How to redeem AMEX MR points?

[Anonymous]

Good morning,

I am trying to redeem 20k AMEX ED points but having a tough time figuring out the best way. I tried to find flights on AMEX to redeem points but most of the flights listed are more expensive compared to other websites like kayak. On Kayak, return flight from Hartford to Orlando through Spirit is $123 and on Amex through Delta is $233. 

I also read about Schwab platinum, but I am not sure what exactly it is? Is it completely a new credit card? Like I have to apply for one and then transfer the AMEX points?

Please help me get the most of this AMEX points. Last option was to redeem it for a $200 Nike or Coach gift card.

Thanks,

[mongstradamus]

The best way to redeem is via airline partners but for domestic flight its not really worth it imo, I think its better to save up your ED for another trip down the road preferably internation premium class. 

Since ED has no AF i would just leave the 20k in there for now. I would just pay cash for your flight hartford. 

[Peteyglad]

Transferring to Delta miles is my preferred redemption. Since I am usually flexible with my schedule it is pretty easy to get 2-3 cpp on MR points for domestic flights.

[Anonymous]

Spending points in the Amex travel portal is usually not a good deal. As mentioned above, you usually want to transfer the points to an airline partner.

Since you didn't mention a day, I picked September 10. On that day, Delta has one-way flights from BDL to MCO for 7,500 miles + $5 in the main cabin, or 6,500 if you don't mind Basic Economy. However, Delta uses dynamic award pricing, so the points cost could be very different on a different day. Carriers that use award charts are more predictable.

The power of Amex MR points is the flexibility. There are a lot of other ways you could spend points on this route. The British Airways site is showing one way from BDL to Orlando on AA for 15,000 Avios + $5. Similarly, transferring miles to Air France and then using it to book Delta gets you from BDL to Orlando for 14,500 miles + $29.49 on that day. If Delta's dynamic pricing sends the award cost on your desired day sky high (no pun intended), one of these options might make more sense.

Getting the most value out of your Amex points takes some work. Unfortunately, if you spend them in the Amex portal, you're throwing away a lot of the value.

[Anonymous]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Good morning,

I am trying to redeem 20k AMEX ED points but having a tough time figuring out the best way. I tried to find flights on AMEX to redeem points but most of the flights listed are more expensive compared to other websites like kayak. On Kayak, return flight from Hartford to Orlando through Spirit is $123 and on Amex through Delta is $233. 

I also read about Schwab platinum, but I am not sure what exactly it is? Is it completely a new credit card? Like I have to apply for one and then transfer the AMEX points?

Please help me get the most of this AMEX points. Last option was to redeem it for a $200 Nike or Coach gift card.

Thanks,

---

Transfer to a partner airline will yield most value.

Transfer to delta and dly delta will net you on average ~1.4cpp.

It is possible to transfer to an airline then book on a different airline in the same alliance. e.g., transfer to delta and book on aeromexico, transfer to british then book on AA. They may or may not yield more value.

Search availability and evaluate all options before transfering.

If MR system doesn't fit your flying habit, consider UR or wells fargo, they have flat rate option at 1.66cpp.

[wasCB14]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

I also read about Schwab platinum, but I am not sure what exactly it is? Is it completely a new credit card? Like I have to apply for one and then transfer the AMEX points?

---

https://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/investing/accounts_products/credit_cards

See "American Express Platinum Card for Schwab".

It would mean applying for a new Amex ($550 AF), as well as opening a Schwab account. It differs in a few ways from the regular Platinum:

1. If your Schwab assets exceed $250k, you get a $100 annual credit. If they exceed $1M, you get $200.

2. You can exchange MRs for cash deposits into your Schwab account.

*3. You can't PC it to a Gold or Green like you could a regular Platinum.

[kdm31091]

If you’re not going to transfer the points to partners, honesty your best bet is probably gift cards. Redeeming directly for travel via Amex is probably no better than the gift card option in terms of value.

[wasCB14]

I'd add that while I have the Schwab Platinum, I'd have to be pretty desperate to redeem at 1.25 cpp.

It's a useful "point value insurance" feature, but if I wasn't occasionally getting a decent flight redemption (use mileage award charts) I'd probably just focus on cash back.