AMEX awards transfer to Skyteam partners

[theblank]

AMEX awards transfer to Garuda (or Skyteam)

Is there anyway to use my AMEX points to get to a Skyteam airline. Ultiimately I would like to redeem for Garuda flights. None of Garudas Skyteam partners are on the list of Redemptions from AMEX, nor do I think there are any other credit cards that do so. I also have VFF points but clearly no option with that either.

 

[Leroy87]

You can transfer to SPG and then into a number of SkyTeam airlines (AirFrance, Delta, China Eastern, China Southern etc.) but the redemption rate for using these miles on Garuda (or other sky team partners) is generally terrible for shorter routes and average at best for long haul.

For example, it takes 200k Flying Blue miles for a SYD - DPS return in Business (ie. 320k AMEX points). Economy is a little better but still terrible (80k Flying Blue miles requiring 130k AMEX points).
However, it only takes 250k miles for SYD - LHR return in Business (400k AMEX points) and 100k in Economy (160k AMEX points). Not something I'd ever use those points for but it's possible.
Calculator is here if you can find any sweet spots: https://www.flyingblue.com/calculator.html

I've looked through as many of the SkyTeam partners as I could navigate and couldn't find much better value than this. If you can let us all know!

 

[Leroy87]

A quick update:
You can fly Garuda SYD - DPS return in J for 140k Delta miles (230k AMEX points). Marginally better than above but still pretty bad, considering those same 230k points could get you return to Europe on Singapore in J (and be only 50k off doing it in Suite style).

 

[theblank]

After I started this thread I discovered that Etihad doesnt join an alliance but has a random collection of partners and Garuda is one of those. So we can transfer AMEX points to Etihad 1:1 and then redeem on GA. Redemption table here: http://www.etihadguest.com/en/spend-miles/airline-partners/garuda-indonesia/

70000 Etihad for a J flight on GA from SYD-CGK, is not so bad. However I am actually interested in redeeming for domestic Garuda flights. I have sent off an email to find out what the taxes/charges might be for some examples.

Escuse me for changing thread title, as its GA I wanted to know about.

 

[theblank]

I rang Etihad to get a confirmation of points and Taxes for a One Way J redemption on GA from SYD-CGK with a Stopover in SUB.
He quoted me 70000 points + $206 taxes for BNE-DPS-SUB and then 7000pts and $10 taxes for SUB>CGK

I did try to convince him that one stopover is allowed and that it should only be 70000pts, but he had me on hold for 10 minutes just to figure out the taxes, so I thought I would let that ride until I am ready to show them my money. I am also a bit dubious about the taxes/charges he quoted, if booking a ticket directly at Garuda, they are much lower and higher respectively. It will be a while before I can test drive this on GA, have too many VFF to burn but its good to know this option is there.

 

[Leroy87]

Thanks for the research! The only real need I'd have to fly Garuda is to have proper J class to DPS (rather than being stuck in a 737 or going via SIN) so although I'm unlikely to use points in this way, it is good to know about options.

 

[theblank]

The only real need I'd have to fly Garuda is to have proper J class to DPS

or to CGK direct without going via DPS (difficult transit) or SIN (easy but longer)

not to mention better looking staff!