American Express in Finland - 2020 and onward
#436
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 10
I really liked starwood gold but after the merger I never got any recognition at Marriot brand premises. Any ideas what benefit would replace this? Hopefully plat benefits will not be limited to restaurant benefits only.
#437
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,633
Amex transfers are now 17 points to 10 AY+ points or BA Avios or Iberia Avios. It would be silly transfer them now to AY+ leading to 6,7 AY Avios. It is better to open a BA or IB account if you want to transfer right now. Maybe the transfer rate will stay the same in the future.
#440
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,327
Amex transfers are now 17 points to 10 AY+ points or BA Avios or Iberia Avios. It would be silly transfer them now to AY+ leading to 6,7 AY Avios. It is better to open a BA or IB account if you want to transfer right now. Maybe the transfer rate will stay the same in the future.
But yes, absolutely no point transferring points to AY+ now (pun intended)
#441
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: EB Diamond, M&M SEN, QR Gold, AY+ Gold, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,411
In Sweden, all exchange rates have been severely slashed last year, I assume Amex does everything in USD.
BA, IB:
20 MR -> 1 Avios
QR:
27 MR -> 1 avios
AY:
20 MR -> 1 AY point
With Finnair 3:2 logic, the MR exchange rate could move to become 30 MR -> 1 AY Avios, but perhaps there is a reason QR is at the odd number 27. It is not hard to think that QR and AY are treated similarly in the avios family as they are not airlines integrated with BA.
Second note, with SEK/EUR currently being around 11,90 we see 1,68€/avios, but very likely the target for that rate was set to be similar to that 1,7 Finland has.
BA, IB:
20 MR -> 1 Avios
QR:
27 MR -> 1 avios
AY:
20 MR -> 1 AY point
With Finnair 3:2 logic, the MR exchange rate could move to become 30 MR -> 1 AY Avios, but perhaps there is a reason QR is at the odd number 27. It is not hard to think that QR and AY are treated similarly in the avios family as they are not airlines integrated with BA.
Second note, with SEK/EUR currently being around 11,90 we see 1,68€/avios, but very likely the target for that rate was set to be similar to that 1,7 Finland has.
#443
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AYPlat, BASilver, SQG
Posts: 470
Amex Travel doesn't do any other travel related bookings for us Finns and you cannot call them.
And yes, it is a complete joke.
#444
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Platinum (OWE), Hilton Gold
Posts: 80
You can get things done with the current system, you just need to do most of the work yourself. Go to amextravel.com and search for prices for the city you’re visiting. After that you’ll know what’s available. The prices on the website do not include taxes and fees so you’ll know the final price after asking for a quote. If you want to know right away what you’ll actually pay, you need to do the math beforehand.
As an example, for Las Vegas I’ve just googled the resort fees for a particular hotel, and then I calculate the total incl. taxes (depends on the city and state, obviously). So when you ask for a quote through the Amex Experiences app, you already know what they will offer. Without a phone service available, this removes the need for excessive email ping pong. This service model is quite far from luxury.
Last edited by McCarran; Aug 18, 2023 at 5:05 am
#445
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: AY Platinum (OWE)
Posts: 89
Yes, it’s a joke. They should either have a phone line like they used to - or a customer should be able to book straight online.
You can get things done with the current system, you just need to do most of the work yourself. Go to amextravel.com and search for prices for the city you’re visiting. After that you’ll know what’s available. The prices on the website do not include taxes and fees so you’ll know the final price after asking for a quote. If you want to know right away what you’ll actually pay, you need to do the math beforehand.
As an example, for Las Vegas I’ve just googled the resort fees for a particular hotel, and then I calculate the total incl. taxes (depends on the city and state, obviously). So when you ask for a quote through the Amex Experiences app, you already know what they will offer. Without a phone service available, this removes the need for excessive email ping pong. This service model is quite far from luxury.
You can get things done with the current system, you just need to do most of the work yourself. Go to amextravel.com and search for prices for the city you’re visiting. After that you’ll know what’s available. The prices on the website do not include taxes and fees so you’ll know the final price after asking for a quote. If you want to know right away what you’ll actually pay, you need to do the math beforehand.
As an example, for Las Vegas I’ve just googled the resort fees for a particular hotel, and then I calculate the total incl. taxes (depends on the city and state, obviously). So when you ask for a quote through the Amex Experiences app, you already know what they will offer. Without a phone service available, this removes the need for excessive email ping pong. This service model is quite far from luxury.
#448
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AYPlat, BASilver, SQG
Posts: 470
Everything needs to be paid with Amex. Platinum gets more than Gold.
All hotels are on the more expensive side.
#449
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Platinum (OWE), Hilton Gold
Posts: 80
#450
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AF Ultimate/AY plat/SK EBG/LH SEN/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G/HH Dia/IHG plat
Posts: 8,451