Finland, Finnair, and credit cards - pre 2020 discussion
May 7, 2013, 7:02 am
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
5MR = 5,2 Avios / May campaign
Just a head-up - AMEX is running a campaign until 31/May. 30% bonus for transfer to BAEC Avios. 5MR=5,2 Avios
Have been witing for this since last June!
Have been witing for this since last June!
May 8, 2013, 10:15 pm
#122
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,785
Was REALLY hoping for 40 or 50% bonus like they did to members on the other side of the pond!
May 8, 2013, 11:43 pm
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
You know the saying about beggars and choosers, don't you? 
May 9, 2013, 10:43 pm
#124
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,785
May 31, 2013, 3:34 am
#125
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,785
Outrageously off topic
I'm sorry to ask but thought I'd reach out to fellow Finnish cardholders - the BA +30% campaign ends today.
I've transferred a big chunk (by my standards) to BAEC, but I still have a healthy MR balance. As the airline partner list is so different from UK / US lists, there's really no interesting *A partner and the AY redemptions are bad. Have others transferred a healthy balance to BAEC?
What's considered a healthy BAEC balance ex-HEL, anyway?
I've transferred a big chunk (by my standards) to BAEC, but I still have a healthy MR balance. As the airline partner list is so different from UK / US lists, there's really no interesting *A partner and the AY redemptions are bad. Have others transferred a healthy balance to BAEC?
What's considered a healthy BAEC balance ex-HEL, anyway?
May 31, 2013, 5:03 am
#126
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,268
May 31, 2013, 5:09 am
#127
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,785
May 31, 2013, 5:15 am
#128
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,268
Rationale? I do not really care about devaluation that much, points are just points to me, they come and go..I just feel that 500k is a level where you can get some real rewards for 2-3 people, no more science in this..
May 31, 2013, 7:16 am
#129
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: HH Diam, AY/AX/KQ/IHG/VISA Plat, SK/Bonvoy/Melia/Strawberry Gold, Radisson Prem, PP Prest
Posts: 2,266
Availability of the redemption seats is ridiculous nowadays. Have to have very flexible vacation plans in order to be able to redeem. Used to be easy to get around with SH flights, but that is gone too, unless one wishes to visit London.
May 31, 2013, 7:17 am
#130
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,785
I tend to value points and miles as funny money. Amex MR gives the possibility to spread out MRs into other programmes. Elsewhere it's possible to transfer to e.g. SQ or ANA, but here we're left with a dying programme EB. The Finnish MR programme is too OW heavy imho.
ps. I've decided not to transfer any more to baec awaiting a better bonus
ps. I've decided not to transfer any more to baec awaiting a better bonus
May 31, 2013, 7:39 am
#131
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,268
I have found good availability with other OW airlines..I tend to avoid BA rewards due to fuel surcharges and LHR taxes anyway.
May 31, 2013, 12:06 pm
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
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Posts: 14,105
May 31, 2013, 12:32 pm
#133
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,268
For me too but I try to keep enough miles/points available for a looong F award in one of my OW programs...just in case the s**t hits the fan 
Generally all of you are right, burn as soon as possible is the best way to get most out of them!
Generally all of you are right, burn as soon as possible is the best way to get most out of them!
May 31, 2013, 1:41 pm
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
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Posts: 14,105
Another good program to transfer MR to is Club Carlson (Radisson) at 1MR=2CC rate.
May 31, 2013, 1:52 pm
#135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
For me, with a lot a family travel bertween UK and FI, BAEC is THE program to participate - cheap redemptions, good availability (as BAEC Gold I have so far always got availability when needed), free UK domestic connecting sectors...
I think the general agreement is that BAEC redemptions these days are the best values for European flights and US domestic ones on AA. I would also add CX and JL as well.