Amex KrisFlyer Redemption & Tax

• 

  evol on 15/02/2017 - 17:06

  +2

  Just to clarify - you've transferred Amex points to Krisflyer and are redeeming via Krisflyer (good option), and not using Amex points to pay for Amex travel (bad option)?

  You can call up SQ and see what the tax would be on a combined booking. Some city pairings have anomalies where the tax/surcharges are lower on a return ticket than 2 x one-ways.

  However, booking via phone is more expensive in terms of miles, as Krisflyer redemptions have an automatic 15% off miles discount for online bookings only.

  You can't use Amex travel credit for points redemptions. It's only usable if you book a revenue (non-award) flight through Amex travel. An alternative option might be to try use the $400 travel credit for one way economy ticket there and save your points for the business return leg. Using points for economy sectors is poor value IMO.

  • 

    carwashhair on 15/02/2017 - 17:54

    +1

    try use the $400 travel credit for one way economy ticket there and save your points for the business return leg

    Evol has a raft of great suggestions, and this one makes most sense. Look at scoot flights over to SIN and then on to Kochi. Alternatively if you have velocity points you can occasionally find pockets of value redeeming points in economy (as they fly SIA ) but often without a fuel surcharge. Don't transfer krisflyer points to velocity to do this though

    • 

      StevenUniverse on 16/02/2017 - 13:26

      Yep! I'm planning to transfer my Amex points to Krisflyer then book through them.

      Oh, thanks i'll have to give them a call later this week and find out the cost. I think I've read on OzBargain in several places that you can get the 15% discount but it just depends on the representative that you are talking to and to just call up again and ask a different person.

      Yeah, I thought about using the credit to book the ticket but I only accumulated enough points because of the 100,000 bonus explorer sign up. I will probably cancel it after 1 year.

      I have about 120,000 points in total and one way Business is about 75,000 point and economy is about 35,000 (pre discount). I only use the amex for petrol and groceries which doesn't add up to very much for me, about $70 a week.

      So I'm thinking of just using up all my points. Though, would a good option be to book the business trip, use $400 credit to help purchase an economy ticket and then just cash out the 35,000 points (even though the return is worse, i don't think i'll accumulate enough for another business flight anytime soon)

      Unfortunately I don't have velocity points! but thanks for the suggestion.

      • 

        carwashhair on 16/02/2017 - 14:08

        +1

        Just a couple of other things - firstly, I mentioned earlier Velocity vs Krisflyer redemptions and a sweet spot - this article covers that http://www.pointhacks.com.au/krisflyer-vs-velocity-taxes-com…

        Also, if you have an explorer card that is not linked to any other Amex reward program, I think the points transfer 4:3 to Kris (and Virgin). So 90k krisflyer points all up for your 120k amex points.

        The reason amex rewards points are popular is the ability to 'warehouse' them and transfer to another rewards program as needed. So what you can do in your case is redeem now for SIA, then keep remaining points in there until you close the card or need to fly again, then move them out to whichever program offers best value and availability ( just set up a free account). For example, I've had good success getting Business class to SYD-Cairns thru Etihad, who charge 13900 pts versus about 35,000 points for Virgin (for exactly the same flight). They transfer from Amex at exactly the same 4:3 rate!

• 

  StevenUniverse on 17/02/2017 - 12:47

  sorry, I have 120k post conversion, have had a bit of luck with referrals! :)

  oh I see, I guess i will just hold on to them until I cancel the card then just transfer them. But on other programs do they expire?

  huh, thanks for your example on etihad/virgin! I'll have to look into that when closing my account.

  Thanks again!

  • 

    nightelves on 17/02/2017 - 14:00

    Steve there's a way where you can utilise business for both leg of the trip but will involve you signing up for an Amex Platinum Edge. PM me if you want to know.