TFCanswers: with which companies can I book an award ticket using Membership Rewards points [agg 2024]

Today we answer a question that is often asked in the messages we receive here at TFC. So let's try to shed some light on some aspects related to the use of points Membership Rewards To reserve an award ticket.

Currently, the Membership Rewards program, in Italy, has a partnership with 8 loyalty programs. With each of them it has an agreement that allows MR points to be transformed into points of the chosen loyalty program.

The partner companies are:

• Cathay Pacific (OneWorld)
• British Airways (OneWorld)
• Delta (SkyTeam)
• Emirates
• Finnair (OneWorld)
• AirFrance/KLM (SkyTeam)
• Iberia (OneWorld)
• Sas (Skyteam)
• Singapore (StarAlliance)

In parentheses we have indicated which alliance each company belongs to, this is because by taking advantage of the crossovers it will be possible to book an airline ticket using Membership Rewards points even with a company that is not an Amex partner.

The Finnair program is no longer among the partners, but the problem can be solved by the ability to move in real time, from British Airways to Finnair at no cost

Some examples of these triangulations

Lufthansa is missing from the list and all the companies in the group. We can try to book a ticket through Singapore's KrisFlyer program. The same applies to Qatar o JAL: You can use Cathay's Asia Miles program points or British Airways Avios.

Then there are cases of companies that do not participate in specific alliances and have one-to-one parnterships with other carriers. We have written about how to use the points Qatar to book tickets to fly with JetBlue and told how we have Used Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club points to book a first class ticket With All Nippon Airlines.

Therefore, using aviation alliances, it is possible to book a ticket with virtually any global airline, unfortunately, however, triangulations are not always convenient.

Conversion rates

It is good to know that each program has a different conversion rate MR points to individual program points. Above all, one must be aware that it is not a matter of communicating vessels, but it is only possible to transfer from Membership Rewards points to points in the program of choice, there is no possibility of going back.

Conversion rates:

• Cathay Pacific 5MR= 4AM
• British Airways 5MR= 4AV
• Delta 3MR= 2SM
• Emirate 5MR= 4SW
• AF/KLM 3MR= 2FB
• Iberia 5MR= 4AV
• Sas 5MR= 4EB
• Singapore 3MR= 2KF

We have explained in many articles what to do before booking an award ticket, especially to avoid wasting points and resources. In summary, the highlights are:

1. Look for the prize places, also taking advantage of the various tools and the official websites of the individual companies
2. If possible before starting the transfer opting for award places
3. Transfer the points and book the ticket immediately

ITA Issue Airways/Volare

Missing from this list is ITA Airways, with its Volare loyalty program, is an MR partner, but does not allow the issuance of award tickets, only the use of points as a form of payment.

The conversion rate is 1:1 and so 1000 MR points become as many Volare points, points that in the booking system of our national airline have a value of 5€

This installment of TFCanswers concludes, if you have a doubt or need help send us your questions via FB, comments or good old email.

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