UPDATE: Unfortunately Malaysia Airlines has slashed the value from the Enrich program as of February 2015, which makes much of this post redundant – so I’m leaving it up for historical interest only.
I’m currently researching a pretty hefty points bankruptcy trip with flights from Europe back to Sydney for 3 people around Christmas, and I figured I’d tell you how I’m planning to go about using Membership Rewards points for my family’s return flight from the UK.
Malaysia Airlines has a particularly sweet spot in their award chart costings for redemption on their own flights (but not oneworld partners). Europe – Sydney flights in Business Class, at their cheapest price, come in at 51,000 points, all in. Compare that to Qantas at 128,000 points for Business, one way – it’s stellar value.
They have pretty amazing availability on the routes I am looking at in Business Class for 3+ people, and a 15% discount for booking Enrich awards on Malaysia Airlines flights online. This particular routing is on Malaysia Airlines new A380’s, and then transferring onto their new A330 in Kuala Lumpur to Sydney.
Malaysia Airlines A380 Business Class
Malaysia Airlines new A330
Taxes are acceptable – for example, a redemption from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney I made in Business Class last year came in at around $200 AUD per person on top of the required points, and the route I am looking at in particular from London pieces at £399, which a decent portion is the unavoidable APD tax which is particularly steep when departing in premium cabins from UK airports.
What makes the Europe (or US) multi-stop long haul redemption cost so great is when you compare this to just one leg (which is still decent value) of the same trip, for example London – Kuala Lumpur only. This comes in at 46,500 Enrich Miles. It’s only an extra 4,500 miles to tack on an 8+ hour flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney. In terms of value, that’s just amazing.
The Enrich program is partners with Membership Rewards, and points usually take a couple of days to reach Enrich after initiating the transfer. You can also receive 1000 Enrich Miles just for signing up for the program.
Enrich Miles transfer over from American Express Membership Rewards at 1:1 earn ratio – cue reminder that this post details some of the best signup bonuses are actually through referrals, not for applying directly, if you’re a new Amex cardholder.
Now, I don’t actually have enough Membership Rewards points to make this booking for 3 people right now – I’m about 30,000 short. However, I have a way to crank up those points at a reasonable cost (for this purpose) in just a few days. Interested? More on that later in the week.
Now, don’t go and destroy all this award availability before I’ve had my chance to book, OK?!
I booked a J class ticket with Enrich that has got me baffled. DRW-CAN-DRW using points plus pay was $2,280 plus the 1,000 free sign up points (tax inclusive). If I booked it as a fully paid ticket it was $3,740. How does that work? Am I missing something?
Interesting. I knew points plus pay could be good value, but hadn’t looked at it in great detail. This is a great example!
I’ll research the mechanics of it further and update.
I have no idea how I missed this at the time but it has been a revelation to me! Definitely planning to use this for the beginning of my RTW in 2015.
Two quick questions –
I had a quick look at the T&C’s I believe stopovers are allowed? We would hopefully have a couple of nights in KL on the way – I am thinking Paris will be the destination at this stage.
Also, the 51k price – do you think this is limited to a particular time of year? How open is the lower price availability. We’re pretty easy with when we’ll go so this could dictate the timing.
Cheers!
Hi Ruth – absolutely. It’s a very effective way for Malaysia to differentiate their program from others – much cheaper redemptions with them when using Enrich miles than with travelling with oneworld partners.
I haven’t seen specific blackout dates when doing research, but given I think you can book either 1 year or 330 days out from travel, for a trip in early 2015 you may be able to research and book soon and lock in if there is good availability. Downside? No cancellation and refund options.
I didn’t think stopovers were possible to be honest, or at least not through the online booking tool which yields the cheaper prices than over the phone. You might find booking independent legs is cheaper and more convenient to do online.
Let us know how you go!
If you happen to have a Malaysian residency you can get 60,000 miles for RM 200 now with the Citibank card.
http://www.mightytravels.com/13232755/citibank_malaysia_60000_enrich_miles_card.php
Not sure where you found you can travel from LHR to KL with 50000 points. I have an Amex Gold and a 1 way trip from LHR to KL in economic class would cost me 89000 points… Please tell me, I’m really interested… !
Malaysian do variable pricing of their awards through Enrich, you’ve found some of the dates with limited availability and therefore higher pricing. It’s odd, sometimes economy even comes out equal or more expensive than Business Class. Keep looking, you should find cheaper, Business Class Europe to Australia is definitely 53,000 at the cheapest level.
Trying to work out whether to swap to concentrating on earning Enrich miles and having cards and flights geared towards that instead of Qantas points. Have only recently started getting interested in frequent flyer programs but wanted some advice. I have about 37,000 Qantas points and have trips booked later in the year with Qantas that will earn me a further 24,000 points roughly. Would it be a good idea to switch to Enrich or continue to earn Qantas points? I can switch the flights points to Enrich as well but am unsure whether it is worthwhile (25-50% per mile flown on Enrich) which would earn me approximately 6,000 points at 25% or 12,000 at 50%.
No, it’s not worth switching in my book. Earning Enrich miles in any volume just isn’t really that possible when flying Qantas compared to QFF points. In this case you’d be better off building on your Qantas balance, and if you really want to move to Enrich, and your travel plans match this plan, then book with Malaysian and earn directly. Also consider an Amex tied to Membership Rewards.
Hay Keith, a PDF I downloaded from AMEX shows that you need 2 MR : 1 Enrich Mile. Is that the new rate?
http://www.americanexpress.com/australia/pdfs/customerservice/mr_issu_2_asnt_cat.pdf
Date on this (on the cover) is October 2006 🙂
doh! I swear i’m blind sometimes
I bow you to master Keith-yoda. Without your words of wisdom, what would us grasshoppers do!
I bow you to master Keith-yoda. Without your words of wisdom, what would us grasshoppers do!
would you be able to tell me what taxes are like for a MEL – CDG redemption in business?
Sure, I have a bunch of Enrich miles waiting to redeem in my account, so I can look them up online. In future, you can call to get these from MAS without the miles in your account.
One way MEL-CDG: $434.95
Return: $905.82
CONVERSION COMING IN AT 1.5MR FOR 1 ENRICH APPARENTLY WHEN I CONTACTED AMEX
Amex told you it’s changing from 1:1?
When is this happening ? I havent heard or read it anywhere.
I haven’t heard this either.
You touched on it briefly, but one of the best things about the MH
program is the award seat availability – it always seems to be wwwiiidddeee open. I guess this may change over time now that MH are a member of OneWorld, but so far so good.
Do watch out for one catch though – you can’t cancel MH award bookings and
get your points back, not even for a fee – so make sure you’re sure
before you book the flight.
Yes, the availability is insane. I hope they keep some back for Enrich members only. I suspect the oneworld membership will make an impact, but hopefully not too major or immediately.
Good call on the cancellation fee, thanks for pointing it out.
This is great :))
Question for you… if I sign up to Enrich (in my name) can I redeem awards in somebody else’s name? Basically the AMEX card / points are under my name and I’d like to use them to book flights for my wife… is this doable?
Pretty sure it would be – just sign up for Enrich and call the call centre in Malaysia to triple check first. I’ve booked redemptions in the past twice for both me and one other person, not solely someone else so can’t confirm 100%.
They are used to talking with English clients, just talk clearly enough and you should get answers to any questions you have.
Yep – another nice feature of the MH program is that you can redeem your points for flights for anyone at all.
This is great! I was initially thinking about hoarding my MR points to claim for a flight to America (probably through Asia Miles), but Business Class at this rate can’t be beat.
Nice post Keith! I’m looking forward to your next post. I’ve got an offer though…I still haven’t signed up for the Amex credit card referral link you gave in your last post. It could help 🙂
Stay tuned…
Great find. As for getting more points onboard, it’s a straight forward 25 dollars per 1000 points through Amex MR. Am I ruining your next article and potential availability? Please delete my comment!
Nah, I’m doing better than 2.5c/point 🙂
It’s no big secret, just need time to write it up over the next couple of days.