A little OT: AmEx points for miles???

[NJDisneymom]

I've been plugging dates into all the various airline websites but still hoping for lower rates. But I thought of something and have a question. Does anyone know how you go about getting your American Express points rolled into airline miles?? I know they participate with a few airlines and I have over 25,000 points which I believe is one round trip ticket (I think I read that somewhere).

Do I need to transfer the points before I book? The problem is I don't know what airline I'm going to use, it all depends on the price.

When/if I book something can I still do it online? Or do I have to call to use points/miles?

I have no idea how to book airfare, its always been a part of my package before, this is the first time I'm doing everything separately. So, any help would be appreciated!

 

[fam4jc]

I just used my ae points for two usairways tickets. It is very easy. First you have to set up your frequent flyer account at the airline you want to fly with and that ae is partnered with (check their site for partner airlines). Then you check your ff flight availability for the dates you want and the number of miles you'll need. (for my dates I only needed 20,000 each ticket). Then go online logged in at ea and transfer your points to your ff account you just set up. There are slight fees for some of the transfers. Then go back to your ff site and book your flights. My pt transfer for instantaneous, but it was the second time I had done this. (i used pts in the summer for a september trip to las vegas).

It's really very easy and in my opinion the best way to use your points, especially on longer flights.

 

[ncbyrne]

The 25,000 point airline tickets are EXTREMELY limited these days! And, those that are available are usually at inconvenient times with at least one connection and a bit of a layover. We always use our free miles and even when we look at the 330 days out, which is the earliest possible date to book, we can't get flights that suit us. However, for 50,000 per ticket, you can get anywhere you want - even direct nonstop.

 

[NJDisneymom]

thanks for the info. Unfortunately we only have about 30,000 points, so maybe we will just keep banking them for future trips.

I've stopped using AmEx for many things and started using my Disney Visa to earn more of those points before our trip, I know it won't amount to much by the time we go in May but it will be nice to have a few free meals.

 

[Mary Anne]

I just used my Am Express miles to buy 4 FF tickets (and yes @ 25,000 points per ticket-- that meant I put $100,000 on my Am Express card - fyi it took me over 10 years to get those miles LOL). I transferred with Jet Blue and had no problem at all. First I called jet blue and they told me that the flight times and day I wanted were available, they then put those 4 tickets on "hold" for 24 hours for me. they gave me a confirm #. Then I called Am Express and had them put the miles into that confirm # and then called Jet Blue back and they completed the reservation. Can't say enough good things about Jet Blue and American Express. Both companies walked me through every detail.

Edited to add I got NY Kennedy to Long Beach California, non stop flights exact time and day I wanted. I booked the first day I was able to.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

I have my AMEX points hooked up to my SW Rapid Rewards. Since the SW points expire within one year, if I'm short I transfer points from AMEX to SW so I can generate a free ticket. College tuitions make for lots of points!