Transferring Amex Points to Star Alliance airlines

[evaret]

Hi

I am currently collecting Amex points to use on a trip to the UK. As I also have some miles with Thai Royal Orchard, I will probably use a Star Alliance airline - probably Thai or Singapore.

I was going to leave my points in the Amex account until I was ready to book. But my question is

Do I have to have the miles with the appropriate airline frequent flyer program when I book or do I get some time to transfer them from Amex? For example if I was going to use Singapore Airlines, would I have to have my points with their Krisfyer program when I book

I hope some members can help with this

Regards

 

[Cruiser Elite]

For example if I was going to use Singapore Airlines, would I have to have my points with their Krisfyer program when I book

Absolutely you do - if you do not have total points amount required at time of booking then booking cannot be made.

NO SQ Saver Awards available to UK either so you will need to book Standard Award if you want to fly SQ - 2 x total pts required for Standard compared to Saver.

 

[auriga]

You can transfer your Amex points to either Thai or Krisflyer. You can book SQ or any star alliance flights using either program. You just have to look at their award charts to see which one will work out best for you.

If you are talking about SQ flights, booking them online using SQ's program will get you a 15% discount. As already mentioned, you are not going to get availability in business or first class (at the saver rate) with SQ to the UK, but economy should be no problem.

If you already have significant number of miles with Thai, then transferring to them may enable more effective use of what you already have.

 

[pauly7]

If you are talking about SQ flights, booking them online using SQ's program will get you a 15% discount. As already mentioned, you are not going to get availability in business or first class (at the saver rate) with SQ to the UK, but economy should be no problem.
.

You can get J and F savers on SQ to Europe still though right?

So an option could be to fly to Paris then jump on the train or a cheapie to London....

 

[auriga]

You can get J and F savers on SQ to Europe still though right?

So an option could be to fly to Paris then jump on the train or a cheapie to London....

I think Paris is served by the 380 as well, so not available.

AMS, CPH, FCO should be possible.

 

[pauly7]

I think Paris is served by the 380 as well, so not available.

AMS, CPH, FCO should be possible.

Aaarrrgh... That pesky A380!! Wish it would just disappear... Or SQ to just do the right thing and open it up to J savers....

 

[Bob]

I am in a similar position - wanting to book an award flight Brisbane to London in J for 2 people. I have heaps of Amex MR points but don't know which airline (QF, DJ, TG, SQ, MH, NZ, CX) will be best to transfer to. I think it will be Thai but I cannot get to see availability with them unless I have already transferred the points. Does anyone have the ability to check for 2 x business class flights BNE to LHR 26 Dec and return 31 Jan (or close dates)? Any assistance is much appreciated.

 

[evaret]

In my case there would be one full fare and one on points

I spoke to Thai in Brisbane yesterday (the national line was not operating). I explained I had points with Amex and some miles with Thai. I asked if I could transfer them from Amex when I was sure the seats were available and reserved. They said they understood my problem and this should be ok. And that they would be monitoring my booking to make sure the points came thru. (I imagine they wouldn't wait too long).

Bob, it might be worth a call to Thai. Especially as you are ready to book.

Regards

 

[Bob]

In my case there would be one full fare and one on points

I spoke to Thai in Brisbane yesterday (the national line was not operating). I explained I had points with Amex and some miles with Thai. I asked if I could transfer them from Amex when I was sure the seats were available and reserved. They said they understood my problem and this should be ok. And that they would be monitoring my booking to make sure the points came thru. (I imagine they wouldn't wait too long).

Bob, it might be worth a call to Thai. Especially as you are ready to book.

Regards

Thanks evaret. In the end, after much number crunching and teeh gnashing I decided to transfer my points to Malaysia Airlines and have booked in F with them.

 

[evaret]

Bob's comments got me wondering so I thought I would have a look at the Enrich program. When I went into their site there was lots of info on redemption but I could find any tables or lists on how many points were needed for various sectors/classes.

Could someone post a link for me please.

Regards
Evaret

 

[Bob]

Bob's comments got me wondering so I thought I would have a look at the Enrich program. When I went into their site there was lots of info on redemption but I could find any tables or lists on how many points were needed for various sectors/classes.

Could someone post a link for me please.

Regards
Evaret

Evaret - if you join Enrich (free) and login at https://www.enrich.malaysiaairlines.com/EnrichWebsite/Login.jsp you will be able to search for award availability and it shows the points required before telling you that you don't have enough. For example, SYD to LHR is 123250 points return in J.

 

[trooper]

I would like to nominate the OP's "Royal Orchard" line as the most charming error of the week! :mrgreen: