As predicted when I made the original mileage transfer post in October, Amtrak was indeed the weakest link in the deal.
As is customary for Amtrak, they changed the transfer rate to Choice from 1:5 down to 1:3 without any advance notice.
Additionally, Choice is now requiring you to have stayed in a Choice hotel since 01/01/06 or have a Choice credit card in order to transfer points to Southwest.
This certainly cools the deal down, so is it still worth it?
-Under the new exchange rate 25,000 AMEX/Continental points (or 20K/25K starpoints) will net 30 Southwest credits instead of 50.
-20,000 AMEX/Continental points will net 60,000 Choice points instead of 100,000 Choice points. A $350 Manhattan hotel room costs just 20,000 choice points, so there is still a lot of value in this exchange.
-It will no longer be possible to funnel AMEX/Continental points into 9 other airlines on a 1:1 basis.
-In order to get the 12 free RT Southwest tickets with the companion pass it will require 85,000 Continental/AMEX points instead of 50,000. A compelling value to be sure, just not as compelling.
However the additional requirement to stay in a Choice hotel or open the patently uncompetitive Choice Visa definitely puts a damper on the deal…
Do you think it’s still worth it? Post a comment!
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5 Comments On "The AMEX/Continental/Starwood – Amtrak – Choice – Southwest Transfer Train Has Been Slashed By 40%;
Does Is Remain Worthwhile?"
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I did the amtrak transfer more then a week ago
but the points didn’t show up at choice yet. Do you think that theil stil give 5:1
do you think a stay with points would be eligible to alow me to transfer to SW
yes, it does. For 10,000 AE points you can get 12 credits, add them to a brand new account opened with college bonus of 4 RR and get a free ticket. Not bad for 10,000 miles.
I did the amtrak transfer a week ago also and I received an email that my order was fulfilled, they still have yet to post to choice though…
Dan, whats the deal on the choice privileges visa card? rundown? any fees? if we make one purchase with it are we then qualified?
I transfered my 25,000 amex mr into continental is there a way i can transfer them to starwood points??