Super confused and would like some help
Mar 29, 2011 | 12:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10
Super confused and would like some help
I'm trying to plan a family trip of San Francisco to Hong Kong for 5-7 days then onto Singapore for 5-7 days and then back to SFO.
I have about 190,000 American Express Rewards Points right now and 30,000 + 10,000 + 10,000 SPG points (split into different accounts).
What do you recommend for getting the best value out of the points I have? What are my options? Any chance I can get a couple tickets on SIngapore Airlines?
Thanks!
(Sorry for the stupid question, but my head is spinning from the rules and different redemption options...)
I have about 190,000 American Express Rewards Points right now and 30,000 + 10,000 + 10,000 SPG points (split into different accounts).
What do you recommend for getting the best value out of the points I have? What are my options? Any chance I can get a couple tickets on SIngapore Airlines?
Thanks!
(Sorry for the stupid question, but my head is spinning from the rules and different redemption options...)
Mar 29, 2011 | 1:12 am
#2
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There's is currently a 40% bonus (ends 3/31/11) on MR transfers to BA. You could redeem BA miles for travel on CX SFO-HKG-SIN-HKG-SIN if you can find award availability. A stopover in HKG in either or both directions would be permitted without additional mileage. However, you should look into whether BA imposes a fuel surcharge on CX redemptions on this route.
There's is currently a 40% bonus (ends 3/31/11) on MR transfers to BA. You could redeem BA miles for travel on CX SFO-HKG-SIN-HKG-SIN if you can find award availability. A stopover in HKG in either or both directions would be permitted without additional mileage. However, you should look into whether BA imposes a fuel surcharge on CX redemptions on this route.
Mar 29, 2011 | 1:31 am
#3
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There's is currently a 40% bonus (ends 3/31/11) on MR transfers to BA. You could redeem BA miles for travel on CX SFO-HKG-SIN-HKG-SIN if you can find award availability. A stopover in HKG in either or both directions would be permitted without additional mileage. However, you should look into whether BA imposes a fuel surcharge on CX redemptions on this route.
There's is currently a 40% bonus (ends 3/31/11) on MR transfers to BA. You could redeem BA miles for travel on CX SFO-HKG-SIN-HKG-SIN if you can find award availability. A stopover in HKG in either or both directions would be permitted without additional mileage. However, you should look into whether BA imposes a fuel surcharge on CX redemptions on this route.
Also, how would I go about booking CX through BA? Would I call them to do it?
Mar 29, 2011 | 1:51 am
#4
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You do not have to book by March 31 to get the bonus; you merely have to transfer the MR points by March 31 to get the bonus. Whether you want to transfer the points now, without knowing whether you will ultimately be able to get the redemption you want, is another matter.
I think you're looking at the wrong redemption chart: I believe a redemption on CX from the U.S. to the Far East is only 25K or 30K BA miles each way in Coach. Make sure that you're looking at the "single partner (not BA)" redemption chart.
And yes, you would have to call BA to book, because you want the free stopover in HKG.
You do not have to book by March 31 to get the bonus; you merely have to transfer the MR points by March 31 to get the bonus. Whether you want to transfer the points now, without knowing whether you will ultimately be able to get the redemption you want, is another matter.
I think you're looking at the wrong redemption chart: I believe a redemption on CX from the U.S. to the Far East is only 25K or 30K BA miles each way in Coach. Make sure that you're looking at the "single partner (not BA)" redemption chart.
And yes, you would have to call BA to book, because you want the free stopover in HKG.
Mar 29, 2011 | 2:07 am
#5
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You do not have to book by March 31 to get the bonus; you merely have to transfer the MR points by March 31 to get the bonus. Whether you want to transfer the points now, without knowing whether you will ultimately be able to get the redemption you want, is another matter.
I think you're looking at the wrong redemption chart: I believe a redemption on CX from the U.S. to the Far East is only 25K or 30K BA miles each way in Coach. Make sure that you're looking at the "single partner (not BA)" redemption chart.
And yes, you would have to call BA to book, because you want the free stopover in HKG.
You do not have to book by March 31 to get the bonus; you merely have to transfer the MR points by March 31 to get the bonus. Whether you want to transfer the points now, without knowing whether you will ultimately be able to get the redemption you want, is another matter.
I think you're looking at the wrong redemption chart: I believe a redemption on CX from the U.S. to the Far East is only 25K or 30K BA miles each way in Coach. Make sure that you're looking at the "single partner (not BA)" redemption chart.
And yes, you would have to call BA to book, because you want the free stopover in HKG.
Hmmm, I'm looking at this:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...r/public/en_us
120,000 (and when I tried out their booking tool, most were 130k)
Am I looking at this wrong?
Mar 29, 2011 | 7:58 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
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Posts: 20
Look at this one instead:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...e/public/en_us
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...e/public/en_us
Mar 29, 2011 | 4:14 pm
#7
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10
Look at this one instead:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...e/public/en_us
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...e/public/en_us
I guess I'm too much of a procrastinator. Availability is pretty low for early-Mid May.
Anyone else with any ideas while I keep trying to figure out this trip?
Mar 29, 2011 | 4:22 pm
#8
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Mar 29, 2011 | 4:48 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Not sure if Delta works, but they are having a 50% miles bonus AND a 30% miles bonus on Amex transfers-- if you transfer by 3/31. I had to argue with them a bit to get both bonuses, but it worked. The two deals do not say "cannot be combined with other offers."
Mar 29, 2011 | 4:51 pm
#10
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10
I used the online booking tool to try to find flights just for SFO-HKG and I was limited to one day (4/28) and wasn't able to find any return flights that didn't involve a Narita -> Haneda switch/lover stop.
However, it seems like Singapore Airlines has availability for a bunch of flights for 70k miles, which isn't bad?
However, it seems like Singapore Airlines has availability for a bunch of flights for 70k miles, which isn't bad?
Mar 29, 2011 | 4:53 pm
#11
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10
My biggest gripe right now is that I am having a very hard time finding out availability of award flights...it's taking me a long time to even gather that information.
Mar 29, 2011 | 5:15 pm
#12
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The BA website is not always 100% accurate at displaying award availability on partner carriers. I would invest the time to call the BAEC Service Center to see if they can find better award-seat availability. They might find nothing better than what you see on ba.com, but you never know.
While getting a RT for 70,000 MR points on Singapore might not be bad, if you can get the trip on CX for 36,000 MR points transferred to BA, that would be better.
Originally Posted by SimbaLion
I used the online booking tool to try to find flights just for SFO-HKG and I was limited to one day (4/28) and wasn't able to find any return flights that didn't involve a Narita -> Haneda switch/lover stop.
However, it seems like Singapore Airlines has availability for a bunch of flights for 70k miles, which isn't bad?
However, it seems like Singapore Airlines has availability for a bunch of flights for 70k miles, which isn't bad?
While getting a RT for 70,000 MR points on Singapore might not be bad, if you can get the trip on CX for 36,000 MR points transferred to BA, that would be better.
Mar 29, 2011 | 8:44 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10
I'll try tomorrow, but it's cutting it close for the bonus.
