Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Kscf]

Sorry to hear this mate. Do you have any good redeemption suggestion for AS? Cheers

I had used AS to fly Brisbane to Perth on QF as it was only 20k one way back in 2023 but seems like its 50k now. AC is still good as SQ one way to Europe is 110k instead pf 130.5k on SQ.

Sydney to Tokyo on ANA is also only 60k

 

[DC3]

Went straight from Louisville to Honolulu (and then onto Sydney).

Excellent. Left KY hub and now on its way.

 

[nthd_nthd]

I had used AS to fly Brisbane to Perth on QF as it was only 20k one way back in 2023 but seems like its 50k now. AC is still good as SQ one way to Europe is 110k instead pf 130.5k on SQ.

Sydney to Tokyo on ANA is also only 60k

So sorry to hear - basically that's everyone's nightmare here in this forum. Anyway, what is your plan now moving forward? Is there any chance to make amend with Amex in the future?

 

[Kscf]

So sorry to hear - basically that's everyone's nightmare here in this forum. Anyway, what is your plan now moving forward? Is there any chance to make amend with Amex in the future?

I might try after a few years.

 

[Grrr]

So sorry to hear - basically that's everyone's nightmare here in this forum

Tricky in terms of getting MR into airlines... the main benefit of MR is banking points so you're not stuck in an airline that may devalue them at any time

It would make the 'long' game is a waste of time unless you are using the points at least a couple of times a year (hard for some of us !)

 

[albyd]

Tricky in terms of getting MR into airlines... the main benefit of MR is banking points so you're not stuck in an airline that may devalue them at any time

It would make the 'long' game is a waste of time unless you are using the points at least a couple of times a year (hard for some of us !)

That's the issue with me - I have 1.6m MR I mostly fly SQ but would be loathe to "bank" so many at SQ aside from the 3 year rule, they're also subject to devaluations - though better than losing 100% of them due to a shutdown.

 

[Kscf]

That's the issue with me - I have 1.6m MR I mostly fly SQ but would be loathe to "bank" so many at SQ aside from the 3 year rule, they're also subject to devaluations - though better than losing 100% of them due to a shutdown.

A RT to LHR in Suites would wipe out 30% of it for one person

 

[albyd]

I'm coming home from SQ in suites in a few weeks - I see that as a fluke. I've not been in the new suites yet and they've been in service for some years now.

 

[Kscf]

I'm coming home from SQ in suites in a few weeks - I see that as a fluke. I've not been in the new suites yet and they've been in service for some years now.

If u always book SQ on schedule open then there is a reasonable chance that it will be available on AC. So transferring half of it to AC might be a good idea

 

[zainman]

My US accounts were all just shut down. I only had like 5000 MR but had bonvoy brilliant and business cards which I am going to miss the most.

Many of my US friends got shutdown saying "Indicia of misuse"

If folks are having large balances I would suggest to transfer out to AC, or HA -> AS

Were you doing MS using BG/BFMR etc? I wonder if that has anything to do with it? Or the opposite, that as that is spend in US, it would be beneficial as it's not just overseas spend...

 

[Kscf]

Were you doing MS using BG/BFMR etc? I wonder if that has anything to do with it? Or the opposite, that as that is spend in US, it would be beneficial as it's not just overseas spend...

Oh I have done a lot of it but nothing in the past 2 years though

 

[zainman]

Oh I have done a lot of it but nothing in the past 2 years though

Why did you stop? Maybe you should have kept going and they wouldn't have shut you down!!??

 

[maverick1]

That's the issue with me - I have 1.6m MR I mostly fly SQ but would be loathe to "bank" so many at SQ aside from the 3 year rule, they're also subject to devaluations - though better than losing 100% of them due to a shutdown.

With Qatar becoming more prominent in Aus maybe have a look at that option if you haven't already. Can book using Alaska miles. Low taxes.
I recently booked using velocity points as I wanted to reduce my VFF bal instead of using MR. Taxes were ~A$450 but wanted to experience Q-suites.

 

[Kscf]

Why did you stop? Maybe you should have kept going and they wouldn't have shut you down!!??

Most of the deals lately have been below cost. Like I am not paying 3% below cost for MR

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 5:50 PM

With Qatar becoming more prominent in Aus maybe have a look at that option if you haven't already. Can book using Alaska miles. Low taxes.
I recently booked using velocity points as I wanted to reduce my VFF bal instead of using MR. Taxes were ~A$450 but wanted to experience Q-suites.

Avios is still ur best bet to fly qsuites. I recently flew to FCO and I booked it last year as soon as schedule opened. VA gets access only after like 20 days and the avail is usually gone by then

 

[maverick1]

Most of the deals lately have been below cost. Like I am not paying 3% below cost for MR

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 5:50 PM

Avios is still ur best bet to fly qsuites. I recently flew to FCO and I booked it last year as soon as schedule opened. VA gets access only after like 20 days and the avail is usually gone by then

I was talking more from cost perspective vs availability which I suppose you are referring to?
for a random date in Dec - Syd to Doh with Qatar Avios is 94,500 points + A$400+ taxes
with Alaska its 85k points + US87

 

[pyramidforce]

I can't even get QR on schedule open. Might be resigned to using my avios on SYD-DPS on Garuda. Not the worst use IMO.

 

[sudoer]

Might be resigned to using my avios on SYD-DPS on Garuda. Not the worst use IMO

Pretty easy to get QF J on this route though...

 

[Kscf]

I can't even get QR on schedule open. Might be resigned to using my avios on SYD-DPS on Garuda. Not the worst use IMO.

QR does block out seats during certain times of the year. I am actually flying SYD - DPS on Garuda this Aug booked through AF for 132k miles RT for 2 people

 

[levelnine]

I can't even get QR on schedule open. Might be resigned to using my avios on SYD-DPS on Garuda. Not the worst use IMO.

Are you sure you're looking correctly?

Literally the first search towards the end of the calendar reveals ample availability for 2 passengers in J flying MEL - LHR for 180K total (90K each):




All of the dates listed in green have 90K availability for 2x passengers:

 

[serfty]

[moderator hat]

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Please note this thread's title - Yes, the benefits of a US Amex (or credit card in general) generally much greater than an Australian and that is fine. However, there are other forums where one can discuss how to book awards.​

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[/moderator hat]