Using Amex MR for flight booking

[MAX_1]

I just enetered MR and selected Travel/Online. For a Bris-Melb Return in Business , 210,168 points required. *!!&^%^$%en expensive. So immediately went to Qantas site and selected the exact same flight, times and dates and here it was 48,000 + taxes. I hell of a difference.
My question to those who do use MR for travel is this.
"What is the best cost-effective way to use Amex MR points for international travel?"
Thanks
Max_1

[ejb]

Hi,

The high number of points reflects that is a "anytime" type award.

The most effective way (I beleive) for using MR is to transfer to airline program.

At the rate of over 200000 points you could swap MR for cash and pay for the flight and get SC's/points as 200000 ponts would equate to around $2000.

Others may have better uses but I just transfer to QF and book on classic awards.

ejb

[zig]

I think most people here would transfer their points to a frequent flyer program and then book flights through that program.. Which program you choose really depends upon you, your travel and your card (ie you may now not be able to transfer to Qantas).

Frequent Flyer partners are found at the website Membership Rewards Frequent Traveller - American Express Australia

[Dee Thom]

I have Amex Plat, and their rewards program allows me to select which airline eg., QF, TG, DJ I wish to transfer to at any time. Then it's only a matter of going to the airlines web site, or in the case of TG ringing their Brissy office, asking the girls to book for me, TG doesn't charge for this service as do some.
Cheers Dee

[alanh]

What I normally do, specially when I need to depart shortly, is use my TravelScene Travel Agent. They can redeem my Amex MR points against any flight on any airline.
I know that this might not suit everybody, however I have a reliable agent that I use on a regular basis.

[serfty]

Redeeming AMEX MR points this way is generally a direct 1¢ per MR point cost on currently available fares.

e.g. A one-way MEL-SYD on QF can be purchased for $96.70 or 9,670 MR points or a combination.

[nlagalle]

I've used the Amex travel website several times to book flights. It all depends on what sales QF have at the time too, but here is a rough guide...

• 10,000 points = $100 of travel.

• You are buying a paid ticket, so you will earn FF points and SC's for the trip.

• J seats are very expensive, if you want to fly J transfer to QF and redeem an award flight.

I'll give you an example of how it has recently worked for me.

I needed a return ticket to PER in August. QF have a sale on at the moment for $189 one way.

On the Amex site it was $194 including the booking fee. That translates to 19,400 points. an award flight redemption is 18,000 plus taxes. So if you add in that and subtract the 2300 odd points I'll get flying (Gold FF) plus 20sc it's a better way to book a ticket.

Flying J it would set me back around $2000 or 200,000 points as opposed to 72,000 as an award flight - so certainly not worth it.

It's also worth noting that even though it is 128,000 points to fly return to LHR that doesn't include taxes. including taxes it is around 180,000 equivilant points, so booking via amex can be worth it too as you get SC's and FF points for the trip.

Cheers,

Nick

[JohnK]

Now that I cannot transfer Amex MR points to Qantas I would use Amex MR points for redemptions on Singapore Airlines.

With the 15% discount for booking awards online (25%-50% discount if booking and travelling before September 2009) it requires 46,750 Amex MR points + taxes and surcharges for a return economy saver award SYD-BKK/HKG/SIN or or 76,500 Amex MR points + taxes and surcharges for a return economy saver award SYD-Europe.

In my opinion this type of redemption provides good value at just under 2c/MR point....