How to book business class flights with Membership Rewards points

The American Express Platinum Card is currently available again with a welcome bonus. New customers can secure 65,000 Membership Rewards points – this is the highest bonus that Amex has ever paid out. However, the prerequisite is that the card turnover is 10,000 euros in the first six months. With selected airlines, the points can then be converted into miles, and in some cases you can even book first and business class flights for little money.

Convert Membership Rewards points into miles

The welcome bonus of 65,000 Membership Rewards points can be converted into miles at a ratio of 5:4 with some airlines. 65,000 points therefore correspond to 52,000 air miles in the following programs:

Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer mileage exchange rate is 3:2, as is Delta SkyMiles. So 65,000 points are equivalent to 43,333 miles. But beware: it’s always advisable to check the respective partner airline for the latest exchange rates and conditions, as these may change.

First and business class flights – these are the best options

If the 65,000 Membership Rewards points are converted into miles, there is the possibility of getting some first and business class flights at a greatly reduced price or even for free. In addition to the welcome bonus, it is of course also possible to collect further Membership Rewards points. For every euro spent with the card, one point is credited to the account. With the required minimum turnover of 10,000 euros, that is already 10,000 points on top. Short first class flights are available from just 40,000 miles with partner airlines such as British Airways or Singapore Airlines.

Short-haul flights with British Airways in Business Class

In the low season, short-haul flights under 650 miles with British Airways cost around 8,500 Avios, and in the high season 9,750 Avios. This means that business class flights from Berlin, Hamburg or Munich to London, for example, are possible. This means that you only need 10,625 American Express Membership Rewards points per flight.

From Berlin to Doha for 41,250 points

With Qatar Airways you can fly one-way from Munich or Berlin to Doha using Asia Miles. This costs around 33,000 Asia Miles, which is the equivalent of 41,250 points – and if you’re lucky you can even sit in the Qsuite of the Boeing 777.

With Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles from Europe to the Middle East

There are also business class flights on the route from Europe to the Middle East, which can be booked one-way with 33,500 KrisFlyer miles. That equates to 50,250 Membership Rewards points and is easily covered with the welcome bonus. From Frankfurt or Munich to Dubai, for example, users then take a seat in Lufthansa business class. However, there are still quite high taxes to be paid here, which amount to around 230 euros on the flight from Munich to Dubai.

In business class to the USA

For 34,000 Avios, those interested can even fly to the USA on an Iberia business class flight in the low season. From Madrid, for example, you can go to New York or Boston. In the high season, the whole thing costs 50,000 Avios for a one-way flight. 42,500 Membership Rewards points can be converted into 34,000 Avios. With taxes, the flight from Madrid to Boston, for example, can be booked for around 140 euros, a real bargain.

Alternative to the American Express premium credit card

The Platinum Card from American Express promises a large welcome bonus. However, as already mentioned, this is subject to conditions. The catch: customers must spend at least 10,000 euros in the first six months to receive the bonus. In addition, the premium credit card is not cheap, with an annual price of 720 euros.

If you would rather spend less money on a credit card and can do without some of the benefits of the Amex card, the Eurowings Premium credit card from Barclays is a good choice. You can also collect miles with this and there is currently a welcome bonus of 3,000 miles for the Miles & More program, which is ideal for upgrades on Lufthansa flights. This card is even completely free for the first year, after which the price is 99 euros per year.

Save on flights with the Amex Platinum Card

Thanks to the high welcome bonus and the numerous additional services, the American Express Platinum Card is worth it. But of course only if the advantages are actually used. If you want to upgrade to first or business class every now and then when flying, or even book flights inexpensively, Amex’s Membership Rewards program is an easy option. If the points are used sensibly and converted into miles, for example, the high annual fee for the premium card is quickly recouped.

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