Using AMEX miles for trip to NZ (with stopover in FP)!
 

Need your knowledge with airline question. I will be posting other questions about our New Zealand trip.

My wife and I are planning a trip to NZ and FP. We will have 3 other couples and will be spending time in Queenstown and FP. This is our second time to make a similar trip.

We have always used Delta and AMEX miles to purchase our business class tickets. Because of our concerns about Delta (and the fact that they no longer fly to NZ), we are looking for a new airline. We live in San Antonio.

QUESTION..
Do y'all know which airline services NZ and allows AMEX miles for business class travel AND also makes stops in FP? If they flew to the South Island, that would be great.

Thanks!

Here's a link to all of the airlines that you can redeem Amex Membership Rewards points for travel.

http://membershiprewards.com/Categor...103&ahcr=1

Seems that your business class options to NZ are pretty limited.

Air Canada and ANA offer point transfer options, which may be an option (assuming they fly to NZ). Qantas has a points certificate option to NZ, but only in coach.

2 years ago we transferred Amex points to USAir to get BC seats on AirNZ.

It appears to me that now the only airlines you can transfer Amex points to, and which are part of Star Alliance, are ANA and Air Canada, which you can then call to see if they will give you a ticket on AirNZ. It seems to be complicated and probably not possible. :-[

BTW - I think that your (and my) Amex points have been devaluated when transferring. I think it used to be point for mile. Now it is 2 points for 1 mile. That is why I am not using my Amex card anymore unless I go to Costco. Also, they have stopped transferring to USAir, which is my main carrier. ((R))

And the answer is "Continental".

Continued to do research and found that Continental through their Partner Airline Qantas will work. 105,000 points per person BC round trip LAX to LAX. Will not work going straight to Qantas for BC but will work for BC if book through Continental.

You get the 'Maze Solver' prize of the day. ((F))