Amex points

[Smegger]

Hi everyone
I have about 200K Amex points on an AMP Blue card. I want to travel to Italy in April next year and would like to travel, at least some of the way, in business class.
I thought I would have to transfer my points to an airline frequent flyer program and then try and get an upgrade from economy to business class.
I'm sure I read on another thread (can't find it now) that I may be able to book through Amex directly for a reward. Is that right? Can I do that over the web?, I haven't been able to find a site that will let me do that, or do I ring an Amex office?
Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks

 

[Maca44]

This might help with regard to booking flights with amex American Express Australia - Membership Rewards Guarantee

You don't indicate whether you have status or not, (so I will assume no), and if this correct I don't like your chances of getting an upgrade to J class. You might be better using more of your amex points to book a business class fare for one or two legs of your trip. However, this might make purchase of your other one way legs expensive.

 

[Smegger]

Thanks for the reply Maca44.
I thought I would be able to pay for the return trip, partly with the points and partly cash. Doesn't look like it then. Though i did read some article in the Age about this being possible.
I 'm not quite sure what you mean by "status". Do you mean am I also in the Qantas program or similar. I'm obviously a newbie at this!

Thanks

 

[tuapekastar]

Welcome to AFF, Smegger.

Airlines typically have status levels within their frequent flyer programs that reward the people who fly with them most. Privileges for higher levels include lounge access, priority checkin, priority for upgrades (on QF these almost always must be paid for with points), extra baggage allowances, bonus miles, that sort of thing, and increase the higher you go.

For example on Qantas there are 4 levels for Qantas Frequent Flyer scheme members...Bronze (entry level), Silver, Gold and Platinum (there is another invitation only level that's irrelevant to most people).

So the 'lower' your level, the less chance you have of a points upgrade, as there is a fair chance someone else at a higher level is in front of you in the queue. Not to say you can't try for it!!

You can read about it on the Qantas website under 'Frequent Flyer'