Membership Rewards is the currency you earn for spending on your American Express Credit and Charge cards across the world. The value of the Membership Rewards points is different around the world, so lets focus on India here, because we are discussing the Indian Membership Rewards points right now. In terms of airline miles conversion, 2 Membership Reward points convert to 1 JPMile, Avios, Flying Returns miles and so on. American Express awards you 2 MR points per INR 100 spent on most cards, and 2.5 MR points per INR 100 spent on your Platinum tier American Express cards such as the Platinum Charge Card and the Platinum Reserve Credit Card. American Express also runs a program called Extra Membership…
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Amex MR to adjust mileage transfer ratio (downwards) in India again
Last year, American Express went about readjusting the cost of transferring MR points into miles with various programs they partner with. While the usual transfer rate used to be 1.6 MR = 1 Mile, after last year’s readjustment everything except JPMiles and Air India Flying Returns Points, everything was 2 MR = 1 Mile. Now, as per email communication being sent out to members today, this will change as of May 2014 as well: Effective May 10, 2014, there will be a change in airline miles redemption for Jet Airways and Air India. The existing Membership Rewards redemption rate of 1 JPMile for every 1.6 Membership Rewards Points and 1 Air India Mile for every 1.25 Membership Rewards Points would…
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus to leave Membership Rewards transfer program (in India)
Thai Airways’ loyalty program, Royal Orchid Plus is on its way out from being a transfer partner with American Express (India), with effect from June 15, 2013. This means, from June 15 onwards, you would no longer be able to transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus. This was recently communicated on the monthly statements of all members. While I am not a member of the program, since I use other Star Alliance member programs for my Star Alliance miles accruals, I’m hoping this news should help some readers who are a member in both programs and use them actively. This also points out to the further weakening of the Membership Rewards program offered…
Amex India offers 30% bonus on transfer to Avios till July 15, 2013
American Express and Avios have been running frequent transfer bonuses around the globe. The last one they ran for India was in October 2012, with a similar 30% bonus. However, right after that there was a Membership Rewards devaluation, whereby, MR made all airline transfers, which were earlier 1.6 MR=1 mile/point, to 2 MR = 1Mile/Point except Jet Airways. Anyhow, Amex and Avios are now running a 30% transfer bonus, whereby for every transfer of 2000 Amex MR to your Avios account, you will get 1300 Avios instead of the usual 1000. This brings your cost down to 1.54 MR per Avios. This promotion runs till July 15, 2013. Transfer is usually completed within 24 hours. The minimum transfer is…
American Express devalues Membership Rewards in India
It is old news that Amex in India has been devaluing the Membership Rewards. A year back, Amex reduced the number of MR one could earn on a few types of payments and even imposed a Rs. 250 fee for redeeming on airline miles. While the website has no indication of this devaluation, members are being individually informed via their statements. Here are the transfer partners who are now changed from 1.6 MR = 1 FFP to 2 MR = 1 FFP, with effect from 16 January 2013: British Airways Cathay Pacific Etihad Airways Finnair Singapore Airlines Thai Airways Virgin Atlantic These are all of the airline transfer partners that American Express India has in India, apart from Jet Airways…
8 days for Amex transfer bonuses to British Airways Avios / Etihad Guest miles
Beginning of the month I had alerted all of you regular readers about the promotions going on with American Express, where there is an offer to transfer Membership Rewards (their reward currency) for cards issued in India. There are two promotions: Transfer your Amex Membership Rewards to British Airways Avios, and you could earn a 30% bonus on these transfers. Amex MR transfer to Avios at the rate of 1.6 MR = 1 Avios, which translates, with this bonus, to 1.23 MR = 1 Avios. While British Airways is one of the more expensive airlines due to their fuel surcharges to use Avios on, you could use them with so many of the oneworld airlines. Transfer your Amex MR to…
LinkedIn referrals back: Get the Platinum Reserve Amex for 20% discount
American Express in India is clearly getting some good word of mouth and business via LinkedIn. Like I posted a few months back, American Express had tied-up with LinkedIn, where existing members can refer new members for a potential American Express card. For the period October to December 2012, that campaign has been renewed. If you have a LinkedIn account, you can refer your contacts there to get a new American Express Credit or Charge Card. There are some wonderful offers out there, and the Platinum Reserve card available via this promotion is something I’ve begin to like. American Express Platinum Reserve is the 2nd best card in the American Express hierarchy in India, and is a credit card. It…
And now its American Express India’s turn to downgrade Membership Rewards
Sigh, it is the season of downgrade of benefits and American Express does not want to be left far behind from the pack. They have decided to close 2011 on a high note by sending me (amongst several other) cardmembers with a very nicely wrapped letter which has 2 layers of envelopes before you get to the letter itself. Now you think, this arriving right after Christmas must be Santa Amex Claus sending you a Lotto ticket to win in the MR sweepstakes. But all it comes to is an intimation on the downgrades which kick in a few weeks from now. If you’ve been reading up about my American Express Gold Card adventures, I’ve been pretty happy with them so…