topic Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value? in Credit Cards

How to Maximize MR Point Value?

CreditUnionFan — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 14:59:26 GMT

Over the years I collected MR points, about 45k worth, that are sitting and rotting on an Amex with a $500 limit.

Have an Old Blue Cash that earns .5/1.0 % for the first $6.5k, than 1%/5% uncapped.

Have an Amex Sky that earns miles.

Have an old version of the Simply Cash Business that earns 5%, 3% for some categories, 1% for everything else.

If I can't achieve at least 1%, there's little reason to keep the card beyond maintaining AAoA, and I'd like to free up one of my four possible Amex cards to be for my LLC, to build my LLC's credit. Even 1% is below the 1.5% earnable from NFCU's CashRewards or Capital One's QuickSilver. The Citi DoubleCash tempts with a 2% payback, but between Citi not being my best friend, and Citi's habit of discontinuing card offerings, I'm looking for the long-term relationship and 1.5% is where the bar is set for general purchases. (I also have a bunch of special purpose cards for their 2%, 3%, 5% rewards on special categories)

The redemption options such as statement credits seem to be about 1 point = $.70 charged, subpar compared to the other Amex offerings. I've heard some rave about the MR points, so can someone clue me how these can be redeemed at a decent rate, whether I'm draining my current MR points, or if it's > 1.5%, hoppin on the MR bandwagon as well.

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

-NewGuy- — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 16:49:57 GMT

@CreditUnionFan wrote:
Over the years I collected MR points, about 45k worth, that are sitting and rotting on an Amex with a $500 limit.
Have an Old Blue Cash that earns .5/1.0 % for the first $6.5k, than 1%/5% uncapped.
Have an Amex Sky that earns miles.
Have an old version of the Simply Cash Business that earns 5%, 3% for some categories, 1% for everything else.

If I can't achieve at least 1%, there's little reason to keep the card beyond maintaining AAoA, and I'd like to free up one of my four possible Amex cards to be for my LLC, to build my LLC's credit. Even 1% is below the 1.5% earnable from NFCU's CashRewards or Capital One's QuickSilver. The Citi DoubleCash tempts with a 2% payback, but between Citi not being my best friend, and Citi's habit of discontinuing card offerings, I'm looking for the long-term relationship and 1.5% is where the bar is set for general purchases. (I also have a bunch of special purpose cards for their 2%, 3%, 5% rewards on special categories)

The redemption options such as statement credits seem to be about 1 point = $.70 charged, subpar compared to the other Amex offerings. I've heard some rave about the MR points, so can someone clue me how these can be redeemed at a decent rate, whether I'm draining my current MR points, or if it's > 1.5%, hoppin on the MR bandwagon as well.

Redeeming MR for a statement credit will yield a crummy value, as you pointed out. Gift card redemption might be a little better, but still not great. The best way to redeem MR is to transfer them to a frequent flyer program. They also run specials sometimes, giving you a bonus for transfering during a certain timeframe. Assuming that you can utilize air travel, that's the way to go.

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

ibmrad7 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 16:54:40 GMT

Airline redemption is the best way to make full use of MR.

One example: I transferred 45K MR points to Aeroplan, then used these Aeroplan miles to book a 1300$ roundtrip ticket on United between Chicago and Honolulu.

Second example: MR is running a promotion on 40% transfer bonus for British Airways Avios, so if you transfer 20K points, you'll get 28K miles on Avios. Avios miles are the best for short haul flights on American and Alaska. I used 7500 Avios for a one way ticket from Austin to Chicago on American, the ticket was 372$ if paid in cash.

Hope this helps.

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

-NewGuy- — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 17:37:21 GMT

@ibmrad7 wrote:
Airline redemption is the best way to make full use of MR.

One example: I transferred 45K MR points to Aeroplan, then used these Aeroplan miles to book a 1300$ roundtrip ticket on United between Chicago and Honolulu.

Second example: MR is running a promotion on 40% transfer bonus for British Airways Avios, so if you transfer 20K points, you'll get 28K miles on Avios. Avios miles are the best for short haul flights on American and Alaska. I used 7500 Avios for a one way ticket from Austin to Chicago on American, the ticket was 372$ if paid in cash.

Hope this helps.

Also, if you live on the West Coast you can get to the Hawaiian Islands for 25K Avios. With your balance and the current transfer bonus you would have enough for two tickets.

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

mongstradamus — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 17:43:27 GMT

@-NewGuy- wrote:
@ibmrad7 wrote:
Airline redemption is the best way to make full use of MR.

One example: I transferred 45K MR points to Aeroplan, then used these Aeroplan miles to book a 1300$ roundtrip ticket on United between Chicago and Honolulu.

Second example: MR is running a promotion on 40% transfer bonus for British Airways Avios, so if you transfer 20K points, you'll get 28K miles on Avios. Avios miles are the best for short haul flights on American and Alaska. I used 7500 Avios for a one way ticket from Austin to Chicago on American, the ticket was 372$ if paid in cash.

Hope this helps.
Also, if you live on the West Coast you can get to the Hawaiian Islands for 25K Avios. With your balance and the current transfer bonus you would have enough for two tickets.

It depends on an lot where you want to go, but right now 40% transfer bonus to avios is an very good way to use MR points. especially for those short flight, since ba avios is distance based. For me i am pretty tempted to transfer some MR to take an short trip to bermuda, since its 15k RT flight. Temptation may pass when we get out of single digits its pretty darn cold outside

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 17:57:00 GMT

@-NewGuy- wrote:

Redeeming MR for a statement credit will yield a crummy value, as you pointed out. Gift card redemption might be a little better, but still not great. The best way to redeem MR is to transfer them to a frequent flyer program. They also run specials sometimes, giving you a bonus for transfering during a certain timeframe. Assuming that you can utilize air travel, that's the way to go.

Right, and if you can't utilize air travel, MR cards are a poor choice!

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

ibmrad7 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 18:35:18 GMT

@mongstradamus wrote:
@-NewGuy- wrote:
@ibmrad7 wrote:
Airline redemption is the best way to make full use of MR.

One example: I transferred 45K MR points to Aeroplan, then used these Aeroplan miles to book a 1300$ roundtrip ticket on United between Chicago and Honolulu.

Second example: MR is running a promotion on 40% transfer bonus for British Airways Avios, so if you transfer 20K points, you'll get 28K miles on Avios. Avios miles are the best for short haul flights on American and Alaska. I used 7500 Avios for a one way ticket from Austin to Chicago on American, the ticket was 372$ if paid in cash.

Hope this helps.
Also, if you live on the West Coast you can get to the Hawaiian Islands for 25K Avios. With your balance and the current transfer bonus you would have enough for two tickets.
It depends on an lot where you want to go, but right now 40% transfer bonus to avios is an very good way to use MR points. especially for those short flight, since ba avios is distance based. For me i am pretty tempted to transfer some MR to take an short trip to bermuda, since its 15k RT flight. Temptation may pass when we get out of single digits its pretty darn cold outside

Talk about cold :-( I am in Chicago

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

SMDLiquid — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:17:31 GMT

@ibmrad7 wrote:
Airline redemption is the best way to make full use of MR.

One example: I transferred 45K MR points to Aeroplan, then used these Aeroplan miles to book a 1300$ roundtrip ticket on United between Chicago and Honolulu.

Second example: MR is running a promotion on 40% transfer bonus for British Airways Avios, so if you transfer 20K points, you'll get 28K miles on Avios. Avios miles are the best for short haul flights on American and Alaska. I used 7500 Avios for a one way ticket from Austin to Chicago on American, the ticket was 372$ if paid in cash.

Hope this helps.

DW just transfer 20K MR points to British Airways to book 3 nonstop roundtrip tickets from Tampa to Charlotte using US Airways. Those same tickets on US Airways cost over $1,300.00

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

mongstradamus — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:25:33 GMT

@SMDLiquid wrote:
@ibmrad7 wrote:
Airline redemption is the best way to make full use of MR.

One example: I transferred 45K MR points to Aeroplan, then used these Aeroplan miles to book a 1300$ roundtrip ticket on United between Chicago and Honolulu.

Second example: MR is running a promotion on 40% transfer bonus for British Airways Avios, so if you transfer 20K points, you'll get 28K miles on Avios. Avios miles are the best for short haul flights on American and Alaska. I used 7500 Avios for a one way ticket from Austin to Chicago on American, the ticket was 372$ if paid in cash.

Hope this helps.
DW just transfer 20K MR points to British Airways to book 3 nonstop roundtrip tickets from Tampa to Charlotte using US Airways. Those same tickets on US Airways cost over $1,300.00

6+ CPP not too shabby :-)

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:46:37 GMT

I'm thinking of using 22,250 MR pts for a $300 hotel. I'm realizing right now i'm blowing it. I should take advantage of the 40% bonus to avisos and take a flight to hawaii instead. I could probably double my value.

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:49:00 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm thinking of using 22,250 MR pts for a $300 hotel. I'm realizing right now i'm blowing it. I should take advantage of the 40% bonus to avisos and take a flight to hawaii instead. I could probably double my value.

Isn't it expired now?

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:50:33 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm thinking of using 22,250 MR pts for a $300 hotel. I'm realizing right now i'm blowing it. I should take advantage of the 40% bonus to avisos and take a flight to hawaii instead. I could probably double my value.
Isn't it expired now?

Is it over? This is the first I heard of this.

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

ibmrad7 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:58:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm thinking of using 22,250 MR pts for a $300 hotel. I'm realizing right now i'm blowing it. I should take advantage of the 40% bonus to avisos and take a flight to hawaii instead. I could probably double my value.
Isn't it expired now?
Is it over? This is the first I heard of this.

It's there until Jan 31st.

@Anonymous, Pay for your hotel room and save those MR points. You can fetch a much better value.

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

mongstradamus — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:58:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm thinking of using 22,250 MR pts for a $300 hotel. I'm realizing right now i'm blowing it. I should take advantage of the 40% bonus to avisos and take a flight to hawaii instead. I could probably double my value.

I am probably in minority here but using points to hilton with MR is not an very good usage of points.

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

mongstradamus — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:01:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm thinking of using 22,250 MR pts for a $300 hotel. I'm realizing right now i'm blowing it. I should take advantage of the 40% bonus to avisos and take a flight to hawaii instead. I could probably double my value.
Isn't it expired now?

doesn't expire till end of the month i believe

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:02:06 GMT

@ibmrad7 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm thinking of using 22,250 MR pts for a $300 hotel. I'm realizing right now i'm blowing it. I should take advantage of the 40% bonus to avisos and take a flight to hawaii instead. I could probably double my value.
Isn't it expired now?
Is it over? This is the first I heard of this.
It's there until Jan 31st.

@Anonymous, Pay for your hotel room and save those MR points. You can fetch a much better value.

Ooh, I thought it ended Dec 31st. D:

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

mongstradamus — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:06:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@ibmrad7 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm thinking of using 22,250 MR pts for a $300 hotel. I'm realizing right now i'm blowing it. I should take advantage of the 40% bonus to avisos and take a flight to hawaii instead. I could probably double my value.
Isn't it expired now?
Is it over? This is the first I heard of this.
It's there until Jan 31st.

@Anonymous, Pay for your hotel room and save those MR points. You can fetch a much better value.
Ooh, I thought it ended Dec 31st. D:

You still have time to use your MR for an quick trip !!

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

ibmrad7 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:09:21 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@ibmrad7 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm thinking of using 22,250 MR pts for a $300 hotel. I'm realizing right now i'm blowing it. I should take advantage of the 40% bonus to avisos and take a flight to hawaii instead. I could probably double my value.
Isn't it expired now?
Is it over? This is the first I heard of this.
It's there until Jan 31st.

@Anonymous, Pay for your hotel room and save those MR points. You can fetch a much better value.
Ooh, I thought it ended Dec 31st. D:

Made me transfer 30K for a rainy day flight :-)

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

mongstradamus — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:13:24 GMT

@ibmrad7 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@ibmrad7 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I'm thinking of using 22,250 MR pts for a $300 hotel. I'm realizing right now i'm blowing it. I should take advantage of the 40% bonus to avisos and take a flight to hawaii instead. I could probably double my value.
Isn't it expired now?
Is it over? This is the first I heard of this.
It's there until Jan 31st.

@Anonymous, Pay for your hotel room and save those MR points. You can fetch a much better value.
Ooh, I thought it ended Dec 31st. D:
Made me transfer 30K for a rainy day flight :-)

I am really contemplating using it for potential flight to bermuda 15k seems like an pretty nice deal to get away from the single digit degree temperatures

Re: How to Maximize MR Point Value?

ibmrad7 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:24:29 GMT

@mongstradamus wrote:

I am really contemplating using it for potential flight to bermuda 15k seems like an pretty nice deal to get away from the single digit degree temperatures

Go for it. Avios won't go waste even if you decide not to travel right now.