Transferring Points - Which Frequent Flyer Program should I transfer my Westpac Altitude points?

Airports, Transfers & Logistics
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Hi,
I have 1.3 M points with Westpac that I need to transfer out and ideally I would like to maximise the best opportunity for future travel, both to redeem and earn extra points. The travelling party is 2 adults and one 4 year old, future destinations are:

2017 Spain
2018 Fiji or Thailand
2019 Mexico

Can anyone recommended the best strategy to optimise the existing balance?
And just to complicate it would be nice if I could arrange the outgoing Spain leg in business for my wife as she will be completing the ‘el camino de santiago’ September 2016.
My daughter and I can travel in economy.

thanks for Any advice!!!

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  • I should add that I have an Altitude Black MC & Amex and that my combined monthly spend is about $10k pm
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Hi Greenhorn,

To clarify, you are travelling in September 2016 for ‘el camino de santiago’ or is this a typo since you have plans for Spain in 2017. I think it is the latter as it would be this month if it is 2016.

You have quite a healthy point balance so should be plenty to play with. I will have a better look later today.

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Hi Greenhorn,

I am assuming you are based in SYD without better info.

1.3m Westpac Attitude transfers to 650k Velocity, Asia Miles, Krisflyer and Enrich currently. As you know Westpac Altitude transfer to Asia Miles and Krisflyer will devalue to 2.5:1 after 28 Sept.

SYD-Madrid

Krisflyer partners Air China and Thai Airways fly there. Return tickets cost 100k (econ), 190k (business)

SYD-Barcelona

Singapore Airlines fly there. Return tickets cost 95k (econ), 190k (business).

These Krisflyer redemption involved surcharges that aren’t cheap too.

All point cost for Krisflyer does not include the 15% online booking discount, which you can ask from Customer Service Representative over the phone as online booking is not available for these partners.

If you are willing to fly to a more popular Europe hub like Paris, this would open up a lot more options.

Enrich partners Cathay, Etihad, Japan Air fly to Paris. Return 120k, 174k. MAS fly there too for 90k, 230k. Surcharges for Enrich are generally much lower than Krisflyer.

Krisflyer partners Air India, Air China, Asiana, Thai Airways, United Airlines fly to Paris for 100k, 190k return.  Singapore Air cost 95k, 190k. United Airlines redemption through Krisflyer does not involve surcharges.

Asia Miles partners Japan Air, Malaysia Air, China Eastern and Cathay themselves fly to Paris. Return costs 110k, 175k. Surcharges are similar to Enrich.

Nadi

Krisflyer: Air NZ (25k, 35k)

Asia Miles: Air New Zealand (45k, 80k), Qantas (30k, 50k)

Enrich: Qantas (36k, 66k)

Bangkok

Asia miles: Cathay (60k, 120k), Japan Air (90k, 145k), MAS & Qantas (45k, 80k)

Krisflyer: Singapore (50k, 110k); Air India, Air China, Ethiopian, Asiana, Thai Air (65k, 110k)

Enrich: MAS (65k, 150k), Qantas (54k, 96k)

Mexico

Krisflyer: Air Canada, United (110k, 195k)

More options if you fly to US West Coast first.

The list is not exhaustive and I cannot guarantee its accuracy or whether they are current or remain current by the time of your booking as your date of travel spans multiple years. I left out options for Velocity flights.

Please assess the best FFP to transfer to. Great time to book for Sept 2017. Look for availabilities and best to transfer what is needed for your Spain trip before 28 Sep.

Good luck.

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