I love credit cards so much!

[wendow]

So, I've been looking at MR points and how to use them. I don't really see a great use for us. I must be missing something. It seems they could go a long way if you travel int'l but not so great domestically??

 

[calypso726]

So, I've been looking at MR points and how to use them. I don't really see a great use for us. I must be missing something. It seems they could go a long way if you travel int'l but not so great domestically??

Like Chase UR points they transfer to airline partners across all 3 alliances which can be used domestically. They transfer to Delta, a Sky Team alliance airline. They also transfer to British Airways (One World alliance) which is an American Airlines partner. BA Avios flights on short haul domestic One World partners are an awesomesauce use of BA Avios miles. MR also transfers to Air Canada (Star Alliance) which is a United partner. Jet Blue, Hawaiian and Virgin America are also transfer partners which can all be used domestically. They also transfer to hotels too. Like UR points, they can be used to purchase travel. However, the points are only worth 1 cent unless you have an Amex Business Platinum. Paying with points when you have the Biz Plat Card gets you 35% of your points back which gives a little bit more of value per point than Chase UR. So I do think MR points are useful just not as useful or easy as UR for some depending on the situation.

The downside in my opinion comes on multiple fronts. First, they aren’t as easy to earn as UR points. Chase cards have some great category bonuses that make UR earning faster and easier. Transfer partners are not all 1:1 which lowers the point value. Paying with points is only worth 1 cent a point unless you have an Amex Biz Platinum Card. Even with that, you have to have all the points to pay with and it takes weeks to get your 35% of points back.

While most of my focus goes to Chase UR earning, we also try to keep the MR balance up too. Diversifying the miles and points portfolio has been one of our keys to successful travel hacking. I know most tout the earn and burn philosophy but that doesn’t work for us. Opportunistic hoardings across various miles and points currencies seem to work best for us. More than once, we’ve had to switch from plan A to plan B or even C. Just my viewpoints, hope they offer some insight that might help.

 

[Albort]

So, I've been looking at MR points and how to use them. I don't really see a great use for us. I must be missing something. It seems they could go a long way if you travel int'l but not so great domestically??

I see the most redemption with ANA, Etihad and Emirates. other than that, i dont see much else. Its the only major program im not actively earning... Im earning in UR, SPG and TYP. which is basically 3 of 4 major programs. like what @calypso726 says, its an idea on branching out.

 

[wendow]

Thanks @calypso726 That is really helpful. I forget about the airline partners. We mostly fly SW so I just don't think about other airlines and when I do, I think of having a layover...which I don't want with 4 kids...BUT United should have some direct flights from Denver that we might could make work. You are saying we transfer to Air Canada and then to United? I looked at JetBlue flights but man, we have to fly from Denver to Boston or NY first and then head to FL or wherever we are headed (usually south as we like warm).

The most appealing thing I guess for me to do with MR points is to transfer to SPG and then to Marriott. Not a stellar use but that is useful. Planning to stay at a Marriott next summer outside DLR so maybe that would work.

I guess I am sadly spoiled by UR points lol!

 

[GlamMistress]

Thanks @calypso726 That is really helpful. I forget about the airline partners. We mostly fly SW so I just don't think about other airlines and when I do, I think of having a layover...which I don't want with 4 kids...BUT United should have some direct flights from Denver that we might could make work. You are saying we transfer to Air Canada and then to United? I looked at JetBlue flights but man, we have to fly from Denver to Boston or NY first and then head to FL or wherever we are headed (usually south as we like warm).

The most appealing thing I guess for me to do with MR points is to transfer to SPG and then to Marriott. Not a stellar use but that is useful. Planning to stay at a Marriott next summer outside DLR so maybe that would work.

I guess I am sadly spoiled by UR points lol!

No you don't transfer MR to Air Canada then United. You would just move to Air Canada and book a United Flight. Here is a step by step guide: https://millionmilesecrets.com/2016/12/14/amex-points-for-united-airlines-flights/

 

[calypso726]

Thanks @calypso726 That is really helpful. I forget about the airline partners. We mostly fly SW so I just don't think about other airlines and when I do, I think of having a layover...which I don't want with 4 kids...BUT United should have some direct flights from Denver that we might could make work. You are saying we transfer to Air Canada and then to United? I looked at JetBlue flights but man, we have to fly from Denver to Boston or NY first and then head to FL or wherever we are headed (usually south as we like warm).

The most appealing thing I guess for me to do with MR points is to transfer to SPG and then to Marriott. Not a stellar use but that is useful. Planning to stay at a Marriott next summer outside DLR so maybe that would work.

I guess I am sadly spoiled by UR points lol!

You're welcome. Air Canada was just the first MR partner that came to mind as a United partner off the top of my head. If you transfer to Air Canada (or any Star Alliance partner), you would fly either Air Canada or another Star Alliance partner, like United, when there is partner availability. If you see a saver award on United, then you can book that specific flight on Air Canada. Here is an article from TPG https://thepointsguy.com/2016/09/booking-united-awards-partner-programs/

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Just saw this review today. Since we are on the Disboards one airport we all probably have in common is MCO. I might need to check it out next trip.

http://pointsmilesandmartinis.boardingarea.com/2017/10/lounge-review-club-mco-orlando/

The article talks about the Priority Pass and Amex but it is also a benefit of the Sapphire Reserve.

Nice! Just upgraded DH to the reserve. Can he bring in family members? This would come in useful when DME drops us off waayyy too early and when we have time to kill after dcl for an afternoon flight.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Thanks. I already know I can transfer my CSP UR's to DH's CSR, I've been doing that monthly. I'm just wondering if I can transfer Freedom UR's to his CSR if I downgrade. And no, we are not AU on each other's cards.

Is there a reason to do it monthly, vs when you need to redeem them?

 

[mefordis]

Like Chase UR points they transfer to airline partners across all 3 alliances which can be used domestically. They transfer to Delta, a Sky Team alliance airline. They also transfer to British Airways (One World alliance) which is an American Airlines partner. BA Avios flights on short haul domestic One World partners are an awesomesauce use of BA Avios miles. MR also transfers to Air Canada (Star Alliance) which is a United partner. Jet Blue, Hawaiian and Virgin America are also transfer partners which can all be used domestically. They also transfer to hotels too. Like UR points, they can be used to purchase travel. However, the points are only worth 1 cent unless you have an Amex Business Platinum. Paying with points when you have the Biz Plat Card gets you 35% of your points back which gives a little bit more of value per point than Chase UR. So I do think MR points are useful just not as useful or easy as UR for some depending on the situation.

The downside in my opinion comes on multiple fronts. First, they aren’t as easy to earn as UR points. Chase cards have some great category bonuses that make UR earning faster and easier. Transfer partners are not all 1:1 which lowers the point value. Paying with points is only worth 1 cent a point unless you have an Amex Biz Platinum Card. Even with that, you have to have all the points to pay with and it takes weeks to get your 35% of points back.

While most of my focus goes to Chase UR earning, we also try to keep the MR balance up too. Diversifying the miles and points portfolio has been one of our keys to successful travel hacking. I know most tout the earn and burn philosophy but that doesn’t work for us. Opportunistic hoardings across various miles and points currencies seem to work best for us. More than once, we’ve had to switch from plan A to plan B or even C. Just my viewpoints, hope they offer some insight that might help.

This makes total sense for us, too, since our travel plans are often changing. For example, I WAS planning on spending my birthday at WDW so we would need to use JetBlue miles since they fly direct and they are our favorite. However, now I have finalized plans on a LA - Vegas - Grand Canyon trip and now I need UNITED miles desperately! I have my heart set on flying us Business class (I know, domestic B is a waste of miles and money but I want those seats! )

Since we will be going to WDW again in the next few years, the JetBlue bonus from my new card will still be used.

 

[mefordis]

Nice! Just upgraded DH to the reserve. Can he bring in family members? This would come in useful when DME drops us off waayyy too early and when we have time to kill after dcl for an afternoon flight.

I heard the Priority Pass with CSR allows unlimited guests (saw that on a youtube video). I also heard that they are partnering with other restaurants and expanding the priority pass lounges/restaurants across many airports. I guess the Airline lounges are getting crowded and the frequent flyers of those airlines are getting frustrated that the lounges are packed. It might be that Priority Pass is expanding the restaurants in anticipation that some of the airlines will stop partnering with them in the future.

Here's the video:

 

[lark]

I see the most redemption with ANA, Etihad and Emirates. other than that, i dont see much else. Its the only major program im not actively earning... Im earning in UR, SPG and TYP. which is basically 3 of 4 major programs. like what y@calypso726 says, its an idea on branching out.

MR can be leveraged with transfer bonuses. For example, they currently have a 30 percent bonus to Virgin Atlantic, which means, for example, you could book LAX-AMS in business on Delta for 39,000 MR. Transfer bonuses to BA can be used for great redemptions to Hawaii and other places or USA short haul, and ANA through Virgin Atlantic is also a smoking deal. I love starpoints for hotels, but the transfer delay is a problem. Amex transfer instantly for most airlines. I've found them incredibly useful.

 

[mefordis]

MR can be leveraged with transfer bonuses. For example, they currently have a 30 percent bonus to Virgin Atlantic, which means, for example, you could book LAX-AMS in business on Delta for 39,000 MR. Transfer bonuses to BA can be used for great redemptions to Hawaii and other places or USA short haul, and ANA through Virgin Atlantic is also a smoking deal. I love starpoints for hotels, but the transfer delay is a problem. Amex transfer instantly for most airlines. I've found them incredibly useful.

Do you take advantage of the transfer bonus even if you have no immediate plans to use that particular airline or hotel? I see a Hilton transfer bonus for AMEX rewards but I am not sure if we will be staying at the Hilton or Marriott next year. Should I transfer and just make that decision to use that Hotel in our travel plans?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Is there a reason to do it monthly, vs when you need to redeem them?

There was some chatter that the ability to transfer might be limited in the future. And some of us just like to the the big numbers

 

[Albort]

Is there a reason to do it monthly, vs when you need to redeem them?

there was a survey where chase was asking if its customer would be okay if Sapphire card line earn its own points, and freedom card earn its own points. there would be no transfers from Freedom to Sapphire card. Thought nothing of it until Chase put the 1 Sapphire card per cardholder instantly and that kinda scared a bunch of us into thinking they can implement things pretty quickly.

 

[mefordis]

Like Chase UR points they transfer to airline partners across all 3 alliances which can be used domestically. They transfer to Delta, a Sky Team alliance airline. They also transfer to British Airways (One World alliance) which is an American Airlines partner. BA Avios flights on short haul domestic One World partners are an awesomesauce use of BA Avios miles. MR also transfers to Air Canada (Star Alliance) which is a United partner. Jet Blue, Hawaiian and Virgin America are also transfer partners which can all be used domestically. They also transfer to hotels too. Like UR points, they can be used to purchase travel. However, the points are only worth 1 cent unless you have an Amex Business Platinum. Paying with points when you have the Biz Plat Card gets you 35% of your points back which gives a little bit more of value per point than Chase UR. So I do think MR points are useful just not as useful or easy as UR for some depending on the situation.

The downside in my opinion comes on multiple fronts. First, they aren’t as easy to earn as UR points. Chase cards have some great category bonuses that make UR earning faster and easier. Transfer partners are not all 1:1 which lowers the point value. Paying with points is only worth 1 cent a point unless you have an Amex Biz Platinum Card. Even with that, you have to have all the points to pay with and it takes weeks to get your 35% of points back.

While most of my focus goes to Chase UR earning, we also try to keep the MR balance up too. Diversifying the miles and points portfolio has been one of our keys to successful travel hacking. I know most tout the earn and burn philosophy but that doesn’t work for us. Opportunistic hoardings across various miles and points currencies seem to work best for us. More than once, we’ve had to switch from plan A to plan B or even C. Just my viewpoints, hope they offer some insight that might help.

We use our Amex ED Preferred for groceries (3x points) and we use our CSP for everything else.

 

[Lain]

Do you take advantage of the transfer bonus even if you have no immediate plans to use that particular airline or hotel? I see a Hilton transfer bonus for AMEX rewards but I am not sure if we will be staying at the Hilton or Marriott next year. Should I transfer and just make that decision to use that Hotel in our travel plans?

Hilton Honors points generally have terrible value. Unless I had a specific stay in mind that had a really good redemption rate, I wouldn’t be tempted by even a 33% transfer bonus. A free stay is good, but you need to think about all the other (better) things you could’ve used your MR points for.

And I’m typing this from the Starbucks in the lobby of the Hilton Anaheim, which we paid for with points and cash!

 

[lark]

Do you take advantage of the transfer bonus even if you have no immediate plans to use that particular airline or hotel? I see a Hilton transfer bonus for AMEX rewards but I am not sure if we will be staying at the Hilton or Marriott next year. Should I transfer and just make that decision to use that Hotel in our travel plans?

No, almost never. If I'm not going to use the points right away my attitude is that transfer bonuses are like buses. There's always another one coming so no need to jaywalk to catch this one. The one exception is Avios. I can always use them so I like to grab a few when there's a good bonus.

Otherwise, these programs are too unpredictable. The ability to fly west coast to Europe in business for 39,000 Amex exists right now because of a confluence of factors. The transfer bonus to Vigin Atlantic. The fact that Delta just started some new LAX routes and have decent availability while they are getting them going. The fact that Virgin Atlantic allows one way redemptions, has a below market mileage requirement for Europe, and doesn't add fuel charges for USA to EU one way. Any of these could change tomorrow and you'd be stuck.

 

[tink1970]

So, I've been looking at MR points and how to use them. I don't really see a great use for us. I must be missing something. It seems they could go a long way if you travel int'l but not so great domestically??

That's how I feel about UR points so I think it really depends on what and where you fly. We fly primarily Delta so I hoard MR points for int'l and domestic flights. My brother and parents live away but in Delta dependent areas, too. I've flown my mother down first class a couple of times-nice to have the extra miles and spoil her Depending on DD's college plans we might have to utilize United or SW (which I have never flown), so keeping our Chase accounts open. I don't know how old your kids are but my DD flies a lot to summer school, looking at colleges, visiting family out of town, etc. It's nice to have a pool of different types of points depending on the situation.

 

[wendow]

I don't know how old your kids are but my DD flies a lot to summer school, looking at colleges, visiting family out of town, etc. It's nice to have a pool of different types of points depending on the situation.

This is really good to keep in mind! Thanks for pointing it out that they could use them to visit we may not typically go as a family.

We also are planning to move in about 9 mos so a lot could change in terms of what airlines we use.

 

[tink1970]

We also are planning to move in about 9 mos so a lot could change in terms of what airlines we use.

Too true! It's funny how certain areas definitely favor different airlines.