What's the best way to convert AMEX points?

7 replies

drgmarshall

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 May 2012

Total posts 106

Has anyone discovered where do you get the biggest bang for your buck when converting AMEX points into another program?

 Examples
13,500 AMEX points = $100 David Jones Store card.
10,000 AMEX points = $100 Air NZ "Airpoint Dollars".
10,000 AMEX points = 10,000 Qantas FF points.
10,000 AMEX points = 10,000 Hilton Honors points
I have nearly 200,000 AMEX points

thelongroad

Member since 14 Nov 2015

Total posts 54

Personally, I think converting them to Singapore Airlines and then using them for long haul business class flights is the best use. 200k points is enough for a return ticket Australia to Europe or LAX/SFO. In monetary terms, and to me personally, that's worth way more than $1500 DJs voucher.


djcz

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Feb 2014

Total posts 130

Definitely go with CX. It's has the best redemption rate out of the airlines you can choose. QF Aust->HKG is 60k Oneway/120k Return. CX Aust->HKG is 45k Oneway/80k Return.

markpk

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 29 Nov 2013

Total posts 456

I (or rather she who shall not be disobeyed) converts my points to Australian retailer store vouchers - Myers, DJ's, Coles etc. 


I protect my Qantas points like a first born, but I really don't worry too much about AMEX points as we use them to pay the household running costs every year. From memory, we cover most if not all clothing, food, and other misc costs with store cards from AMEX points. With two kids in primary school - this is significant. 

AMEXQueen

Member since 02 Apr 2017

Total posts 2

It's a bit sad that Australians are so keen to collect Qantas points when other schemes offer so much more value (both in terms of lower redemption costs and lower taxes / fees).

Your 200k AMEX points = 100k SPG Starpoints = 300k Marriott points.
Buy a Category 6 Seven night travel package, which will net you 7 nights in a Category 6 property, plus up to 132k (or more) points in various schemes.  You could pick up 132k United miles - that'll get you 3 first class one way trips between Sydney and Bangkok or a one way first class fare to Europe, with very minimal taxes.
Also, In a recent promo, I was able to pick up 162,000 Avios instead of the usual 120k when purchasing a travel package (as they were offering a 35% bonus for transfers from hotel partners).  That works out to be 9 return trips in Qantas business between Melbourne and Sydney, and plenty of other great low mile Qantas redemption options available.


Last editedby AMEXQueen at Apr 02, 2017, 07:33 PM.

markpk

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 29 Nov 2013

Total posts 456

It's a bit sad that Australians are so keen to collect Qantas points when other schemes offer so much more value (both in terms of lower redemption costs and lower taxes / fees).

Your 200k AMEX points = 100k SPG Starpoints = 300k Marriott points.
Buy a Category 6 Seven night travel package, which will net you 7 nights in a Category 6 property, plus up to 132k (or more) points in various schemes.  You could pick up 132k United miles - that'll get you 3 first class one way trips between Sydney and Bangkok or a one way first class fare to Europe, with very minimal taxes.
Also, In a recent promo, I was able to pick up 162,000 Avios instead of the usual 120k when purchasing a travel package (as they were offering a 35% bonus for transfers from hotel partners).  That works out to be 9 return trips in Qantas business between Melbourne and Sydney, and plenty of other great low mile Qantas redemption options available.


Last edited by AMEXQueen at Apr 02, 2017, 07.33 PM.

AMEXQueen,
I fly Qantas a lot and collect points because I use them for medium and long-haul upgrades. The fact is, Qantas flies where I need to go, so why is that sad? 

I also accrue Starwood and Accor points and use them for short family get aways - fact is, given my heavy travel I'm adverse to flying somewhere for a holiday or spending yet more nights in a hotel...

You've got to make what you can of each loyalty program...

AMEXQueen

Member since 02 Apr 2017

Total posts 2


AMEXQueen,
I fly Qantas a lot and collect points because I use them for medium and long-haul upgrades. The fact is, Qantas flies where I need to go, so why is that sad? 

I also accrue Starwood and Accor points and use them for short family get aways - fact is, given my heavy travel I'm adverse to flying somewhere for a holiday or spending yet more nights in a hotel...

You've got to make what you can of each loyalty program...

Why not convert your AMEX points to other Oneworld carriers like Asia Miles, AAdvantage or even BA Exec Club which have good sweet spots for QF metal redemptions, with Asia Miles and AA charging much lower taxes?

markpk

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 29 Nov 2013

Total posts 456


AMEXQueen,
I fly Qantas a lot and collect points because I use them for medium and long-haul upgrades. The fact is, Qantas flies where I need to go, so why is that sad? 

I also accrue Starwood and Accor points and use them for short family get aways - fact is, given my heavy travel I'm adverse to flying somewhere for a holiday or spending yet more nights in a hotel...

You've got to make what you can of each loyalty program...

Why not convert your AMEX points to other Oneworld carriers like Asia Miles, AAdvantage or even BA Exec Club which have good sweet spots for QF metal redemptions, with Asia Miles and AA charging much lower taxes?

But why? 

I don't see the value in converting AMEX points for flight redemptions? 97% of my travel is funded by customers/partners - and as I noted earlier, when I holiday with the family we're not inclined to want to fly somewhere nor stay in hotels...

I also value status credits much more than points - so redeeming points for flights where I don't get SC simply doesn't make sense...

As I noted earlier - this is MY view on how to best redeem points...


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