Six ideas + 1 to use membership rewards points in pairs
This is the third installment in our journey to suggest ideas on how to use membership rewards points. In the first [...]
Etihad Airways
Emirates
Delta
Cathay Pacific
Alitalia
SkyTeam
Oneworld
This is the third installment in our journey to suggest ideas on how to use membership rewards points. In the first two we gave ideas to solo travelers and to family travelers. Today it's the couples' turn, these 5 ideas + 1 bonus are feasible to starting from 250k membership rewards points.
These ideas are just some of the possible choices that can be made, indeed if you have any ideas to suggest leave us a comment.
Bonus idea, award tickets with Alitalia + free hotel in New York
In this article:
The first proposal is "bonus" i.e., it is not part of the 5 ideas but is certainly one of the most obvious of all possible conversions.
Two award tickets for to travel with Alitalia to the U.S., South America or Japan. This as mentioned is the most obvious use for the Italian market. Converting points from Memberhip Rewards to Millemiglia is quick and easy. If you are aiming for this type of ticket it is discounted but you will I remind you that by using the companion ticket you can halve the points needed and if you also have American Express Alitalia Verde in your wallet you will save an additional 20%.
A couple who has 250k MR points: can book Rome New York, two tickets cost 160k millemile points. If you have a companion you will halve this amount, if you are a green card holder you will be able to detach tickets for only 64k millemile points. Yes exactly 32k points per ticket.
At this point you still have 170k MR points available that you can convert into as many Hilton Honors points, points that you can use to spend a minimum of two nights, completely free, at one of the most luxurious hotels in New York as the Conrad Downtown or spend a week in a 4-star hotel in the Hilton or Marriott chain.
Idea #1 with Emirates in First in Dubai or Business in New York.
Emirates is an American Express partner, so we can convert MR points into Skywards miles to book award tickets with the Dubai-based company. If you have 300k points you can choose between two different scenarios.
Going in First, returning in business to Dubai. The total cost of this solution is 350€ tax and 281k MR points (turned into 225k Skywards points)
In the second scenario you will be able to detach Two business class tickets from Milan to New York will cost you 260€ in taxes and 315k MR points (converted to 252k skywards points) if you want you can also save money by doing one of the two routes in economy and the other in business class.
Idea #2 two tickets to Sydney paying €272
You don't care about business class, but you want to fly far. Two tickets with Etihad to fly as far as Australia, paying €136 in taxes per ticket and turning your 300k MR points into as many Millemiglia points. Unfortunately, in this case there is no opportunity to take advantage of the companion ticket because it only applies to flights operated by Alitalia.
Idea #3 5 nights in one of the paradises on earth. Hilton Labritz in the Seychelles
Just transfer 320k MR points to your Hilton Honors account and you can stay 5 nights at this incredible resort. Each night costs 80k HH points, but being enrolled in the Hilton loyalty program you can take advantage of the promotion that always gives away the 5th night, up to a maximum of 20gg, to all stays paid for with points.
The average cost of accommodation at this resort is never less than €400, plus if you are a gold customer you can get room upgrades and free breakfast.
Idea #4 flies from San Francisco to Hawaii in First with Delta
If you can't find an award seat through Alitalia's system, there may not necessarily be no award seats. Partner airlines do not always have access to all available seats. As in this case.
Two tickets to fly First from San Francisco to Honolulu for $22 in taxes and 204k Delta miles, which means 306 k MR points. For two tickets that, if paid cash would cost about 3900$.
Idea #5 takes advantage of Cathay Pacific's Companion Ticket offer and flies to Hong Kong in business
Cathay Pacific has an interesting offer when you decide to travel in two and want to redeem an award ticket in Business and First classes. In fact, by paying for one ticket, you can buy the second ticket using points at a steep discount.
Above we see the cost for two business class tickets from Rome Fiumicino to Hong Kong. As you can see the price is 260k Asia Miles plus about 140€ in taxes and surcharges. To get 260k Asia Miles we will have to transfer 325k MR points.
There is, however, the companion offer that saves many points. If you buy a business or first class ticket you can buy a second ticket using miles at a discounted price, vale to say that instead of using 130k Asia Miles points we will use only 98k. Of course in this case you must pay cash for a ticket And it is not always a bad choice.
If you like this idea, you can take advantage of an offer that allows you to Save an additional 15% on the cost of Cathay Pacific tickets.
We have come to the end of this little guide, we hope it serves as inspiration for you, and if you have any ideas to suggest please leave us a comment. Below are the two previous installments.
