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AirBerlin Devaluation Opens Short-Term Sweet Spots

June 02, 2017
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3 min read
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AirBerlin Devaluation Opens Short-Term Sweet Spots
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Air Berlin's TopBonus program hasn't been covered much by TPG in the past, and there's a reason for that: Mediocre award rates compounded by fuel surcharges make it a less-than-desirable transfer partner. The best use of the TopBonus program so far has been to get free Oneworld status.

Starting September 1, the TopBonus award chart is getting even worse. Economy-class flights between the US to Europe are increasing from 25,000 miles to 30,000, and business-class flights are jumping from 40,000 miles to 60,000 miles each way:

Along with these negative changes comes a positive one: TopBonus is reducing fuel surcharges on all award flights. Also, if you want to pay a much-higher redemption rate, you can get a "free flight" — where you don't have to pay any fuel surcharges or taxes/fees.

This later development is an interesting twist. While "award flights" are generally thought to be free flights, the taxes/fees and fuel surcharges can certainly make a "free" flight quite expensive. So, it's nice to see the option to book flights with no out-of-pocket cost. That said, the "free flight" award rates are too high to be of much value.

While the award rates are going up and fuel surcharges are going down, there's a rub: They aren't happening at the same time. The fuel surcharges were reduced effective immediately, but the award rate increases are effective September 1. In addition to giving advanced notice about the rates, TopBonus is giving all of us with miles a golden opportunity to clear out our balances before the devaluation.

I ran some searches with the new fuel surcharges. As before, the taxes/surcharges on economy flights are still too much to justify. For example, from Los Angeles (LAX) to Dusseldorf (DUS) in economy costs 50,000 miles — which doesn't sound bad until you add the taxes and surcharges of €281 ($317). Ouch!

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However, if you're looking for business-class awards, there are some decent options. For example, I'm seeing San Francisco (SFO) to Dusseldorf (DUS) round-trip in business class for 80,000 miles plus €478 ($539) of taxes and fuel surcharges. While certainly a long way from free, the low award rates and the lower-than-before surcharges make this competitive.

For reference, the same flight options booked through American Airlines' AAdvantage program would set you back 115,000 miles, although there aren't fuel surcharges passed along. Meanwhile, British Airways would charge 90,000 Avios just for the outbound flight.

If you book these same flights through TopBonus after September 1, the rates will be 120,000 miles round-trip — with the same fuel surcharges. So, you've got less than three months to take advantage of the current chart, now with smaller fuel surcharges than before.

If you don't have TopBonus miles, there are only a couple options:

H/T: Spencer Howard

Featured image by JT Genter

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.