AMEX travel credit questions and reviews

[JFi]

It really does pay to do your homework. I've so far used all mine purely for flights as you still earn points and status as compared to some hotels where you don't get points and benefits if not booking direct. Just booked flight last week and direct was $1269 whereas through Amex was $1090 so it was cheaper again.

FWIW, whenever I call up, I use Platinum travel and they previously told me they use GDS and are a different company to the Amex Travel website. As my Explorer is linked to the Charge, I've been able to use both credits through Platinum travel but I had to use the Reserve credit through the website as that credit doesn't show up in the Charge account so I assume they can't see / use it.

 

[twiningb]

Does anyone know when I should expect to see the travel credit for an ongoing account (not the first year)? My longest-standing account renews in approximately June so I'm hazy on when I last saw its travel credit, but I've just had what would be the twelfth statement for a year-old account, so I expect the annual fee to be in next month's statement. Should I hold out for the travel credit (a few days) or will it be a month or more away?

 

[knagelli]

Should I hold out for the travel credit (a few days) or will it be a month or more away?

In my experience , usually appears once you complete one year and the card is still active. Technically it will be the same month when you annual fee is due.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Does anyone know when I should expect to see the travel credit for an ongoing account (not the first year)? My longest-standing account renews in approximately June so I'm hazy on when I last saw its travel credit, but I've just had what would be the twelfth statement for a year-old account, so I expect the annual fee to be in next month's statement. Should I hold out for the travel credit (a few days) or will it be a month or more away?

Should be available BEFORE the annual fee.

 

[I love to travel]

Dad has the Qantas Amex card so $450 credit can only be used for Qantas flights. Be he said you need to have the card for over a year to get the travel credit? Is this correct?

 

[knagelli]

Be he said you need to have the card for over a year to get the travel credit? Is this correct?

In my experience , you get the travel credit once the card is activated after approval and again for each anniversary year in the same month the annual fee is due.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Dad has the Qantas Amex card so $450 credit can only be used for Qantas flights. Be he said you need to have the card for over a year to get the travel credit? Is this correct?

Not correct.

 

[Spongbob]

Not too sure if this is the best thread for this, but I received this email from AMEX yesterday:

"In these uncertain and challenging times, we understand that you may not have had, or will have an opportunity to use your Travel Credit before it expires. This is one of the most valuable benefits of your product and we want to ensure you have an opportunity to use it.
To give you one less thing to worry about, for Travel Credits expiring between 1 February 2020 and 30 June 2020 that have not been redeemed, we are extending the expiry date to 31 December 2020. Remember you can book for travel up to 10 months in advance. There is no need for you to call or take any action, the extended expiry date will be automatically reflected in your online account within the next 6 to 10 weeks. All other terms and conditions for your annual Travel Credit remain the same.

Amy Yoon
Head of Consumer Lending
American Express Australia"

​

 

[Aus ATC]

So, I wonder if this means that when we have 2 x travel credits current (I have an Explorer Card so will have 2 x $400), can we redeem them in the one booking - or do they have to be spread across 2 transactions?

 

[Spongbob]

No idea how this new arrangement will work. Maybe ask Amy Noon.

 

[me-h]

So, I wonder if this means that when we have 2 x travel credits current (I have an Explorer Card so will have 2 x $400), can we redeem them in the one booking - or do they have to be spread across 2 transactions?

I've been wondering a few things around this too. I have a Qantas Amex credit card. I'd used the $450 annual credit and made a supplementary payment with it for a booking in May that was cancelled. So I now have a $620 travel credit with Amex travel for qantas flights to use up to December for a new booking. My annual fee is due in August, so technically I'll have another $450 credit available in August. As far as I can see, at the least, I'd be able to use the $620 on a one way flight and the new $450 credit after august on the flight home as two seperate bookings. But I do wonder if the $620 is now not linked at all to the $450 within it, and I can add the new year's $450 credit for a $1070 booking. Have also been wondering about what might happen to my $620 credit if I cancel the card before using the credit for a flight booking? Presumably I can still use it even if I've cancelled the card, especially given it is for an amount greater than the $450 annual credit?

 

[Kremmen]

I used my Amex travel credit to book a VA flight for later this year. Any idea what happens if VA folds or cancels the route?