New Amex redemption rates for SQ/EK; adding transfers to QR/HA

[levelnine]

The mass devaluation continues.

This should start opening up a decent bit more availability on SQ as points are drained from the system.

 

[am0985]

A lot hinges on whether QR redemptions get devalued too.

Very favorable 90k QR redemptions to Europe one way, but also using BA Avios MEL - SYD in J for 12,500 Avios and MEL - BNE J for 16,500 Avios. Better domestic opportunities with Avios than with SQ, though these were always bookable through QF too albeit for more points.

 

[Zanzara]

There are a lot of 'business' credit cards these days being endlessly promoted and churning through $thousands all generating a lot of points. Perhaps the devaluation maybe an inevitability of so many points being sold and earned?

 

[georgie23]

Received for both plat and reserve

Me too

 

[SeaWolf]

I'm hoping that this might be the start of them adding in a few more airline partners. AC seems pretty popular these days, so it would be handy.

 

[ninja-tim]

This will apply to ALL Amex cards

No email for me yet but it's a bad bad move from Amex

I've got Business Ascent and it received devaluation mid-late 2022 for Business Ascent. It was KF 3:2 to 2:1.
So I assume they can't devalue Business Ascent again this soon. It most likely will apply to normal Ascent and what other consumer/personal cards.
Will need to wait for more info.

I'll be moving at least 3 years (36 months) of points into SQ.

SQ offer a 6 month extension on miles, and they can be used to book VA flights (worst case).

In saying this 3:1 is horrible given how SQ has already been devaluing and making redemption harder the last few years.

Is this the beginning of the end?

Yes, I will also move atleast 1-3 years to SQ but also to VA as well, especially during the bonus VA transfers.

After these changes, you may as well just transfer MR->VA->SQ.
100k MR = 33.3k SQ
100k MR = 50k VA = 32.2k SQ - or more if you use a VA transfer bonus

During 15% bonus
100k MR = 115k MR = 57.5k VA = 37.09k KF
The other bonus is you can transfer to your name in VA then link it to family/spouse and have it automatically pooled there then transfer from their VA account to their KF account if you want to book for more than 5 nominees.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Sadly it's still the best option, that's why most aren't seeing it as good news. There's no competition for Amex due to the RBA mandated interchange rates. The question is how many will justify the high annual fees anymore?

Amex Plat
Old Rate: $1 = 2.25 MR = 1.125 KF
New Rate: $1 = 2.25 MR = 0.75 KF

St George: $1 = 0.75KF
Westpac Black: $1 = 0.41 KF
NAB: $1 = 0.41 KF
ANZ: $1 = 0.33 KF

St Geo is also devaluing to 3:1 so it's now $1 = 0.5 KF (1.5 Amplify per $ / 3 = 0.5).

 

[ninja-tim]

St Geo is also devaluing to 3:1 so it's now $1 = 0.5 KF (1.5 Amplify per $ / 3 = 0.5).

Oh damn, when was this?

 

[Jacques Vert]

Oh damn, when was this?

31 July.

See this thread:

St George Rewards Signature KrisFlyer Devaluation

Just received a letter from St George confirming from 31st July 2023, the transfer rate to KRIS will change from 2:1 to 3:1. Major Devaluation? Anyone using this card going to cash out before this date? Any other card recommended?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Blackswan]

Business!

Problem I see with QR through Velocity is plenty of phantom seats.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

For those thinking of transferring up to 3 years worth of points to SQ, just a reminder, SQ can change redemption rates with 21 days' notice. So, if the flight you're looking to book is more than a ~year in advance, just be mindful that you might end up needing more miles. SQ increases tend to be 10-20% ish at a time though, so you'd still probably come out ahead versus waiting and later converting from Amex to SQ under the 3:1 rate, given the 33% devaluation on conversion value / 50% increase in the number of MR points needed to book the same reward.

 

[daft009]

I managed to use up 5.5mil SQ miles since borders opened, with 9pax.

 

[Human]

For those thinking of transferring up to 3 years worth of points to SQ, just a reminder, SQ can change redemption rates with 21 days' notice. So, if the flight you're looking to book is more than a ~year in advance, just be mindful that you might end up needing more miles. SQ increases tend to be 10-20% ish at a time though, so you'd still probably come out ahead versus waiting and later converting from Amex to SQ under the 3:1 rate, given the 33% devaluation on conversion value / 50% increase in the number of MR points needed to book the same reward.

On the other hand, Krisflyer's latest devaluation was just last year. The one before that was (from memory) around 2018. So my educated guess is that there won't be another devaluation this year or next year.

 

[levelnine]

I managed to use up 5.5mil SQ miles since borders opened, with 9pax.

Helps explain why they are devaluing. Too many points whales.

 

[Foreigner]

There must be a silver lining, of course

 

[ansett7e7]

Everyone is talking about transfers to Avios which I still need to get my head around.

What about some of the other programmes on offer such as CX, MH and the hotels (which offer through transfers to airline programs)

 

[kangarooflyer88]

A lot hinges on whether QR redemptions get devalued too.

Do you mean AmEx devalues the transfer rate or QR increases the cost to make a redemption? If the latter, well remember you can transfer your QR Avios to BA, Iberia and/or Aer Lingus at a 1 to 1 rate.

Very favorable 90k QR redemptions to Europe one way, but also using BA Avios MEL - SYD in J for 12,500 Avios and MEL - BNE J for 16,500 Avios. Better domestic opportunities with Avios than with SQ, though these were always bookable through QF too albeit for more points.

Correct, and what I will say is that if you are a points club member there are a number of ways to manufacture status credits on the cheap through QF award flights booked using your BA Avios (yes you can change your frequent flyer number on the ticket after booking by visiting the manage my booking section of the Royal Jordanian website and updating your traveller details).

For those thinking of transferring up to 3 years worth of points to SQ, just a reminder, SQ can change redemption rates with 21 days' notice. So, if the flight you're looking to book is more than a ~year in advance, just be mindful that you might end up needing more miles. SQ increases tend to be 10-20% ish at a time though, so you'd still probably come out ahead versus waiting and later converting from Amex to SQ under the 3:1 rate, given the 33% devaluation on conversion value / 50% increase in the number of MR points needed to book the same reward.

My mantra is never to transfer speculatively. Have a specific redemption (and ideally back up redemptions) in mind so that you can transfer and use them right away.

Everyone is talking about transfers to Avios which I still need to get my head around.

The key thing you need to get your head around with Avios is it isn't one program but three four. A point in any of the four Avios programs (BA, Iberia, Qatar and Aer Lingus) can be converted between each other freely at a rate of 1 to 1. So those Qatar Avios points you got from an AmEx transfer can be used on four different programs. I should also point out that each of these programs have their own sweet spots. For instance, for short haul Australian flying, BA Avios can be a good value, particularly in coach. I mean 6,000 Avios to fly Sydney to Hobart is really good value. Further details on that can be found here. Qatar business redemptions have a good sweet spot for long haul travel, I mean Sydney to London Heathrow is 90,000 Avios in business one-way. Further details on sweet spots with Qatar can be found here. Iberia and Aer Lingus Avios are very good if you want to fly business class across the Atlantic (Europe <> North America). For instance, you can fly Iberia from Chicago to Madrid for 34,000 Avios in business, one-way. And don't count out Aer Lingus either! I mean 13,000 Avios to fly coach from the East Coast of North America to Ireland one-way with no carrier surcharges is a steal, heck not even Uncle Alan will let you fly QF from Sydney to Adelaide using that many QFF points!

What about some of the other programmes on offer such as CX, MH and the hotels (which offer through transfers to airline programs)

IMHO, they are only really a consideration when there is a transfer bonus, which last I checked happened during the Julia Gillard administration!

-RooFlyer88

 

[coolkid101]

No idea if SQ is changing rates worldwide but if everyone jumps onto Qatar imagine redemptions will get trickier

I have a couple mil KF points and booking redemptions for July 2024 and have noticed availability is not like it used to be - much harder - maybe SG is also restricting some availability

I posted this in another thread and reposting here. Re: availability on SQ. I think availability is just becoming a lot more status dependent.

As someone who is fortunate enough to be on the top end of the KF program (PPS solitaire both my wife and I >10 years), i must say things at this part of the world have been better than i've ever experienced.

Over the last few years, and especially since COVID, KF have really stepped up their loyalty perks to us.

Our experiences, both published and un-published:
Priority/advance reward booking access before anyone else
More availability - this has been massive - R/F always 2 available, often 3, have even cleared waitlist for a 4th seat on some flights. (just last month we were 4 in R - 2 paid and 2 redemption and had 2 waitlisted from J upgraded close in SYD-LHR both sectors)
Priority waitlist - again - lots of availability being offered, even for my nominees the waitlist clearance is very high
Dedicated phone line/agent

I got given a hard time about this when i wrote about it previously but i know a lot of KF elites (ourselves included) are also holding multiple seats across dates especially if unsure when/where to go - with easy cancellation at no cost, miles that don't expire and an 8 figure miles balance SQ have been very accommodating with this.

 

[georgie23]

I posted this in another thread and reposting here. Re: availability on SQ. I think availability is just becoming a lot more status dependent.

ok great story for you - your probably right - as a silver i never noticed it previously but currently notice it a lot

This was one of nice differentiators between eg QF

 

[Cruiser Elite]

FWIW I have just spoken to AMEX Biz Plat Card Services over a couple of unrelated matters and agent advised me actual date of change of KF transfer rate for these cards is Oct 4, 2023 and not Jul 31, 2023. Obviously I will clarify this in writing and suggest others holding Biz Plat cards to check your own situation.