Q & A
My husband and I have over 400,000 points with Amex Membership Rewards and are looking to take a family trip to South Africa next summer. Where should I look first given my budget?Jo Ann, Woodland Hills, CA
Here’s where I’d start: Try for a free mileage award ticket with Delta, via the Amex partnership. The airline flies non-stop from Atlanta to Johannesburg, and requires 120,000 miles for its lowest award ticket. You can buy the additional 80,000 points (20,000 per ticket for four tickets) directly from Amex for $2,000. The booking window is 331 days out, so you could request your awards now. Also check Delta partners Air France and KLM for mileage-award availability to see if you can use the Amex miles with them as well. You can also transfer to a Star Alliance partner, such as All Nippon or Singapore Airlines, giving you access to Lufthansa, South African Airways, and SWISS. Continental Airlines, as of Oct. 27, will be a Star Alliance partner (same as All Nippon and Singapore, giving you access to Lufthansa, etc.). Currently Business Class awards to South Africa start at 120,000 miles.You might also try for a free ticket on Virgin Atlantic, from London, via its Amex partnership. The cost is 200,000 miles per ticket, so you can go for two Business Class tickets with your miles and then, should all else fail, buy two economy tickets.
Upgrading to South Africa can be costly through Delta: Upgradeable fares from Los Angeles start at about $3,500 each. On Air France you can pay only $300 more (Business Class tickets start at $3,800, plus taxes, booking code Z) and you earn miles. On Virgin Atlantic, upgrades from economy to Upper Class to Johannesburg (via London) are 120,000 miles, and valid with fares starting at about $2,300. Upgrading from Premium Economy to Johannesburg is 80,000, and are valid with fares in the $4,000 neighborhood.
Also keep in mind: Confirm and hold space before transferring points since award availability varies. If you can confirm only one free seat, do so. It’s better than none. Confirm the long-haul flights first and then work back to Los Angeles, and, if need be, buy separate tickets to your U.S. gateway city. – mb
I have 700,000 points in American Express Membership Rewards and 70,000 in Qantas. I would like to fly my daughter from Brisbane or Sydney to Hong Kong at Christmas. What airline would have the best deal?