Thread by @tejasghongadi

All about Credit Card to #Airmiles Conversion and Booking Redemption Tickets:

Over 100 Frequent Flyer (FF) Programs globally. Some with direct access to convert credit card reward points & some Indirectly via the likes of @MarriottBonvoy.

Long 🧵 Alert

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Additionally, each major FF Program on average has 15+ other Airline partners. So how and where to start?

Direct Partners - Where CC RPs can be converted to Airmiles

@HDFC_Bank Infinia / DCB
1. @SingaporeAir
2. @airvistara
3. @InterMiles

Contd....

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@HSBC_IN Visa Platinum Credit Card (Additional to HDFC Infinia / DCB)
1. @British_Airways

@Amex - All Cards (Additional to HDFC & HSBC Ones)
1. @VirginAtlantic
2. @etihad
3. @cathaypacific
4. @emirates
5. @qatarairways
6. @Finnair

Contd..

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@Citibank Prestige & Premier Miles
(In Addition to all above except @Finnair & @airvistara)
1. @EVAAirUS
2. @TurkishAirlines
3. @MAS
4. @airindiain
5. @ThaiAirways
6. @airfrance

Indirect Partners - Majorly @MarriottBonvoy

https://twitter.com/tejasghongadi/status/1427641238937870343

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Why Airmiles Redemption instead of ‘Pay With Points’ Options?

Airmiles provides you variable value with no limit on either side. ‘Pay With Points’ provides a fixed redemption value

https://twitter.com/tejasghongadi/status/1412372046168793091

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Add to that you can plan some multi-destination trips at much cheaper costs that booking revenue tickets with ‘ Pay with Points’ Options.

https://twitter.com/tejasghongadi/status/1416281369404067844

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Without further ado, lets look at Steps to Follow:

1. Understand which programs you have access to on your credit cards.

2. Check which Two FF Program can be accumulate maximum Airmiles

Contd.

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3. Check which #Alliances are these Airlines part of. Three Major Alliances Globally: Star, One World & Sky Team
a.  @staralliance - 26 Airlines
b. @traveloneworld - 14 Airlines
c. @skyteam - 19 Airlines

4. Decide On Destination

Contd..

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5. Go to ITA Matrix or Google #flights Website. Search for Flights. Links below:
a. matrix.itasoftware.com
b. google.com/travel/flights

6. Search for Flight Connections as per the Alliances in Sr. No. 2

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7. Sign-up for the following Airlines FF Programs as a Minimum:
a. @SingaporeAir (Star Alliance)
b. @cathaypacific (One World Alliance)
c. @British_Airways (One World Alliance)
d. @united (Star Alliance)
e. @airfrance (Sky Team Alliance)

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Details about Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Program (Detailed Threads for other airlines in the making)

https://twitter.com/tejasghongadi/status/1445038591361490944

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8. Why Step 7?
a. 7a: Most CC Partners
b. 7b: One of the best One World Alliance Partners
c. 7c, 7d & 7e: Searching Redemption Seats Availability on @traveloneworld @staralliance @skyteam respectively

Why to keep this list small:

https://twitter.com/tejasghongadi/status/1429625045144375298

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9. Using 8c, 8d & 8e, Search for redemption seats availability. Keep ur dates flexible to get best redemption tickets as per class & aircraft

10. Signup for most of the FF Programs where your CC allows #Airmiles Transfer. Signing up to FF Programs is Free

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11. From Sr. No. 9, you know the flights which have redemption seats available. Head over to milez.biz to check Mileage Requirement. It provides a fairly accurate idea of miles requirement & which FF Program to focus on.

Contd...

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Why is this important – An Example

https://twitter.com/tejasghongadi/status/1381337673302900736

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12. Re-Confirm the Mileage requirement & Taxes / Surcharges on the FF Program’s Website using redemption chart, Award Calculators or by calling up Customer Support. (Tip – Do not Call India Customer Support. North America or FF Program Home Country works best)

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13. Few Airlines allow blocking of seats for upto 72 hours. Check details & also look for backup dates in case seats fill in before you have transferred miles to your account.

Note – It is best to initiate transfer of CC RPs to #Airmiles only after Step 13

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14. Once the Points are reflected in the FF Program account, call up customer support again and complete the booking.
 
Hope the steps have been simplified to the extent possible.

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You may still run into some problems / queries when you go about it in real life as this is a huge subject. Just drop me, @rahulstuffs or @IndianMiles a DM, we will try to sort it out depending on the type of problem.

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