Advice on Which Airline to Redeem AmEx and ANZ Points for

Bronica on 15/11/2018 - 20:59
Last edited 15/11/2018 - 21:26

Hi guys,

Need advice on what to redeem points for. I have a few hundred thousand reward points saved up over the last few years on my Amex Platinum Edge and ANZ Black Rewards card.

My plan is to finally take a trip to Europe next year and want to redeem it for at least business class seat return upgrade for myself and my partner.

There are a lot of options looking over the flight partners, there are a lot of options but the only 4 that crossover are:

Velocity
Krisflyer
Asia Miles
Air New Zealand

All these guys travel to Europe so it doesn't cut down my choices at all. Does anyone have any experience or expertise with which one I should transfer to with my trip in mind?

From what I have researched, Velocity is out of the picture as i am not a certain status level with them so I can't redeem for long-haul flights. Do any of these other airlines have restrictions like this? I am not a high-status member on any of them.

Travel

Comments

  • CyberMurning on 15/11/2018 - 21:25
    +1

    Just few months ago, got 100k ANZ points from platinum cc offer.
    I exchanged to Woolworths e-gift card. I don't fly often.

  • serpserpserp on 15/11/2018 - 22:44
    +1

    Velocity if you are going local or want international economy.

    Krisflyer if you want upgrades to business etc overseas.

    EDIT: Just read your post, if you want an upgrade you better check exactly how many points you will receive when you redeem, you might not even have enough for the proposed upgrade. Also because you have no status, you might apply for them when you buy the economy flight and never receive the upgrade.

    They don't make it easy for business class upgrade for the points scrounger's with no status points.

    Good luck.

    • mmd on 16/11/2018 - 01:01

      status points.

      I'm in a similar boat to OP. +280 points.
      No interest in selling them, and just would like to use for upgrading to business etc.

      How does one obtain status points with an airline?

    • ty99234 on 16/11/2018 - 15:20

      You need to buy premium encomy seats if you want to get upgraded to business on KrisFlyer.

      Better just redeem an award seats instead.

  • Kenb0 on 16/11/2018 - 00:44

    Depends on how many points you have. My personal pick would be KrisFlyer and redeem the KrisFlyer points directly for the business/first class seat itself and not as an upgrade if you have enough points, Upgrades are too much status and luck based and I wouldn't depend on those.

    • Bronica on 16/11/2018 - 12:32

      Thanks for reply. I've never redeem frequent flyer points before, i was under impression that you checked out on the screen and processed straight away.

      If i redeem for flights directly do i get confirmation straight away?

      • Kenb0 on 16/11/2018 - 12:59

        Yes, if you can find availability for those seats that you're after on their website or when you call them. I've just booked a first class return ticket to Asia for my mum in January using just points(+ some taxes), and got confirmation and the flight ticketed in first class straightaway.

        Of course, you need enough points to redeem the seat fully in the first place, but that's another issue altogether.

  • noyesmaybeok on 16/11/2018 - 07:51

    How many points exactly, and at 1:1 exchange or 1:.75?

    This is the best redemption if you have the points: https://www.pointhacks.com.au/asia-miles-around-the-world-re…

    • starburstyellow on 16/11/2018 - 14:37

      This. Without knowing exactly how points you have OP, can't advise which route to take.

      Personally upgrades (for SQ at least) is not worth it. Because you would need to buy an expensive economy class to be able to upgrade.

  • theoracle30 on 16/11/2018 - 14:43

    KrisFlyer or Asia Miles is probably the best bet, given you have 'several hundred thousand' points ready to redeem.

    They have the best availability from Australia to Europe, given you book far enough in advance.

    Cathay Pacific have the best lounges in Hong Kong, and Singapore Airlines has the best onboard experience will 'Book the Cook' if you like good food.

    Let us know more details and we can advise further.

    • Bronica on 16/11/2018 - 15:46

      Sitting on total about 240,000 on AMEX, 230 on ANZ.

      Don't really know much else apart from i'm looking to travel sometime July next year.

      With Asia Miles, do i need to have a certain status to redeem? And is it better to use for flight upgrades, or to use points straight up to redeem for seat?

      • theoracle30 on 16/11/2018 - 15:53

        You don't need certain status to redeem points for any program, including Virgin Australia.

        It's better to use points straight up to redeem, because upgrades require you to book an expensive Economy fare first and there's no guarantee of an upgrade especially for two people.

        Singapore Airlines Krisflyer charges 105,000 miles from Sydney to London in business class, one way, one person.

        Cathay Pacific Asia Miles charges 85,000 miles from Sydney to London in business class, one way, one person.

        I'll have to double check later, but I think all your points transfer 1:1 to each program. If that's the case, Asia Miles wins out in value.

        Maybe think about what exact dates you want, then we can help look at availability and where to send your points to. July is peak summer period and chances are, it'll be near impossible to get two business class seats to Europe during that time.

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