What to do with Membership Rewards points?

[Eddie Aziz]

I have about 170,000 MR points. I'm trying to figure out which airline to transfer them to that works best for my travel preferences. I want to take mileage requirements and taxes & fees into consideration before choosing an airline program

I live in New York. I travel mostly to the following international destinations:

Italy
Ukraine
Israel

Thanks to anyone that can help!

[sky121]

I have about 170,000 MR points. I'm trying to figure out which airline to transfer them to that works best for my travel preferences. I want to take mileage requirements and taxes & fees into consideration before choosing an airline program

I live in New York. I travel mostly to the following international destinations:

Italy
Ukraine
Israel

Thanks to anyone that can help!

Each airline has its benefits.
For example Aeroplan allows 2 stopovers.

[Marco Polo]

Thanks for the reply. How would you compare the benefits of Skyteam vs. Avios? I always have trouble finding availability via Delta with lower mileage but I heard BA has crazy taxes

Depends where you are flying.

[whYME]

Why limit your options by commiting to any one program?

Why not just transfer what you need to wherever you need it when you need it?

[Shmulyg]

Why limit your options by commiting to any one program?

Why not just transfer what you need to wherever you need it when you need it?

To get the 12-month clock ticking...

[jeckll]

Can't you apply for a BLUE to keep your MR balance with no annual fee? It's a credit hit but throw it in your next AOR. That way you can transfer as needed but get the 12 month clock ticking...

[PETERP]

Can't you apply for a BLUE to keep your MR balance with no annual fee? It's a credit hit but throw it in your next AOR. That way you can transfer as needed but get the 12 month clock ticking...

Do points held in Blue card of any kind , become MR when MR card is linked to account

IIRC that's how it works .

[Shmulyg]

Can't you apply for a BLUE to keep your MR balance with no annual fee? It's a credit hit but throw it in your next AOR. That way you can transfer as needed but get the 12 month clock ticking...

Can anyone with personal experience please confirm this.

TIA

[jeckll]

Can anyone with personal experience please confirm this.

TIA

not the exact same scenario, but I converted regular blue to blue cash with a balance of MR and got a warning that they would expire in 30(?) days. Should mean regular blue can hold MR balance with no fee...

[PETERP]

not the exact same scenario, but I converted regular blue to blue cash with a balance of MR and got a warning that they would expire in 30(?) days. Should mean regular blue can hold MR balance with no fee...

Sounds right to me . IIRC I was offered a downgrade from SPG to blue (non cash ) and CSR said I keep my MR points. Just want to double check 

[SPLP]

ystdy --spoke to amex said will not work -- recalled today -- told can not transfer to blue cash --BUT can get amx blue to hold the mr points -- and when u reapply for plat etc --link and can use as mr points -- told just be sure get blue and link b4 cncl  platinum - no fee on the card ---- sounds similar to chase freedom as far as points

[Shmulyg]

ystdy --spoke to amex said will not work -- recalled today -- told can not transfer to blue cash --BUT can get amx blue to hold the mr points -- and when u reapply for plat etc --link and can use as mr points -- told just be sure get blue and link b4 cncl  platinum - no fee on the card ---- sounds similar to chase freedom as far as points

Sounds interesting. If this can help you stash away MR points while resetting the clock, without the rush to cash out, it's definitely something to look into.

Anyone else have any experience with this?

[noturbizniss]

Sounds interesting. If this can help you stash away MR points while resetting the clock, without the rush to cash out, it's definitely something to look into.

Anyone else have any experience with this?

I covered blue cash to blue couple months ago for this reason and was told it'd work. Haven't closed bgr yet to confirm. There is a link fee for biz to personal mr the cards I think...

[menachem_m]

Did this couple months ago. Needed to cancel personal plat, so I converted my Blue Sky to reg Blue. Was charged IIRC $15 fee to "link MR accounts". (So the blue points would be MR First status.) It was refunded though when I cancelled the plat. Not sure if there was a direct correlation though. 

Oh, and my points are alive and well, though currently pretty useless.