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AmEx Reward Points & Travel
Posted on 5/9/21 at 11:45 am
Posted on 5/9/21 at 11:45 am
Does anyone have experience using AmEx reward points for travel? I got a notification from AmEx that I could transfer my reward points to either Marriott or Hilton and get a 40% uplift. Example, if I transfer 100,000 AmeEx reward points to my Marriott Bonvoy account then that would equate to 140,000 hotel points.
To me it seems like a great deal. I use hotel points often, but I've never used my AmEx reward points to book travel directly. I've actually never redeemed my AmEx reward points for anything...
What are others opinions on this 'deal'?
To me it seems like a great deal. I use hotel points often, but I've never used my AmEx reward points to book travel directly. I've actually never redeemed my AmEx reward points for anything...
What are others opinions on this 'deal'?
This post was edited on 5/9/21 at 11:46 am
10
Posted on 5/9/21 at 12:36 pm to skewbs
Going by just what you posted and not having access to the fine print, it’s a no brainer.
Redeem points that you never use to a platform you use often and gain 40% in the process. What’s the downside?
Redeem points that you never use to a platform you use often and gain 40% in the process. What’s the downside?
Posted on 5/9/21 at 12:55 pm to skewbs
I'd have to ask why you're acquiring points you don't use?
Points aren't for everyone, and cash back cards may be the way you should go.
Points aren't for everyone, and cash back cards may be the way you should go.
Posted on 5/9/21 at 1:00 pm to Teddy Ruxpin
quote:
I'd have to ask why you're acquiring points you don't use?
Fair question. The answer - I haven’t used them yet. I’ve had an AmEx corporate card (from work) in my name for the past 9 years. My first year at the job I did so much travel I used points to buy a TV. This was probably in 2013 though. Been a while.
Posted on 5/9/21 at 2:40 pm to skewbs
A lot to unpack in this but in general that isn’t good “value”. IF you’ve got a specific booking in mind that works out great then go for it but I wouldn’t convert just to convert.
You also may be better off building a bank of Chase point. You can convert to Hyatt hotels , which I find to usually be a better redemption value, or book through their travel portal at 1.5 cents per point. I find both of those hotel options superior to Amex transfer partners.
You also may be better off building a bank of Chase point. You can convert to Hyatt hotels , which I find to usually be a better redemption value, or book through their travel portal at 1.5 cents per point. I find both of those hotel options superior to Amex transfer partners.
Posted on 5/9/21 at 6:43 pm to skewbs
DON’T DO IT!!!
Amex MR points are generally valued around around 1.7 cents per point while Marriott and Hilton points are generally valued around 0.8 cents per point.
Depending on what trips you may be looking to take as the world opens back up, you could transfer those points to an Aeroplan account and fly business class r/t to Europe for 100,000 points (probably would cost more than $10,000). You won’t find that kind of value by transferring them to Marriott or Hilton... where 140,000 points would not even get you three night at a Ritz.
Amex MR points are generally valued around around 1.7 cents per point while Marriott and Hilton points are generally valued around 0.8 cents per point.
Depending on what trips you may be looking to take as the world opens back up, you could transfer those points to an Aeroplan account and fly business class r/t to Europe for 100,000 points (probably would cost more than $10,000). You won’t find that kind of value by transferring them to Marriott or Hilton... where 140,000 points would not even get you three night at a Ritz.
Posted on 5/9/21 at 7:26 pm to skewbs
All points are not created equal. Use TPG points valuation guide to get a general idea on what the real value of a point is in comparison with different platforms
Posted on 5/9/21 at 7:27 pm to skewbs
Yeah, that's not a very good value, even with the bonus.
What kind of travel do you like to do? Really, the best value on those points is to transfer to airline frequent-flier programs to fly long-haul international in business class, where you get a lie-flat seat, good meals and drink, you get lounge access before your flight and during layovers, etc.
Literally, just yesterday, I booked flights to a secondary city in the Middle East in biz for 70,000 miles each way. Those flights would have cost me over $6000 had I purchased them with money. That means that I got well over 4 cents of value per Amex point.
Four cents per point for your 100k Amex points is $4000 worth of flights.
On the other hand, Marriott points are worth about .7 cents per point, meaning that you'd expect to get, on average, $980 worth of hotel with Marriott.
Here are some links for you to get an idea of how to maximize the value of your Amex points. There's definitely an art to mastering airline frequent-flier programs, but it's worth the time.
The Points Guy
Million Mile Secrets
God Save the Points
Frequent Miler
What kind of travel do you like to do? Really, the best value on those points is to transfer to airline frequent-flier programs to fly long-haul international in business class, where you get a lie-flat seat, good meals and drink, you get lounge access before your flight and during layovers, etc.
Literally, just yesterday, I booked flights to a secondary city in the Middle East in biz for 70,000 miles each way. Those flights would have cost me over $6000 had I purchased them with money. That means that I got well over 4 cents of value per Amex point.
Four cents per point for your 100k Amex points is $4000 worth of flights.
On the other hand, Marriott points are worth about .7 cents per point, meaning that you'd expect to get, on average, $980 worth of hotel with Marriott.
Here are some links for you to get an idea of how to maximize the value of your Amex points. There's definitely an art to mastering airline frequent-flier programs, but it's worth the time.
The Points Guy
Million Mile Secrets
God Save the Points
Frequent Miler
Posted on 5/9/21 at 8:24 pm to skewbs
Transferring points to hotel partners is considered to be a poor redemption. You get a lot more bang for the points by transferring to airline partners.
Posted on 5/10/21 at 5:58 pm to skewbs
I have about 150k points but waiting to use them... Sadly most of my points come from daily use and bonuses since I only fly about 3 times a year, maybe 5-6 if I take some smaller trips. Saving to be able to do some business class for two through Europe
Posted on 5/13/21 at 7:15 am to skewbs
We use our AMEX points mostly for airlines but occasionally for hotel.
Posted on 5/13/21 at 7:23 am to TigersnJeeps
COVID has helped my MR points account. 1.7M points right now. 
Posted on 5/13/21 at 7:27 am to VABuckeye
quote:
Transferring points to hotel partners is considered to be a poor redemption. You get a lot more bang for the points by transferring to airline partners.
Alternatively, they could trade in that Amex to get a card that is sponsored by the airline of choice.
Delta has an 80k mile bonus promotion right now for their Amex platinum and it comes with an annual companion pass as well.
Posted on 5/13/21 at 11:41 am to skewbs
Definitely don't transfer speculatively. That's only a good value in high end hotels where you can take advantage of 5th night free with awards stays for Hilton/Marriott.
Posted on 5/13/21 at 3:18 pm to seawolf06
I don’t get too deep in this stuff, but the Amex Skymiles Platinum is great if you travel a good bit. First checked bag is on the house and the annual companion pass is clutch if you want to take a spontaneous domestic trip with the lady.
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