topic Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points? in Credit Cards

Best way to use Amex MR Points?

LionLaw — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:54:45 GMT

So, I've accumulated over 20,000 Membership Rewards points since opening my Zync last summer (and now that I have a PRG, they are all full Membership Rewards points, not MRE points). I think I'm getting close to the point where I should be able to get some free travel out of these points. So, what is the best way to use them? On the Membership Rewards site, the only major domestic airlines I see for transfers are Delta and Jet Blue; the transfer rate for Delta skymiles is 1:1, while the transfer for Jet Blue points is less than 1:1. I see Virgin America on there too, but I've never flown with them.

I'm guessing this means that transferring to Delta is the best use of MR points, unless I'm missing something. Any insights?

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:03:24 GMT

@LionLaw wrote:
So, I've accumulated over 20,000 Membership Rewards points since opening my Zync last summer (and now that I have a PRG, they are all full Membership Rewards points, not MRE points). I think I'm getting close to the point where I should be able to get some free travel out of these points. So, what is the best way to use them? On the Membership Rewards site, the only major domestic airlines I see for transfers are Delta and Jet Blue; the transfer rate for Delta skymiles is 1:1, while the transfer for Jet Blue points is less than 1:1. I see Virgin America on there too, but I've never flown with them.

I'm guessing this means that transferring to Delta is the best use of MR points, unless I'm missing something. Any insights?

With Delta you're going to need close to 40K MR points to go anywhere domestic, sometimes you can find reward availability during non peak times for 25k round trip. That is few and far between though.

You can always go to Delta's website and use the Award Calendar to look at destinations and times you would like to fly and see the amount of miles required.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

FutureBillionaire — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:13:23 GMT

This thread strengthens the point that folks have been making regarding the lack of punch behind Amex cards.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

GoldenloveNY — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:20:50 GMT

This thread proves that higher tier charged cards, especially the PRG, are meant for those who could push $30,000+ and travel a lot to take the triple points of the PRG. Honestly, I would close my Zync if was not that I like a few of the gift cards options, and the Zync has a low annual fee.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

FutureBillionaire — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:22:49 GMT

@GoldenloveNY wrote:
This thread proves that higher tier charged cards, especially the PRG, are meant for those who could push $30,000+ and travel a lot to take the triple points of the PRG. Honestly, I would close my Zync if was not that I like a few of the gift cards options, and the Zync has a low annual fee.

This is why it's time to downgrade or cancel in July.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:25:07 GMT

@FutureBillionaire wrote:
This thread strengthens the point that folks have been making regarding the lack of punch behind Amex cards.

not sure where you're going here, just becasue you can't cash out your rewards every couple of months doesn't mean the cards are no good. with any kind of airline/points/miles card you have to spend quite a bit to get rewards often. If you don't spend as much you have to wait a while before you cash out you're rewards.

I have never used MR points or skymiles for less than 2c each, so my green card and my Delta amex are esentially 2% back or more cards.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:25:35 GMT

Agree, if you can't push 30k through the PRG not worth the AF unless you travel some.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

flowfaster — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:31:29 GMT

Honestly you should sell them on one those deal sites and get $200+ cash. MR points suck big time.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:34:52 GMT

@flowfaster wrote:
Honestly you should sell them on one those deal sites and get $200+ cash. MR points suck big time.

MR points only "suck" if you don't know how to use them, While I will agree that they aren't worth as much on average as UR points there are many instances where people have gotten 3-4c per out of MR points. this makes them suck signifiantly less if you know how to use them.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

GoldenloveNY — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:49:48 GMT

In a sense, MR points doesn't suck. Now that Amex Charge are easy to get, a lot of people of applying for them without realizing that these charged cards are targeted for a specific group of people. I get that they are perhaps a "get in the door" with Amex type of cards. In fact, the MR Express Points doesn't suck if one or more of the partner gifts are geared towards your lifestyle. I have cashed in my 5,000 MRE for a $100 barnesandnoble giftcard, and I bought a whole bunch of books with that (I am a bookworm...lol).

Regular MR points are really valued if transferring to frequent flyer programs, but the key here is the timing. I have heard that Amex offers bonus deals throughout the year that greatly boost MR points value. Many have transfers their points at 2-4 cents per point, which is a great value. Charge cards are really great for high spenders. If not, you're going to take years accumulate enough points to go on a vacation.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

flowfaster — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:50:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@flowfaster wrote:
Honestly you should sell them on one those deal sites and get $200+ cash. MR points suck big time.
MR points only "suck" if you don't know how to use them, While I will agree that they aren't worth as much on average as UR points there are many instances where people have gotten 3-4c per out of MR points. this makes them suck signifiantly less if you know how to use them.

How often does that happen though? When all the planets are alligned? Meanwhile your paying a $95 AF. Just does not make sense if your goal is save/make money. Why not use another card like the Priceline or the Travel Penfed card.? Hell if you ran the 30,000 through the Priceline card thats $600. Run that same 30,000 through and Amex charge card and you get 30,000 points that is maybe worth $150 minus $95. Or transfer them to an Airline at a generous 2x and your still paying an AF of $95. And thats ONLY if they are running a promotion. I realize many people are loyal to Amex but times are a changing.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

GoldenloveNY — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:53:13 GMT

At the end of the day, nothing beats a no annual fee 1-5% cashback card.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:56:49 GMT

@flowfaster wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@flowfaster wrote:
Honestly you should sell them on one those deal sites and get $200+ cash. MR points suck big time.
MR points only "suck" if you don't know how to use them, While I will agree that they aren't worth as much on average as UR points there are many instances where people have gotten 3-4c per out of MR points. this makes them suck signifiantly less if you know how to use them.
How often does that happen though? When all the planets are alligned? Meanwhile your paying a $95 AF. Just does not make sense if your goal is save/make money. Why not use another card like the Priceline or the Travel Penfed card.? Hell if you ran the 30,000 through the Priceline card thats $600. Run that same 30,000 through and Amex charge card and you get 30,000 points that is maybe worth $150 minus $95. Or transfer them to an Airline at a generous 2x and your still paying an AF of $95. And thats ONLY if they are running a promotion. I realize many people are loyal to Amex but times are a changing.

I used 25K MR points to book a 900$ flight last month, that is well above 150$

I'm way more loyal to my CSP than my AMEX, but there is no denying that MR points can be very valuable if you use them correctly. Although you do have to spend enough to be able to get to those thresholds, I guess a lot of people can't or don't want to wait long enough to hit those.

MR points always convert 1:1 to Delta, no waiting for promotions

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

Cdnewmanpac — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:56:38 GMT

OP: There are several things you can do to get better value from MR points than delta (they call them skypesos for a reason):

1. Starpoints- amex periodically runs 1:2 conversion specials. So you could get 40k starpoints for 20k mr. 40k starpoints are hugely useful and can be used for hotel redemptions or converted again to numerous airlines via the SPG program.

2. You need to look at alliances and airline partnerships. For example, MR points convert 1:1 to BA. BA points can be used for short haul flights on American for much better redemption ratios than booking American directly. Cathay points work on American, China, etc. For example, 30k BA avios can be used to book rt flight on Alaska to Hawaii.

MR points aren't as flexible/powerful as they once were. Personally, I've chosen to focus on UR points, but they are still quite powerful if used properly.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

flowfaster — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:59:37 GMT

@GoldenloveNY wrote:
At the end of the day, nothing beats a no annual fee 1-5% cashback card.

Agreed. People that like to travel check out the Penfed Travel Amex card.

I also have no quams if an AF is justified (like the BCP) but the Amex family of charge cards(except maybe the Plat) are not. IMO

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:03:53 GMT

@flowfaster wrote:
@GoldenloveNY wrote:
At the end of the day, nothing beats a no annual fee 1-5% cashback card.
Agreed. People that like to travel check out the Penfed Travel Amex card.
.
I also have no quams if an AF is justified (like the BCP) but the Amex family of charge cards(except maybe the Plat) are not. IMO

Depends on how much money you spend, There are a lot of people that spend 250K a year on a AMEX charge card that don't want to go through the hassle of dealing with Credit Cards and their HARD limits (use I know amex has an internal limit)

Plus the to the person that spends 250K a year on just an AMEX card that 2500 in cash back is really just a drop in the bucket but being able to take their family on a nice vacation at the end of the year without spending a penny is priceless.

AMEX Charge cards are not really designed for the person that spend 10-15K a year, you have to push moeny through them but the rewards are more than worth it in the end. To people that have money the experiences they provide are worth more than the cash back

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

LionLaw — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:06:17 GMT

Thanks for all the great feedback!

I didn't mean to start a debate on the value of MR points. I've gotten a lot of value out of both the Zync and the PRG. Between them, I earn double points on gas, groceries, restaurants and utilities, and triple points on airfare. I don't know of many travel rewards cards that let you earn bonus points in so many valuable categories. I'm very pleased with how quickly the points have added up, and I'm sad to see the zync bonus categories getting eliminated.

I will have to keep my eye out for that double starpoints promotion; that would be an incredible deal.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

Alcibiades — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:21:11 GMT

At 20,000, your best bet may be to transfer to British Airways Avios and to redeem the points there for American Airlines flights domestically. 15,000 points gets you a flight up and down the east coast (these flights range from $300-$400). Also, Britsh Airways periodically offers transfer bonuses.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

Alcibiades — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:27:18 GMT

@flowfaster wrote:
@GoldenloveNY wrote:
At the end of the day, nothing beats a no annual fee 1-5% cashback card.
Agreed. People that like to travel check out the Penfed Travel Amex card.
.
I also have no quams if an AF is justified (like the BCP) but the Amex family of charge cards(except maybe the Plat) are not. IMO

With any annual fee card (not just Amex), the more you spend, the more justfied paying the fee is. With PRG, hittng 30K in spending year makes the card very valuable. Let's say you do that for three years, you can transfer to Avios or Asia Miles and fly business class to Asia - a benetit worth several thousand dollars.

Re: Best way to use Amex MR Points?

CreditScholar — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:40:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@flowfaster wrote:
@GoldenloveNY wrote:
At the end of the day, nothing beats a no annual fee 1-5% cashback card.
Agreed. People that like to travel check out the Penfed Travel Amex card.
.
I also have no quams if an AF is justified (like the BCP) but the Amex family of charge cards(except maybe the Plat) are not. IMO
Depends on how much money you spend, There are a lot of people that spend 250K a year on a AMEX charge card that don't want to go through the hassle of dealing with Credit Cards and their HARD limits (use I know amex has an internal limit)

Plus the to the person that spends 250K a year on just an AMEX card that 2500 in cash back is really just a drop in the bucket but being able to take their family on a nice vacation at the end of the year without spending a penny is priceless.

AMEX Charge cards are not really designed for the person that spend 10-15K a year, you have to push moeny through them but the rewards are more than worth it in the end. To people that have money the experiences they provide are worth more than the cash back

+1, and those who have the money often don't want to deal with those kinds of hassles. To them their time is more important than saving a few dollars, so anything that makes their life easier is very much appreciated.

MR isn't for low spenders. It isn't now, nor has it ever been really. There are some good values in the tens of thousands of points, particularly MR-BA (during a transfer bonus), then redeeming it on AA for short-medium haul flights. However the really good stuff doesn't kick in until you are redeeming MR points in the 6 figure range.