Hmm - Ascent allows redemption via asia miles but not QFF?

[Moopere]

Righto, so I'm looking at the AE Platinum Edge CC. You get membership in the AE Ascent program along with this and points you earn go there. So, the immediate question for me is how to use those? Toddle off to the AE membership rewards site and there are 8 or so airline 'partners'.

No Qantas in there. However, there is Cathay Pacific. You can transfer Ascent points into Asia Miles. I wander off to the Asia Miles site and test a booking of Perth to Melbourne ... using Qantas no less (!!!). 36,000 points in Premium Economy, 30K points in Economy.

Interestingly, unless the site has an error, I can also choose to fly to Melbourne from Perth on BA or AA. I never knew that was a possibility. Same points cost. Interesting.

This makes me wonder if my pursuit of QFF points is just too inflexible. Perhaps Asia Miles, via AE Ascent is the way to go??

 

[JohnK]

I would like to know how you can fly PER-MEL on BA or AA. A codeshare perhaps?

Take note that transfer to CX Asia Miles is 4 MR Points = 3 Asia Miles.

I don't know what you need out of Ascent Membership Rewards but in my humble opinion the best airline rewards you will get from Ascent is to transfer to SQ KrisFlyer with the 15% online discount and the saver awards in economy for most destinations and business class for selected destinations.

One easy example

- SYD-BKK return on SQ via SIN is 46,250 KrisFlyer miles + ~AUD400 which is 46,250 MR points.
- SYD-BKK return on QF, BA is 45,000 CX Asia Miles + taxes which is 60,000 MR points. (Interestingly enough SYD-BKK on QFF is also 60,000 QFF points, so is Asia Miles the alternative for people who can no longer transfer Ascent MR to QFF?)

I am sure there are other examples but need to look at your individual travel requirements and how each airline FF program can suit. This is why it is best to simply leave MR points in Ascent and move to airline FF program when ready to redeem.

 

[Diesellife]

As John's comment above, the cost varies depending on the destination.

Another example is MEL-HKG route:
60000 QFF = 60000 MR
45000 CX = 60000 MR

But CX's tax is usually much lower than QF.

Also, CX's short haul's burn rate is quite good IMO and is great for asia routes.
Long hauls or higher cabin, I would go for SIN to enjoy their saver award.