KrisFlyer Award booking and other questions

[JohnK]

My mother is travelling SYD-SIN-ATH return in a few days in W class. If joining KrisFlyer she should earn ~19,086 miles. She is unlikely to travel again for at least 5 years so the miles would expire. Adding me as a nominee she could book a BKK-SIN-BKK award online for me which would require 21,250 miles (15% discount) which means purchasing 3,000 miles for US$120 + taxes and surcharges. Shame you can't transfer points between KrisFlyer accounts or even transferring Amex MR points from my account into another KrisFlyer account.

Another choice is joining UA MileagePlus and the miles earned in W class should be exactly the same. Can you book awards for nominees? I know you can transfer miles between accounts but it is relatively expensive. Booking a BKK-SIN-BKK only requires 20,000 miles with MileagePlus but needs to be booked over the phone costing US$15 + purchasing 1,000 miles to make up the difference + taxes and surcharges.

Are these 2 programs the best choices in Star Alliance for my plans? Have I missed any information that will make my calculations wrong. I am leaning towards KrisFlyer but if there is a better alternative....

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Some FFPs (not Kris Flyer) only credit 50% for SQ W class.

 

[JohnK]

KrisFlyer it is then.

 

[kpc]

... which means purchasing 3,000 miles for US$120 + taxes and surcharges. Shame you can't transfer points between KrisFlyer accounts or even transferring Amex MR points from my account into another KrisFlyer account.

If you have 3000 Starwood points (you can tranfer Amex MR points to Starwood), this can then be transferred into your mother's Starwood account (open one for free); both of you must must live at the same address tho for this to take place, which can then be transferred to Krisflyer at a 1:1 ratio.

 

[JohnK]

If you have 3000 Starwood points (you can tranfer Amex MR points to Starwood), this can then be transferred into your mother's Starwood account (open one for free); both of you must must live at the same address tho for this to take place, which can then be transferred to Krisflyer at a 1:1 ratio.

Ok we need to discuss this in more detail on the way to Ozfest.

If I understand it correctly I open a Starwood account in both names, then transfer my Amex MR points into my Starwood account, then transfer my Starwood points into my mothers Starwood account and then transfer my mothers Starwood points into her KrisFlyer account and then I can book a return BKK-SIN online for me. Sounds easy. Where do I sign?

Without looking it up what is the Amex MR to Starwood transfer rate?

 

[kamchatsky]

Open it at Starwood: Starwood Preferred Guest - Hotel Offers and Loyalty Program spg.com

I think 1000 AmEx points = 330 Starwood points

1 Starwood point = 1 Krisflyer point BUT
20000 Starwood point = 25000 Krisflyer points. (5000 bonus).