How to save hundreds on Italo tickets by taking advantage of American Express points
I admit it, trains and I are not very good friends, certainly not a secret since it has been seen [...]
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I admit, me and trains are not very good friends, certainly not a secret since it was also seen at the train vs. plane challenge Between Andrea and me, I am the one who took off.
However, I must say that something has happened in recent months that is bound to be a game changer, Membership Rewards points expanded partnership with Italo Train, the second high-speed carrier on the Italian tracks.
There has always been a liason between American Express and Italo with a co-branded credit card, a credit card that allows you to accumulate points in the Italo plus program with everyday spending, something like what happens with Payback and ITA cards that do not accumulate memerbship rewards points, but points in related loyalty programs.
New for a few months now is the ability to convert MR points to Italo Più, a seemingly inexpensive conversion since 1000 Amex points become 500 Italo points.
In order to be able to evaluate a conversion, it is necessary to know what can be achieved, and I must say that in analyzing the opportunities offered by the railroad company's program about to enter the MSC galaxy, we are looking at a real secret gem.
How much do Italo award tickets cost
Until March 31, 2024, tickets are on promotion and it is possible to book a ticket on board Italo's AV fleet from only 800 points.
The table divides routes into two levels: short and long. To give an example, routes between Naples and Rome or between the capital and Florence are considered short. This means that it is possible to redeem a seat aboard an Italo train for only 1,600 MR points, or a counter value of €6.4 to travel in a Smart carriage.
The most expensive ticket for traveling in the Club carriage, the most exclusive, on long routes costs 2,200 points, or 4,400 MR points, or €17.6 calculating as a parameter the value of 4€ per 1000 points which is the basic one offered by Amex.
Some practical examples
A ticket during the Christmas holidays to go from Milan to Naples, assuming you can still find some seats on virtually sold-out trains, costs no less than €85, but if you want to avoid the dawn wake-up call the cost is well over €100 one way.
Another example traveling to Bari, from Milan, costs €100 in a Smart carriage, which in air travel would be economy, a ticket that using points could cost the equivalent of less than €9.
The "secret" super conversion that saves over 1,000 euros
Italo sells the Executive Club Lounge en bloc-regardless of whether you buy one or four seats, the suite is yours. Here's how Luca, a TFC reader, maximizes his conversion.
"I'll take my case: Salerno-Milan round trip Award ticket in Club Executive Lounge comes 7000 Italo points each way. The great thing is that the price, as you can imagine, is not meant per person but per block (unlike the other classes, as well as the club itself).
By converting 28k MR to 14k Italo you save 1160€ on the route in question, having Lounge in the station and dedicated on-board service, as well as maximum privacy. On the longest route they do (Turin-Reggio Calabria) the savings, at the same points, always considering 4 people in the lounge A/R, is a good 1520€. With MR in my case the conversion is 0.041 while in the second 0.054."
Everything you need to know about Italo Più award tickets
- Awards can be applied for until March 31, 2024, and once issued are valid for 180 days.
- The name change of the Award Ticket is free of charge and permitted by contacting Italo Assistance at 892020 (toll number).
- The cancelled Prize Ticket cannot be reimbursed In points or settled in cash.
- A change of date and time is also allowed with a supplement of 10€ up to 3 minutes before the departure of the train by accessing your Personal Area or by contacting Italo Assistance at 892020 (paid number). Change of environment or itinerary is not permitted.
- It is possible to book a person other than the point holder. Simply book a regular ticket and then change the passenger's first and last name by contacting Italo Assistance at 89.20.20 (toll number) or at Italo Ticket Offices in the station.
- 6,000 Mile Registration Bonus
- Collect miles WITH EACH PURCHASE
- Your miles with no expiration*
- No fees for ATM withdrawals and foreign purchases
- Without having to change banks
- Autonomous card activation
- Multi-function mobile application
- Free travel insurance
- Free credit for up to 7 weeks
- Contactless Payment
- Mastercard® SecureCode
- 20€ discount directly in your statement by spending €60 in one or more transactions with Carta on Italotreno.it
- Free fee the 1st year. From the 2nd €5.50 per month
- You can choose to pay in full or in installments
- Premium level of the Italo Più program
- 4 Vouchers per year for access to Italo Club Lounges
- Preferential Access to Italo's Fast Track at the station
- For every 5 purchases of Italo ticketing and/or onboard services made with Italo American Express Credit Card you will receive 1 voucher for room upgrade
- Welcome bonus of 100,000 Volare points upon reaching 6 thousand in spending in the first 3 months after card issuance
- Accumulate 1.5 qualifying Volare points for every euro spent, accumulate an additional 3 non-qualifying Volare points ( for a total of 4.5 Volare points) for every euro spent on ticketing purchases and other services offered by ITA Airways
- Access to the Premium Club of ITA Airways' Volare program.
- ITA Airways Lounge Access
- Free excess baggage
- Points Back