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I’m closing my ICC platinum account down. I have a smidgen over 36,000 unspent MRs, which will translate into a £150-ish hotel or other gift card. Clearly, I want to do better than that. The rates are all different to the UK MR accounts, so the neat calculation offered by Rob today on the Platinum card bonus is not applicable, and nor is my default with UK MR points I don’t know what else to do with (Marriott). The best value seems to be those airlines that are at 1:1 for USD MRs to miles:
– Asia Miles
– Finnair Plus
– Malaysia Enrich
– Singapore KrisMy thinking
– I’m ignoring Singapore Kris as I already have a stack of them, and they expire, otherwise this might be very attractive
– Malaysia isn’t an Amex or HSBC partner so I can’t top up — don’t fancy that, risk of the points lying unused for an age is not appealing
– Finnair Plus I know nothing about.
– Asia Miles… don’t expire, no silly Taxes/Fees/Charges, can be topped up with HSBC or Amex… so seems like the best place to go?Other options are I guess could phone Amex and ask for them to be sent over to my UK account, where they are magically turned into 26,500 UK MRs, or pay a few dollars a year and downgrade to ICC green (and I will be back in the States later in the year, but only modest spending anticipated).
Any thoughts?
- This topic was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
Kris is the only one I’d probably go for, on the grounds that it gives you reach outside oneworld, but if you have a stack of them ….
The hotel partners are particularly weak compared to the UK rates unfortunately.
If you are full on Kris (and remember that the UK scheme is now 3:2 so any future top-ups from there will be very poor value compared to 1:1 from an IDC card) then perhaps a UK transfer back isn’t a bad idea.
Asia miles – be very careful. The airline is losing a lot of money. Govt can support, but to what extent? There’s a suspicion that mainland airlines will be supported more. Won’t be surprised if there’s either a devaluation or a big surcharge hike!
Kris is the only one I’d probably go for, on the grounds that it gives you reach outside oneworld, but if you have a stack of them ….
I might reconsider this. I have a potential use for almost all the Kris I have, in which case a top up could be handy in the future.
The hotel partners are particularly weak compared to the UK rates unfortunately.
Yup, I’d noticed.
If you are full on Kris (and remember that the UK scheme is now 3:2 so any future top-ups from there will be very poor value compared to 1:1 from an IDC card) then perhaps a UK transfer back isn’t a bad idea.
hmmm… feels like I’m taking a loss, but I guess I’m not…
What about Qatar Airways Privilege Club? They’ll soon switch to Avios although the rate is 3:2.
What about Qatar Airways Privilege Club? They’ll soon switch to Avios although the rate is 3:2.
Unattractive, as is BAEC Avios. I was hoping when they jump over to Avios QAPC could be really interesting for lower tax redemptions though, but the YQ surcharge looks as bad or worse than BA’s 🤨
But will the initial change rate between Privilege Club points and Avios be 1:1 or a more attractive one…
- This reply was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
But will the initial change rate between Privilege Club points and Avios be 1:1 or a more attractive one…
oooh I’d not considered that… only 36k points, could be worth a punt. If they go at 3 PCs for 2 Avios though I’d be annoyed!
Recent email from Qatar – Your earned tier and balance will remain as they are* (your 2,000 Qmiles will become 2,000 Avios), and you will be able to enjoy an enhanced loyalty programme designed with your needs in mind.
Suggests its 1 to 1
Follow up: I decided on Asia Miles. I appreciate the risk that Cathay might go under, but the news is they have turned a profitability corner, and it should be easy to top up further when I come to use them.
Qatar points will convert at 1:1 to Avios.
Follow up: I decided on Asia Miles. I appreciate the risk that Cathay might go under, but the news is they have turned a profitability corner, and it should be easy to top up further when I come to use them.
There is more risk of a huge devaluation than a bankruptcy. A positive is HK and China won’t be opening up anytime soon, so less demand right now.
Curious why you’re closing the card? And have you attempted a retention offer? Perhaps there will be no need to close it in the end with the right offer.
I am tempted to close mine, because the main sweet spot I use was Jumeirah and since they moved to revenue based redemptions there is no value in a transfer.
However, for the sake of $100 per year, I am happy to keep my points over there for occasional Singapore Airlines redemptions.
I hold for the same reason but it is $130 after the first year as they charge a separate USD30 fee to use the membership rewards program, which is waived in the first year, on top of the $100 card fee…
Curious why you’re closing the card? And have you attempted a retention offer? Perhaps there will be no need to close it in the end with the right offer.
I’ve got no dollar spend for a while and the rest of the benefits aren’t useful for at least six months (eg car hire). I have sufficient lounge access anyway. If I wanted another platinum I’d probably do the UK one next,
I used to hold green but can’t justify the fee just to hold onto some points.
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