Changes to how you use your $450 Travel Credit

[hexDoor]

So I used my credit and they don't actually send you a tax invoice - you get an email but it doesn't have all the criteria I need to claim it for work.

Any suggestions apart from contacting them which will be a PITA

Maybe check the booking on the amex travel website to see if there's a button for an invoice?

Otherwise, a call should get it sorted out (my interactions thus far have been quite efficient).

 

[VPS]

Maybe check the booking on the amex travel website to see if there's a button for an invoice?

Otherwise, a call should get it sorted out (my interactions thus far have been quite efficient).

No I've already checked the website

Thanks anyway - Your experience is different to mine when dealing with them then

 

[Saizo]

AMEX travel didn't send me an invoice initially. I called them though and got a complying tax invoice. It didn't show the travel credit on it, just the full initial amount which was fine.

 

[SYD]

Not sure if this is the best thread but SYD+1 (and probably myself in due course) is pondering trying to upgrade a legacy AMEX Gold CC to the QF Ultimate card (following the upcoming devaluation of points earn on the NAB QF VISA Signature* and impending increase of the AMEX Rewards Fee** on the Gold CC).

Apart from the better points earn (for now), the travel credit in theory pays for the card.

However, some sample searching on say a simple 2x PAX SYD-MEL Red-E (return) highlights some concerns:
1. There appears to be less flight options on AMEX v searching direct with QF?
2. There appears to be about $20 each way premium booking via AMEX than direct?

Does that sound right?

*we both get this card free as part of Private Banking account - so won’t be cancelling
** Fee increase from next year $49 to $99

 

[Daver6]

Not sure if this is the best thread but SYD+1 (and probably myself in due course) is pondering trying to upgrade a legacy AMEX Gold CC to the QF Ultimate card (following the upcoming devaluation of points earn on the NAB QF VISA Signature* and impending increase of the AMEX Rewards Fee** on the Gold CC).

Apart from the better points earn (for now), the travel credit in theory pays for the card.

However, some sample searching on say a simple 2x PAX SYD-MEL Red-E (return) highlights some concerns:
1. There appears to be less flight options on AMEX v searching direct with QF?
2. There appears to be about $20 each way premium booking via AMEX than direct?

Does that sound right?

*we both get this card free as part of Private Banking account - so won’t be cancelling
** Fee increase from next year $49 to $99

I can't comment on few flight options, I've not come across that. However, yes, you do pay a slight premium on flights. $20 sounds about right. However, the most frustrating part of often deep sale fares that you can book directly with QF or other OTAs aren't available on Amex Travel.

The other advantage of the card is earning bonus points for QF spend. That includes QF marketplace for gift cards.

 

[sudoer]

However, some sample searching on say a simple 2x PAX SYD-MEL Red-E (return) highlights some concerns:
1. There appears to be less flight options on AMEX v searching direct with QF?
2. There appears to be about $20 each way premium booking via AMEX than direct?

Yes, Amex Travel doesn't use NDC so they don't get access to all Qantas inventory or its cheapest fares.

 

[SYD]

Yes, Amex Travel doesn't use NDC so they don't get access to all Qantas inventory or its cheapest fares.

Thanks.

The fewer actual options is pribably the key concern. Will need to explore that further to see if there’s any rhyme or rhythm to when/why that happens.

The fare difference (premium) is partially offset but the overall fee savings and to a lesser extent the better points earn.

Another negative is not being able to use “Movie Vouchers”. Actually, is it possible to book via AMEX but if one needed to change “screenings”, can they convert to a voucher?

Meanwhile, need to review the sums again.

 

[SYD]

The other advantage of the card is earning bonus points for QF spend. That includes QF marketplace for gift cards.

Yes, I have a recently minted QBR card and now receiving the same points earn as the Ultimate but also getting bonus points on QF Hotels and Wine. I wasn’t getting those bonus my old Biz AMEX CC, only NAB Visa Signature.

 

[Daver6]

Another negative is not being able to use “Movie Vouchers”. Actually, is it possible to book via AMEX but if one needed to change “screenings”, can they convert to a voucher?

Unsure. However, Amex have their own extra change and cancellation fees on top of QF's. So unlikely to be economical.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thanks.

The fewer actual options is pribably the key concern. Will need to explore that further to see if there’s any rhyme or rhythm to when/why that happens.

The fare difference (premium) is partially offset but the overall fee savings and to a lesser extent the better points earn.

Another negative is not being able to use “Movie Vouchers”. Actually, is it possible to book via AMEX but if one needed to change “screenings”, can they convert to a voucher?

Meanwhile, need to review the sums again.

Can't answer the movie voucher question @SYD but I use my credit for our simple uncomplicated J one way domestic trips that are not likely to change.
Usually only $20 more expensive as indicated by @sudoer , on occasion, same price as QF.

Exception was 1st time, used it for MEL-BNE-VLI return.
Same price as QF but I wasn't happy with our connection time ( only a few minutes above MCT) and so they changed us to a flight the day before for free ( pulled the "elderly" card) but said any other changes would incur $125 Amex fee.

 

[vetrade]

We swapped our AMEX Ultimate cards earlier this year to AMEX Discovery cards which have no annual fee but do retain a points earn. That was a much better option for us as we could then spend our $450 however we liked and the other benefits of the Ultimate card just lacked any value for us.

A few years back AMEX dropped the 2 free QF lounge passes we had routinely used for DOM flights, you can't use the AMEX lounge passes for DOM flights because they are situated in INT Departures, the AMEX lounges in MEL and SYD are not good quality anyway and since we fly J internationally, we always have access to the QF lounges. Plus, as noted by others, AMEX charged more than QF for the same flights.

Also it wasn't user friendly in that if you booked with the $450 credit for a single pax and later wanted to change it, you could then only use the credit for that same pax i.e. you couldn't use it as part of a booking for 2 pax. Overall the Ultimate card just wasn't user friendly for us.

 

[albyd]

I agree, the Amex SYD lounges are pretty pedestrian. The old smaller AMEX lounge in SYD was better. I can't exactly put my finger on it. I recall once when I was flying CX in J, instead of going to the QAN lounge, I opted for the smaller AMEX lounge. The current lounge doesn't appear to have the same allure.

 

[Daver6]

We swapped our AMEX Ultimate cards earlier this year to AMEX Discovery cards which have no annual fee but do retain a points earn. That was a much better option for us as we could then spend our $450 however we liked and the other benefits of the Ultimate card just lacked any value for us.

A few years back AMEX dropped the 2 free QF lounge passes we had routinely used for DOM flights, you can't use the AMEX lounge passes for DOM flights because they are situated in INT Departures, the AMEX lounges in MEL and SYD are not good quality anyway and since we fly J internationally, we always have access to the QF lounges. Plus, as noted by others, AMEX charged more than QF for the same flights.

Also it wasn't user friendly in that if you booked with the $450 credit for a single pax and later wanted to change it, you could then only use the credit for that same pax i.e. you couldn't use it as part of a booking for 2 pax. Overall the Ultimate card just wasn't user friendly for us.

QF Ultimate still has two free QF lounge passes. That hasn't changed.

 

[vetrade]

QF Ultimate still has two free QF lounge passes. That hasn't changed.

You are technically correct but receiving those lounge passes is conditional: "after purchasing on selected Qantas products and services using your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card". Previously the QF lounge passes were received unconditionally.

"Provided you are a Qantas Frequent Flyer and have registered your Qantas Frequent Flyer number with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, you are eligible to receive two Qantas Club Lounge Invitations each anniversary year of your Card Membership after purchasing on selected Qantas products and services using your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Selected Qantas products and services are Qantas passenger flights with a QF flight number purchased directly from Qantas.com.au; Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Club membership joining and/ or annual fees. Subject to Qantas American Express Card Points Terms and Conditions."