Redeeming Merrill Lynch Points

[Redbull3]

Did u end up trying this?

I did not. Still sitting on my points.

[tzifanya54]

I did not. Still sitting on my points.

Yea, same here no flying needs in the immediate future. Just trying to figure out my options...

[New Yorker]

If you only have 25k points, you will get $500 off any flight of $500+. So if you have 50k points just book a $500 flight with 25k points which you'll cancel later (within 24hr) then you'll be able to use 25k points on any flight of $500 and up

I hope i was clear enough

[Redbull3]

If you only have 25k points, you will get $500 off any flight of $500+. So if you have 50k points just book a $500 flight with 25k points which you'll cancel later (within 24hr) then you'll be able to use 25k points on any flight of $500 and up

I hope i was clear enough

This is brilliant. Thanks!

[sky121]

If you only have 25k points, you will get $500 off any flight of $500+. So if you have 50k points just book a $500 flight with 25k points which you'll cancel later (within 24hr) then you'll be able to use 25k points on any flight of $500 and up

I hope i was clear enough

I'm confused. What is this in regard to? Purpose of cancelling?

[Redbull3]

I'm confused. What is this in regard to? Purpose of cancelling?

Say you want a $600 flight and have 50k points. If you just go ahead and book, you will be charged 35k (25k at 2cpp and 10k at 1cpp). Leaving you with 15k which doesn't redeem at the same value that 25k does. So if you first clear 25k from your account by booking a dummy flight, then you can use the other 25k + $100 cash on the $600 flight. Then cancel the dummy flight and you are left with the ideal 25k again.

Do I have this right? CMIIW?

[tzifanya54]

The question is are what happens when you cancel? Is there a charge back in cash or points?

[New Yorker]

Say you want a $600 flight and have 50k points. If you just go ahead and book, you will be charged 35k (25k at 2cpp and 10k at 1cpp). Leaving you with 15k which doesn't redeem at the same value that 25k does. So if you first clear 25k from your account by booking a dummy flight, then you can use the other 25k + $100 cash on the $600 flight. Then cancel the dummy flight and you are left with the ideal 25k again.

Do I have this right? CMIIW?

Exactly

(Make sure to cancel on the merril lynch website or call them and not thru the airline)

[New Yorker]

The question is are what happens when you cancel? Is there a charge back in cash or points?

If you cancel thru Merrill lynch you get back the points

[tzifanya54]

If you cancel thru Merrill lynch you get back the points

Thanks.

[sky121]

Say you want a $600 flight and have 50k points. If you just go ahead and book, you will be charged 35k (25k at 2cpp and 10k at 1cpp). Leaving you with 15k which doesn't redeem at the same value that 25k does. So if you first clear 25k from your account by booking a dummy flight, then you can use the other 25k + $100 cash on the $600 flight. Then cancel the dummy flight and you are left with the ideal 25k again.

Do I have this right? CMIIW?

Got it. Thanks

[Redbull3]

Are you booking the flights through their system or do you apply the points as a credit against a charge that posts to your account?

If you book the flight through their system - are the points applied per passenger or by itinerary? If I book two passengers on the same itinerary with RT cost of $250 per person, $500 total would that be eligible for the full 2% redemption?

Book through their app or on the phone. Per ticket it would be 25k as long as flights were under $500.  I think it may be 30k if close to? I can't remember exactly.
And of course flights earn miles as well.

I just tried book a $225x2 pax flight, they want 50k points total or $450. I called and rep said same thing: it's per person not per reservation. @sky121 is this what you are saying or did you have a different experience?

[sky121]

I just tried book a $225x2 pax flight, they want 50k points total or $450. I called and rep said same thing: it's per person not per reservation. @sky121 is this what you are saying or did you have a different experience?

It's 25k per ticket/ person no matter how much the ticket is up to $500. 

Not worth using if tickets are that cheap.

[refill]

These points are a little wonky, but I was able to get two RT DEN-LON tickets for 50k and no fees on Icelandair. Not bad.

[Geshmak25]

These points are a little wonky, but I was able to get two RT DEN-LON tickets for 50k and no fees on Icelandair. Not bad.

Weird system but once you understand it then you can get great value

[yyonah]

I got in under the wire on the Merrill+ card. By the time I'm ready to redeem my points for flights to Israel, I'll have roughly 53,000 points (the 50K bonus plus the 3K I have to spend to get it). Two questions: 1. Is there an easy way to search for $500 flights for the dummy flight? 2. Is it better to go slightly over or slightly under the $500 sweet spot in booking the dummy flight? I'm thinking that as long as I'm leaving at least 25K points for the real flight, I'm maxing out the value.

[Geshmak25]

Say you want a $600 flight and have 50k points. If you just go ahead and book, you will be charged 35k (25k at 2cpp and 10k at 1cpp). Leaving you with 15k which doesn't redeem at the same value that 25k does. So if you first clear 25k from your account by booking a dummy flight, then you can use the other 25k + $100 cash on the $600 flight. Then cancel the dummy flight and you are left with the ideal 25k again.

Do I have this right? CMIIW?

Is it easy to cancel the dummy flight? Just a link on their website within 24 hours?

[Redbull3]

Is it easy to cancel the dummy flight? Just a link on their website within 24 hours?

Yes ime