Get a 30% bonus on American Express (IDC / IEC) Membership Rewards points to Avios

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• MaltapointsTom says:

  15 Jul15 July 08:05

  Raffles. Not sure how widely applicable this is or whether it’s unique to Malta, but I have a GBP Amex and an Amex International Euro Card (through Bank of Valletta). As a result of this arrangement, I of course have two Membership Rewards accounts. The great thing is, once a year I am allowed to transfer my MR points from my IEC-linked MR account to my GBP card linked MR account. This is a no-brainer as it means i) I benefit from the €1:1 MR point ratio and ii) I can bank them up then flip all my Euro-earned MR points to my GBP MR account to use the better redemption rates available.

  • Rob says:

    15 Jul15 July 09:50

    See tomorrow for more on this. Not such a no-brainer with the $ card because only a handful of airlines are still 1:1.

• Mottelgamz says:

  15 Jul15 July 08:18

  Is it not better to convert to iberia at 1 for 1. Is that not available any more?

  • Sir Stamford says:

    15 Jul15 July 08:25

    Sorry, the conversion rate to Iberia Plus is no longer 1:1. It is the same as BAEC i.e. 3:2.

    Sir Stamford

• Sir Stamford says:

  15 Jul15 July 08:31

  I recently received an invitation to apply for the ICC at half the usual first year fee i.e. US$/€50 instead of the usual US$/€100. The offer is only applicable those applications which are approved by 6 August 2013.

  I believe the foreign airlines that still allow 1:1 conversion from the $ card include Krisflyer (Singapore Airlines), Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific) and possibly Enrich (Malaysia Airlines).

  The last time I looked at Asia Miles they have a very similar redemption chart to Avios especially for long haul (e.g. LHR-HKG return in J uses the same number of 120,000 miles as Avios). One way is less generous. Krisflyer allows you access to the Star Alliance flights. The real attraction for me is the greater availability for award seats in SQ’s A388/77W J class.

  Sir Stamford

  • Rob says:

    15 Jul15 July 09:49

    I am running through this tomorrow, but the 1:1 list is:

    •Alitalia (SkyTeam)
    •Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (oneworld)
    •Finnair (oneworld)
    •Malaysia Airlines (oneworld) (not in the UK MR scheme at all)
    •Singapore Airlines (Star Alliance)

  • oliuk says:

    15 Jul15 July 14:08

    Its worth noting that there is a permanent referral option for the IEC/IDC cards too. This gives the person signing up both the first year half price (like the current offer), and a 15000 MR bonus (for plat, less on gold etc).
    I’m happy to refer, if raffles doesnt, anyone that wants an ICC card with the sign up bouns, just let me know on olireaction [at] gmail

    • Rob says:

      15 Jul15 July 14:29

      I was under the impression that the referral option had gone? It has disappeared from the IDC website.

      It is a good deal and indeed I joined via a referral. First year is $50 (for Green) and both parties (for Green) get 5,000 MR points each. Do contact oliuk if interested, assuming it is still running.

      • Oliver says:

        15 Jul15 July 14:38

        You could be right, although I was never even aware of it mentioned on the IDC site and could never find it there. The referral I’m aware of is a physical form, and I last used it a couple of months ago to refer a family member for a card with no problems. I have no idea if it still works but would suggest that any applicants probably have nothing to lose by trying?!

        • Rob says:

          15 Jul15 July 14:44

          I used the same (paper) form! If you’ve still got it, there is no harm in trying it. My discounted fee and 5,000 points arrived just fine, although the person who referred me had to chase up his own bonus.

• Gabbai says:

  15 Jul15 July 10:27

  The UK cards generally give much poorer point / mile benefits than their American $ cousins. American AMEX Membership Rewards points are convertible 1:1 to British Airways and there are frequently, i.e. at least once a year for the past good few years, bonuses of 35 – 50%. Given that the award ratio is $1 : 1 MR point, a spend of $15,000 / £10,000 can get you 22,500 Avios if changed at the right time. The same £10,000 spend on a UK AMEX gets you only 10,000 Avios. I have not seen any bonus offers offers with the UK site conversions.

  • Rob says:

    15 Jul15 July 11:32

    There are regular UK MR to Avios / Flying Club / Etihad etc bonuses. Latest one finished in February, offered 20-30%. However, they are generally targeted so unless you ‘opt in’ to post and email junk mail from Amex then you won’t be included. There is also a theory that you are more likely to be targeted if your MR account is already linked to BA.

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