Using AMEX Points to HNL

[drex]

Hi All,

I'm planning a trip for me and my partner to HNL early next year. I currently have approximately 125k AMEX Membership Rewards Points and anticipate I'll have somewhere in the vicinity of 150k MR points when I travel. We have a very small amount of points with QF and DJ (about 3k each)

Wondering if somebody can please help with the best way to use these points for a round trip to HNL from BNE? Also happy to fly from SYD if it helps.

From what I can see, I can do the following - points are the same from BNE or SYD

QF = 36000 points + taxes per person each way = 144000
DJ = 45000 points + taxes per person each way = 180000

So QF looks to make more sense (to my inexperienced eye). However I have stumbled across the Asia Miles website which CX is a part of and from their website, it says that I can do a SYD - HNL for 30000 per person each way (120000) which is a bit of a saving.

My question is:

Is there any reason why I shouldn't transfer my points to CX and book the redemption flight through them? I know that it will be a QF codeshare flight.

Does the AMEX Platinum Charge Card let you gain entry to the QF F lounge?

Thanks, Ben

 

[Mwenenzi]

Have you checked what freq flyer programs you can move your Amex points to ?

QF awards are very hard to get: do not assume flights will be available when you want them
Be careful you do not end up on a Jetstar flight as a Qantas code share

 

[futaris]

Hawaiian airlines have a few more partners than just velocity frequent flyer. I haven't done the calculation on which frequent flyer program is the cheapest though...

 

[drex]

I can transfer to a number of travelling partners. Listed here:

Membership Rewards

I'm not adverse to travelling on a JQ flight, I've done the trip with them a couple of times and had no issues.