5000 points for a $150 donation to MS

[GalaxyNexus]

Need to factor in the tax deduction as well. at 45% discount that becomes just under 1500$ + 500$tax.

 

[danere]

So when you factor that in, you could be paying as little as 1.6c per MR point/SQ mile.

Considering SQ charge about 4.3c per mile (eg. when you need a top-up), that's quite a good deal.

 

[legroom]

I assume that's based on a J standard return redemption?

On a SQ J saver SYD-SIN return redemption you'd only need to spend about $2700 worth of donations to get to 93,500 points (plus ~$500 in taxes/surcharges). Or did I miss something?

My back-of-the-envelope calculations were the followings:

1) SYD SIN SYD (J, Sept 2014) 93,500 miles

2) That becomes 79,475 miles (minus 15% online discount of 14,025 miles)

3) 5000 MR points = 5,000 SQ miles

3) Net mileage (79,475) is 15.90 times 5,000 miles ($150) which leads to a figure of $2384 (plus some $485 in taxes).

Somewhere along the calculations, I doubled that figure.

My error, sorry !

That $2384 is pre-tax, of course.

Assuming multiple donations are still acceptable.

 

[k3nnis]

Hi legroom,

I think it's 93500 miles after discount, I wish it was 79475 though

 

[legroom]

Hi legroom,

I think it's 93500 miles after discount, I wish it was 79475 though

My most recent redemption (MXP SYD) in F was ticketed at 112,625 miles while the initial online display was (still is) 132,500 miles.

So, what you see on display is actually before the 15% discount would be applied.

It was the same with my other SQ award claims.

 

[hummel]

My back-of-the-envelope calculations were the followings:

1) SYD SIN SYD (J, Sept 2014) 93,500 miles

2) That becomes 79,475 miles (minus 15% online discount of 14,025 miles)

3) 5000 MR points = 5,000 SQ miles

3) Net mileage (79,475) is 15.90 times 5,000 miles ($150) which leads to a figure of $2384 (plus some $485 in taxes).

Somewhere along the calculations, I doubled that figure.

My error, sorry !

That $2384 is pre-tax, of course.

Assuming multiple donations are still acceptable.

Interesting calculations considering SYD-SIN-SYDruns around $4200+ for J fare.

 

[leyy]

can someone please confirm if it is 79,475 miles or 93,500 miles for SYD SIN SYD J Saver

I can see it as 55,000 one way J saver return = 110,000 * .85 (15% discount) = 93,500 miles

79,475 miles sounds too good to be true for SYD SIN SYD J

cheers

leyy

 

[k3nnis]

I'm pretty sure its 93500 unless SQ has changed things around..

 

[JohnK]

can someone please confirm if it is 79,475 miles or 93,500 miles for SYD SIN SYD J Saver

I can see it as 55,000 one way J saver return = 110,000 * .85 (15% discount) = 93,500 miles

79,475 miles sounds too good to be true for SYD SIN SYD J

I am certain the correct number if 93,500 miles for a return booking.

Looking to redeem a business saver BKK-BNE in February and the cost is 46,750 miles + taxes and fuel surcharges.

 

[legroom]

I'm pretty sure its 93500 unless SQ has changed things around..

You are right. I stand corrected. Apologies.

I just re-did a dummy test for SYD SIN rtn in J: 110,000 initially and 93,500 after the 15% discount.

That makes it 18.7x the amount of donations ($150) required i.e. $2805 (pre tax) plus some $500 in fuel charges.

 

[JohnK]

That makes it 18.7x the amount of donations ($150) required i.e. $2805 (pre tax) plus some $500 in fuel charges.

Wouldn't it be a little less $ as you will earn points on the donation amount. Even better on a higher earning card.

 

[kogayka]

5 weeks and no points, letter sent today as phone just gets the old "wait 8 weeks" response.

Bonus Points only available for donations made for Multiple Sclerosis in NSW, ACT, VIC & QLD.
Are you in Perth? Could you let us know if manage to get your points please?

 

[Cynicor]

I'm in Perth and got the points. Just use the link and it should work.

I think some of their promotions just don't work well to be honest.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

I'm in Perth and got the points. Just use the link and it should work.

I think some of their promotions just don't work well to be honest.

Maybe you are going to live with VIC relatives for a while and update your profile

 

[jchenb87]

The bonus points works for multiple donations. I've been donating $150 twice a day for the last few weeks - been trying to top up points for return business flight to Europe. The bonus points post together with regular points, either overnight or within two days.

This is way cheaper than buying a revenue ticket, taking into account the tax deduction.

 

[wazza888]

Didn't realise bonus points works for multiple donations. Thanks.

 

[quokka77]

Would advise some discretion, for multiple reasons. Do you really want to game a charity donation? Will Amex get cranky and shut the promo down? Will they honour your multiple tranches of bonus points if they do shut the promo down? Are you really entitled to tax deduct multiple donations? Anyway, just some words of caution, take what you like and leave the rest.

 

[NM]

A bump and quick reminder that this bonus opportunity ends at midnight tonight. Last chance for bonus points, a tax deduction and support a worthy charity.

 

[mitwg]

You are right. I stand corrected. Apologies.

I just re-did a dummy test for SYD SIN rtn in J: 110,000 initially and 93,500 after the 15% discount.

That makes it 18.7x the amount of donations ($150) required i.e. $2805 (pre tax) plus some $500 in fuel charges.

To SIN, I don't know if that is such a good deal. Normally, discount J tickets cost around $4000 for the SYD-SIN hop so if we were to look at pre-tax figures, its only few hundred dollars cheaper using this method.

Add to that the fact that you don't earn miles on reward seats, possibility have availability issues and don't earn PPS value on the full spend (this is a biggy for me), I would rather spend the extra few hundred on a paid ticket for this hop.

The tax deduction can make a huge difference though. Especially with medicare going up to 2%, budget deficit levy of 2%, the base tax rate can be as high as 49% and this additional consideration completely changes the game. Still, not earning PPS value sucks lol.


The leg I am really interested in through this deal isn't SYD-SIN on SQ, but SYD-KUL-LHR on MH. This is a gem at 110k return in J. Unbelievable value I must say.

 

[zzyss]

Wonder if this will get extended again for another year...