Should I use my hard earn points to achieve platinum AA status?

[nalee]

Hello, Long time observer/reader and first time poster here.
Ive been reading and trying to digest the myriad of options that I have for redeeming my AMEX reward points for flights to Europe and USA.

I have over the years accumulated approx. 2.8 million AMEX points on my platinum business card (most of which I have technically paid for -2% premium on purchases). I also have approx 300,000 with HHonors, 185,000 with Virgin-Atlantic and 285,000 with Virgin Velocity.

We plan to fly as a family in February 2010, but I have had no joy trying to book using Virgin-Atlantic or Qantas using reward points (no seats!)
I came across a post in here about the AAirlines rewards and how you can achieve platinum status by accumulating 2million miles.

I have some questions and hope that you helpful people may be able to assist me with:
1. If I use my amex points to transfer into my newly created AAirlines rewards account, does this entitle me to platinum membership (ie is the "2million miles gets you platinum status" offer still in place)
2. does having platinum status make it easier to book flights (ie will more be available to me?). We prefer to fly first class and i noticed that AAirlines appear to have the best value for money.
3. Does AAirlines fly from Sydney to London (any airport)? I tried to make a reservation online but it says "No American Airlines Aircraft flys between the destinations selected, please ring customer service for bookings with other partner airlines" or something to that effect
4. Should I go for AAirlines? or just stick with Virgin/Qantas. I could wait until february to see if i can get a last minute ticket (this is what I usually do)

I have only every flown virgin-atlantic upper class and qantas economy/business using points so i know very little about other airlines and their rewards systems. Any suggestions would be VERY much appreciated. Would really feel deflated to make a move and find I have wasted my hard earned points!

 

[futaris]

Firstly, welcome to AFF.

To get lifetime platinum (oneworld sapphire) (2MM on AA) from an Australian American Express Membership Rewards account, you will have to convert the miles through SPG, at the 1000 MR = 330 SPG rate. 20k SPG = 25k AA.

So, doing the sums, you will need 1,600,000 SPG to get 2MM in AA. This is approximately 4,850,000 Membership rewards points at the current 1000 MR = 330 SPG rate.

Having platinum status shouldn't make it easier to redeem on Oneworld partners, e.g. QANTAS, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, JAL, etc. As far as I know, the availability should be the same as if you had QANTAS Bronze. To do redemptions on Oneworld partners, you will need to ring the American Airlines office. To find availability on Oneworld flights, use the QANTAS website (as a QFF Bronze), ba.com or expertflyer.

If you wanted to fly first class (return) on QANTAS, British Airways or Cathay Pacific you would need either 160k AA miles per person or 384k QF miles per person. This is roughly the same number of Membership Rewards points, assuming that you can still transfer to QANTAS.

NB, I can see plenty of availability on the QANTAS website during February. Note, that you'll be lucky to get more than 2 seats in First Class. There are 6+ seats in Business though, if you don't mind connecting through Frankfurt... You might have to take different SYD-SIN flights though.

Also, generally the longer you wait to purchase a ticket, the more $$$ or points it will cost you.

 

[nalee]

hi futuris, thanks so much for your reply. some very valuable pieces of information in your post. Was not aware that waiting to book would cost me more, nor that there were so few seats up for redemption in the first class cabin!

i think at this point then, in terms of value, it would not be beneficial for me to pursue the platinum status with AAirlines. After reading a bit more about it, I would probably not make good use of the benefits of platinum if I only fly 2-3 times a year, not to mention the fact that I have insufficient MR points! The fact that you mention that there are no priorities for platinum members in placing bookings also makes it less worthwhile.
The points required to redeem QANTAS first class tickets are massive, which is why I have opted for business class where QANTAS offers certain routes and VA does not. We travel in business class or highly only because we travel with kids and quite frankly we couldnt imagine traveling economy with them given our experiences in traveling so far!

So overall, is it safe to conclude then that for a infrequent traveller such as myself, with a limited amount of MR points that the VA offerings would be the best value I can get? By this I mean minimum number of points per flight to the UK and the US? I think from memory their upper class offering is somewhere in the vicinity of 120,000 points per adult. Is there anywhere else I can find better bang for bucks (points)?

 

[NM]

If you wanted to fly first class (return) on QANTAS, British Airways or Cathay Pacific you would need either 160k AA miles per person or 384k QF miles per person. This is roughly the same number of Membership Rewards points, assuming that you can still transfer to QANTAS.

Note that Cathay Pacific do not operate First Class to/from Australia any more. So the HKG-SYD/MEL/BNE will be business class even if purchasing a First Class award.

 

[Dave Noble]

If you wanted to fly first class (return) on QANTAS, British Airways or Cathay Pacific you would need either 160k AA miles per person or 384k QF miles per person. This is roughly the same number of Membership Rewards points, assuming that you can still transfer to QANTAS.

Actually, if CX did have 1st class to Australia then it would be 203,000 points each way since it is a Partner award rather than a QF award plus there would be the 2,500 assisted booking fee since it cannot be booked online

 

[drron]

Well it appears that the question is now redundant.But AA plat is worthwhile and if you had the MR points may indeed have been good value.
I disagree with Futaris.I have found it much easier to get premium cabin awards through AA as a plat than as a QP bronze on OW partners particularly JAL.Try getting a premium cabin award from NRT to the USA through QF.As a bronze you get the same message online from QF as you got from aa.com.Then ring QF and they cant see availability even though on aa.com I can see availability every day on either AA or JAL in either J or F.
Getting a RTW or circle type Aaward I have always managed every sector in the premium cabin.Haven't yet been able to do that through QFF-and often the QF sectors that you get downgraded on.
Add to that the 100% mileage bonus as AA plat,less fuel fines and I personally think it is worth it.
Yes if using partner awards you have to ring AA(they do have a BNE office) but you often have to ring QF as well.

 

[Dave Noble]

i think at this point then, in terms of value, it would not be beneficial for me to pursue the platinum status with AAirlines. After reading a bit more about it, I would probably not make good use of the benefits of platinum if I only fly 2-3 times a year, not to mention the fact that I have insufficient MR points! The fact that you mention that there are no priorities for platinum members in placing bookings also makes it less worthwhile.
The points required to redeem QANTAS first class tickets are massive, which is why I have opted for business class where QANTAS offers certain routes and VA does not.

2.8 million would get you lifetime gold on AA and so would have the benefits of OW ruby status such as priority check in at business check in counters as well as access to pre-book exit row seats when travelling on AA ; you would have about 1.15 million AA points after the transfer

Looking, say, at 1st class awards, 1st return to Europe is 160k miles so you could get approx 7 1st class r/ts. Posted to Qantas 2.8 million would also get you about 7 1st class r/ts however you would have to pay a few hundred dollars on each ticket in fuel surcharges. If you wanted to use airlines such as CX ( and soon BA ) you wouldn't even get 7 r/ts using QF points

I would transfer to AA and get the status benefit and lower fuel fines on the award tickets than credit to QF

I don't know VS well enough to comment on its scheme

Dave

 

[NM]

Of course OneWorld Ruby or even Sapphire would be useless to you for the 7 x F return trips to Europe. Would only be of benefit if flying later on paid non-premium cabin flights.

 

[nalee]

I apologise for bringing back to life an old thread. 8 months later, however, after considering the advice offered here, I have not bothered to transfer any points to the AA program, but now I am left with even less options since my last post.
Amex have taken away my option to transfer points to Qantas (apparently my platinum status with them isn't worthy enough anymore and this luxury is only permitted for centurion card holders), so in retaliation I have cancelled all but one card with them (just to hold my points which now stands at 3.8million). I am sitting here today, trying to book a family holiday to Japan using these AMEX points but my only options seem to be Qantas (not enough points left in my account, and cannot transfer anymore over), Virgin Atlantic (do not fly to japan, closest destination is HK), new zealand airlines (fly to japan, but must stop over at auckland - points ok, but airport taxes/charges exorbitant), singapore airlines (same as NZ airlines except must stopover at singapore, same issue with airport taxes)

Are these all of my options or am I missing something? Amex doesnt seem to have any other airline partners. I seriously am considering now transferring to AAirlines but what are the redemptions like for economy factoring in the airport taxes etc?). I really don't know what to do to make good use of these points.

My question is now: I wish to travel the following route approx 4-5 times a year: SYD-PVG(Shanghai) in any class (economy is fine). I would also like to travel any class to Japan, Europe etc in future (maybe 1-2 times a year). My kids are a bit more grown up now so we will all settle for economy class!
What is the best way/value, using these points? any takers?

 

[simongr]

Apparently my platinum status with them isn't worthy enough anymore and this luxury is only permitted for centurion card holders),

Just for accuracy it isn't just Centurion. Platinum Charge card holders can also avail themselves of this benefit.

You could get a Plat Charge card be enrolled in Plat Ascent and then transfer points to QFF.

Given you are pushing 1million points every 8 months through your cards why don't you consider the centurion card. The membership fee could be considered a tax deductible expense and you get the benefits of car transfers etc. (i personally spend more than $4000 on car transfers alone per year but am not allowed to get use a centurion card for business travel )

 

[medhead]

It seemed to qantas that imposed the limit on transferring points.

Depending on your membership rewards program, you mention platinum so I'll assume ascent, you can also transfer to Cathay pacific, Malaysian and Thai. I'm not sure of the value in those programs. Of course given that you cancelled all your cards but one you may have cut odd these options.

You might also be able to use your points directly with Webjet. But probably at poor value.

 

[NM]

Award flight redemptions on OneWorld airlines in economy have the same availability as if using Qantas FF points.

Unfortunately you have now missed the bonus promotion for miles transferred into AAdvantage from hotel partner programs, which would have netted a significant bonus if laundered from Amex to AA via SPG before the end of June .

 

[ejb]

Hi have you considered points for cash.

3.8 million points should equate to $38000, more than enough to pay for flights and no need to worry about FF availability.

ejb

 

[serfty]

3.8Million AX MR = 1.25M SPG

SPG can be transferred to AA at 60K per 24 hours to garner 75K Advantage miles each time.

After at least two weeks you would have 1,050,000 AA miles and Lifetime Gold status and still retain 310K SPG.

If you transferred the lot you would end up with zero SPG and 1,564,000 AA miles - well on the way to Lifetime Plat.

 

[serfty]

Oz to Japan is 25K AAdvantage miles one way in Economy and 35K one-way in Business. (50K/70K return)

Contrast this with Qantas Frequent Flyer where the same travel would cost 72K/144K

for SYD-NRT-SYD

 

[NM]

3.8Million AX MR = 1.25M SPG

SPG can be transferred to AA at 60K per 24 hours to garner 75K Advantage miles each time.

After at least two weeks you would have 1,050,000 AA miles and Lifetime Gold status and still retain 310K SPG.

If you transferred the lot you would end up with zero SPG and 1,564,000 AA miles - well on the way to Lifetime Plat.

And if the transfer from SPG to AA was done during June, each 60K SPG miles would have become 101,250 AAdvantage miles instead of 75,000 (35% bonus). So those 3.8M MR points could have become 2.11M AAdvantage miles and Lifetime Platinum (OneWorld Sapphire) status. What a shame to have missed that opportunity.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Are these all of my options or am I missing something? Amex doesnt seem to have any other airline partners.

I think you might be. Unless the Business Amex is different you should be able to transfer to about 7 airlines from memory including Singapore and Thai.

Also.....as you have MR points..if you intend mainly just redeem with these points and not buy tickets that transferring to AA will probably not deliver the best value in terms of tickets gained for points redeemed.

Also note that if you transfer point to say SQ, that you can then redeem for Star Alliance rewards as well and not just SQ flights.

However SQ fuel fines are high. So economy redemption's are not so great value. Redemptions on SQ as Business (J)Savers (they have 3 different rates) or asa Business Star Alliance Reward are great value and will cost you less than J redemption via AA using MR points as you lose points due to the transfer rate.

However getting more than 2 J seats can be a problem to some destinations, though to Asia is easier.

I seriously am considering now transferring to AAirlines but what are the redemptions like for economy factoring in the airport taxes etc?). I really don't know what to do to make good use of these points.

Look at Krisflyer and the other Star Alliance airlines as well.

Generalising here a bit but AA can be very good if you earn a lot of points from flying. But if mainly from a Credit Card, with few paid flights, I tend to find SQ/*A are better value.


Note that redeeming for particular flights can vary quite widely between programs , though QF is mainly always bad apart from RTW which are had to book, and so directing points to different programs can wor well.
From time to time some have transfer specials. Unfortunately Amex MR just had some which finished in June.

But AA can achieve staus from CC points which the other programs do not offer. But then agin if you redeem in J that is not a problem, but in Y can be good.

However question for the AA Experts. For the OP's family redemptions how many people will the Platinum Status benefit? (ie lounge access, priority check-in etc).