Diners-ropey start

[TonyHancock]

Hi,
I've just made a D.C. Points transfer for a stay at a new Marriott resort in a month. I understand the 'standard' time is 28 days but there are reports of it having taken less. Curious as to how long transfers have been taking now. I usually only transfer when I've identified a redemption opportunity otherwise keep my points with D.C. Maybe I should start transferring them every month so I'm not in a rush next time!

My Feb transfer to SPG took about 10 days.

 

[andye]

My recent DC>SPG
Dec 16 days
Jan 8 days
Feb 26 days

I always move to SPG as there are no other DC transfer partners that offer better value IMO
I've been looking for a pattern but it seems entirely random

 

[albyd]

Thanks for the heads up guys. I'm hoping to get it in on time. I think SPG is the only transfer partner I've moved points to as well. Might just do it automatically from now on - particularly should DC decide to revisit removing SPG as a transfer partner as they'd proposed recently.

 

[TonyHancock]

Thanks for the heads up guys. I'm hoping to get it in on time. I think SPG is the only transfer partner I've moved points to as well. Might just do it automatically from now on - particularly should DC decide to revisit removing SPG as a transfer partner as they'd proposed recently.

I move mine as soon as they hit the Diners account. There is no consistency with Diners at all, I would rather have my points in SPG ASAP.

 

[albyd]

Just as a data point, my Diners points arrived at SPG today - took 17 days which is great as I was worried I'd not get them in time to finalize my booking for Easter holidays. Happy camper here.
I'm still wary of transferring all my Diners points every month in case there is a negative change with Marriott once it's implemented. Based on current link with Marriott rewards, assuming it will be fine especially as long as Diners substitute Marriott for SPG on their rewards platform once SPG has been absorbed into Marriott later this year. For me, SPG is the best use of my Diners points.

 

[albyd]

Thought I'd post this here. I've seen in the Citi threads that CIti have announced further necessary reductions in earning and transfer rates for its credit cards. I understand that While Diners is part of Citi, it runs its own show. I've had a look on the website and all looks unchanged. Hoping Diners MC might weather the storm better than most so it can become my new go to non-Amex/Diners card.

 

[Johnstone]

Unfortunately not Albyd

https://www.ausbt.com.au/citibank-diners-club-virgin-money-overhaul-credit-card-points

 

[FromTheRail]

Unfortunately not Albyd

https://www.ausbt.com.au/citibank-diners-club-virgin-money-overhaul-credit-card-points

Well i'll not be renewing mine then, a large portion of my spend is in paying my tax, the actual Diners card is hard enough to use but now it is worthless dropping the 3 points to 2 p/$ and the Mastercard has no use being in my wallet now at only 0.75 p/$, bye bye Diners, now where to go and where to dump the points before June 15th, i'm guessing SPG........

 

[albyd]

Unfortunately not Albyd

https://www.ausbt.com.au/citibank-diners-club-virgin-money-overhaul-credit-card-points

That's not unexpected re the Diners MC (though was quietly hoping it would be less severe to help counter the poor acceptance of Diners and swallow the high annual fee).
I didn't expect the Diners card earn to be cut. I don't blame them for going for the jugular with reduced earn and reduced conversion rates but I'm still disappointed given Diners is excluded from the 'reforms'. Think I won't be using either card anymore from June. I think I'll continue to use my Amex explorer instead.
Might be designed to be able to offer the new QFF card Citi are rumored to be working on at at 'premium' to the revised Diners offer.
I wonder if Amex will have a go now too given Diners has made some changes. They can devalue and still remain competitive. Time will tell.
Looks like my US card will get more use (until that game is over as Nutcase alluded to in the Citi thread). Will be an interesting time ahead.

 

[andye]

My Diners was already due for the chop at the end of the year anyway but the changes do seem unduly harsh. Have managed to up my Amex spend with various giftcards but a decent Visa/MC looks hard to find

 

[TonyHancock]

Diners will go for me. Amex stays.

 

[albyd]

I'm going to maximise use for the next Billing period so I can have points post before the transfer rates reduce. Might do one more billing period but points won't post until after the devaluation occurs - 1.2 SPG vs 1.5 now (vs 0.8 SPG after the earn rate and transfer deval). Will then retire my Diners - I wonder if this will be the final nail in the coffin for Diners given I suspect most of its members are 'die hards'.

AMEX will be my go-to card now - hopefully they don't follow Diners' opportunistic deval since neither Amex or Diners are affected. May have to re-evaluate if that happens.

 

[Keftetha]

Amex is the only one offering SPG now which will be my go to card. As others have posted, now to find a good Visa/MC to go with it! My statement finishes on the 13th of the month so hopefully I can get in before the June 15 cutoff. Hopefully they post on the 14th June and I can still get them out of there at the current rate!

 

[Keftetha]

I know this probably belongs in the Amex forum but I'm going to throw it out here anyway seeing as it's a decision amongst Diners members, but I'm confused between the plat edge and the explorer. Plat edge has different points collected depending if you shop at supermarkets etc, but the explorer is a flat 2 points per dollar? Am I reading that right? So If I go to the supermarket, petrol station, restaurant, it's 2ppd?

 

[Hammando]

I know this probably belongs in the Amex forum but I'm going to throw it out here anyway seeing as it's a decision amongst Diners members, but I'm confused between the plat edge and the explorer. Plat edge has different points collected depending if you shop at supermarkets etc, but the explorer is a flat 2 points per dollar? Am I reading that right? So If I go to the supermarket, petrol station, restaurant, it's 2ppd?

The Explorer is 1.5 airline miles per $, but if you are able to link it to an Ascent (Plat Edge) or Ascent Premium (Plat Charge) then you earn 2 airline miles per $. Best card on the market in my opinion

 

[nickomac]

I know this probably belongs in the Amex forum but I'm going to throw it out here anyway seeing as it's a decision amongst Diners members, but I'm confused between the plat edge and the explorer. Plat edge has different points collected depending if you shop at supermarkets etc, but the explorer is a flat 2 points per dollar? Am I reading that right? So If I go to the supermarket, petrol station, restaurant, it's 2ppd?

Explorer is in the MR Gateway program, which means most points transfer to airlines at a 4:3 ratio, meaning you're really only getting 1.5ppd once transferred. The Edge is on the better Ascent program that has 1:1 transfer rate to most airlines.

You can link the cards to the MR Gateway program if you hold both, there's more info in the Wiki at the top of this thread - http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ions/explorer-credit-card-new-amex-77925.html

I hold both so feel free to hit me up with any questions!

 

[Keftetha]

Ahhh perfect! Thanks heaps! So if you hold both then do you use the edge for supermarket/gift cards and then explorer for everything else?

 

[nickomac]

That's pretty much what I do! Especially with insurance as it counts as 2ppd instead of the 0.5ppd on the Edge

 

[Keftetha]

Just got approved within minutes! Got Mrs Keftetha on the card too and they doubled my limit without me asking for it compared to Diners! I think I'm going to like this Amex thing.

 

[Deen]

What about the best MC/ Visa option for places that don't take Amex?