MR points - booking with American Express

[Thingywingy]

I was wondering if its ever worth it to book through American Express Travel and use MR point either to pay totaly or partialy for ticket? Or is there much more value in transfering points to partner airlines? Is there a set rate or does it depend on flight. I ask because a friend of mione just booked a ticked for succos to EY for $500 and 19000MR points. sound pretty good? w stopover in amsterdam

[meshugener]

I hope you're not that stupid your friend is.

[Thingywingy]

I hope you're not that stupid your friend is.

It is my understanding that trasfering to miles is better but maybe you should explain why its not a good idea at least in some cases.

[meshugener]

Your friend had a loss of at least $650. Probably even more.

[mordy44]

I hope you're not that stupid your friend is

Funny.........but its that time a year......

[DrDanny]

Your friend had a loss of at least $650. Probably even more.

[Saver2000]

Your friend had a loss of at least $650. Probably even more.

How do you figure?

[DrDanny]

If you value amex at 1.6 cpm than 19,000 is worth $304+500=$804 if you subtract the $650 that you think he lost.....you expect the normal price if a ticket to be $150

[Ergel]

If you value amex at 1.6 cpm than 19,000 is worth $304+500=$804 if you subtract the $650 that you think he lost.....you expect the normal price if a ticket to be $150

+1, seems like he got a great deal
When is he going?

[Ez]

He really got a great deal, but probably nothing to do with using his points, because amex always values their points at 1 cent when booking with them.

[AJK]

He really got a great deal, but probably nothing to do with using his points, because amex always values their points at 1 cent when booking with them.

Incorrect. If one has the Plat or Black card, the points are effectively valued at 1.25 cpp.

[Ergel]

But there are no tickets available now for $725 so this doesn't make sense. Maybe it's only one way?

[Thingywingy]

+1, seems like he got a great deal
When is he going?

Motzei Yom Kippur Sept 26 on KLM through Amsterdam. I did not realize but stop is for 10 hours if that makes a difference. He is returning October 17 430am with 4 hour stopover also in Amsterdam.

[AJK]

$737.50 (if friend had a Plat or Black) or $690 (if friend only had a Gold) for RT to Israel.

Though it's a good deal, he'd have been better off selling the points, and buying the ticket for cash.

[Ergel]

I had that flight on hold 3 months ago for $800. Didn't book it and regretted it since (until I booked two trips later this year, January and Pesach for less than half that price). Haven't seen it for less than $1500 since

[Ergel]

$737.50 (if friend had a Plat or Black) or $690 (if friend only had a Gold) for RT to Israel.

Though it's a good deal, he'd have been better off selling the points, and buying the ticket for cash.

Doesn't make sense. There are no flights that cheap

[DrDanny]

They have access to a special inventory it seems, a friend of mine was booked on spirit Last week and spirit did what they do best and he was stuck in the airport without a flight he called amex platinum and the found him a c&p flight for 9000 points and $110 I didn't check the rate but I would assume it was more than that a half hour before it left
It as dtw-NYC but a 1/2 hour before departure is usually at least $300

[meshugener]

Oops, eyes were rolling, I thought you wrote 190,000 points + $500.

[Thingywingy]

Oops, eyes were rolling, I thought you wrote 190,000 points + $500.

Seems like you should be careful before dismissing someone's ideas.

[meshugener]

Seems so.