Reader Questions

If you have any questions with regards to topics covered on this blog or anything you may think I will be able to help you with, drop me a line on this page and I will try my best to help you with the answers at the earliest.

 

101 Responses to “Reader Questions”

  1. R.P. Gupta says:

    I and my wife hv booked business class round trip DEL-SFO and back. I have availed companion discount offer. Is it possible to get upgrade to first class on one leg of the journey.

  2. AJ says:

    Mr. Gupta, The Companion Fare offer on Emirates is booked on ‘Saver’ fares. The offer to upgrade to Business Class is on Full fare Business Class tickets. So, you won’t be eligible. However, it never hurts to ask. You should call EK and request them and may be they will make an exception. All the best, and please report back how it went!

  3. Corey says:

    I am Platinum on USAir and would like to switch to Delta for my primary carrier in 2012. Any tips on how I can get them to match my status?

    Thanks,
    Corey

  4. AJ says:

    @corey, Delta offers 90 day status challenges now rather than status matches. These come with reduced requirements. But you get the benefits during the challenge period of your status also, except for the plastic card and any sort of upgrade vouchers! You may want to try this out.

  5. Saurabh P says:

    Hi AJ,
    I am planning a trip to India and my preferred carriers are Cathay and Singapore.
    This is the first time I am looking into collecting miles. It looks like on the lowest fares they don’t allow you to earn any miles. Is this normal? I could also book Emirates for roughly the same price.
    Also if you earn miles for these trips with a US carriers (AA or US Air), do they count towards elite status?

    Thanks,
    Saurabh

  6. AJ says:

    @Saurabh,

    Could you elaborate on where you would be travelling from? Cathay and Singapore do have restrictive policies on earning miles from low fare classes. if you earn miles with a US carrier they count towards elite status.

  7. Saurabh S says:

    Sorry for leaving some details out. I am traveling from SFO to BOM. I looked up the details on mileage earning on CX & SQ after reading your reply and I wouldn’t get any miles for the tickets I was thinking about. Same thing about Etihad. So I instead booked Continental CO48 through EWR. Takes longer but I can spend the layover in NYC.
    Seems like CX and SQ would be great redemption options for miles earned in Oneworld/Star but not for paid tickets.

    Since now I’m targeting Star Alliance elite status, which airline can I fly within India to get miles into Continental account? Couldn’t see any partners on the Star alliance website.

    Thanks for your help!

  8. AJ says:

    you can easily make star alliance elite status by signing on for the Aegean Airlines FFP while allows you to become Star Alliance Gold with 20000 miles in the account. You get 1000 miles on sign up which count towards elite status. with your flying you’ll get approx 15000 miles already. status earned is good for 2 years.

    India does not have a star alliance partner yet. you can earn miles into united/continental by flying Jet Airways. but these will not count towards elite tiers!

  9. Saurabh S says:

    The Aegean Airlines info is super helpful.. I won’t have to plan a mileage run anymore :)

    Thanks

  10. Abdullah says:

    Hi

    I keep visiting your page as i am too a FF of Jet Airways, though its mostly domestic flights.

    I need some advice, i have these upgrade vouchers to business class around 6 of them and my status is Gold card holder of jet airways.

    Whenever i fly i look for best fares but then these best fares dont allow a upgrade to business class. How can i use these vouchers?

    1 of this voucher expires april 30 next month.

    I am also flying with my family to jeddah next month, shud i keep these vouchers and see if i get upgrade for all 3 tickets, though its unlikely but i can still try.

    Regards
    Abby

  11. ashwin says:

    Hi AJ –

    What is your view on these folks who offer substantial discount off business class fares thru buying mileage miles from others and repackaging it ?

    http://www.flyL4L.com

  12. AJ says:

    @Abdullah,

    Apologies for the delayed response. you’re post totally missed my eye earlier. I tried answering the question for you, and posted it here:

    http://boardingarea.com/blogs/livefromalounge/2012/04/02/readers-question-using-jet-airways-upgrade-vouchers/

    All the best with the upgrades. If you need more info, look me up!

  13. Only one question though. Have you made writing this blog as your career or do you do this within your extra time? Merely wondering..

  14. [...] Hotel & Airline miles, run by AJ, I certainly enjoy reading his reports & he answers reader questions frequently as well. Share [...]

  15. Paige says:

    I am interested in going to India from SFO using only airline miles. Do you have any suggestions for the best mileage redemption program to India in economy class? I’m willing to go any time of the year.

    Thanks for your help!

  16. Prashanta says:

    My Question is wrt to Jet Privilege. Do partner airlines recognize having achieved any standing on JP? Or are they just code-share / accrual / redemption partners? I was denied lounge access by MH even if it was a 9W numbered flight. Is this typical?
    Thanks.

  17. AJ says:

    @Paige, a post will be coming up on this shortly

  18. AJ says:

    @Prashanta, since Jet airways is not the part of any airline alliance, their status is only recognised on their own network. partner carriers do not recognise loyalty status of another airline.

  19. Paige says:

    Thanks, AJ! I’m looking forward to it.

  20. Sunil says:

    Which would be the best free credit card to take…which give maximun points conversion to airmiles of either airindia or jet airways.I have a citibank platinum card whihc used to give 2.5 miles convversiona dn now has been chnaged to 0.75..quite a low one.

    Can you suggest a good card…

  21. AJ says:

    @Sunil, I would recommend you sign up for the American Express Gold Charge Card (comes free for the first year) and the Standard Chartered Platinum Card which is free for life.

    Amex gives you 1000 MR on four transactions of Rs. 250 as bonus per month, every month. Plus a few 5x categories like movies, groceries etc. Transfers to Air India at 1.25 MR = 1 AI mile, transfers to 9W at 1.6MR = 1 9w mile. Stanchart gives 5points per 100 on hotels and dining out. these convert to 83 JP Miles per 100 points (1.2 point = 1 JP mile). Hope this helps

  22. Sunil says:

    Thanks AJ

    at these marginal differences..it does not make much sense to change … citibank conversion works out to 1.3 points to 1 air mile..
    and then the hassle of documentation..etc

  23. Sunil says:

    AJ..Can you tell me if Master Card is still valid for uses in Lounges….which bank card are still allowing this facility… I have a HDFC World Master Card and a ICICI Platinum Visa

  24. AJ says:

    @Sunil, do look at the AX card, I earn 12000 MR and in all the 5x categories for doing nothing. As a result I got about 15000 extra JP Miles when I transfered them to Jet last. And you could use them to transfer to other airline currency as well

  25. AJ says:

    @Sunil, Yes. MasterCard is valid till 31.12.2012 and you should be able to use your HDFC MasterCard to use it in applicable lounges.

  26. Ajay says:

    Hi Aj,

    I want to get a new credit card and it looks like the AmEx Gold Charge Card and CitiBank Premier Miles card are the best available options. What would you suggest I get? Here is some information to help you help me make an informed decision!

    1 – I travel 1-2 times a month domestically and 1-2 times a year internationally.
    2 – I have FF accounts with SQ, Jet, and Emirates but don’t have a lot of miles on any as I don’t travel exclusively on any one of them.
    3 – I find it a bit of a hassle to keep an eye on rewards points and would like to ideally be in a program that makes it easy to manage the process while giving good returns. Kotak offers cash back but at a miserable rate (Rs 75/1000 rewards points!!!).

    I also have a substantial amount of HSBC Premier Rewards points. What would be the most efficient way to use them up before I switch? Should I convert them to a FF program or buy something with them? Thanks for your blog and for being ever willing to help :-)

  27. AJ says:

    @Ajay, Hello. Could you shed some light as to what is the output you’d expect out of your credit card choice and if you have any target airlines in mind to redeem your miles on?

  28. Ajay says:

    My monthly spend is between 40-50k so I’d like a card that gives me the best rewards for it. During my research I compared cards by converting the rewards points to rupees. For example, on an average Premier Miles gives value of Rs 1.75 spent on Rs 100 while HSBC Premier gives Rs 1/Rs 100. Don’t know if that’s the best way to go about it though! As for the airline, I mostly fly IndiGo or SpiceJet domestically and Emirates/Jet/SQ internationally based on the fare.

  29. AJ says:

    @Ajay, if you would like to accumulate miles for your travel which you can use on any airline / hotel for redemption, I would recommend the Citibank PremierMiles card to you. you get 10 miles per 100 rs to book tickets directly with the airline. these are transferable 1:1 to 5 intl programs and 2 Indian programs. If you would like to accumulate in only 1 program however (9w) then I would recommend the ICICI Bank Jet card to you. If you would like to accumulate on Emirates, there is the stanchart emirates card as well.

    however, I see the most value on the Citibank PM personally, because i gain the flexibility to transfer 1:1 wherever I want amongst their program partners.

    amex Gold Charge Card is a good way to earn lots of MR, which is again usable as a convertible currency with many a programs. I use it at least 4 times a year to earn my 1000 MR, and on all transactions which attract 5x MR

  30. Ajay says:

    Thanks AJ. I called AmEx to get some more information on the Gold Charge Card but they made a convincing case for the Platinum Travel Card. I know that you don’t love the product and gave it a lukewarm review but it looks like a good fit for me. After considering the bonus points, IndiGo + Taj vouchers, extensive partner network and AmEx service it looks rather promising. The fact that the points expire after three years is a downside though. Here’s a small comparison. Would love to get your views.
    Annual spend of Rs 5 lac. Rs 50,000 of which on travel.

    On AmEx Platinum Travel
    19,000 points + Bonus of 22,500 points or Rs 20,000 IndiGo vouchers + Rs 10,000 Taj voucher.
    Converted to Rupees (bonus points converted to airline miles, further converted to rupees at the rate of 2:1) – Value of Rs 36,000

    On PremierMiles
    23,000 points + 13,000 bonus points.
    2 airline tickets.
    Converted to Rupees (bonus points converted to airline miles, further converted to rupees at the rate of 2:1) – Value of Rs 24,000

  31. Jeff says:

    Hi,
    do you have a post on how to use jpmiles?
    I heard they’re quite lucrative for use on EK

  32. VIJAY D says:

    Hi AJ,

    Can you tell me if the AMEX platinum lounge in IC at Mumbai airport is open 24 hours and whether or not it is limited to those flying near out of 1C? Thanks

  33. AJ says:

    @Vijay, the amex plat lounge is open to those flying out of T1C at BOM, which essentially means all FullService Flights and those boarding from jetbridges. However, you may be limited access by the fact that access to the airport is allowed only a few hours before flight (3-4).

  34. SUNPURI says:

    News: Effective 30th September 2012 AI 995/996 will operate Delhi/Dubai/Delhi with Boeing 788 Dreamliner Aircraft

  35. AS says:

    Hi,

    I have about 33k miles on Jet Privelege. Am looking to run down my miles and get into a new program which get better redemptions. Any suggestions on a good miles program outside of Jet Privelege? Particularly looking for decent conversions from Jet domestic flights. Also have the Amex gold charge and citi Premiermiles that are collecting points.

    Would be travelling internationally mid November and would like to get the miles on the other programme.

    Any help is appreciated.

    Rgds
    AS

  36. AJ says:

    @A S, could you help me with more information. where do you want to use the miles, what destination you travelling and what airline etc?

  37. AS says:

    @AJ, I will be travelling to HK mid November by Jet. But as this was an official booking, have not actually put these miles into my Jet Privelege A/c yet.

    Was looking for an opportunity to use these miles as first entry point into a new programme which is part of one of the alliances.

    Would be looking to use these miles (+cash) for a holiday in Europe mid-late 2013. Basically am looking for a program that provides me global access on an equal footing.

    Thanks and rgds,
    AS

  38. HRS says:

    Hi AJ,
    I have a Standard chartered titanium master card. will i be able to access any lounge at Chennai domestic airport using it as per the promotion? I am traveling domestically in Dec 2012.
    I also wish to know which is the best lounge at t international terminal in chennai? I have an upcoming trip on Malaysian airlines in Dec 2012 in business class.
    Thanks
    HRS

  39. AJ says:

    @HRS, I think the only lounge accessible via MC in Chennai is on the international side. As for the best lounge, I am guessing Malaysia will provide you with access to Clipper Lounge on your ticket.

  40. Pradeep says:

    Hi AJ,

    I have about 50,000 miles in King Club. I am not able to figure out how to be able to utilize them before they become defunct (or may be they already are).

    Can you please advise?

    Thanks
    -Pradeep

  41. AJ says:

    @Pradeep, unfortunately, the only way to utilise those miles is on Kingfisher Airlines now, if and when they come back online. I had advised everyone in March 2012 to get out of the program if they could and I personally spent as many miles as possible then. I think you should wait for the airline to come back online, and see if your travel plan fit what they offer!

  42. Pravin says:

    Excellent Sharing AJ :-) Wonderfull…
    I messed up with my 60K miles on KFA

    Wishing You Great Diwali & Exicted Flights

    Cheers,

    Pravin

  43. Parag Mehta says:

    Hey AJ

    While you have been reviewing all cards, have you given a thought to the StanC Emirates Platinum card? Seems like a good one to gather miles in Emirates over a 3 year period based on a fee and utilize for a US return ticket?

    Parag

  44. AJ says:

    @Parag, it is on my radar… Though the perks are not so many as compared to the domestic cards, so it keeps getting pushed down the list ;)

  45. A.d.Abhani says:

    hi, I will be travel Bombay to bangkok , I have booked ticket air india – economics class, and I have hdfc signature visa card, can I access clipper lounge ? And one of my friend have platinum master card , can he access clipper lounge ? Pls reply

  46. AJ says:

    @AD, clipper has a tie up with MasterCard and not visa. So, your friend can access. you can head to the Celebration lounge in the same terminal, where you will be let in.

  47. Parag Mehta says:

    @AD: in Bangkok you can get lounge access using your signature visa card as well.

    You can call Visa India hotline and ask for details of the lounge for which you have access for free there.

    Sorry but cant recollect the link

  48. Ajay says:

    Hi AJ,
    A while back I had asked you about the AmEx Platinum Travel Card and you wrote a detailed blog post in response. Thanks for that! I finally decided on the AmEx Travel Card and am very happy with their excellent customer service. However, AmEx is unfortunately not as widely accepted as MasterCard or Visa and so I am looking for a second credit card. Should I go for the Citibank Premier Miles card (seems to be the best credit card on the market) and use it whenever I cannot use the AmEx and at 10x points partners (I buy a lot of stuff from Flipkart which is a partner) or would you suggest a card that doesn’t have any annual fees? Which option would offer better value? Could you please recommend a card for me? Thanks!

  49. AS says:

    Hi AJ,

    I seem to remember that on one of your earlier posts on Turkish Airlines, you had mentioned that you used Award Wallet to track your points across all programmes.

    I was wondering, can you also track Citi Premiermiles using the same? Also, was a little worried about the safety aspect of putting Credit card details on a third party site? Wanted to get your opinion on the same.

    Thanks for the help.

  50. AJ says:

    @A S, I use awardwallet but I manually punch in numbers for Citi PM since the portal does not support the program yet.

  51. Gaurav says:

    Hi AJ,

    What is Class of Travel in 9W? For Economy I see “W, Y, U, K, S, H, E, X, N, Q, M, O, G, R, I and Z” and V

    I redeemed my Jet one-way voucher this morning in JPR-Hyd route. For “Special Fares” I was getting a discount of 1100/- and Class of travel as “W”, while for “Check Fares” I was getting discount of 5400/- and class of travel as “V”…both in Economy and net payble fare around 3300/-.

    I booked “W”. But what difference it would have made if I choose V?

    Thanks,

  52. AJ says:

    @Gaurav, these are all fare classes. So, W is the cheapest economy fare class in Jet, and Y/M the most expensive economy fare class. Same service, but impact only comes if you want to use upgrade vouchers etc. hope this helps

  53. AS says:

    Hi AJ,

    Apparently you can now redeem Premiermiles on Jet Airways. This can be done via a refund on the ticket including taxes.

  54. AS says:

    Thanks. Must have missed that.

  55. kesavan says:

    i have SBI platinum Visa, Citibank Platinum Mastercard, which all lounges i can utilise while i travel in india , thailand, heathrow, Paris and switzerland

  56. PB says:

    Hello AJ: Happy Birthday!
    I have about a lakh of KF miles – I thought I’ll redeem them on their Partner airlines…..while their website says some partners have discontinued with them, I’m wondering if I could perhaps get a trip on Emirates. I’m unable to reach them by phone. Any suggestions or tips on how to proceed? (I notice I can’t redeem it online). Thanks

  57. AJ says:

    @PB at this moment KFA will not be able to help you use their miles at all to the best of what I know. You need to wait for them to restart operations before they pick up the phone again! Write to kingclub@flykingfisher.com however to see if they would help

  58. Deo says:

    Greetings of the new year AJ !
    I’m a long time reader, though I do not fly as much or long-haul, so an inactive reader to say the least.
    Here’s the thing – I’m booking my parents for BOM-NRT-BOM on ANA in business class. According to my calculations, if I credit those miles to Aegean, it should be sufficient for a Star Gold card.
    The question I had is that can I register the card in my name and then credit their miles to my account number or does it have to be in the name of one of the travelling passengers? My parents won’t make much use of the Star Gold card afterwards, hence the difficulty.

  59. AJ says:

    @Deo, Frequent Flier miles and status are always issued in the name of the flier, not someone else. So, in this case, each one of them will need to have an individual FFP account opened in their name and the details for their individual accounts to be mentioned in their tickets for miles to be credited. The status hence achieved won’t be of use to you.

  60. Deo says:

    AJ – Thank you very much for the quick reply and for clearing up. Just have a couple of follow-up questions then. First, can I transfer the miles from one Aegean FF account to other so as for one of them to achieve Star Gold?
    And second, how do I credit the miles? (I’m doing this for the first time). I can’t see ANA letting me enter an A3 FF number anywhere while booking. So can I do it at Check-in? The Staff at BOM competent enough to handle that?

  61. AJ says:

    @Deo, while I am not sure Aegean has a customer service desk which should be proficient to do transfers, elite miles don’t get transferred, only their redeemable value does, and that costs money. If there is no field for ANA bookings to add A3, they can do it at check-in or if even that is not done then there is always a retro-credit option.

    Hope this helps

  62. Deo says:

    Yes, it helped so much, you are an absolute dream to consult. Can’t thank you enough !

  63. AG says:

    Hi AJ,
    Must complement you on your blog and I look forward to your posts. Just wanted to know your view on the Citi PremierMiles card. Their redemption policies seem to be going under so many changes that it’s becoming difficult to see even if they are of any use now (for that matter if any AirMiles card is now!). Esp after 1 MR= Rs .5, suddenly the redemption seems an unattractive option. I’m a 9W Plat and got the new Amex Card also. But i’m mostly a domestic traveller and have been using miles for booking tickets for my wife (usually well in advance). With Plat status on 9w since the cancellation fees waiver is there, I feel it’s better to switch completely to Amex Jet card now and restrict spends on Citi. Your views?

  64. AJ says:

    @AG, I’ve always maintained that PremierMiles is the best card to earn miles and transfer them to their partners. Now, domestically, the only partner they have is Air India. However, if you are a Jet traveller, agree, there is not so much in it for you. You should go for the Jet Amex which you already did and perhaps also pick up the other jet co-branded cards which are coming to you free of cost (as a Plat) for some welcome bonuses. Also remember, while an ugly looking card, till October 2013 the ICICI Jet product has the best mileage earning. So, maybe you may want to earn JP Miles there.

  65. AG says:

    ICICI Jet product is better only in case of Sapphiro which I orginally asked for (and replace my existing ICICI card) but for some reason they said applications are closed. And i’m wary of their service now a days. Anyways I guess it’s worth trying to read the riot act to them. Btw if I applied for a AI membership so that I can transfer the CITI PMs to AI. Any idea what’s the conversion ratio?

  66. AJ says:

    @AG agree, I am still to sit down and tally up all the options, but Sapphiro Amex just landed on my desk finally! Do read the riot act to them or send me an email and I will see what I can do to get you the card. PM->AI is 1:1 transfer.

  67. Vinod Bhartiya says:

    I just got the Jet Amex Platinum Card
    I want to know, are there any additional benefits in paying my utility bills on this card.
    Pl also inform that, does this card give the status of Platinum on Jet airways, such that I can get upgrade/addnl (platinum member) travel jet miles.

  68. Vinod Bhartiya says:

    I have a Amex Platinum Reserve Card, My spending on the card is more than 2.00 lakhs a year in the previous years. If my spending is not 2.00 a year then do I have to pay for any annual fee, if yes how much ?, how can this be waived ? , are there any benefits for me to pay on the renewal.?

  69. Gaurav says:

    Hi AJ, Planning for Kerala trip in April. Will I get JPMiles if I make Hotels booking through Jetairways website. I believe Jetairways are in tie-up with http://www.hotels.com

    Any other website or card for best hotel deals/reward points?

    Thanks & regards,

  70. AJ says:

    @Gaurav you won’t get any miles for making hotel bookins through Jet Airways website. best hotel deals are usually on the hotel website itself through the best rate guarantee they provide. if you can prove they don’t have the best rate, they usually match the rate you get them, and also throw in an extra freebie. Here are the hotel chains where you can earn JP Miles for your stays booked directly with them: http://www.jetairways.com/EN/IN/JetPrivilege/Partners/HotelPartners.aspx

  71. AJ says:

    @vinod, this card does not get you any status on the airline. you get 6 miles for regular spend and 12 miles for spend on jetairways.com/jetkonnect.com

  72. AJ says:

    @Vinod Bhartiya you are requested to contact American Express with these queries

  73. Akshay Gupta says:

    I have a HDFC World Master Card, I have recently received my priority pass. I wanted to know which version of priority pass membership is it. Will I be charged every visit $27?

  74. AJ says:

    @akshay yes, every trip incurs 27 dollars charge

  75. Deo says:

    AJ : I am travelling BOM-SIN-NRT and the transit time in SIN is 1hr 20mins. Will I be able to make it? Both segments are on SQ. Can I get both boarding passes at BOM?

  76. AJ says:

    @Deo, yes, you should be through checked-in at BOM, your bags tagged all the way. This should be a cakewalk, but do arrive at the gate in SIN with enough time on hand to make sure your security check which happens at the gate does not make you wait long.

  77. SUNPURI says:

    yes there should not beem.. i think youwill even have time for duty free shopping also….

    everything is fast there…

    i have done it a few times… and it was a breeze…

    justrememebr they do not make annoucmenets at SG airport. so you have to look up the screens and follow the directions…

  78. CP says:

    AJ, do you have anecdotes/opinions to share about Amex platinum concierge in India? I can’t seem to locate any.

    The Interweb is littered with American stories praising and trashing Amex for restaurent booking, movie tickets and events. IMHO, they aren’t so useful in Indian context as the tasks are easily done with regular channels.

  79. AJ says:

    @CP, in India, the Amex Platinum Concierge is handled by InternationalSOS, the same guys who run it for Citibank Ultima and others. So, I find some of them dumb sometimes. For instance, recently, at a hotel reservation, they got me a rate of approx 9K plus taxes while the website of the hotel offered it for 6.6K plus taxes (both INR). They said that is obviously going to happen.

    amex says they plan to inhouse it soon, but no timeline is defined yet.

  80. Deo says:

    @AJ – Thank you so much once again ! Really appreciate the effort.

  81. AG says:

    Hi AJ,
    Any updates for the bonus miles on JP amex for apply before 25th Dec?

  82. AJ says:

    @AG I was going to post later about this. These jpmiles have posted today for everyone I know.

  83. nagachen says:

    Hi
    I am travelling to CCU-DXB-LAX emirates on 11th Feb,2013 economy with my wife. How best to spend the time in Dubai Airport (7hrs 55 min)? Being Economy I cant use any lounge. But Can we use any paid lounge? I hold citibank platinum mastercard issued in India. Will it be of any use? Can anyone throw any light on this, I will be very grateful.
    TIA

  84. Rasputin says:

    AJ, I am considering ORD-DEL-MAA on AI126 and AI042 for my wife traveling alone. What is the transit situation in DEL? Does she have to clear immi and customs on DEL or MAA? Is 3 hours enough to make it through?

    I understand the difference between between AI042 and AI540 later that night,so trying to avoid legacy IC flights.

  85. Manish says:

    @AJ: I will be traveling BOM-BKK-BOM in March via 9W in Economy. Do you know what lounges I will have access to (esp in BKK)? I hold Jet Amex, Jet HDFC World MC and Citi PM (Visa Signature) cards. Thx.

  86. @Manish, no complimentary access but you could use the priority pass if you like for 27 dollars per visit

  87. chirayu says:

    Can you please advice me, the type/name of the Debit card offered by SBI; which allows Lounge access at the airport.
    Thanks in advance

    Best Regards,
    Chirayu Joshi.

  88. Travelsavvy says:

    Can you please advise what is a better credit card between Citi Ultima and AMEX platinum. My husband and I are frequent travelers (for pleasure and on business) and we love trying out new restaurants. I have noticed that both provide more or less the same offers / privileges, however, AMEX has a 50k one time charge whilst Citi is 30k. Do you think Citi is better value?

  89. AS says:

    Hi AJ,

    Do you know if Etihad charges a bomb for redeeming JP Miles on their flights?

    Thanks and Regards
    AS

  90. @Travelsavvy, I use the Citi Ultima at the moment and I find with the disengagement with Jet Airways, it is no longer a value proposition anymore. you could try for the 15k version of the Ultima. which used to provide lounge access via priority pass + ITC culinary plus membership but no jet airways platinum tier.

  91. @AS, the pricing is done by Jet Airways JP, so if anyone making money on this, it will be Jet and not EY. Get them to price your flights

  92. Travelsavvy says:

    AJ – Thanks for the response. I have decided to go with AMEX platinum credit card for the moment.

  93. @Travelsavvy, there is no Amex Platinum Credit Card, there is a charge card by that name. which means, you pay everything end of the billing cycle and no rollovers.

  94. vik says:

    hey aj. how is it going buddy. planning to travel bom-yeg one way last week of april whats the best way to go bout it. trying to find good fares. could you help me please.
    p.s you blog is awesome mate.

  95. @vik you should look up http://matrix.itasoftware.com where you can find the best routings, which you can book via a travel agent or online travel agent or with the airline directly.

  96. vik says:

    @aj thanks aj. yeah i had been looking at ita matrix since long. jst thought if you have another trick up your sleeve. thanks anyway

  97. Nitin says:

    Hey AJ. Thanks for a great blog. Quick question about Plaza Premium Lounges at DEL. I am flying in at approx 11pm from LHR and meeting up with some family that is flying in at 4am. Is one of the Plaza Premium Lounges after one picks up their luggage? I would ideally like to pick up my bags and relax somewhere for the few hours. I have access to the lounges listed here: https://www.loungeclub.com/en/our-lounges/lounge-detail/DEL4

  98. Gaurav says:

    Hi AJ, Need some guidance on the hotel annual paid membership programmes. I have been approached by The Park Hotels @7300 p.a. with loads of benefits. Looks good to me. However, I would like to know what other options do I have for the best worth. Anything specific I need to look into.

  99. Paige says:

    Hello,

    I’m very interested in using my AMEX membership rewards to go from SFO to India. I have about 77K points, which I know is not a lot. Is is possible to get an economy award ticket for this many miles to India? I would prefer to fly on a carrier that does not have heavy fuel surcharges like United, US Air or AA, but I’m not sure if this is possible.

    Thanks for any help that you can offer!

    Paige

  100. @Paige you should be able to get a ticket on Singapore Airlines for that much but fuel surcharges will be there on those tickets.

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