Amex Rewards

[HB7]

Hi,

I know this may sound like a stupid question but I keep seeing people mention Amex Membership Rewards, or MR. I also hear the Ascent programme being mentioned a fair bit. Aren't these two the same thing? Or are they different? My understanding is that the Ascent programme is part of the Amex Membership Rewards scheme, however I'm not sure at all?

 

[Mal]

"Membership Rewards" is the global rewards branding for Amex. Under it in Australia, there are separate options/schemes for consumers including:

- Choices
- Spirit
- Ascent (also known as "New" Ascent ) and Ascent Premium
- Blue Sky

Choices redeems into shopping vouchers/travel through Amex and similar items. No Frequent Flyer /Loyalty scheme redemptions.

Spirit is for Corporate customers and is somewhat similar to Ascent except limited to Qantas only for Frequent Flyer Schemes (but allows other loyalty scheme partners)

"New Ascent" doesn't allow crediting to Qantas, but allows crediting to many other Frequent Flyer/Loyalty schemes as well as gift cards and travel etc.

Ascent Premium which comes with Platinum Charge/Centurion Charge and some other selected cards allows crediting to Qantas as well as other loyalty schemes/gift cards/travel etc. I think it also has a "buy anything" option.

Blue Sky is similar to Choices and comes with the "Blue Sky" Amex.


Each of them may come free with a card (eg Ascent is free with Plat Credit card, Ascent Premium is free with a Platinum Charge card) or may be charged (eg Ascent is $80 / Choices is $40 for a Gold Credit card )

I think that covers the various options available - but it may contain errors or omissions!

So someone can be in Membership Rewards, but not in Ascent for example...

 

[iluvmyamex]

............................................edited as aswered above........

 

[HB7]

Thanks guys, i appreciate the responses. I have just joined up to Amex recently through a student credit card with no annual fees, and I have asked to be put into the Ascent program, where I will be getting one point for every dollar i spend. The question I have is, do amex have special offers every now and again that enable me to earn a lot of points towrds the ascent program? Like for example spend $10,000 in the next four months and you will recieve 20,000 points etc...or similar promotions?

 

[iluvmyamex]

Just got a flyer in the mail, not sure if it goes to everyone or selected. Re Bonus Points.
Go to Amex website and see bonus point partners. get more points by using BP to fill up. + lots of others.
Also saw link for selects. There are some great restaurant deals 20% off etc... Also noticed Drummond Golf are partnering with Amex - They used to surcharge, now they don't!!!!!!
They must have seen the LIGHT!!!!
There giving the new Callaway Golf Balls away with purchases over 350.00 so a 20% freebie...
(I play Golf so gotta love this one!!!) - Looks like you need to download a voucher for selects deals though.

 

[HB7]

Hi All,

In the current Ascent program, there is a total of 7 airlines as partners, but I was wondering, does anyone know if there are any other airlines joining up any time soon? Like possibly emirates or etihad etc?

 

[Diesellife]

Hi All,

In the current Ascent program, there is a total of 7 airlines as partners, but I was wondering, does anyone know if there are any other airlines joining up any time soon? Like possibly emirates or etihad etc?

I believe Amex partners are location specific...
E.g. Australia gets QF & America gets AA

As for Etihad, it has already been a partner to Bahrain (Middle East) Amex...So I don't think we are getting it in AUS anytime sooner, or perhaps we would have gotten it by now.

Velocity is a current partner and is able to redeem Emirates, but of course the burn rate is horrible...

 

[HB7]

Diesellife, thanks for the quick response. As soon as I read your response it did make sense, it would be area specific. You mentioned the velocity to EK burn rate is horrible, but I was wondering, would it be better to go with the velocity option, or should i transfer my points to SPG, then onto EK? The transfer rate of 1000:330 is pretty bad aswell....i wish it were better.

 

[gibspmuh]

Diesellife, thanks for the quick response. As soon as I read your response it did make sense, it would be area specific. You mentioned the velocity to EK burn rate is horrible, but I was wondering, would it be better to go with the velocity option, or should i transfer my points to SPG, then onto EK? The transfer rate of 1000:330 is pretty bad aswell....i wish it were better.

If you're wanting to transfer points to EK then by far the best option is to get Emirates Citi Platinum - Citibank Australia - 1.5 Skyward Miles per dollar plus the once per year transfer to and from the airport and free lounge entry for two if you're flying Emirates makes it a clearly better option than messing around with AMEX transfers.