Best time to Transfer Amex Points to Qantas?

[parksie]

Hi,

I have over 250,000 amex points and would like to know when the best time to transfer them to Qantas would be?

Does anyone think there may be a special incentive offer coming up.

Virgin just had an incentive to transfer points to Velocity.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Maca44]

You can transfer amex points to QF whenever you like, but remember the deadline is 31st March 2009 and I would consider transferring 250K points to the airline you will be using, and if QF, try to book the maximum number of days out from your flight to ensure you get it. V Australia looks inviting, so you might even consider Velocity, then there have been some shocker stories in recent threads about the way their customer service treats people.

[Mal]

Holding off is probably a good idea. Qantas has said "While many people are saying they'll wait until the last minute to do their transfers, it may pay to get in early and beat the rush to the call centres" (Norris Carter, Group General Manager Loyalty, FF Feb 09 magazine)

Even Qantas can't give a good reason why you should transfer now ...

The only downside to not transferring now is the extremely remote possibilities that Amex could change the redemption rate, or issues with liquidity of Amex causing MR points to become worthless. (I'm not suggesting that either will happen - just commenting)... On the flipside, I'm not entirely sure what would happen with Qantas FF points if Qantas were to experience financial difficulties. (again, I don't even remotely believe this will happen).

Not sure if any promos will occur. It would be interesting to see (ie Qantas realises they've stuffed up by enforcing direct sweep), but if they were to come out they would be out in early March I think.

I"m against what Qantas has done by putting a deadline on points transfers and enforcing direct sweep. I do believe you should evaluate your patterns and see if transfers to other airlines might be better benefit to you.

[oz_mark]

Not sure that there will be any real incentives for one off transfers to QFF. The aim at the moment is to get people onto direct credits, and that is why there is a promotion to push that idea.

[Globetrotter]

I definitely won't be moving to a QF direct sweep card. Not only does it limit my redemption opportunities to QF and their aligned carriers, but the current discussions about QF merging with another carrier could impact their current FF partners. One World could become QANSTAR

Nevertheless, I am planning a trip to LA later this year in J class using MR points and unsure whether to transfer points to QF or Velocity. I'm just not sure about the J class seats on V Australia, on the flipside I don't like QF's Skybed MKI. Does anyone know when QF will finish upgrading all Skybeds to MKII?

On another note, I spoke to Amex today regarding my Platinum Credit card and they said after 31March I can still use MR points to fly QF by booking through Travelscene. Not sure how this pans out with the number of points required vs QF FF direct but at least its an option.

[NM]

I'm just not sure about the J class seats on V Australia, on the flipside I don't like QF's Skybed MKI. Does anyone know when QF will finish upgrading all Skybeds to MKII?

Qantas has NO PLANS to upgrade any existing Skybeds from Mk I to MK II. The only aircraft planned to get the Mk II is the A380. The 744 fleet will retain their MK I Skybeds.

[NM]

On another note, I spoke to Amex today regarding my Platinum Credit card and they said after 31March I can still use MR points to fly QF by booking through Travelscene. Not sure how this pans out with the number of points required vs QF FF direct but at least its an option.

That is going to be a very expensive (points-wise) option for redeeming for a business class seat to USA. Points required is based on the current monetary cost of seat for sale.

[Globetrotter]

Thanks NM. Sorry, I was not very clear in my original post re USA trip. I will definitely book this trip using points direct with either VA or QF but remain undecided which airline to use. I need to make a decision soon given the deadline to transfer MR points to QF FF.

[nlagalle]

On another note, I spoke to Amex today regarding my Platinum Credit card and they said after 31March I can still use MR points to fly QF by booking through Travelscene. Not sure how this pans out with the number of points required vs QF FF direct but at least its an option.

As NM posted using Amex travelscene to buy J tix is a shocker. it's close to an anyseat reward.

However on some Y seats you can get good deals. I booked a single ADL->MEL one way ticket the other day. classic reward is 8000 points plus tax. Amex was 7,400 inc taxes, plus it's booked as a red edeal ticket so i get 1,000 FF point and 10 SC.

Nick

[NM]

Thanks NM. Sorry, I was not very clear in my original post re USA trip. I will definitely book this trip using points direct with either VA or QF but remain undecided which airline to use. I need to make a decision soon given the deadline to transfer MR points to QF FF.

Then you will need to pave the way and ask Velocity just how many points a business class award return to LAX will cost. Without that information, you do not have any way to make a determination as to which way to proceed. By the way, I suggest you seated when calling Velocity . But if you can time it with the availability of the $6000 fares, you may get a reasonable deal.

In my experience, anyseat awards in business class on long-haul flights are generally in the order of 5 to 10 times the economy class awards in terms of the points required. By way of example, QF anyseat for business class BNE-LAX for flights in June vary from about 122K to 760K each way, with most days being around 500K. In First it consistently over 1M points each direction. That is a huge premium over QF classic awards.