No more Diners points transfers to SPG or AA from 01 June 2016

[Keftetha]

I have just phoned them up and confirmed that the partners Kooky listed will no longer be partners. Albeit took a little while (13mins) to find out if AA/AS were being gotten rid of. Apparently something in the mail will be sent out, when I'm not sure, also they said at the end of May is when they will update the website to reflect the current partners. Giving people little time who don't know about this to have their points effectively stuck in Diners.

I told them that I will be cancelling the card and she really didn't seem to care. One more statement for me then it'll be all over.

 

[kooky]

I told them that I will be cancelling the card and she really didn't seem to care. One more statement for me then it'll be all over.

Ask for retentions. Speaking to wrong person.

 

[Loga2015]

I will also call and complain about this. Will definately cancel in case this ends up happening. I did end up having a bad experience getting lounge access in Heathrow,London recently using DC.

 

[Auspointer]

Ring and write to Diners and voice your dissatisfaction... I called the other day and asked to speak to Richard Wilde (the signatory on the letter advising the changes), after persisting to speak to him, I was called back by someone who works with him (he was "on the road"). In that discussion I voiced my dissatisfaction with the change and the ridiculous way they have communicated the changes without any initial feedback from customers - remember this is a "loyalty" offering - wouldn't you check with your customer base first? It appears they didn't and I was told this change has been made globally and she advised me that only a small portion of cardholders in Aus used SPG and the other partners for transfers. I think if enough people put the view forward there might be a slight change in their direction or as I told them, I'll be cancelling my card post 1 June.

 

[albyd]

Hi Auspointer. When did you receive official notification of the changes? Was it with a statement or letter came out on its own?

 

[kooky]

AusBT just blogged on it
Diners Club shuffles the points partnership deck - Australian Business Traveller

 

[andye]

Sad days. The release of the info is typically Diners

 

[Auspointer]

Hi Auspointer. When did you receive official notification of the changes? Was it with a statement or letter came out on its own?

I received notification (under a separate enclosed letter) that arrived with my statement on Monday). Dependent on your billing cycle you should get the bad news soon....

 

[TonyHancock]

Time to to say Goodbye to Diners. It was a good ride...despite having to deal with levels of incompetence the like I have never seen before. :shock:

 

[Loga2015]

Time to to say Goodbye to Diners. It was a good ride...despite having to deal with levels of incompetence the like I have never seen before. :shock:

Is everyone looking only at AMEX plat? or are there any other good options?

 

[Keftetha]

They're the last remaining provider to SPG. Having said that, what's the likelihood of SPG and Marriott still joining together and abolishing the SPG program?

 

[penegal]

SPG still has value in the interim period.

The AA transfer out of SPG is the one to watch out for.

DC -> SPG -> AA was a good ride while it lasted with bonuses along the way.

Uber has also been a good top up to SPG once you have one stay per year. Worth it if you are a frequent Uber user.

 

[andye]

Although most of you will be across this, worth remembering that the points credited are the ones accrued from the statement period before the one that is issued.
The deadline for spending to trigger transferrable points to SPG will either be approaching soon or already passed

 

[albyd]

Mine has unfortunately already passed - was hoping for one more statement period to stock up on enough SPG for one more trip. On the ropes on whether to transfer to SPG now.
I have Amex but I think MR points are worth more than DC so my preference is to redeem them for J class flights at 1:1 rather than SPG at 2:1. Was a no brainer with DC with 2:1 transfer rate to both airlines (ex VA) & SPG.
I'm also think about switching allegiances to HH but still not sure given HH points aren't as valuable as SPG. I only use these currencies for accommodation. Transfer direct to airlines for flight awards.

 

[Keftetha]

Hi guys and gals, so we all know that DC are behind the rest of the world when it comes to anything, but for those of you who have an Amex CC, how do the points get posted to the card? Is it like DC where you can't pay off the entire debt in the month for fear of foregoing all your hard earned points? Or can you pay off the entire debt fortnightly for example and still receive all your points at the end of the month?

Thanks.

 

[albyd]

Amex is even better than that. Points post as your charges post to your account and they're immediately available for redemption. Would only forfeit points in extreme circumstances like if your account was in arrears.

 

[andye]

Hi guys and gals, so we all know that DC are behind the rest of the world when it comes to anything, but for those of you who have an Amex CC, how do the points get posted to the card? Is it like DC where you can't pay off the entire debt in the month for fear of foregoing all your hard earned points? Or can you pay off the entire debt fortnightly for example and still receive all your points at the end of the month?

Thanks.

You can pay off the entire debt at any time but you must wait for 2 statements afterward before closing the card if you want to keep all your points

EDIT:Sorry answered wrong question.

 

[Keftetha]

Thanks guys. That's amazing! It's a wonder I didn't get onto it earlier! Application in now.

 

[andye]

I answered the wrong question. Albyd's info is correct
If you dont transfer your points out, you do need to keep a membership rewards earning card account open though

 

[TonyHancock]

Not that another reference point is needed but I called up today and was delivered the same message. SPG transfers end on 4th June 2016.

The customer service operator placed me on hold when I advised that I would cancel my card when this occurs and spoke to a superior.

He then reconfirmed the date and explained that if a new deal was negotiated members would be advised prior to June 4th.

I have no idea whether this provides any hope or not, it is Diners after all, but it might well be worth calling up to register dismay with the loss of SPG. It can't do any harm.