how do you use your MR ascent points?

[diningdecadence]

hi all,

I'm considering switching from MR ascent to QFF direct earn. I currently have approx. 90k MR ascent points which won't convert to QFF so wondering what to do with them. an AMEX CS rep. told me i'd have 30 days to use them after switching programs.

so, how do you use your MR ascent points? Judging off some of the posts it appears people like to warehouse their points before transferring to partners such as CX or SIA, however given my travel is to the USA this isn't too helpful for me. Has anyone found good value in the vouchers or products. (Given the earn was mainly from ATO payments i'd be looking for at least 1.25c/point value.)

Cheers

 

[k3nnis]

I don't think the vouchers are worth it....
just do a side trip to SIN or HKG
CX to HKG or SQ to SIN in J

 

[newformula]

If targeting travel to the USA, stick them in Asia Miles. You can book on QF or with CX via HKG, and doing say SYD-HKG-JFK isn't a massively longer duration than SYD-LAX-JFK on QF, if it came down to it.

 

[Deewhy]

What about VFF conversion?

 

[gibspmuh]

I find the transfer of points to SPG can be quite good value with the recent revaluation of 2 MR points = 1 SPG point, especially if the hotel you want to stay in has Cash + Points availability. Some also use it as a way to funnel points to US FF programs, which tend to have much better burn rates for premium class travel.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I just did the conversion the other way, from direct earn QF to Ascent. Assuming you are earning 1 MR per dollar spent, under Ascent if you spend $85,000, you convert the MR to Asia Miles and get one-way business class Australia-Europe. You'd need to spend $128,000 to convert to the required amount for a similar award with QFF. If you have the top Qantas branded Amex where you get 1.5 points per dollar spent, you'd only have to spend $85,334, but pay a $450 annual fee for the privilege.

 

[wafliron]

I just did the conversion the other way, from direct earn QF to Ascent. Assuming you are earning 1 MR per dollar spent, under Ascent if you spend $85,000, you convert the MR to Asia Miles and get one-way business class Australia-Europe. You'd need to spend $128,000 to convert to the required amount for a similar award with QFF. If you have the top Qantas branded Amex where you get 1.5 points per dollar spent, you'd only have to spend $85,334, but pay a $450 annual fee for the privilege.

Don't forget MH - only c.$50k spend for a one way Australia to Europe in J. Potentially on QF metal too once they join OW.

 

[k3nnis]

Issue is very hard to find availability on qf J. Especially 2 or 3 J seats.

 

[wafliron]

Issue is very hard to find availability on qf J. Especially 2 or 3 J seats.

Assume you were replying to me? Then stick to MH metal... really, really easy to find J availability on.

 

[k3nnis]

Yep I was Yeah I think MH J is easy to get but not sure if it will still be when they go A380 for SYD..

 

[beardoc]

Assume you were replying to me? Then stick to MH metal... really, really easy to find J availability on.

I would imagine that once MH joins OneWorld, this will change, though.

 

[wafliron]

Yep I was Yeah I think MH J is easy to get but not sure if it will still be when they go A380 for SYD..

True, that will be interesting to see. I did have a quick look at KUL-LHR and vv availability on the A380 a while back though it didn't seem to be too bad.

I would imagine that once MH joins OneWorld, this will change, though.

Again, probably true... oh well, get in now while the going's good

 

[diningdecadence]

hi all,

i've decided to go with either Singapore or AA (via SPG). I have 100k points to use. i've done a quick think about the benefits and would like some help to see if i've missed anything.

Singapore
- roughly a J saver to singapore return ex. SYD
- can nominate up to 5 people to share points with and doesn't have to be family - is this correct?
- value - roughly A$4k

AA
- transfer to SPG = 50000 SPG points = 60,000(?)AA points - (5,000 bonus per 20,000 transferred but not pro-rata'd - is this correct?)
- this would get me a J one way SYD-DFW or SYD-LAX (or vv) - 62,500 points
- value, assuming it was a round trip, again around $3,500 - $4,000
- cannot transfer/ book under someone else's name - is this correct?

i'll ask about award flight availability questions in the airline specific forums but does 4c/point sound like reasonable value?

cheers

 

[drron]

When I was going for LTP on AA I used to transfer to AA via SPG but now I find better value transferring to SQ.Was able in late August to get friends 2 J awards on SQ SYD-JFK for the December school holidays on the A380.You could never do that on QF.Of course it is the long way,gives you time to enjoy it though!

 

[JohnK]

- transfer to SPG = 50000 SPG points = 60,000(?)AA points - (5,000 bonus per 20,000 transferred but not pro-rata'd - is this correct?)

I think this is a good idea if travelling to the USA. I was going to make this suggestion and then saw your post.

- cannot transfer/ book under someone else's name - is this correct?

You did not hear it from me but in my experience as long as the surname matches then it is not an issue when transferring from MR rewards.

 

[serfty]

...
AA
- transfer to SPG = 50000 SPG points = 60,000(?)AA points - (5,000 bonus per 20,000 transferred but not pro-rata'd - is this correct?)...

Unfortunatly not.

It's 100MR to 50 SPG - i.e. 40,000 MR -> 20,000 SPG -> 25,000 AA.