Are there ever bonus transfer offers for Skywards?

[Ben6]

I am planning a family trip next year and would like to fly home from MCO to MEL with a stopover in DBX. You can book this through the Advanced Search website (which is quite impressive) but I'm looking at 660K points (and a chunk of cash!) in J. I have the points in MR but wondered if I should be waiting for a transfer offer from Skywards? Do these occur?

 

[dajop]

The bonus is always there. But the bonus is for Emirates not for the traveller. They get a 0.25 point bonus for every MR point you spend vs other carriers (ie 4:3 for Skywards vs 1:1 for everyone else) and they also get the bonus of the highest fuel surcharges out of all the MR partner programs.

In short, I can't ever recall seeing any bonuses for transfers to Skywards and knowing how stingy the program is, I wouldn't expect any either.

If you wanted to a stopover in AUH instead of DXB, you could probably save a whole stack of cash and MR points using Velocity and its partners ...... or even doing MCO-LHR-DXB on Virgin Atlantic and then DXB-SIN-MEL on SQ. Obviously any other options add considerable time though.

 

[Ben6]

The bonus is always there. But the bonus is for Emirates not for the traveller. They get a 0.25 point bonus for every MR point you spend vs other carriers (ie 4:3 for Skywards vs 1:1 for everyone else) and they also get the bonus of the highest fuel surcharges out of all the MR partner programs.

In short, I can't ever recall seeing any bonuses for transfers to Skywards and knowing how stingy the program is, I wouldn't expect any either.

If you wanted to a stopover in AUH instead of DXB, you could probably save a whole stack of cash and MR points using Velocity and its partners ...... or even doing MCO-LHR-DXB on Virgin Atlantic and then DXB-SIN-MEL on SQ. Obviously any other options add considerable time though.

Bummer, thanks Dajop. I'm not sure I understand about the transfer rate though - I get 1:1 into Skywards from MR?

I will have a look at Velocity but as I am discussing in another thread, availability is really poor on VA metal at the moment - perhaps EY may be better and I can transfer directly into Guest points as well. The advantage of EK is the direct flight from Orlando (where we'll be) into DXB and then direct again to MEL, along with the ability to book 4 J seats on the same flight. I'm travelling with kids so those convenience options are more relevant for me. I have already spent quite a bit of time looking at options but will certainly check out your suggestions to see if they work.

 

[dajop]

Bummer, thanks Dajop. I'm not sure I understand about the transfer rate though - I get 1:1 into Skywards from MR?

On my Amex, the transfer ratio is 4:3 for Skywards:

4 Membership Rewards points is equal to 3 Skywards Miles

 

[Ben6]

On my Amex, the transfer ratio is 4:3 for Skywards:

Wow, that does make them even worse for you! Mine is def 1:1 though - mine is through a Plat Charge Card and Ascent Premium program.

Transfer points to Emirates Skywards

1 Membership Rewards point is equal to 1 Skywards Mile
A minimum of 2,000 points can be transferred to this Partner


OverviewEmirates Skywards, the award-winning frequent flyer programme of Emirates, offers its Members exclusive privileges such as earning Skywards Miles on Emirates and partner airlines, or when they use the programme’s designated hotels, car rentals, financial, leisure and lifestyle partners.
Voted the Middle East's Leading Airline Rewards Program (World Travel Awards), the Middle East, Asia & Oceania region’s Best Earning Promotion (Miles Accelerator) / Best Elite Program / Best Customer Service / Overall Program of the Year (Frequent Traveller Awards), plus receiving honours for the unique Skywards Miles Accelerator and being named Best Loyalty Program (Middle East Traveller Magazine). More information available at:

 

[Ben6]

If you wanted to a stopover in AUH instead of DXB, you could probably save a whole stack of cash and MR points using Velocity and its partners ...... or even doing MCO-LHR-DXB on Virgin Atlantic and then DXB-SIN-MEL on SQ. Obviously any other options add considerable time though.

Thanks again Dajop, your post made me look at my options again and now instead of MCO-DBX-MEL for 660K points and USD$4K taxes, going to MCO-JFK on Delta and stop for a couple of nights, then JFK-AUH-MEL on EY for a few more points (730K) but only AUD$1,400 taxes. The savings will more than pay for our accommodation in NY with plenty left over, not to mention the side benefit of going to NY which is close to my favorite city!!!!