Transfer points from an Australian credit card to American Airlines Advantage - please would anyone advise if this is possible?

Transfer points from an Australian credit card to American Airlines Advantage - please would anyone advise if this is possible?

Don't think you can do this.

You can transfer from Amex to SPG and from there to AA. Not sure about the conversion rate.

Hi,

I believe it is 2 AMEX points gets 1 SPG. (min 1,000 points).

Then SPG to AA is 1:1, with a 2,500 points minimum, but for every 20,000 SPG points transfer transaction, you get 25,000 (a 5,000 points bonus).

If you dont have an AMEX, then no other option, time to get one.

(ps:Diners can do it too)

Cheers

Many thanks, Driley28, Happy Trails, and Steve.

Turns out I already have a Gold membership with SPG from my Amex Centurion days, which I'd forgotten about!

I'm now trying to do the cost-benefit of whether to:

• divert my Amex points (120,000) to SPG and thence to AA
• divert my 130,000 Hilton point to AA
• buy the 60,000 AA points currently on 25% discount
• buy the 20,000 allowable SPG points
• consolidate all into AA
• do the AA Platinum challenge in Jan 20 2014 or thereabouts to get maximum period of 100% mileage bonus for any OneWorld travel
• let me QF status slip from P1 for Platinum in March 2014 and then Gold in March 2015 and Gold thereafter (I'm Lide time gold) and divert all points to AA
• whittle down my 650,000 QF ppoints in the meamtime

Hi,

The answer to that question, needs to start with the end in mind. What do you want to do with the AA points?

How many AA points you need, on what class of travel, for what destinations, which one has better availability of seats?

That will form the decision/value/cost-benefit hurdle for each of your questions.

Here are my review for your particular situation;

• I see no point in transferring Amex points into AA (via SPG), unless you plan to use them soon, or if there is a special bonus or if you think the SPG/AA arrangement will end. Keep them in AMEX until that time.
• 10 Hilton converts to 1.5 AA, here you will get 19,500 AA miles. Unless you needed the miles for a specific redemption, I'll rather take a free hotel night.
• Buy the AA points on offer, this is a good price - but if you wait - at times there are offers where you buy 60k and get 30k bonus, ie: total 90k. I find that better as you get more points, since there is a 60k annual points buying cap.
• SPG 20k points - wait till a 25% off offer comes along, why buy at full price.
• Need to understand why the sudden need to consolidate into AA (do you hate QF?). Keep things flexible/freedom.
• AA Plat challenge - if you have enough travel coming up - I would recommend this, only if you are will to fully switch to AA and let your QF status slip. Keep in mind the current legal challenge on the US Airways and AA merger. It has been noted AA has no plan B if the merger fails.
• QF points, you have enough for 2x Business class return trips to anywhere in the world, use them when you like. Use them where AA has no partnerships, like Emirates planes etc.
• My recommendations are always to keep options open, and don't put all your points in one program. Then you have the freedom to take up any new bonus offers, discount redemptions, whatever special offers and seat availability opportunities come up.

Good questions. Hope that’s useful, that’s my 2 cents.

Happy to chat if you have any questions.

Cheers, Steve

iFLYflat - We Optimise Frequent Flyer Points.

Hi Steve,

Great responses - many thanks indeed - there is merit in all of your recommendations. I'm leaning to the following:

• Keep AMEX points in AMEX until needed - if my next contract comes through (living in hotels for 6 months per year!) could potentially bump this up substantially using hotelclub.com/amex at 10 pt per dollar bonus - may also be tempted by a VA offer on points transfer (Have 270,000 points so topping up to around 400,000 could secures 2X BNE-LAX or toppng to 520,000 could secure 2x Europe, perhaps once Etihad has ontrodcued the A380 late next year or whenever)
• Use up the Hilton points on points+pay before I lose my Diamond status next April (may go to Curacao where you can do 15,000 plus $50 per night)
• Buy the AA points whilst on offer
• Establish activity in SPG account for now (a night in the Sheraton Mirage since I'm in Cairns!) and await bonus offer before buying the 20,000 pts - need SPG to launch their BNE based property (March 2014?) to make SPG a preferred hotel provider (most of my travel is to BNE)
• Do the AA challenge early in 2014 since can do this easily on my travel plans (a "run" from HNL to BGI for example with the reverse run on United to get Star Alliance Gold based on Aegean airlines membership)
• My preference for QF is to use on anyseat wards for U class redemptions to gain status credits although the minimum points for this lagically reset during thr recent online booking changes, second choice on EK flights for the service levels and lower redemption cash component. I have ageing parents in Europe so maintaining points in case of a trip over there makes sense 
• Hear what you say about keeing options open...great advice!

Thanks again, Steve, great insights both for myself and any other readers...