Amex push-polling disguised as a Qantas Survey

[Smackbum]

Dear Smackbum

The Leading Edge, an independent market research company, has been commissioned to help Qantas Frequent Flyer undertake a confidential survey amongst members who earn points using a credit card.

It looked interesting so I clicked on the link, only to find that the so-called "survey" was a set of questions that preached rather than queried. It was as if I had to justify why I hadn't added an Amex card to my existing Mastercard when didn't I know it earn't more points and was now accepted in more places with no additional surcharge and even if the nasty merchant did decline payment by Amex I could just whip out the other card (along with the moths) whilst admonishing the miscreant and loudly stating that I would never shop there again.

OK I may have gone over the top, but it really peeved me to have been tricked by Qantas in this way. Obviously they get major kickbacks from Amex for every linked card and I am happy for them to advertise away. I am not happy to be mugged by an advertorial-style survey.

If I wasn't anti-Amex before I am now .....

 

[oz_mark]

OK I may have gone over the top, but it really peeved me to have been tricked by Qantas in this way. Obviously they get major kickbacks from Amex for every linked card and I am happy for them to advertise away. I am not happy to be mugged by an advertorial-style survey.


If I wasn't anti-Amex before I am now .....

Shouldn't you be anti-Qantas due to their trickery?

 

[jamesatfish]

I stepped through this survey last night too - quite bemused by the series of leading questions telling us why a linked AMEX earns so many more points, then got asked if I already had a linked AMEX (Yes) and if so, why...?

What on earth do they expect people to write in that field? After hearing how a linked AMEX was so much better for earning points, I decided to get one because there was an empty space in my wallet where my BankCard used to be and I feel lost without a full wallet?

 

[medhead]

Yeah I got this survey as well. I took great pleasure in telling them that I took up the extra Amex because they offered me bonus points and that I'll be getting rid of it as soon as the points run out.

I do think that you are unfairly blaming AMEX for this. These extra amex cards are issued by the banks, not amex. Sure AMEX is getting something out of the branding but amex has no control over the cards. There is also the fact that these dual card accounts seem to be a key part of the Qantas FF strategy to move everyone to direct earn. Basically direct earn would not really work with out a dual card account with AMEX, everyone knows that AMEX earn more points, and qantas has cut out just about all transfers from membership rewards. I guess they thought that most people would have have let go of the link with Qantas earning cards for a higher earn rate on a true amex. So IMO this push to take up these extra AMEX cards isto qantas' benefit and I see them as pushing it.

I'm also only aware that ANZ have engaged in the AMEX take up process and the survey I got was about my ANZ Amex. I suggest this thread would ahve been better placed in the section about ANZ as they are the ones controlling these cards and trying to push people into the cards - not AMEX

 

[Hvr]

I got this survey as well and after I answered three questions and entered some words it was over. Surely there should be some points or a chance to win a prize for filling out a survey?

 

[straitman]

I mentioned that I do not really use the linked Amex and so it has prompted me to look at getting rid of them. I'm sure they will be impressed.