Merrill+ VISA [Consolidated]
Jul 11, 2017, 8:00 am
#632
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 599
An FYI for anyone hoping to book flights on Air Tahiti (the airline that serves French Polynesia intra-island flights) using points and the Merrill Lynch Travel Center. It cannot be done via the website or by calling in. Both result in "No flights were found that match your search" error message. I found this to be odd since Air Tahiti is available from the preferred airline drop down menu.
Furthermore, Air Tahiti flights are bookable on the Orbitz website, which the Merril Lynch Travel site is part of the Orbitz Partner Network, but I'm guessing they are not created equal.
These flights are available with the Citi Thank You Points and Chase Ultimate Rewards. I have not checked other options.
Furthermore, Air Tahiti flights are bookable on the Orbitz website, which the Merril Lynch Travel site is part of the Orbitz Partner Network, but I'm guessing they are not created equal.
These flights are available with the Citi Thank You Points and Chase Ultimate Rewards. I have not checked other options.
so looks like there is no way to boo Air Tahiti flight with Merrill points?
Jul 11, 2017, 3:09 pm
#633
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 121
When calling in, the agent gets the same error message. I was given the option of booking the flight and then getting a statement credit at a value of one cent per point, so it is technically possible to to use the Merrill Points on an Air Tahiti flight, but it's not the greatest option given that Merrill points can be good for up to two cents per point for other airlines.
Jul 11, 2017, 4:18 pm
#634
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 599
When searching any French Polynesia Intra-island flights via the Merrill Lynch Travel Center, I would get the error message "No flights were found that match your search. Please change one or more of your criteria and try again." I tried multiple dates of known flights/routes that show up on air tahiti, orbitz, expedia, etc.
When calling in, the agent gets the same error message. I was given the option of booking the flight and then getting a statement credit at a value of one cent per point, so it is technically possible to to use the Merrill Points on an Air Tahiti flight, but it's not the greatest option given that Merrill points can be good for up to two cents per point for other airlines.
When calling in, the agent gets the same error message. I was given the option of booking the flight and then getting a statement credit at a value of one cent per point, so it is technically possible to to use the Merrill Points on an Air Tahiti flight, but it's not the greatest option given that Merrill points can be good for up to two cents per point for other airlines.
Thanks for the information! So basically doing what you described is the same thing as redeeming Merrill points as cash and using it to buy the ticket. 1 Merrill point = 1 cent. Like you said, it is not the greatest option but it is better than nothing especially when you don't have other currencies (e.g., Citi thankyou point, Chase UR point, or MR point) that allow you to book Air Tahiti flights.
Jul 21, 2017, 1:25 pm
#635
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: DCA
Posts: 818
For anyone interested in possibly product changing this card -- I was able to successfully PC mine into a BofA Travel Rewards card (with the intention of increasing my MS bandwidth as a Platinum Honors client). Took about 6 days from time of calling in to request being approved, and was told it will be another 2-4 weeks before new card arrives in mail.
Sep 5, 2017, 7:41 pm
#642
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 197
I'm debating applying for this card. I read that the promo will probably discontinue Sept 18 or 10 (for what rumors are worth).
I understand that the first 25K is worth $500 to airfare and then .01/point thereafter.
But what if you book a ticket that costs over $1000?
Can you spend 50K points and get $1000 credit towards a ticket that costs over $1000?
And can you book almost any seat on almost any major airline?
Thanks.
I understand that the first 25K is worth $500 to airfare and then .01/point thereafter.
But what if you book a ticket that costs over $1000?
Can you spend 50K points and get $1000 credit towards a ticket that costs over $1000?
And can you book almost any seat on almost any major airline?
Thanks.
Sep 6, 2017, 2:17 pm
#643
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 28
I'm debating applying for this card. I read that the promo will probably discontinue Sept 18 or 10 (for what rumors are worth).
I understand that the first 25K is worth $500 to airfare and then .01/point thereafter.
But what if you book a ticket that costs over $1000?
Can you spend 50K points and get $1000 credit towards a ticket that costs over $1000?
And can you book almost any seat on almost any major airline?
Thanks.
I understand that the first 25K is worth $500 to airfare and then .01/point thereafter.
But what if you book a ticket that costs over $1000?
Can you spend 50K points and get $1000 credit towards a ticket that costs over $1000?
And can you book almost any seat on almost any major airline?
Thanks.
However, I recently booked two tickets for family (same route booked at the same time). Each ticket is more than $500. To my surprise, the system automatically apply 27k points to each ticket (I have a total of 54k). So it effectively give me almost 2c/p value for the whole booking. I am really happy with it.
Last edited by MingCP3; Sep 8, 2017 at 7:35 pm
Sep 14, 2017, 1:29 pm
#645
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BAY AREA
Posts: 1,125
Yea BofA is changing their cards the same way. Can you post a picture
