Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel credi

[Haplo]

I was redeeming my free flight reserve today and the guy on the phone told me that there will be mandatory conversion of the free flight/night to a $400 travel credit from a set date. However, Amex will give people notice (which they are in the process of preparing) so if your anniversary falls before the effective date then you still get the free flight/night, otherwise you get the $400 credit.

They are also in the process of trying to get the system to pool the travel credit together as some people have 3 to 4 travel credit and it is an administrative nightmare for their back end trying to manage it.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

They are also in the process of trying to get the system to pool the travel credit together as some people have 3 to 4 travel credit and it is an administrative nightmare for their back end trying to manage it.

That would be excellent. $700 on a single flight is much more use to me than trying to make two bookings, one more than $300, one more than $400.

Do you know if they'll let you pool over the phone?

 

[Mr_Orange]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

The pooling of travel credits is an interesting potential development.

 

[blueythecat]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

Being able to pool travel credits is a great idea. Compulsorily replacing free flights with travel credits - not good ;-(

 

[dcooper]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

A flight to nz is worth over $500. They should be replacing the flight with the equivalent flight value. American express is really starting to annoy me with the cuts in value for the cards. You would think now that they lost Costco that they would have learnt that having customer in their daily thinking will increase profits not cutting benefits. The executive team at amex really need to get their act together. I can barely use my card at places even though surcharging is allowed. Out of 5 stores i went to last week i got to use the card once. Time to start looking for other cards i think.

 

[Pleb Status]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

I was redeeming my free flight reserve today and the guy on the phone told me that there will be mandatory conversion of the free flight/night to a $400 travel credit from a set date. However, Amex will give people notice (which they are in the process of preparing) so if your anniversary falls before the effective date then you still get the free flight/night, otherwise you get the $400 credit.

They are also in the process of trying to get the system to pool the travel credit together as some people have 3 to 4 travel credit and it is an administrative nightmare for their back end trying to manage it.

As with the Edge, PER based customers can easily exceed the proposed travel credit value with the free VA flight. I booked my Edge flight two weeks from travel and the flight value was ~$660. It could of been >$700 if I wanted different flights.

This will be a significant reduction in value which will need to be considered when my Platinum Charge annual fee comes around next year.

If the change for the Reserve is going to be mandatory then I would guess that the change for the Edge will also be mandatory at some stage in the future.

 

[Haplo]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

I hope they 1) combine the travel credits and 2) make it such that you can spend part of it. Currently you have to use the travel credit in one go.

 

[albyd]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

Just got off the phone of an unrelated matter with Amex. Said that all existing Edge customers will move to $200 credit (just like for new customers currently) in march. Didn't get a chance to ask about what was happening with Reserve. I'm considering cancelling one to make way for Explorer. He suggested the Edge. I like the Edge but re thinking my choice after this call.

 

[Pleb Status]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

Just got off the phone of an unrelated matter with Amex. Said that all existing Edge customers will move to $200 credit (just like for new customers currently) in march. Didn't get a chance to ask about what was happening with Reserve. I'm considering cancelling one to make way for Explorer. He suggested the Edge. I like the Edge but re thinking my choice after this call.

Very bad news if the Edge is also going to a compulsory travel credit (it was always going to happen once it was announced for new customers). A ~$400 reduction in value at least. My annual fee is due in January, so will have some time to book next year's flight prior to the cut.

 

[albyd]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

I'm planning an Explorer application. Was going to give up Reserve (can't hold >2 Amex issued cards at the same time) but might cancel Edge instead now. Its main benefit is the 3x supermarket category bonus. Explorer - esp if linked to Ascent is 2x on all categories (except government) so a worthwhile trade off.

 

[djchuckles]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

Is reserve still offered free? If so, $1200 fee for $700 travel credit is far more palatable

 

[Mr_Orange]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

Is reserve still offered free? If so, $1200 fee for $700 travel credit is far more palatable

Yes, the Reserve is still free.

 

[mlob]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

with a charge,reserve and edge my husband will have $900 credit and $200 on my edge. hopefully we wont have to use it in one hit.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

with a charge,reserve and edge my husband will have $900 credit and $200 on my edge. hopefully we wont have to use it in one hit.

When you put it like that, it doesn't sound so bad. With annual fees (for me) of $950 and $195, getting $900 in travel credits takes care of the vast majority of the annual fees. Statement credits sort the rest out.

 

[Pleb Status]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

When you put it like that, it doesn't sound so bad. With annual fees (for me) of $950 and $195, getting $900 in travel credits takes care of the vast majority of the annual fees. Statement credits sort the rest out.

My annual fees are $950 and $149 (both PA cards) and currently receive the $300 travel credit and at least $1200 for the VA flights at the cheapest non-sale level ex PER. I always book the 'free flights' during school holidays to extract maximum value. Why give up a minimum of $600 in value?

 

[Mr_Orange]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

My annual fees are $950 and $149 (both PA cards) and currently receive the $300 travel credit and at least $1200 for the VA flights at the cheapest non-sale level ex PER. I always book the 'free flights' during school holidays to extract maximum value. Why give up a minimum of $600 in value?

I agree that ex-PER the value is better with the free flights. TBH, it is better for me to ex-BNE, but the difference is more marginal.

I might see if I can swap my Edge to the EA version to get the reduced annual fee (it was fee free for the first year through a referral).

 

[pauly7]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

Very bad news if the Edge is also going to a compulsory travel credit (it was always going to happen once it was announced for new customers). A ~$400 reduction in value at least. My annual fee is due in January, so will have some time to book next year's flight prior to the cut.

Yes it is confirmed that Edge is moving to compulsory travel credit

 

[dragoonf142]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

I might consider cancelling my edge as the credit is not worth as much as it used to.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

I might consider cancelling my edge as the credit is not worth as much as it used to.

I think it would be hard for Amex to justify offering a credit that is more than the annual fee.

 

[dragoonf142]

Re: Platinum reserve flight changed to travel credit and pooling of multiple travel c

I think it would be hard for Amex to justify offering a credit that is more than the annual fee.

That is debatable. If a person spent a lot on the card, the charges they get from retailers could easily outweigh the credit given. A reduction in credit will definitely result in a loss of retention of users which will result in less income for amex.

In saying that, I'm sure amex have already looked into the cost vs benefits which lead them to this decision.