Which airline loyalty will need less points?

[tripper2010]

I need to fly from Adelaide to Hong Kong and return in November. I have points in American Express and is able to transfer to Krisflyer, Malaysian Enrich miles or Cathay. Where should I transfer to get the reward flight with the least points & taxes? Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[jsd]

Hi tripper2010,

Have you had a look at the AMEX site, if not I will bring you up to speed, the three programs that you mentioned have the following conversion rates to their programs

Malaysia Airlines - 4 Membership Rewards point(s) is equal to 3 Enrich Miles
(minimum transfer of 500 points)

Singapore Airlines - 1 Membership Rewards point(s) is equal to 1 KrisFlyer Mile
(minimum transfer of 5000 points)

Cathay Pacific - 4 Membership Rewards point(s) is equal to 3 Asia Miles
(minimum transfer of 5000 points)


I am not a member of any of the 3 programs so I cannot look into how many points are actually needed, I will see what else I can do to help


Cheers,

Josh

 

[JohnK]

The cheapest by far would be Kris Flyer as they have a 15% online award booking discount and Amex MR points transfer to Kris Flyer mile at 1:1.

Miles required for economy award ADL-HKG (not sure how much is required for taxes and surcharges)

• Kris Flyer 46,750 miles + ~AUD400 taxes (46,750 Amex MR points)
• Asia Miles 50,000 miles (66,667 Amex MR points)
• MH Enrich 55,000 miles* (73,333 Amex MR points)

* I can't find an MH Enrich award chart but from memory the award requires 55,000 Enrich miles or more since the recent "enhancements". Perhaps someone with MH Enrich account could post how many miles are required.

 

[Diesellife]

• Asia Miles 50,000 miles (66,667 Amex MR points)

Asia miles CX from ADL or MEL-HKG needs only 45000 miles and taxes around ~210 AUD (60000 MR points)

 

[JohnK]

Asia miles CX from ADL or MEL-HKG needs only 45000 miles and taxes around ~210 AUD (60000 MR points)

I read it at 25,000 one-way but did not realise the second number was for return.

Is 13,350 Amex MR points worth the ~$190 difference in taxes and surchaarges for SQ award booking?

 

[Diesellife]

Is 13,350 Amex MR points worth the ~$190 difference in taxes and surchaarges for SQ award booking?

I guess it depends on the availability of the proposed trip and whether KF's discount apply or not.
If no discount applies (it will cost 55000 points), then it's 5000 MR points vs. $190...

Still tough call... lol

 

[JohnK]

Assuming the 15% online discount applies then for me it is an easy call.

An SQ award requires ~3.5 x 13,250 Amex MR points and ~3.5 x $190 (saving in taxes by booking on CX) is ~AUD670. Even paying ~$400 taxes and surcharges on SQ the 46,750 Amex MR points are worth a lot more thatn the ~AUD670 saving in taxes and surcharges.

 

[tripper2010]

Assuming the 15% online discount applies then for me it is an easy call.

An SQ award requires ~3.5 x 13,250 Amex MR points and ~3.5 x $190 (saving in taxes by booking on CX) is ~AUD670. Even paying ~$400 taxes and surcharges on SQ the 46,750 Amex MR points are worth a lot more thatn the ~AUD670 saving in taxes and surcharges.

Thank you everyone for your input. So am I understanding this correctly, asia miles is better option?

 

[JohnK]

No. To me the Amex MR points are more important than a saving in taxes and surcharges.

It is up to you to make that decision on what is important to you. Is it 46,750 Amex MR points and ~$340 on SQ (made a mistake earlier by saying it was ~$400 in taxes and surcharges) or 60,000 Amex MR points and ~$190 on CX.

In my opinion I would pay the extra ~$150 in taxes and surcharges (and save 13,250 Amex MR points) and go on SQ....

 

[dajop]

Thank you everyone for your input. So am I understanding this correctly, asia miles is better option?

The best option is the one that has availability when you want to travel !

In simplistic terms (ignoring Malaysia Airlines for now), noting that the taxes on Singapore airlines are $340AUD:

1) Paid airfare would cost $1140 in November
2) Singapore airlines is 46,750 points + $340 in taxes (saves you $740 ie 1 point = 1.71c)
3) Asia miles is 60,000 MR points + $215 in taxes (saves you $925 ie 1 point = 1.54c)

So SQ does offer marginally better value ... depends on availability and relative plentifulness of points and cash (ie if you have lots of points and cash strapped go Cathay if have few points and lots of cash, go Singapore)

 

[JohnK]

So SQ does offer marginally better value ... depends on availability and relative plentifulness of points and cash (ie if you have lots of points and cash strapped go Cathay if have few points and lots of cash, go Singapore)

I am sure that is what I was trying to say but you said it better.

 

[dajop]

I am sure that is what I was trying to say but you said it better.

Well practiced! When trying to explain to (DINK) family members that perhaps 16,000 pts +$20 on a short QF return flights is not the best value when when they could get fares on Virgin or Jetstar for about $120 return at the time ....

 

[tripper2010]

Thanks everyone for trying to make it clear. I think I understand now.