Optimising Amex and Atlas reward points

[Dheeraj Singh]

This forum has been a light house in my credit card journey.

I started my premium/travel credit card journey this year with Amex platinum travel in Feb and Axis Atlas in may. So far i have accumulated 62k MR points (4L Milestone achieved) and 31k Edge miles (7.5L Milestone achieved) in both the cards. In a few months, will cross Atlas’ 15L milestone as well most probably to reach around 50k Edge Miles before December (when I am planning my first international trip with wife)

I intend to optimize these reward points better (62k Amex MR points and 50k projected Atlas Edge Miles). Though i am aware that Amex points offer best returns with Marriott and Atlas with Accor, but i needed to know when and how shall i redeem these points? Will buying Marriott and Accor’s loyalty membership be of any use to me?

Will these reward points be enough for a 7day stay at international destinations like Thailand, Maldives, Bali etc?

In case of surplus RPs, what airlines shall i prefer to derive max benefits? I am excited to experience business class flying through these RPS, if at all possible.

I do have got Scapia card for me for forex transactions. Are there any other tips and suggestions that would help me experience luxury through these RPs and other credit or forex cards (i am open to apply them).

Any couple friendly destination suggestions during December are also welcome.

Thanks in advance 🙂

 

[sadhunath]

Amex and Marriott
Amex and Marriott used to run 30% bonus reward while transferring once a year during Oct-Dec period. They didn't run the campagin last year.So, if luck favours you, they might bring it back this year. So, you'll get 1.3: 1 instead of the usual 1:1 for MB:MR points.

Also book at least 3 days for getting one day free for award booking

Mariott Membership
Mariott redemption award booking doesn't offer free breakfast. You might need a hgiher membership variant for getting this benefit

Amex and Airlines
Most airlines offer 1:2 Airlines point: MR point transfer with Amex, notably Qatar Avios, Virgin Atlantic, Finnair, Emirates. There are no partners for SEA, only EU and ME.
And they are costly. A couple econ return ticket costs around 1.5 lakh points on Virgin for Heathrow, whcih will require 3 Lakh MR points.

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

Congrats on achieving these milestones and accumilating the points. I am just getting started on points and miles. Following this thread for valuable information about redemptions.

I can add some points that come to my mind -
1. Create accounts in both Mariott and Accor with all your correct spellings and details.

Coming to Mariott
1. If possible, take HDFC Mariott Bonvoy card that gives 10 nights + silver status + 1 night free. (it takes 2-3 months to get all this in place)
2. Use this 1 night + transfer points from Amex to Mariott and use those points to book your preferred mariott hotel.
3. Silver status will help you get some basic previlege (something better than nothing) like late checkout etc.
4. First check the points required in Mariott app based on your dates, and then transfer from Amex to Mariott, give atleast 2-3 days for the transfer to happen.

Coming to Atlas
1. Register for any Accor fastrack program if it is running.
2. Create an account in Qatar airways and link that to Accor, you will earn Qatar avios when you spend in Accor.
3. Same like Mariott, see your hotel and see the points requirement.
4. Call the hotel and tell that you want to redeem via point and if it is possible etc. (Just confirm)
5. Transfer points from Atlas to Accor (you can transfer only 30k in a year due to group A limit = 60k accor points = 1.2L INR)

Coming to airlines:
1. See which airlines you want to travel, create an account there.
2. See if they allow to use points for all passengers or is it only you. (some airlines I think you can book using points only if it is in your name)
3. See if award seats are available for your travel dates or pick the date when seat is available.
4. Transfer points from Atlas (again check the group limits and timerequired for point transfer)
5. Book and get the confirmation.

I am not very sure about airline booking, it has many hidden things to note about award booking etc. So check with some expert. I think you can block the tickets earlier and pay later or so. Check those options as well.

Anyway all the best for your redemptions. Looking forward to hear great stories.

 

[ccdc]

i think for a 7 day stay you'll need more amex/axis points...considering hotels and airlines in total

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

Just updating this thread on some of my transfer and redemption experiences.

Atlas > Accor - I linked my accor account with Axis and it happened seamlessly, Maybe my names are matching it didn't throw any error.
I transferred points 2 times, and both times it took 1-2 days to reach accor account.
I have booked 5 nights in various ibis hotels, and all of them were using points. Some of the stays are yet to come later this month
I had registered for fastrack offer through my employer, and one eligible stay gives me +5 nights.
So by staying 5 nights I will be getting silver status in Accor (and I think that silver status will extend till next year as well)
I have also linked qatar airways as airline partner in accor - such that we get some avios for accor stays. I got few avios for the stays already completed.

Amex > Mariott - I faced very much difficulties in linking the accounts, the names has to be exactly matching - first name middle name and last name.
I called both of their customer care multiple times and they were very helpful. I did not/could not change name in amex because it was fetched from aadhaar.
For mariott it looks like if the change is minor, they will do it over a call, but if it is major, you need to send some forms etc. luckily mine was minimal change - change middle name and last name.
Then I transferred points from amex to mariott and it was almost instant, got credited in bonvoy account immediately.
I haven't yet booked rooms in mariott, travel plan not yet confirmed.

I haven't redeemed points for flight travel, but there are some travel plans next year and I am exploring point redemption options in Air India, Qantas, Malaysian Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Also created accounts in Qatar and Emirates. In the process of researching these now. Have created accounts in all these and ensured names/spellings are correct.