Amex MR to SPG average rate

[NSWhere]

Hi all,

I know until quite recently 1000MR-> 660SPG and that now it is 1000MR->330SPG. Being quite new to Amex I don't know whether the previous rate was the old norm, a very rare bonus, or a semi regular bonus. So I am curious what the consensus opinion is about the likelihood that the rate will return to 660 (either permanently or as a bonus).

I am in no hurry to transfer points and given the spend I push through the plat card (and the current bonus) the MR->SG->AA is (obviously) very attractive at the better rate and would lead to AA LTG in no time (and maybe even LTP if they keep it up as it currently is and I don't get crushed by the current economic environment). As more of frequent spender than frequent flyer, and as someone who finances close to 100% of my flights, this path to elite status is quite appealing.

Cheers all,

NSWhere

 

[NM]

The current rate of 1000 MR -> 330 SPG is the usual rate. For a limited period (6 months I think it may have been), the rate was 1000 MR -> 600 SPG, which ended at the end of September.

This temporary rate was advertised in a MR newsletter earlier in the year. Some believe it was a mistake rate and Amex decided to honour the typo for the period until 30th September. I am not sure if that is the case or not.

I am not expecting them to revert to the ore attractive transfer rate in the future.

Perhaps if enough of us ask Amex to include a direct transfer to AAdvantage they may add it as an option in the future.

 

[moa999]

From memory it was a one-off due to a brochure that 'mistakenly' included SPG in a promotion.

My hope is that with QF going to a direct model, that Amex adds AA as a partner to the Ascent program

 

[oz_mark]

From memory it was a one-off due to a brochure that 'mistakenly' included SPG in a promotion.

My hope is that with QF going to a direct model, that Amex adds AA as a partner to the Ascent program

IIRC it was in the brochure that came out when the redemption rates to several partners was changed.

 

[QF WP]

When one considers that 330 AAdvantage points are probably worth double the number of QFF points (as the burn ratio is much better in AA), it's not that bad a ratio.

Secondly, the benefits given to an International member of AAdvantage when one reaches each 1MM mark is eye popping when compared with QFF (a big fat nothing).

 

[NSWhere]

Thanks guys, awesome info as usual. While its a shame that it was a mistake rate I agree that the usual rate is still quite attractive. I will raise my interest in a direct AA transfer next time I am on the phone to an amex rep.

 

[serfty]

Still - 60,700 Amex MR points -> 25,000 AAdvantage - is quite reasonable value when considering the greatly reduced point cost and

cost.

(121,300 -> 50,000)

 

[Soundguy]

Perhaps if enough of us ask Amex to include a direct transfer to AAdvantage they may add it as an option in the future.

I have discussed this with a couple of the AMEX CSR's but they were clueless, never heard of American Airlines (asked 'how is it spelt' etc). I have also written to AMEX asking this exact question - twice now over the past 18 months. Have not got so much as a form letter back, seems they couldn't give a zip.

 

[serfty]

Until circa 2004, AMEX MR did have direct transfers to both AA and UA.

This was discontinued about the time Amex and Qantas really started getting into promoting their relationship cards.

 

[JohnK]

I was looking at a QF Oneworld RTW award in WHY for 2 people that had a routing of SYD-MEL-LAX-(JFK)-LHR-(CDG)-MAD-(ATH)-BUD-(FCO)-LHR-HKG-SYD. The booking would require 285,000 Amex MR points for 2 people and the total taxes and surcharges was ~$1900 which could be less since QF lowered fuel surcharges last month.

Now I understand the same award with AA is 90,000 miles per person. Is there a simple way to work out the taxes without calling the AA call centre? If tranferring to SPG then AA at ~60,607 Amex MR points -> 25,000 AA miles then ~439,400 Amex MR points -> 180,000 AA miles.

Assuming the AA taxes on this award are zero, which they are not, then for an extra ~154,400 Amex MR points there is a saving of ~$1900 in QF taxes and surcharges. Also keep in mind that I accumulate ~20,000-30,000 Amex MR points per year so it would take 10-15 years to save for the award on QF or 15-22 years to save for the award on AA.

The recent 1,000 Amex MR points -> 600 SPG transfer rate was attractive but I did not want to leave points in either SPG or AA. Not interested in even attempting to obtain AA lifetime status as this could literally take me a lifetime to achieve. Cannot see any benefit with the current Amex -> SPG transfer rate. Who knows what may happen if there is ever an Amex -> AA direct transfer option in the future?

 

[NM]

John, the award you are seeking is probably one of the poorer value options when paying with Amex points via AA. The better value options are premium cabin awards. The QF OneWorld award for 142,500 points is one of QF's best value options. So if all the points are coming from Amex, then for an economy OneWorld award you will likely find the AA path is not going to be overly attractive.

The only way to get a firm quote on taxes for AA award is to call them. You can estimate it if you the routing and the tax rules for each sector.

 

[futaris]

Generally you pay all the taxes except YQ (Fuel Surcharge) on AAdvantage awards.

You can work out the taxes for a flight between two airports on ExpertFlyer and other similar services.

The price difference is similar to the difference between booking a *ONE* on AA or QF.

 

[beardoc]

Until circa 2004, AMEX MR did have direct transfers to both AA and UA.

This was discontinued about the time Amex and Qantas really started getting into promoting their relationship cards.

What was the rate to UA and AA in the past?

 

[serfty]

I never did it myself, but I believe it may have been 1:1 ...

 

[simongr]

I was looking at a QF Oneworld RTW award in WHY for 2 people that had a routing of SYD-MEL < snip >

OK JohnK we get it. You are not in favour of transferring points to AA. Your circumstances do not gel well with transferring points to AA - we get that.

Personally the mix of points from flights and cards combined with desire to be in premium cabins works well for me. Add to that the fact that the majority of my paid flights are Int'l J then a lot of the benefits of the "easier" QF status are already coming to me.

This is why whenever I get sucked into the AA vs QF debate I try and give people both options rather than continuing to just bang one drum blind to the fact that other options exist.

 

[JohnK]

This is why whenever I get sucked into the AA vs QF debate I try and give people both options rather than continuing to just bang one drum blind to the fact that other options exist.

Thanks for trying to be helpful. The posts by NM and futaris had already answered my question.

I prefer to travel in economy and I am actually looking for a Oneworld RTW award for 2 people and wanted to see if it is worthwhile doing it with AA. At the moment it looks like QF is the way to go but who knows what will happen in the future. Possibly a *Alliance RTW award with SQ or even better if there is a direct transfer of Amex --> AA without going via SPG....