#TFCanswers. How to use 150 thousand American Express Membership Rewards points (ed. 2022)
Second installment of our #tfcrispondes column, in which we try to give answers to the questions posed to us by our [...]
Second installment dn our column #tfcrisponds., in which we try to provide answers to questions posed to us by our readers. One of the most frequent questions we receive is: How is it best to use the accumulated points? We have readers who possess several hundred thousand points and others who have just started their journey in the world of reward travel and therefore do not have large amounts of points.
In this article:
![Everything you need to know about Membership Rewards points: how to use them, how to transfer them, how not to waste them [agg.2023].](https://www.theflightclub.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_3720-900x675.jpeg)
We had already written articles on this topic, but many things have changed in recent months. From the closure of the Millemiglia program, to the lack of information regarding ITA Airways' new Volare program, through some devaluations that have made it more expensive to book award tickets.
First, a small premise. Membership Rewards points do not expire, so there is no obligation to have to use them. In contrast to airline loyalty program points, the risk of devaluation is much lower, although it could change the exchange rate from MR to the desired program, what for example happened in 2021 with the Krisflyer program.
#1 More than 10 flights from Italy to London and beyond
The best bonuses
One of the best ways to use points to travel within Europe is definitely to turn MR points into Avios, the currency of the British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus loyalty program. Thanks to the fact that taxes and surcharges for intra-EU flights are reduced to just one euro.
It is possible to use 120 thousand Avios to book 6 tickets to fly from Venice to London in business class (approximate cost 20,000 Avios each), plus 50 cents in taxes and surcharges.
Alternatively, with the same points, it is possible to fly 10 times from Rome to London spending a total of €5 in taxes for all tickets.
The beauty of Avios points is that they are the same currency even of Iberia. Flying from Linate to Madrid with the Spanish airline costs only 7,500 points for a ticket in economy, but in this case the fees are higher, amounting to 25€.
Not only direct flights but also with stopovers, Flying from Palermo to Barcelona (via London) costs €1 in taxes and requires 23,500 Avios points.
A round-trip ticket from Milan to Dublin costs 14k Avios, to which should be added just under 87€ in taxes. Perhaps this is a suboptimal conversion, unless it is a peak season with prices much higher than those found by paying cash.
#2 Flying to Asia with Finnair
The Finnish carrier, which has Just announced the redesign of its entire fleet, è one of 9 partners in Italy in the Membership Rewards program. It has the peculiarity of being The one that, on a European level, offers the best rates when it comes to surcharges and fees Applied to prize tickets.
Flying from Italy to Asia, such as towards Bangkok, has a cost ranging from 90k to 160k Avios points, depending on the class of travel. With our 120k points, we can easily afford a round-trip ticket in economy, To which should be added just over 62€ in taxes. Or we can detach a ticket with one leg in eco and the other in business. In this case, we will need to budget .5000 more avios points. For a final expense of 125k points and always 62€ in taxes.
#3 Going to New York with Emirates
Flying on Emirates' A380 is an experience, even in economy class. Transferring 150k MR points gives you 120k Skywards points.
Enough to redeem a round-trip ticket in business class, as the cost starts at 45k points per ticket to which should be added just over 86€ in taxes each way.
Flying economy requires half as many points. On the other hand, for first class, the one that gives access to the shower and the chance to have one of the most exclusive experiences in the skies around the world, we need 90k points. On balance, our 120k Skywards points also allow us to opt for one leg in eco and one in first, for a total of the 115,0oo Skywards points.
Important if you plan to redeem more than one award ticket with Emirates, I suggest you do the math and Evaluate the investment of Skywards+ subscription., the program that allows milseback and other benefits when flying EK.
# 4 Two tickets to fly the world's best business class
Book two seats in Qatar Airways' QSuite to fly from Milan to Doha, capital of the state that will host the upcoming World Cup, costs only 60k Asia Miles points per ticket. With our 120k points, you will then be able to redeem as many as 2 round-trip tickets and enjoy a true experience aboard one of the most award-winning business class cabins.
#5 Sleep for free one month in Bali
Indonesia and Bali prepare to reopen borders, currently there is a need to do 3 days of quarantine. When it reopens, you will be able to fly to one of the most beautiful places on earth and stay in Hilton Group hotels. Taking advantage of the conversion rate of 1:1 will result in 150k HHonors points to use to make reservations at one of 7,000 facilities around the world.
In Bali it is possible to stay with only 5 thousand points per night, translated 30 nights without shelling out a single euro. But, since the Hilton loyalty program gives away one night for every 4 premium nights booked, the stay can last as many as 36 nights in total at the Garden Inn Bali Ngurah.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a more exclusive location, you can point to the beautiful Conrad Bali at the price of 28k points per night. A stay for 6 nights will then cost only 140k points, taking advantage of a free night.
In conclusion
Flexible points such as Membership Rewards offer many more options than putting all your points in the same basket with a frequent flyer program. This means that you can access any flight and airline, whether direct partner or Taking advantage of aviation alliances in which individual companies participate. I hope this small example will be helpful in planning your goal and getting the best possible conversion.
Given that 150k points is exactly half of what can be accumulated, for free, every year thanks to the introduce a friend promotion is one of those bonuses to strive for every year, year after year.
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