Amex MR points value?

[SOPOOR]

Hi everyone,can someone please point me to a link or a summary in trying to determine how much amex membership rewards are,

im trying to compare with my main QFF program for long haul Busines or first class, and other programs as im going to apply for my first amex card and need a program to choose since QFF isnt an option

thank you

 

[Steady]

You could read up about Amex products here

I don't really understand what you want to be given, if you asked 20 AFFers what a reward point (MR, QFF, VA etc) is worth you would likely get 20 different answers. Asking how much they are is the same.

MR points will transfer to airline points and the exchange ratios are on the Amex site.

You mentioned in another thread that you don't want to pay an annual fee, have you considered the Amex statement credits that can offset the annual fee - like the current Dan Murphy spend $50 get $10 credit? If you had an American Express QF Ultimate with the 4 free supplementary cards you could buy 5 x $50 gift cards and save $50 off groceries or fuel - these come up frequently and more then cover the $450 (?) fee over 12 months and you receive 110k of QFF points.

It is worth your time reading all of the AFF CC threads if you really want to accrue points

 

[Hammando]

What Amex are you looking at getting?

It gets a bit confusing as different cards have different programs with different earn/redemption rates.

Pointhacks have a pretty good breakdown of each different card.
http://www.pointhacks.com.au/cards/american-express/

In my opinion the best card combo is the Platinum Edge and Explorer. It is possible to get both sign on bonuses and then earn 2 airline miles per $ spend on the Explorer, which probably won't be detailed on Pointhacks.

Be sure to check out the AFF referral threads as most cards come with more points when signed up by referral (my referrals are in the relevant threads.

 

[SOPOOR]

You could read up about Amex products here

I don't really understand what you want to be given, if you asked 20 AFFers what a reward point (MR, QFF, VA etc) is worth you would likely get 20 different answers. Asking how much they are is the same.

MR points will transfer to airline points and the exchange ratios are on the Amex site.

You mentioned in another thread that you don't want to pay an annual fee, have you considered the Amex statement credits that can offset the annual fee - like the current Dan Murphy spend $50 get $10 credit? If you had an American Express QF Ultimate with the 4 free supplementary cards you could buy 5 x $50 gift cards and save $50 off groceries or fuel - these come up frequently and more then cover the $450 (?) fee over 12 months and you receive 110k of QFF points.

It is worth your time reading all of the AFF CC threads if you really want to accrue points

thank you for that suggestion, its very good

 

[drron]

The real problem is what you value your reward at.
I have just got F awards SIN-NRT-LAX on SQ fully with transferred Amex points.91000 points + tax.
Now if I value an F seat on that route at $2000 + tax it gives an Amex point a value of 2.2 cents.If $3000-3.3 cents,$4000-4.4 cents.
Remember it is the value to you not the actual cost of the ticket if there is no way you would pay that amount.Even then the one way fare is $S10000 + tax but return is $15000 + tax so do I value the point then at 8.25 or 11 cents?1 S cent near enough to 1 A cent.
So the only one who can answer your question is yourself.

 

[blueythecat]

Whilst, as it has been mentioned, it is very hard to "value" reward points for someone else.

Having said that AMEX has a wide variety of airlines transfer partners (including Qantas if you have Ascent Premium - Plat Charge) and I can earn points much faster with AMEX cards than I can with any other cards. This alone makes AMEX (and I'm talking AMEX issued AMEX cards here - not bank ones) more valuable to me than any other program

For example I can earn the following via AMEX:

• 3 pts / $ on all supermarket spend (inc giftcard purchases) - using my Edge card
• 2 pts / $ on all petrol - using my Edge card
• 3 pts / $ on all restaurant and bar purchases - using my Platinum Charge
• 2 pts / $ on all travel spend - using my Platinum Charge

I can't match that kind of earn rate with any other card. That alone makes AMEX MR points more "valuable" to me. I also place considerable "value" on having a flexible points currency - allowing me to transfer to different FF programs when I need it. That way I'm not locked into one airline.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[DC3]

... 2 pts / $ on all petrol - using my Edge card ...

.. and 3 points/$ (instead of 2) when buying petrol at Shell/Coles Express when using a Coles/Myer gift card, bought with the Edge card.

 

[foggy]

.. and 3 points/$ (instead of 2) when buying petrol at Shell/Coles Express when using a Coles/Myer gift card, bought with the Edge card.

i think the better solution is to buy 5% off wish gift card and paid with plat edge. Fill up at caltex

 

[Applesmfc]

To the OP I have read your question more as how the value of a MR point compares to the value of a QF point or a VA point. So to be very simplistic I would value 1 MR as much more valuable than either of those two options. Keep in mind that your MR can transfer to 7-9 airlines programs at generally 1:1. So this means you have more awards you can choose from and can even look to use cheaper programs to your advantage. You can also transfer to hotel partners to save on hotels.

Furthermore these airlines regularly offer transfer bonuses to transfer your MR to their program. VA offer a 15% bonus twice a year.

So I personally (and most here) would value 1 MR as much more valuable than 1 QFF or 1 VA or even 1 KF.

 

[SOPOOR]

The real problem is what you value your reward at.
I have just got F awards SIN-NRT-LAX on SQ fully with transferred Amex points.91000 points + tax.
Now if I value an F seat on that route at $2000 + tax it gives an Amex point a value of 2.2 cents.If $3000-3.3 cents,$4000-4.4 cents.
Remember it is the value to you not the actual cost of the ticket if there is no way you would pay that amount.Even then the one way fare is $S10000 + tax but return is $15000 + tax so do I value the point then at 8.25 or 11 cents?1 S cent near enough to 1 A cent.
So the only one who can answer your question is yourself.

yes I agree, I just wanted an actual comparison of amex points vs QFF points vs other programs for example,
I get from the other threads that roughly the ratio is pretty much 1:1:1:1 , on the basis of comparing say long haul business class or first class flights.

pbviously the points value to everyone is differnet,

for me points value isnt a huge consideration because I try to accumulate as many points as possible, and I consider the points required for a flight as more important,

I was hoping that if there is a better way to use the points, that someone would mention it too, but I believe the best is first class points flight redemption

 

[SOPOOR]

Whilst, as it has been mentioned, it is very hard to "value" reward points for someone else.

Having said that AMEX has a wide variety of airlines transfer partners (including Qantas if you have Ascent Premium - Plat Charge) and I can earn points much faster with AMEX cards than I can with any other cards. This alone makes AMEX (and I'm talking AMEX issued AMEX cards here - not bank ones) more valuable to me than any other program

For example I can earn the following via AMEX:

• 3 pts / $ on all supermarket spend (inc giftcard purchases) - using my Edge card
• 2 pts / $ on all petrol - using my Edge card
• 3 pts / $ on all restaurant and bar purchases - using my Platinum Charge
• 2 pts / $ on all travel spend - using my Platinum Charge

I can't match that kind of earn rate with any other card. That alone makes AMEX MR points more "valuable" to me. I also place considerable "value" on having a flexible points currency - allowing me to transfer to different FF programs when I need it. That way I'm not locked into one airline.

Good luck in your quest.

pful,

I must admit, all the different programs and rates are so confusing, not sure why amex has made itso confusing,
thansk for that , its very hel

 

[SOPOOR]

To the OP I have read your question more as how the value of a MR point compares to the value of a QF point or a VA point. So to be very simplistic I would value 1 MR as much more valuable than either of those two options. Keep in mind that your MR can transfer to 7-9 airlines programs at generally 1:1. So this means you have more awards you can choose from and can even look to use cheaper programs to your advantage. You can also transfer to hotel partners to save on hotels.

Furthermore these airlines regularly offer transfer bonuses to transfer your MR to their program. VA offer a 15% bonus twice a year.

So I personally (and most here) would value 1 MR as much more valuable than 1 QFF or 1 VA or even 1 KF.

spot on my friend! thanks
I see what you are saying, flexibility isnt a big deal for me at present , but that being said if 1 MR is roughly worth the same as 1 QFF, but you can add 15% extra with their bonus it seems 1 MR would be better for me (im stricitly for getting the best bang for buck), looks like I will be pursuing the cards with the higher MR bonuses

 

[Applesmfc]

for me points value isnt a huge consideration because I try to accumulate as many points as possible, and I consider the points required for a flight as more important,

....and this is where the value of MR comes into to. 7-9 different airlines to choose where to send your MR to.....you just choose the cheapest (or the one with availibilty).

Each program has it's own "sweet spots" but if you have a particular route in mind Award Ace is a great site for figuring out which program will get you there for the least points.

 

[Applesmfc]

Just keep in mind that only the Platinum Charge Amex or the QANTAS Amex cards can transfer to QFF. Oddly QANTAS is not one of the 7-9 transfer partners of the other Amex MR cards. So if you have QFF only at the moment consider your options carefully.

That being said, no time like the present to start earning in a flexible currency.

 

[blueythecat]

pful,

I must admit, all the different programs and rates are so confusing, not sure why amex has made itso confusing,
thansk for that , its very hel

No problems at all. I found the different AMEX MR programs and earns rates a bit confusing when I started out with AMEX, but quickly got use to it.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

i think the better solution is to buy 5% off wish gift card and paid with plat edge. Fill up at caltex

Yes I will revert back to that once I have used up all my 20% off Coles Myer GCs

 

[JohnK]

Very difficult to determine points value for someone.

To me a return economy to Asia can be purchased for around $600-$700. If I were to pay for business class I would pay ~$1,500 for same trip.

I recently transferred 180,000 Amex MR points to 152,000 MileagePlus miles via SPG and Marriott. The miles are enough for 5 one-ways in business to Thailand and also 7 nights hotel accommodation in a Marriott Category 7 hotel.

The taxes on MileagePlus are ~$80 one way so roughly $3,500 airfare value + ~$700 hotel value. Some may value the airfare and hotel a little more. That's about as good as I can get out of Amex MR points. Qantas and Velocity don't come close and taxes on SQ are horrendous.

 

[SOPOOR]

Very difficult to determine points value for someone.

To me a return economy to Asia can be purchased for around $600-$700. If I were to pay for business class I would pay ~$1,500 for same trip.

I recently transferred 180,000 Amex MR points to 152,000 MileagePlus miles via SPG and Marriott. The miles are enough for 5 one-ways in business to Thailand and also 7 nights hotel accommodation in a Marriott Category 7 hotel.

The taxes on MileagePlus are ~$80 one way so roughly $3,500 airfare value + ~$700 hotel value. Some may value the airfare and hotel a little more. That's about as good as I can get out of Amex MR points. Qantas and Velocity don't come close and taxes on SQ are horrendous.

thats very good value,
I try and value it compared to QFF program because (thats all I know at the moment.but learning) and yes I agree the taxes on Qantas program are terrible.
I compare it to one world which is 280k for business class return Long haul europe or USA, however the taxes are like $1000+

I have been told (correct me if im wrong) ignoring aviaaiblity, the points required after conversion fo the various programs is roughly the same, however it comes down to tax costs, I od ideally want to go on the best airlines such as singapore and emirates atc. etc. etc.

would you have a recommendation for the program with teh least points required and lowest taxes for business class/first class flights?

 

[JohnK]

would you have a recommendation for the program with teh least points required and lowest taxes for business class/first class flights?

For me the simplest comparison would be where I want to go and that is Thailand. Obviously each destination could be different.

Assuming I could transfer to Qantas at 1:1 then I need 60,000 Amex MR points and ~$170 in fuel surcharges. This will be ~$280 if one-way trip from Thailand or ~$600 if return trip from Thailand. So obviously book from Australia.

With SQ I would need 46,750 Amex MR points and~$280 in fuel surcharges. There's no way of reducing the fuel surcharges.

With UA MileagePlus excluding the recent promotion bonus I mentioned above I would need ~41,000 Amex MR points and ~$80 in fuel surcharges.

With AAdvantage I would need ~64,000 Amex MR points and ~$80 in fuel surcharges.

There is also CX AsiaMiles with low fuel surcharges but has to be purchased as a return award as one-way awards are more expensive. I would need 60,000 Amex MR points.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I have been told (correct me if im wrong) ignoring aviaaiblity, the points required after conversion for the various programs is roughly the same, however it comes down to tax costs,

The points required for the various programs are not roughly the same. They can be on some routes and also when comparing on a limited number of programs, but in the main there area lot of differences and using the right program on the right route can save a lot of pointe, or $$, or both.

However one cannot get points, or at least useable quantities to all programs. Though having said that even for Australian residents like myself there are often marked differences.
Furthermore the differences vary dependant on the route.

One reason is that some FF program charge by regions. So if flying from the far edge of one region to the far edge of another there is good value. Also sometimes the regions are set from the airlines home-base and so this can provide some bargain routes.



However let me stress again that there is not the one rule of thumb. You have to look at where you want to fly and whether in Y, J or F. Y is normally not good if the FF program charges large fuel fines.

BURN
For example with Krisflyer and Qantas if you want to get to Europe while taxes and charges are similar, booking only the points are 161.5K vs 256K return and almost $1000.

QFF used to book on Cathay one way is 278K and $444.

So in this example KF is much cheaper on points. Cathay much cheaper on $$. Qantas metal probably the poorest value as if driven by points you would go KF and if by $$$ Cathay.

EARN
I'm my case I can earn at 2 to 3 Krisflyer Points per $ spent On Amex and under 1 on VISA/MC. Lets say I average 2.25.

Whereas with QFF the most I can get is 1.5.

So to get to Europe based on points earnt by spending my spend for KF is $72,000. For QFF it would be $171,000.


BUT one can also earn points from flying, hotels, groceries and the like and also credit card bonii. There tends to be a lot more deals that you can get to QFF than KF.
In my case I collect points in three main FF programs (at present this is Krisflyer, KF and Velocity. I still have some Enrich and I used to use BMI and Avios).

So I have various point stashes that I use and what I use depends on the route and cabin. Overall this allows me to outperform on both Earn and Burn as I take advantage of various Earn Promos as well as Burn Promos.

All of which means that the FF life is not a simple one, but by understanding the various opportunities you can really ramp up the value gained for your time and money.

AVAILABILITY
Most definitely DO NOT ignore availability. To do so on some popular routes may mean that you build up a points balance that is difficult to use. For the European example it is very difficult to fly on Qantas metal as they now have few routes and the ones they do you really need to have status to gain the seats. Krisflyer is reasonably easy to gain seats. With QFF booking on partners like Cathay is much easier.