Which is best Combo, A or B
Jun 25, 2019, 2:09 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 2
Which is best Combo, A or B
I Spend $380k a year on CC and live in Houston. All points are used for family travel.
or
B) Using a breakdown of my 2018 expenses and hybrid of the above along with Amex Gold and Blue business plus, I can end up with 455k UR ($6825) and 240k ($2400) MR = 700 points total. ($9225)
Am I too unfairly weighting the value of an amex point? In the past I never saw amex worth more using their portal. I'm guessing its because I am not maximizing point value through transfers to partners nor do i ever spend on travel business class on my personal flights. With that said, I fly 50k a year mostly getting gold status through my day job work travel.
Thoughts/Comments? A or B and why?
- $230k personal
- $150k business
or
B) Using a breakdown of my 2018 expenses and hybrid of the above along with Amex Gold and Blue business plus, I can end up with 455k UR ($6825) and 240k ($2400) MR = 700 points total. ($9225)
Am I too unfairly weighting the value of an amex point? In the past I never saw amex worth more using their portal. I'm guessing its because I am not maximizing point value through transfers to partners nor do i ever spend on travel business class on my personal flights. With that said, I fly 50k a year mostly getting gold status through my day job work travel.
Thoughts/Comments? A or B and why?
Last edited by DPReef; Jun 25, 2019 at 2:16 pm
Jun 25, 2019, 2:30 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
DPReef Welcome to FT
There is no right or wrong answer
Transferring to a ffp from a credit card can have benefits.
But getting award flights can be hard. Harder if wanting business class, flights at popular times (e.g. school vacation), to popular destinations and/or wanting multiple award seats on the same flight.
Credit card transfer links
I Spend $380k a year on CC and live in Houston. All points are used for family travel.
or
B) Using a breakdown of my 2018 expenses and hybrid of the above along with Amex Gold and Blue business plus, I can end up with 455k UR ($6825) and 240k ($2400) MR = 700 points total. ($9225)
Am I too unfairly weighting the value of an amex point? In the past I never saw amex worth more using their portal. I'm guessing its because I am not maximizing point value through transfers to partners nor do i ever spend on travel business class on my personal flights. With that said, I fly 50k a year mostly getting gold status through my day job work travel.
Thoughts/Comments? A or B and why?
- $230k personal
- $150k business
or
B) Using a breakdown of my 2018 expenses and hybrid of the above along with Amex Gold and Blue business plus, I can end up with 455k UR ($6825) and 240k ($2400) MR = 700 points total. ($9225)
Am I too unfairly weighting the value of an amex point? In the past I never saw amex worth more using their portal. I'm guessing its because I am not maximizing point value through transfers to partners nor do i ever spend on travel business class on my personal flights. With that said, I fly 50k a year mostly getting gold status through my day job work travel.
Thoughts/Comments? A or B and why?
Transferring to a ffp from a credit card can have benefits.
But getting award flights can be hard. Harder if wanting business class, flights at popular times (e.g. school vacation), to popular destinations and/or wanting multiple award seats on the same flight.
Credit card transfer links
- Amex MR Transfer Membership Rewards points to which airline or hotel program?
- Chase UR Ultimate Rewards - Airline and Hotel Transfer Partners, Rules, Timeline, etc (2017)
- Chase UR Ultimate Rewards - Which airline/hotel should I transfer points to?
- Citi TYP Citi ThankYou Points (TYPs): airline transfer partners
Jun 25, 2019, 3:51 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 2
I have found myself using a hybrid approach this past 2 years with UR. I buy 2 flights, points 2-4 flights (depending on who of my 6 family members is traveling), and then use points for hotel. It is a bit of a logistics dance but my fault for having a family of 6!
My fear of having a hybrid MR/UR point system is it'll make that dance more complicated (maybe). Then again, maybe it'll open up options with more partners on the MR cards!
My fear of having a hybrid MR/UR point system is it'll make that dance more complicated (maybe). Then again, maybe it'll open up options with more partners on the MR cards!
Jun 26, 2019, 10:36 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 120
I find the Amex platinum to be useful if you travel often. A feature not mentioned is the international premium cabin discounts. This is only helpful if you fly business/first international https://consumer-travel.americanexpr...irline-program
Jun 26, 2019, 6:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,255
You should consider AMEX Blue Business Plus + Gold + Business Platinum. Then you can redeem your MR points for $0.0154/pt. Additionally you’ll earn 2x, 4x, or 5x on your spend.