I’m currently researching a pretty hefty points bankruptcy trip with flights from Europe back to Sydney for 3 people around Christmas, and I figured I’d tell you how I’m planning to go about using Membership Rewards points for my family’s return flight from the UK.
Malaysia Airlines has a particularly sweet spot in their award chart costings for redemption on their own flights (but not oneworld partners). Europe – Sydney flights in Business Class, at their cheapest price, come in at 51,000 points, all in. Compare that to Qantas at 128,000 points for Business, one way – it’s stellar value.
They have pretty amazing availability on the routes I am looking at in Business Class for 3+ people, and a 15% discount for booking Enrich awards on Malaysia Airlines flights online. This particular routing is on Malaysia Airlines new A380’s, and then transferring onto their new A330 in Kuala Lumpur to Sydney.
Malaysia Airlines A380 Business Class
Malaysia Airlines new A330
Taxes are acceptable – for example, a redemption from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney I made in Business Class last year came in at around $200 AUD per person on top of the required points, and the route I am looking at in particular from London pieces at £399, which a decent portion is the unavoidable APD tax which is particularly steep when departing in premium cabins from UK airports.
What makes the Europe (or US) multi-stop long haul redemption cost so great is when you compare this to just one leg (which is still decent value) of the same trip, for example London – Kuala Lumpur only. This comes in at 46,500 Enrich Miles. It’s only an extra 4,500 miles to tack on an 8+ hour flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney. In terms of value, that’s just amazing.
The Enrich program is partners with Membership Rewards, and points usually take a couple of days to reach Enrich after initiating the transfer. You can also receive 1000 Enrich Miles just for signing up for the program.
Enrich Miles transfer over from American Express Membership Rewards at 1:1 earn ratio – cue reminder that this post details some of the best signup bonuses are actually through referrals, not for applying directly, if you’re a new Amex cardholder.
Now, I don’t actually have enough Membership Rewards points to make this booking for 3 people right now – I’m about 30,000 short. However, I have a way to crank up those points at a reasonable cost (for this purpose) in just a few days. Interested? More on that later in the week.
Now, don’t go and destroy all this award availability before I’ve had my chance to book, OK?!
I’ll research the mechanics of it further and update.
Two quick questions –
I had a quick look at the T&C’s I believe stopovers are allowed? We would hopefully have a couple of nights in KL on the way – I am thinking Paris will be the destination at this stage.
Also, the 51k price – do you think this is limited to a particular time of year? How open is the lower price availability. We’re pretty easy with when we’ll go so this could dictate the timing.
Cheers!
I haven’t seen specific blackout dates when doing research, but given I think you can book either 1 year or 330 days out from travel, for a trip in early 2015 you may be able to research and book soon and lock in if there is good availability. Downside? No cancellation and refund options.
I didn’t think stopovers were possible to be honest, or at least not through the online booking tool which yields the cheaper prices than over the phone. You might find booking independent legs is cheaper and more convenient to do online.
Let us know how you go!
http://www.mightytravels.com/13232755/citibank_malaysia_60000_enrich_miles_card.php
http://www.americanexpress.com/australia/pdfs/customerservice/mr_issu_2_asnt_cat.pdf
One way MEL-CDG: $434.95
Return: $905.82
program is the award seat availability – it always seems to be wwwiiidddeee open. I guess this may change over time now that MH are a member of OneWorld, but so far so good.
Do watch out for one catch though – you can’t cancel MH award bookings and
get your points back, not even for a fee – so make sure you’re sure
before you book the flight.
Good call on the cancellation fee, thanks for pointing it out.
Question for you… if I sign up to Enrich (in my name) can I redeem awards in somebody else’s name? Basically the AMEX card / points are under my name and I’d like to use them to book flights for my wife… is this doable?
They are used to talking with English clients, just talk clearly enough and you should get answers to any questions you have.
It’s no big secret, just need time to write it up over the next couple of days.