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.

 

[anat0l]

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.

Still got nothing in my Qatar account.

8-10 weeks. How comforting. What kind of amateur system are they peddling here (both on the Amex side as well as the QR side).

On another note, I was wanting to cancel my Amex card given my anniversary is coming up in January. Looks like I may be doomed to keep it on because a premature cancellation may jeopardise my getting my points at all (both QR and Amex MR if it gets fully rejected, i.e. they will disappear into the ether).

 

[anat0l]

Qatar transfer has finally gone through; miles have appeared.

 

[DragonBABY]

Qatar transfer has finally gone through; miles have appeared.

Yes I can also confirm that my Qatar miles have appeared in my account. Phew!

 

[incdus]

How do some of you value Marriott points? Do we think there's any point in converting to Marriott points (now that Qatar/Cathay are out) or is it just too hard to get any value out of Marriott points?

 

[albyd]

I use Marriott points for Accommodation. It's not the best use of points but you've gotta stay somewhere when you get there. Guess this needs to be reconsidered once further devals and changes come through.

YMMV.

 

[DragonBABY]

How do some of you value Marriott points? Do we think there's any point in converting to Marriott points (now that Qatar/Cathay are out) or is it just too hard to get any value out of Marriott points?

With the 5th night free I have been able to get some good value recently for high end hotels. Anything other than high end hotels I don't see any value there. I have got good value from Maldives St Regis and London Marriott Grosvenor Square recently. About 6 years ago I used points for London Marriott Park Lane and it was essentially half "price" compared with purchasing with cash, but now the gap is a lot smaller and not worth it anymore. I would still routinely check out the point prices on Marriott if I am going somewhere. I still find Marriott better than Hilton in terms of points conversation and availability.

 

[elogic]

Has anyone seen the points credited to there QR account automatically ??a new msg on the app

 

[Haplo]

I uses Marriott points to redeem hotels, I recently did one where it is 12k for 100 USD rate. 12k is about 18k amex points for 150 AUD value.

 

[albyd]

That’s the problem. That’s about 1.25c per point. Pointy end seats are great but we need somewhere to stay when we get there - don’t have relatives and free accommodation everywhere.

 

[incdus]

That's 150 AUD for what would effectively have been 9k Qantas or Velocity points. 1.6c per point I suppose, not super amazing but not bad either

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I use Marriott points for Accommodation. It's not the best use of points but you've gotta stay somewhere when you get there. Guess this needs to be reconsidered once further devals and changes come through.

There is nothing wrong with transferring to Marriott I’ve done that a few times, and have found value including a 40,000 point redemption to stay at a Sheraton at Pearson Airport in Toronto thereby saving me $450 off the rack rate. I would not have ordinarily have booked that hotel had it not been for the points.

The other thing to consider is Marriott lets you transfer your points to like 30 partner airlines including the like of United which you would otherwise be unable to do in Australia often with a bonus if you transfer enough points. Indeed, in 2024 I bought several thousand dollars of Choice Hotel points as they were running a promotion whereby you could transfer 2000 Choice points to 1600 Qantas points meaning you could buy Qantas points in effect for 1.25 cents per point. I’d challenge anyone to name a more lucrative opportunity for buying Qantas points

 

[albyd]

There is nothing wrong with transferring to Marriott

I agree. It is less prospective ‘value’ than transferring points to airlines for premium travel now that they’ll be harder to ‘earn’ on the ground. Whilst accommodation offers good utility, it seems like a ‘waste’ to me in comparison.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

There is nothing wrong with transferring to Marriott I’ve done that a few times, and have found value including a 40,000 point redemption to stay at a Sheraton at Pearson Airport in Toronto thereby saving me $450 off the rack rate. I would not have ordinarily have booked that hotel had it not been for the points.

The other thing to consider is Marriott lets you transfer your points to like 30 partner airlines including the like of United which you would otherwise be unable to do in Australia often with a bonus if you transfer enough points. Indeed, in 2024 I bought several thousand dollars of Choice Hotel points as they were running a promotion whereby you could transfer 2000 Choice points to 1600 Qantas points meaning you could buy Qantas points in effect for 1.25 cents per point. I’d challenge anyone to name a more lucrative opportunity for buying Qantas points

EBP @ 1c per point, but if you're not already in the system, it's too late now.