fflyer points requirement comparison

[thomastse]

Does anyone know of some sort of comparison table between the popular fflyer programs ? Such as difference in points required for certain trips & cost of top up points ? There appear to be a big ( unjustifiable ) difference between programs. Unless I am mistaken, as an example, we'll need something like 250% more Ascent points to travel SYD-HK by MAS than Virgin Atlantic. Also Singapore airline only requires US40/1000 miles for top up. Now suddenly they changed the ratio of transferring points, it'll effectively mean half "price" for say, Singapore Airline.

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF thomastse.

That is a very diffucult question to answer and I do not think there is any tool available that will give detailed comparisons between FF programs. It would also be diffucult to find two FF programs with very similar earn/burn rates.

There appear to be a big ( unjustifiable ) difference between programs. Unless I am mistaken, as an example, we'll need something like 250% more Ascent points to travel SYD-HK by MAS than Virgin Atlantic.

Whether it is justified or not that is the agreement that Amex has with the various FF programs. Amex MR points transfer to QF and VS at 1:1 and to MH, CX, SQ and TG at 2:1. So awards on QF and VS are always going to appear cheaper when using Amex MR points.

I have found MH awards to be a little more expensive than other FF programs but you are comparing a direct flight SYD-HKG on VS as opposed to a one-stop flight SYD-KUL-HKG on MH which is a little unfair.

Also Singapore airline only requires US40/1000 miles for top up. Now suddenly they changed the ratio of transferring points, it'll effectively mean half "price" for say, Singapore Airline.

Points may be cheaper to buy with SQ but the miles expiring on a rolliing 3 year basis does not make it an attractive FF program. There are other *Alliance FF programs that are much better. Try BD, UA or OZ.

 

[thomastse]

What I meant in comparing say VS to MH is that it cost significantly more to purchase VS than MH by real money but it cost a lot more Ascent points to exchange for MH than VS. If it's true that Ascent : SQ is going to be 1:1, then SQ will only require simliar Ascent point as VS & MH will require much more. On top of that, SQ has better planes/seats/service besides costing much more in real money to purchase. Also both SQ & MH points expires 3 yrly but we can hold points in Ascent until we need to use them. This is comparing just one particular route. I suppose it's just means there is no fixed formula or best program we can use but check for the best value each time. Thanks anyway !

ps just checked my Amex account & realise they did change the ratio for MH to 4:3 ( instead of 2:1 ) & SQ is actually now 1:1. Thus MH still requires more points but difference is less though still significant. Hence, SQ is much better value if using points but MH is much cheaper using money.

 

[JohnK]

ps just checked my Amex account & realise they did change the ratio for MH to 4:3 ( instead of 2:1 ) & SQ is actually now 1:1.

Yes that is a significant change which I am sure will make the Amex MR program much more attractive.

I was not aware of the change and when I last looked at the Amex website it was quoting the ratios I posted. Interesting that the Amex Membership Rewards webpage has not been updated.

Also both SQ & MH points expires 3 yrly but we can hold points in Ascent until we need to use them.

I am assuming that most of your points are earned through credit card spending and not travel. If you do any amount of paid travel have you considered switching to BD or OZ FF programs? They appear to have better earn/burn rates, easier to attain/maintain status and no miles expiry.