Amex D-Day Approaching (14/4/19)!

[momad]

Apologies, I could read through this thread but thought I'd just ask. As the new redemption rates come into effect by 15 April, what happens to points that are transferred to redemption partners after 15 April (at the new rates) but before the points double by 15 June? Presumably the points double based on the balance at 15 April as oppose to the balance at June 15?

Yup, points balance based on total as of 15 April (unsure exact time) but well said by albyd below as well

My understanding is that redemptions will be at the new (devalued) rates from 15 April with existing points transferring out at those new ratios. Once double points are credited by 15 June (should be earlier as Amex are generally good with timely awarding of bonuses), those points will then become available to also transfer out at the new ratios.

 

[daft009]

what if there are still pending ones as 14th is a Sunday??

 

[amaroo]

FWIW I got it confirmed this morning any transaction including pending charges prior to the 15th will earn points at the old rate. Big relief for me as I don't need to transfer and their system for large rinse and repeat payments is dreadful.

 

[SOPOOR]

I'm assuming there is not much point in those that have transferred their points out already if they call up and get a doubling offer

 

[desafinado74]

Anyone here torn between transferring to Asiamiles or Krisflyer ? Initially i wanted to transfer my points to Asiamiles, as i am interested in redeeming a QR Qsuites flight (SIN to DOH) by 2021. However , Qatar may leave Oneworld in the near future. So, at the moment, i guess Krisflyer will be the smarter option.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Anyone here torn between transferring to Asiamiles or Krisflyer ? Initially i wanted to transfer my points to Asiamiles, as i am interested in redeeming a QR Qsuites flight (SIN to DOH) by 2021. However , Qatar may leave Oneworld in the near future. So, at the moment, i guess Krisflyer will be the smarter option.

I don't believe there is a single blanket option for your points.
If you're wanting to use points for domestic travel then VA is your go-to option.

A bunch of these programs will change between now and 2021 so I wouldn't be placing a bet with my points locked in with a carrier for 12months+ with the high chance of recalibration on the burnside.

My basic thoughts on each MR partner:

CX/Asia Miles redemption for OW is so low that they're due for recalibration at some point. Economy class redemptions can be attractive.

SQ/Krisflyer has been shifting the goalposts on redemption every 12 months, albeit incrementally. Near unlimited availability until "sometime in Q2 2019"

TG/ROP just announced a change in miles redemptions (effective Nov) and have priced themselves out of the market.

Qantas has virtually no availability, and you're in competition with 10M other Australians for the seats.

VA/Velocity has extraordinary fees on some partners, but decent for domestic.

MH/Enrich is only useful for intra-south east Asia redemptions (ie: KUL-HKG, 9K miles or KUL-PEN from 2K miles).

UA/MileagePlus is about to hit the dirt come November with the biggest devaluation in history.

QR/QPriv Average value and increased availability on their own metal. Their cash fares in biz can be super-cheap so you might be better of paying cash.

NZ/Airpoints is a joke don't waste your time.

EK/Skywards just increased the cost of (miles) upgrades and is sudo-dynamic redemption. Red flag

EY/Guest limited partners and expensive compared to alternatives, although their miles can be used as cash for online purchases (ie: for goods)

 

[Chicken]

Anyone here torn between transferring to Asiamiles or Krisflyer ?

Asia Mile is One World, SQ is Star Alliance, very different? Where do you actually fly? No point joining SQ KrisFlyer if you mainly fly to north Asia (stupid to fly to Japan via Singapore, you are claiming points, not doing status run), while no point joining CX if you mainly fly southern Asia.

My basic thoughts on each MR partner:

You forgot VS. VS is good for flying to LHR*, and you can claim ANA to fly via Japan. It is just that you have to pretty much do all redemptions via phone + e-mail.

* not flying Y but trying to get lounge access using status.

 

[amaroo]

Wait to they all start pegging awards to status.... just like QFF.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'll add to my previous post how each of the airlines assigns inventory (to the best of my knowledge).
Also, note each program has varying release timing of seats. Some programs release X/seats at T-364 days while others stage releases over time, and others have unlimited availability at all times.

**CX/Asia Miles

SQ/Krisflyer: Suites restricted to own member base. Waitlisting is highly attractive.

**TG/ROP

**QF/QF

**VA/Velocity

MH/Enrich: All fare classes available for redemption at all times, except for the lowest and highest RBDs in each class. Non-static ratios create opportunities for very attractive redemptions. MH redemptions can earn miles/points into other programs!

UA/MileagePlus: Moving to full dynamic. Buyer beware until full details are released.

**QR/Privilege

NZ/Airpoints: Appears to be static points to dollar ratios (Red Flag!)

**EK/Skywards

**EY/Guest


** = inventory controlled award seats. Meaning, there are a set number of seats on each flight available for redemption.
Airline/programs without ** mean they have more seats available, but the points/miles rate will be higher than the perceived equivalent with a program that has inventory control. In this sense, it's impossible to compare programs against each other since the value is different.

Also important to note that programs in an alliance do not necessarily have access to all inventory from every other alliance carrier.
For example, Qantas members can't necessarily book Cathay Pacific (P / First) class inventory even if it's showing as available via Asia Miles.

The inverse quirk also exists, where a Qantas member can book a Malaysia Airlines (U / Business) class seat, and yet Malaysia Airlines own members can't book that seat.

 

[desafinado74]

I don't believe there is a single blanket option for your points.
If you're wanting to use points for domestic travel then VA is your go-to option.

A bunch of these programs will change between now and 2021 so I wouldn't be placing a bet with my points locked in with a carrier for 12months+ with the high chance of recalibration on the burnside.

My basic thoughts on each MR partner:

CX/Asia Miles redemption for OW is so low that they're due for recalibration at some point. Economy class redemptions can be attractive.

SQ/Krisflyer has been shifting the goalposts on redemption every 12 months, albeit incrementally. Near unlimited availability until "sometime in Q2 2019"

TG/ROP just announced a change in miles redemptions (effective Nov) and have priced themselves out of the market.

Qantas has virtually no availability, and you're in competition with 10M other Australians for the seats.

VA/Velocity has extraordinary fees on some partners, but decent for domestic.

MH/Enrich is only useful for intra-south east Asia redemptions (ie: KUL-HKG, 9K miles or KUL-PEN from 2K miles).

UA/MileagePlus is about to hit the dirt come November with the biggest devaluation in history.

QR/QPriv Average value and increased availability on their own metal. Their cash fares in biz can be super-cheap so you might be better of paying cash.

NZ/Airpoints is a joke don't waste your time.

EK/Skywards just increased the cost of (miles) upgrades and is sudo-dynamic redemption. Red flag

EY/Guest limited partners and expensive compared to alternatives, although their miles can be used as cash for online purchases (ie: for goods)

Thank you for the comprehensive reply. AA and Lifemiles are other viable options to look at for now.

 

[daft009]

Got a speeding fine today
At least it was before D day

 

[desafinado74]

Asia Mile is One World, SQ is Star Alliance, very different? Where do you actually fly? No point joining SQ KrisFlyer if you mainly fly to north Asia (stupid to fly to Japan via Singapore, you are claiming points, not doing status run), while no point joining CX if you mainly fly southern Asia.



You forgot VS. VS is good for flying to LHR*, and you can claim ANA to fly via Japan. It is just that you have to pretty much do all redemptions via phone + e-mail.

* not flying Y but trying to get lounge access using status.

I mainly fly to Singapore and Europe, and i like SQ, so i tend to fly with them, and i already have 150K Krisflyer miles at the moment. Looking to redeem them by 2021. The main reasons why OW / Asiamiles interest me, are JAL and Qatar (I really want to try their J products)

 

[umberloidster]

.

EK/Skywards just increased the cost of (miles) upgrades and is sudo-dynamic redemption.

Could you explain what sudo-dynamic means?

Really cool run-down though, thanks for putting that together!

 

[MathNerd]

A big thanks to the mod who updated the title of this thread.
It's the final 4 days everyone, and every single day counts. I hope there's a lot of success stories that will be posted over the coming days.

 

[amaroo]

Payment cleared my account overnight and I've just ticked up another $50k of charges. Once they post I'll Bpay and hopefully have one more run of $50K on the explorer. Then it's chop, chop, chop for that card....

 

[daft009]

i'm done. put my last few transactions this morning around $25k in total

 

[The Analyst]

Anyone having issues redeeming KF? Kept on getting
Our apologies but we could not find a page matching your request

 

[ferni]

Anyone having issues redeeming KF? Kept on getting
Our apologies but we could not find a page matching your request

Worked for me this morning (2Hours ago)

 

[umberloidster]

Anyone having issues redeeming KF? Kept on getting
Our apologies but we could not find a page matching your request

There have been problems in Chrome on the Amex site recently. Try it in Firefox and you should be okay.

 

[serfty]

Could you explain what sudo-dynamic means?

I think it's a DYAC moment for @trippin_the_rift - I believe they meant "pseudo-dynamic" meaning "pretend, not genuine; spurious or sham Dynamic" rather than anything to do with a Unix/Linux command.