What to do with 130,000 points

[moneymark]

Hello,

I’ve canceled my Amex card for the time being and have been told I needn’t to do something with the points I’ve accrued, 130,000.

They are worth approx £585.00 in Amazon vouchers or I could transfer them to my BA account and perhaps treat myself to a holiday…

Basically I could do with some advice as the best way to utilise them to get the most value out of them…

Thanks in advance.

[NorthernLass]

Is there a certain amount of time between closing the card and having to transfer the points out?

It’s a difficult question to answer as people have different preferences. If you had a BAPP companion voucher you could get long haul flights in a premium cabin for 2 of you. Are you in any hotel loyalty schemes? I think you get 2 Hilton Honors points for 1 MR so that would be a nice chunk (double check this, though!)

[executiveclubber]

It also equates to a lot of nice European travel. My Avios stash has come in handy a lot when cash prices are ridiculously high. You can get a fair few flights using the Book with Avios tool within Europe. That’s what I’d do – but that’s what I’d get the most value from. As above, people have very different preferences.

I personally would never exchange for gift cards as I’d get so much more tangible money-saving value from the flights. It’s fun to know you’ve paid next to nothing.

[moneymark]

Thanks for your advice, I have to transfer them by Wednesday so I guess I’m best to transfer them to my BA account. I have 170000 points there already and have not been away for a couple of years so should think about having a break…

[dougzz99]

Hilton was mentioned, also Marriott at 1.5 so 195K Marriott if you have an account and use for them. I think I’d err towards BA as long points life, and short haul with RFS can be exceptional value.

[Royback]

moneymark wrote:

Thanks for your advice, I have to transfer them by Wednesday so I guess I’m best to transfer them to my BA account. I have 170000 points there already and have not been away for a couple of years so should think about having a break…

Just keep a free card going and keep them till you need them?

[Harrier25]

I agree 100% with @Royback.

[Andrew J]

moneymark wrote:

Thanks for your advice, I have to transfer them by Wednesday so I guess I’m best to transfer them to my BA account. I have 170000 points there already and have not been away for a couple of years so should think about having a break…

And from your BA account you can always transfer them to Nectar and get better value than the Amazon credit anyway.

[Lady London]

Royback wrote:

moneymark wrote:

Thanks for your advice, I have to transfer them by Wednesday so I guess I’m best to transfer them to my BA account. I have 170000 points there already and have not been away for a couple of years so should think about having a break…

Just keep a free card going and keep them till you need them?

This.

[zapato1060]

My preference would be Avios (you could do Madrid to Miami/LA/San Fran return off peak in business 3x times over with 241s (50%) and your 170k). Last option is Marriott.

[yonasl]

I was in your same situation.

I got the free Amex card and have a recurring payment of £1.5 every month.

I have had that for years now and points still there for when I need them.

[Duncan]

Always transfer to Avios in my humble opinion, it’s far, far better value for money.
Real-world example: I regularly fly business from Manchester to Cape Town on Qatar. It can cost as little as £140ish + 75,000 Avios points one way (there are a lot of variables, but this is what I paid on the last 2 journeys in June and August). I’m pretty sure the same seat without points would cost you around £2,500. So in this instance, 75,000 points are worth over £2k, and you’ve got nearly double that number.

Or you can spend £585.00 on Amazon. But I know which I’d prefer! 🙂

[moneymark]

Brilliant, thanks for all the help and advice. Avios it is.