalent grant of MileagePlus® award miles."
If this is the case, why would there be a rush to convert to points, unless you know that you'll need them between now and first quarter. Sounds like a new program will start up to convert Amex points to MileagePlus miles.
Sep 25, 2011, 6:15 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: Inf Elite CO, lifetime AA Platinum
Posts: 1,937
Just got an email a couple of days ago from CO re: Amex.
If this is the case, why would there be a rush to convert to points, unless you know that you'll need them between now and first quarter. Sounds like a new program will start up to convert Amex points to MileagePlus miles.
If this is the case, why would there be a rush to convert to points, unless you know that you'll need them between now and first quarter. Sounds like a new program will start up to convert Amex points to MileagePlus miles.
Sep 25, 2011, 11:27 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
related question
How many of you are strongly considering cancelling your Plat card, or downgrading to Gold? (sorry if there is another thread that covers this.)
Obviously, this is the crowd that values AMEX for their relationship with CO (and now UA).
Just curious if a lot of people are going to bolt when we lose MR transfer to CO and UA lounge access.
How many here would switch to the Presidential Plus card, with similar benefits plus UA points earning and UA lounge access?
Regarding the original topic: I only have about 30K MR points right now (and way too many UA/CO miles), so I will just leave them where they are.
Obviously, this is the crowd that values AMEX for their relationship with CO (and now UA).
Just curious if a lot of people are going to bolt when we lose MR transfer to CO and UA lounge access.
How many here would switch to the Presidential Plus card, with similar benefits plus UA points earning and UA lounge access?
Regarding the original topic: I only have about 30K MR points right now (and way too many UA/CO miles), so I will just leave them where they are.
Sep 26, 2011, 12:58 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Me? Everything with a little advance.
This rush is after the end of this moment, you can't transfer anything from AMEX to CO.
So for AMEX MR to M+, you will need to transfer to CO first (until the end of this moment), then transfer in between United Continental Holdings.
Don't downgrade - get a new one. At least you can earn some bonus MR back 
Just got an email a couple of days ago from CO re: Amex.
"The OnePass program will formally end on Dec. 31, 2011, followed by a wind-down period during the first quarter of 2012. Following the wind-down period, we will replace your OnePass reward miles — including your Membership Rewards® transfers — with an equivalent grant of MileagePlus® award miles."
If this is the case, why would there be a rush to convert to points, unless you know that you'll need them between now and first quarter. Sounds like a new program will start up to convert Amex points to MileagePlus miles.
"The OnePass program will formally end on Dec. 31, 2011, followed by a wind-down period during the first quarter of 2012. Following the wind-down period, we will replace your OnePass reward miles — including your Membership Rewards® transfers — with an equivalent grant of MileagePlus® award miles."
If this is the case, why would there be a rush to convert to points, unless you know that you'll need them between now and first quarter. Sounds like a new program will start up to convert Amex points to MileagePlus miles.
So for AMEX MR to M+, you will need to transfer to CO first (until the end of this moment), then transfer in between United Continental Holdings.
How many of you are strongly considering cancelling your Plat card, or downgrading to Gold? (sorry if there is another thread that covers this.)
Obviously, this is the crowd that values AMEX for their relationship with CO (and now UA).
Just curious if a lot of people are going to bolt when we lose MR transfer to CO and UA lounge access.
How many here would switch to the Presidential Plus card, with similar benefits plus UA points earning and UA lounge access?
Regarding the original topic: I only have about 30K MR points right now (and way too many UA/CO miles), so I will just leave them where they are.
Obviously, this is the crowd that values AMEX for their relationship with CO (and now UA).
Just curious if a lot of people are going to bolt when we lose MR transfer to CO and UA lounge access.
How many here would switch to the Presidential Plus card, with similar benefits plus UA points earning and UA lounge access?
Regarding the original topic: I only have about 30K MR points right now (and way too many UA/CO miles), so I will just leave them where they are.
Churn, baby, churn!
Sep 26, 2011, 1:27 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
AFAIK - the 75K bonus is still available. It is a matter on how you get it
You downgrade? You get nothing except annual fee partial refund (You will get it when you cancel anyway).
Beside MR has some stupid provision that if you cancel the only MR account, they may forfeit all of your MR point.
It is best to play safe and smart...
You downgrade? You get nothing except annual fee partial refund (You will get it when you cancel anyway).
Beside MR has some stupid provision that if you cancel the only MR account, they may forfeit all of your MR point.
It is best to play safe and smart...
Sep 26, 2011, 7:57 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 32
just tried to do the transfer on CO's website. Does anyone get this error message when they are redirected to AMEX?
We're sorry but Flight Finder Room Finder is not available in the Membership Rewards Express program. Try using Pay with Points instead for all your travel needs. With this feature, you can use points for flights on any airline with no restrictions or blackout dates!
Learn More
Why did this error occur? Some features, such as Flight Finder Room Finder, are not available in all levels of the program. Next time you visit the website, log in to make sure you are viewing features and items available in your program.
We're sorry but Flight Finder Room Finder is not available in the Membership Rewards Express program. Try using Pay with Points instead for all your travel needs. With this feature, you can use points for flights on any airline with no restrictions or blackout dates!
Learn More
Why did this error occur? Some features, such as Flight Finder Room Finder, are not available in all levels of the program. Next time you visit the website, log in to make sure you are viewing features and items available in your program.
Sep 28, 2011, 7:22 am
#25
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
TURN MEMBERSHIP REWARDS® POINTS INTO MILES NOW."
That to me indicates that you should transfer now or else you'll miss out on the opportunity.
Later in the email it says "Following the wind-down period, we will replace your OnePass reward miles — including your Membership Rewards® transfers — with an equivalent grant of MileagePlus® award miles."
To me that says that come April or so, Amex will have a new transfer set up with United. Given that you can link your OP and MP accounts, these are equivalent to me. So, unless you need to use miles in the next few months there is no rush.
Sep 28, 2011, 8:31 am
#26
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: KEYQ
Programs: CO PPlus, Amex Platinum, DL Silver Medallion, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,309
I disagree. Unless the two parties subsequently come back to the table, I think 09/30 is your last chance.
Sep 28, 2011, 11:32 am
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: United Two Million Miler; United 1K, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 568
I went ahead and moved about 90 per cent of my AMEX points to my Onepass account. Going forward, the only travel option that appeals to me that AMEX gives me that Onepass doesn't is the ability to use points to Tahiti.
Sep 28, 2011, 11:44 am
#28
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
It sounds as if you have a card which is enrolled in Membership Rewards Express, such as a Zync or Blue card. Express points cannot be transferred to any other program. See discussion here to understand how to transform your Express points to full Membership Rewards:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...mr-points.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...mr-points.html
Sep 28, 2011, 11:52 am
#29
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Risky business those full tilt points advances. Did one to for Continental miles myself then later got my points earning capabilities honked with a visit from The Spanish Inquisition (AMEX FR). That put a dent in my points earning transactions for weeks. If your expected transactions are not time sensitive you have less risk, but if your anticipated spend is time sensitive a visit from Cardinal Fang can be a bloody nuisance.
I used my Platinum Points advance of 60,000 as I will have that spend in time for the 12 months pay-off --else you pay 2.5% for each point not credited against a dollar spend through Sep. 2012.
Then I transferred all my points to Onepass which I use for international travel. Best value for points vs. flying domestic. With the points advance it's like continuing to earn CO mileage on Amex throughout next year.
Then I transferred all my points to Onepass which I use for international travel. Best value for points vs. flying domestic. With the points advance it's like continuing to earn CO mileage on Amex throughout next year.
Oct 2, 2011, 8:15 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
Hours before deadline I transferred 238,000 points to CO Onepass after calling CO FF customer service and asking specifically about points needed to redeem to go to Tahiti. She told me 70k. I DID redeem Onepass miles in December of 2007/ Jan 2008 and went roundtrip from Newark to PAP- I flew CO to LAX and then partner AirFrance to PAP. The whole thing cost me about $52 in tax/fees if I remember correctly. I intended to do that again and to also redeem for a round the world ticket as well. Are you telling me things have changed in the last 3-4 years and this is no longer possible?