Possible to transfer KrisFlyer to LifeMiles?

[FlyIsUndone]

Hi,

I'm trying to transfer some Australian AMEX points to Avianca Lifemiles. It seems to be rather hard.
Marriot to Lifemiles is very poor value.

Would it be possible to go:
Amex KrisFlyer Lifemiles?
or
Amex Virgin Lifemiles?

Any help for this noobie would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[levelnine]

Unfortunately not.

 

[FlyIsUndone]

@levelnine Any way to get AMEX into Lifemiles? Or is that impossible?

 

[levelnine]

@levelnine Any way to get AMEX into Lifemiles? Or is that impossible?

Amex Australian MR -> Amex USA MR -> Lifemiles.

The Australian to USA MR conversion can only be done once a year and is at the prevailing AUD:USD exchange rate.

It requires a US Amex MR-earning card.

 

[dajop]

I think it can be done via Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex -> Bonvoy = 3:2, Bonvoy->Life Miles 3:1

9 AMEX MR = 6 Marriott Bonvoy Points = 2 Life Miles.

So to get 1000 Life Miles you need 4,500 Amex Membership Rewards Points. Don't think it's great value, as you can usually buy Life Miles for around $19-20 AUD for 1000 LifeMiles.

 

[FlyIsUndone]

Thanks everyone. This is very helpful.

I don't have a US Amex MR-earning card - so that's off the table.
And Bonvoy LifeMiles is terrible value.

Plus, there is only one seat left on this flight that I'm trying to nab - so there is a ticking clock!

I'm wondering if a KrisFlyer workaround would help matters. Any thoughts?

Aeropoints or Lifemiles are the ultimate goal.

 

[levelnine]

I'm wondering if a KrisFlyer workaround would help matters. Any thoughts?

Can you book the flight with KrisFlyer miles? Some partners you need to call Singapore to book; not everything is online.

Otherwise buy Lifemiles or Aeroplan miles.

 

[FlyIsUndone]

Yes, but unfortunately it's much more expensive.

Through KrisFlyer the flight is an additional 40k points and and additional $400 in taxes.

Buying Lifemiles also works out much worse too - an additional $2500AUD for the flight with bought points

 

[levelnine]

Unfortunately, you're probably stuck then.

It's one of the downsides of Australian points-earning programs. The currencies with significant points sweet spots (eg Hyatt, ANA, Avios, Aeroplan, Lifemiles) are all difficult to earn in large quantities at good rates.

 

[FlyIsUndone]

Hmmm yes, it's seeming that way @levelnine

Last ditch effort - I'm wondering if:
AMEX Velocity United would work?

I can transfer points from Velocity to United at 1:1, right?

 

[levelnine]

I can transfer points from Velocity to United at 1:1, right?

No. You can book United flights with Velocity, but not transfer currencies. The Velocity to KrisFlyer transfer ability is very rare — generally airline currencies are not transferable among each other.

 

[FlyIsUndone]

I see. What a bugger.
So if a flight was 100K Mileage Plus points, it would be impossible to get my Amex points over there?


What about AMEX Velocity Golden Circle Award Point Aeroplan?

 

[levelnine]

What about AMEX Velocity Golden Circle Award Point Aeroplan?

Not 100% sure, but I believe you can only go Golden Circle to Velocity, not the other way around.

 

[FlyIsUndone]

I suspected that might be the case.
It's rather annoying that I can't actually use the AMEX points I've spent the last 5 years accumulating. Harrumph.

 

[levelnine]

I suspected that might be the case.
It's rather annoying that I can't actually use the AMEX points I've spent the last 5 years accumulating. Harrumph.

I understand your frustration, but it sounds like you can, just not at the rate you were hoping to redeem them for.

Amex Australia has always had a limited set of transfer partners.

 

[FlyIsUndone]

Apart from Bonvoy, are there any options?