2025 Amex Membership Rewards Devaluation

[perthtraveller]

Also had an issue with my Qatar transfer. Apparently escalated to the right team.

(mother didn't have an issue on the same day with a much higher points transfer to Qatar)

 

[Coathanger]

Clear comms in the app acknowledging the issue and confirming the 2:1 transfer.

 

[YoungTraveller]

Hi AFFers, I also tried transferring to Qatar Airways on the 15th with no luck. Called the phone line and they confirmed they can see the transfer didn't go through and there's no response from Qatar Airways yet about the transfer. They will raise a ticket for me to resolve it and backdate the transfer rate. Worth calling to get a ticket raised

 

[shuuy]

I wasn't able to link my QR account as my membership rewards account has a middle initial, and QR has my full middle name.

The process to update on QR wasn't straightforward (copy of passport, extended wait). But of course going to BA was easy, and I can convert to QR on the back-end

 

[Tiki]

LOL NOW they send this offer and at the end of the day it's only worth 8333 miles/Avios. Not even tempted! Increased annual fee from the Edge to $400 with travel statement credit but no more 3x at supermarkets. The card is devalued to the point of not being worth it anymore.

It starts with 25,000 Bonus Points1


We all want to have good stories to tell. That’s why we’re inviting you to start
an exciting new chapter with the American Express Explorer® Credit Card.

To get things started, if you apply, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible
purchases on your American Express Explorer® Credit Card in the first 3
months, you’ll enjoy 25,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points.1

​

 

[albyd]

They’ve achieved their broad aim which is to get us to use Amex as broadly as Visa and MasterCard and they have merchants which in the main accept Amex. They’ve needed to reduce merchant fees so they don’t get the crucifix out every time we ask ‘do you take amex?’reduced merchant fees = reduced reward points.

It sucks but that’s the way AU CCs have gotten for everyday spend and it will get worse if the RBA ‘reforms’ go though as proposed.

YMMV

 

[DragonBABY]

My MR to Qatar transfer is also not showing up in my Qatar account. Should have transferred to BA! Online chat with Amex today and they have said that they will honour the 2:1 transfer rate but it will take 8-10 weeks (!) to resolve. I said 8-10 days may be, but 8-10 weeks is a long time - but I am not sure what else I can do. Disappointing, as I was hoping to look for something to redeem over the holiday period, but now I don't know when my points are going to turn up in my Qatar account.