For the experts === Have 887,000 Am Ex Reward points to transfer== TO WHERE?
Mar 30, 2011, 2:15 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Skyteam, OneWorld, AMEX
Posts: 127
Trying to decide whether to dump some MRs too (not 800k)
In general, you should keep Amex points where they are until you need to redeem. However, I think the 40% BA bonus (expiring March 31) and the 50% Delta bonus (expiring May 31) are very good deals based on past promotions and if I had to transfer 887k Amex, I'd probably do:
200k to Delta taking advantage of the 50%+MQM transfer promo and then use those 300,000 miles for two V Australia business class tickets down under. V Australia has very good award availability and a decent J product. This also assumes you'd get some value out of the 25,000 MQM bonus.
I'd then transfer 215k to BA, because I love the new BA First and would redeem 300k for 2 North Am-Europe F class seats. Even though fees are high ($600ish), I personally feel the new first class product is worth it and I really like the BA F experience (Concorde Lounges, amenities/pyjamas, flying with Madonna, etc). BA also allows one way Oneworld awards, which I always find useful. I just redeemed 50k BA (36k Amex with the 40% bonus) and $85 for a Cathay Pacific JFK-YVR roundtrip in business class, which I thought was a great value.
I'd then transfer 240k to Aeroplan so I could do a couple mini-RTWs in F.
That leaves 232k which I might transfer to Continental, so once combined with United, I might splurge for some Emirates F awards before that partnership ends on May 28, 2011.
200k to Delta taking advantage of the 50%+MQM transfer promo and then use those 300,000 miles for two V Australia business class tickets down under. V Australia has very good award availability and a decent J product. This also assumes you'd get some value out of the 25,000 MQM bonus.
I'd then transfer 215k to BA, because I love the new BA First and would redeem 300k for 2 North Am-Europe F class seats. Even though fees are high ($600ish), I personally feel the new first class product is worth it and I really like the BA F experience (Concorde Lounges, amenities/pyjamas, flying with Madonna, etc). BA also allows one way Oneworld awards, which I always find useful. I just redeemed 50k BA (36k Amex with the 40% bonus) and $85 for a Cathay Pacific JFK-YVR roundtrip in business class, which I thought was a great value.
I'd then transfer 240k to Aeroplan so I could do a couple mini-RTWs in F.
That leaves 232k which I might transfer to Continental, so once combined with United, I might splurge for some Emirates F awards before that partnership ends on May 28, 2011.
I like the S America BA deal that you pointed out on your page - do you know if the same stopover example would apply to a coach award ticket? If you could point me toward the rules for that one, I'd really appreciate the help...
Do you like BA better for S America than AA?
I've learned a lot from your posts - thanks for all of your help!
Mar 30, 2011, 7:00 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, MTA Rust, Hertz Five Star something or other
Posts: 2,858
Good tips - thanks
I like the S America BA deal that you pointed out on your page - do you know if the same stopover example would apply to a coach award ticket? If you could point me toward the rules for that one, I'd really appreciate the help...
Do you like BA better for S America than AA?
I've learned a lot from your posts - thanks for all of your help!
I like the S America BA deal that you pointed out on your page - do you know if the same stopover example would apply to a coach award ticket? If you could point me toward the rules for that one, I'd really appreciate the help...
Do you like BA better for S America than AA?
I've learned a lot from your posts - thanks for all of your help!
Check out this thread for info on stopovers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...over-rule.html
So yes, I like BA better for SA awards for that reason.
Mar 30, 2011, 9:08 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,695
Aeroplan has very flexible routing rules. I wrote a post about them.
Any prohibition on using SQ?
Mar 30, 2011, 9:15 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 371
BA for AA from US to Hawaii only requires 35k only for round trip, with unlimited (theoritically) stop on the way, much better than using AA itself. Under current 40% transfer promotion, you only need 25k MR for a flight to Hawaii.
