Using Amex points, best Value?

[big_RED]

Yes that is correct, bear in mind that the qantas reward booking will have fees and charges so for economy paying with cash or points as cash still works out better. With discount economy tickets these days, economy reward bookings are hardly worth it. Most on these boards will save their points for reward bookings in business and first class. If you just want to save money though 1 cent per point is still better than voucher redemptions.

No I totally agree. I've just redeemed 3 return J flights SYD to LAX through Qantas and paid $1,500 in taxes (some of the legs were with AA instead of QA).
But a friend said they were booking flights direct through Amex, using their Amex points, and getting paid Qantas flights where they earnt status & points etc. And I thought it sounded like a good idea as if we keep flying award seats we will lose our status, and then find it harder to book the award seats next time!

 

[bigd]

I am looking at the AE Explorer card which comes with a 100k sign up bonus. Sorry I am new to this. Would that be enough points to get 2 people J to Asia? Also does the AE points tranfer at a 1:1 to VFF?

 

[Duffa]

Have just seen the Platinum Business card with 150,000 bonus
Have spent 30 mins going in circles trying to find the transfer rates
Ascent Premium - I assume is 1:1 for the likes of Cathay, Kris etc.
Can someone please confirm before I shell out the $1500 !!

 

[potm]

Yes it is 1 to 1 for Cathay and Kris

 

[Duffa]

Yes it is 1 to 1 for Cathay and Kris

Thanks so much!
Should've asked here hours ago - save time to look for other points

 

[andye]

Have just seen the Platinum Business card with 150,000 bonus
Have spent 30 mins going in circles trying to find the transfer rates
Ascent Premium - I assume is 1:1 for the likes of Cathay, Kris etc.
Can someone please confirm before I shell out the $1500 !!

Ascent Premium is same as Ascent with addition of QF at 1:1

 

[adelee]

Hi all

I read today about a way to pick up 144,000 AAdvantage miles (hard to get in Aus and highly regarded due to low tax and cheap redemptions with some airlines like JAL and Cathay) and 7 nights Marriott accommodation with 90,000 Starwood points (180,000 MR points).

This looks particularly good value for the 'lesser' MR scheme (Gateway) which transfers to SPG at the same rate as Ascent and Ascent Premium, and is achievable if, say, you and your partner have both signed up for the Explorer card and received the 100,000 bonus points sign on.

In a nutshell, Starwood and Marriott have now merged. As a result, you are able to transfer your Starwood points at a rate of 1:3 to Marriott. 90,000 Starwood points will net you 270,000 Marriott points, which gets you 120,000 American Airlines miles and a full week at a category 1 through 5 Marriot property as part of their hotel and air package redemption deal. In addition, Marriott is offering a 20% bonus on transfers to AAdvantage until 14 November, so you’d actually pick up 144,000 AAdvantage miles.

As mentioned, this seems to be a particularly good deal when transferring from Gateway, as you're picking up 0.72 AAdvantage miles for each 1 MR point (as opposed to 0.75 to 1 mile trandfer rate for other standard airline partners), PLUS you get the 7 nights accommodation (Cat 1 - 5 properties are arguably not great, but there is some value to be had if you look hard enough!). The deal is good even without the accommodation thrown in.

Full details here:

Use Just 90,000 Starwood Points for Business Class Roundtrip to Europe or Asia and a Week's Hotel! - View from the Wing

 

[andye]

Hi all

I read today about a way to pick up 144,000 AAdvantage miles (hard to get in Aus and highly regarded due to low tax and cheap redemptions with some airlines like JAL and Cathay) and 7 nights Marriott accommodation with 90,000 Starwood points (180,000 MR points).

This looks particularly good value for the 'lesser' MR scheme (Gateway) which transfers to SPG at the same rate as Ascent and Ascent Premium, and is achievable if, say, you and your partner have both signed up for the Explorer card and received the 100,000 bonus points sign on.

In a nutshell, Starwood and Marriott have now merged. As a result, you are able to transfer your Starwood points at a rate of 1:3 to Marriott. 90,000 Starwood points will net you 270,000 Marriott points, which gets you 120,000 American Airlines miles and a full week at a category 1 through 5 Marriot property as part of their hotel and air package redemption deal. In addition, Marriott is offering a 20% bonus on transfers to AAdvantage until 14 November, so you’d actually pick up 144,000 AAdvantage miles.

As mentioned, this seems to be a particularly good deal when transferring from Gateway, as you're picking up 0.72 AAdvantage miles for each 1 MR point (as opposed to 0.75 to 1 mile trandfer rate for other standard airline partners), PLUS you get the 7 nights accommodation (Cat 1 - 5 properties are arguably not great, but there is some value to be had if you look hard enough!). The deal is good even without the accommodation thrown in.

Full details here:

Use Just 90,000 Starwood Points for Business Class Roundtrip to Europe or Asia and a Week's Hotel! - View from the Wing

Agreed there is great value.

Also worth looking for options transferring for UA miles (very low fuel surcharges but only partial SQ availability)
You are not confined to Cat 1-5, you just need more Marriott (via SPG) points for categories above-see link below

https://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi

 

[burmans]

Also worth looking for options using UA miles (very low fuel surcharges but only partial SQ availability)
You are not confined to Cat 1-5, you just need more Marriott (via SPG) points for categories above-see link below

https://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morepack.mi

That's right, UA transfers currently get a 25% bonus on transfers from Marriott! I'm an AA fan but some UA redemptions are even better value (e.g. South Asia).

 

[Haplo]

I fly mostly SE asia and find UA has more availability via Thai than AA via Qantas and Cathay

 

[JohnK]

Discussed in it's own thread but I feel the MR to SPG to Marriott to United is the best deal by far.

Transferring to VS was quite good but they stopped flying SYD-HKG. The cost of awards is too high on TG, the taxes are ridiculous on SQ, it would be ok on CX if going just to HKG.

I don't see any value in hotel loyalty programs other than maybe deals such as KUL Doubletree.

 

[andye]

Asia Miles for 175K return to Europe in J with low taxes on CX is pretty good too

MH Oneworld award for 210K in J looks to have value but the thought of arranging a complex itinerary with MH callcentre is quite daunting

60k to upgrade AUS-UK Y to J oneway on MH caught my eye too as upgradeable fares not too expensive

 

[HTG2016]

That's right, UA transfers currently get a 25% bonus on transfers from Marriott! I'm an AA fan but some UA redemptions are even better value (e.g. South Asia).

Looking to travel to SEA this and 30K one way J ticket plus $80 tax from UA is the best value with current 25% bonus it cost around 18K spg or 36K MR via explorer . 36K gateway only can get 27K Krisflyer or Asia Miles

Looking for 3 J ticket but United System only show 2 seat with TG . What are my chance to get 2 seat first and wait for TG release more seat and book in a the 3rd seat ?

AirCanada website also show 3 J seat available with SQ via the new route SYD-CGK-SIN but i am not sure how to book it with United as they dont show on their website . Can they book it via their call centre .

 

[burmans]

Looking for 3 J ticket but United System only show 2 seat with TG . What are my chance to get 2 seat first and wait for TG release more seat and book in a the 3rd seat ?

AirCanada website also show 3 J seat available with SQ via the new route SYD-CGK-SIN but i am not sure how to book it with United as they dont show on their website . Can they book it via their call centre .

Haven't tried with UA but have heard that TG frequently will release more TG seats. Not sure on your other question, you can but try.