Using MR to get AA award ticket?
Mar 6, 2007, 2:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: MSY
Posts: 256
Using MR to get AA award ticket?
I normally fly Delta, but AA has the only non-stop for my next route.
I was thinking of moving my MRP to Hilton and then moving them to AA but I'd loose way too many points.
I talked to Amex and she said to book through Amex/travel (or by phone) and they would reimburse me for the price via points. IE, if the ticket was $300, they would take 30K in miles. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Also, would I then get regular miles since technically I'd be buying the ticket? Has anyone done this? Is it smooth?
J
I was thinking of moving my MRP to Hilton and then moving them to AA but I'd loose way too many points.
I talked to Amex and she said to book through Amex/travel (or by phone) and they would reimburse me for the price via points. IE, if the ticket was $300, they would take 30K in miles. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Also, would I then get regular miles since technically I'd be buying the ticket? Has anyone done this? Is it smooth?
J
Mar 6, 2007, 3:13 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SFO/SEA
Programs: Amex Biz Cent, Marriott LTP, Avis PC, Hilton Owners Diamond, AS MVP
Posts: 3,380
I talked to Amex and she said to book through Amex/travel (or by phone) and they would reimburse me for the price via points. IE, if the ticket was $300, they would take 30K in miles. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Also, would I then get regular miles since technically I'd be buying the ticket? Has anyone done this? Is it smooth?
J
It's an OK redemption value for points, you can do better and you can do worse. It's a great value for cheap tickets (less then 200) because if you used an airline award program, you would probably spend 20/25K points for that cheapie (since airline redemptions are fixed mile amount) when you could go cross country on a 400 dollar ticket for the same amount of miles.
I have done this technique myself a few times and how it works is they just charge your amex card for the ticket and at the same time issue a credit for the same amount. You DO earn miles on the ticket
Mar 6, 2007, 3:14 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
transfer MR > mexicana, book AA award ticket
Mar 6, 2007, 3:20 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
mexicana is a 1:1 partner...
AA is a partner of mexicana, you can get award tickets from them
youre not getting AA miles, youre getting an AA ticket
AA is a partner of mexicana, you can get award tickets from them
youre not getting AA miles, youre getting an AA ticket
Mar 6, 2007, 3:24 pm
#6
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,966
If you use the "Search this Forum" function with the keyword Mexicana you will find several threads with links to the Mexicana website showing their AA award schedule. What I think you will not find are reports from anyone who has actually done this. Whatever you decide do not transfer to Mexicana before verifying that an award is available on the route and dates that you need.
Mar 9, 2007, 9:58 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: MSY
Posts: 256
Thank you so much for the help. I called Mexicana today and have to wait 48 hours for my FF# to be established. I'm going to call back Monday and she said I can book the tickets. She can hold the reservation for 14 days if I give her my "1M" number from American Express. Very nice and helpful. I'll update on Monday how it goes.
If anyone searches for this info in the future you need to call 1-800-531-7901 for the Frecuenta Dept.
J
If anyone searches for this info in the future you need to call 1-800-531-7901 for the Frecuenta Dept.
J
Mar 9, 2007, 10:04 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
thanks for the number ^
since the link and number are both here, ill just add this thread to my sticky
since the link and number are both here, ill just add this thread to my sticky
Mar 12, 2007, 12:18 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,077
How long does it take for MR points to transfer into Mexicana?
Mar 12, 2007, 12:40 pm
#11
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,966
Please allow 3-5 business days to complete a transfer.
http://www.membershiprewards.com/cat.../?Ntt=mexicana
Click Mexicana logo, click Redemption details. Also read Restrictions.
http://www.membershiprewards.com/cat.../?Ntt=mexicana
Click Mexicana logo, click Redemption details. Also read Restrictions.
Mar 29, 2007, 10:06 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,095
Mar 30, 2007, 7:28 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: MSY
Posts: 256
Our trip plans changed so I haven't had the opportunity to book travel.
J
J
Mar 30, 2007, 1:04 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: Hertz PC, Avis PC, Global Entry
Posts: 346
Am I missing something? Why can't you just convert the Membership Rewards points to Starwood points then transfer Starwood points to AA points (1:1 conversion)? You even get an extra 5k miles for every 20k you transfer.
Mar 30, 2007, 1:13 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Land of 10,000 Upgrades
Posts: 9,465
Yes. Experiment with the transfer for yourself and you will see why.
http://www.webflyer.com/programs/mileage_converter/
http://www.webflyer.com/programs/mileage_converter/