Are you single? Here are 5 ideas on how to use 180 thousand membership rewards points
A small guide to understanding how to maximize the use of points collected with the American Express credit card
Etihad Airways
Emirates
Alitalia
Increasingly, we read that many users have no idea how to use the points they have earned from their American Express, so today we begin a series of articles that provide the clarification needed to understand How to use them and how not to waste them.
In this article:
We have already explained previously what points are and how they can be turned into benefits worth many thousands.
As the Latins used to say, "repetita iuvant." never use points to discount an expense, never use american express points For shopping or vouchers.
The use of points, as well as the accumulation, changes depending on the habits of each individual person. In this article we estimate that the Amex cardholder has accumulated the figure of 180 thousand membership rewards points (with a tolerance of 10%). This is not a high figure and thanks to the welcome bonus, paper use and multipliers is easy to achieve.
Here are 5 conversion scenarios of 180 thousand membership points for a single person. On the other hand, if you are not single and travel as a couple or with children you can look at our other guides.
Idea #1 Business Flight to Tokyo with Alitalia
It is possible to convert Membership Rewards points into Alitalia miles with a 1:1 conversion rate, the cheapest in Italy. Transferring 120k points MR is possible to book a round-trip ticket to the capital of Japan, the most "expensive" destination in the current Alitalia list.
Important: if you plan to detach this ticket you must first apply for the American Express Alitalia Verde, so you can put in your pocket. the card that will give you the 20% milesback, that is, you will be immediately credited 20% of the miles you used to buy the award ticket.
By doing so you will not only still have 60k MR points in your account, but also 24k miles in your Millemiglia account.
Idea #2 Business Flight to Seychelles with Etihad
Also by moving points to Alitalia's Millemiglia program, it is possible to book flights with partner airlines, including Etihad.
A round-trip business ticket to the capital of the Seychelles costs 90k miles outward and as many miles return.
In this case, the main difference from other airlines is that the Middle Eastern carrier has negligible taxes on its tickets. Thus, the flight would cost 180k miles and less than 100€ in taxes (for a ticket that is generally priced at no less than 3,500€!).
Idea #3 First Class with Emirates to New York
They are called "Fifth freedom flights," and they are the flights that a company makes connecting two nations with a flight that arrives at or continues to the carrier's hub. Such as, for example, the daily connection between Milan Malpensa and New York's JFK operated by Emirates, which actually departs from Dubai, makes a stopover in Milan, and departs for the United States and vice versa.
In this case since the 180k MR points are not enough for us to make the round trip in first class, we suggest that you book the round trip in business and the return in first class, for two reasons. The first is that the first class lounge in New York is much nicer than the only lounge in Malpensa, and second because this way you can take advantage of the limousine service, included in the first class ticket, and get to the New York airport without stress.
Traveling first class on Emirates means being able to enjoy the finest cuisine available on an airplane, showering in the clouds, and a host of other pampering that only the Dubai-based airline can offer.
The cost of this trip? 62,500 Skywards miles for business and 85,000 for first class, then a total of 147,500 Skywards points (and less than 100€ tax) that you can get by converting 185k Membership Rewards points.
WARNING This pre-pandemic combination would have cost well over 6,000€, at this time the flight is suspended but if you want to have this experience you have to wait until the route is operated again with the Airbus A380, otherwise no shower.
Idea #4 tour of the southeast in economy
People often think that you can only travel in business, but it is also true that if you want to travel backpacking, it is possible to fly very far using miles in economy.
By transforming MR points into Alitalia miles, the following itinerary can be composed:
- Rome Fiumicino - Bangkok at a cost of 60k miles, using depending on availability Etihad, KLM, Air France and even Aeroflot.
- Bangkok - Bali at a cost of 24k miles with Indonesia's national carrier Garuda Airlines, having the opportunity to also make a stop over in the capital Jakarta.
- After the nature and beaches of Indonesia, we can go to Bali to Hong Kong, again with Garuda at a cost of 25k Alitalia miles.
- Finally, we will be able to Return to Rome via Taipei, even with a stop over and using 60k miles to fly with China Eastern
An itinerary that drained your bank account, but gives you a chance to visit 4 nations, a true tour of Southeast Asia, spending just under €300 in fees to buy tickets.
Idea #5 With a friend in Brazil in Alitalia premium economy
You don't always want to travel alone, so here if you want to go to South America with a friend you could opt for Alitalia's premium economy.
The cost per ticket for travel in this class is 100k miles, but taking advantage of the American Express Alitalia Verde and milesback's 20%. just make two separate reservations so that after detaching the first ticket, you can immediately use the 20k miles received to add to the 80k in your account to get the second ticket.
Not yet an American Express cardholder? Then it's time to take advantage of the promo Of the Gold card that gives you 45k MR points if you spend at least 10k in the first year with the card.
