Qantas AMEX Ultimate: 100k bonus + new $450 travel credit; ends 2/10/17

[Daver6]

Quick question regarding the amex lounge access. Is this only Amex lounges in Australia or does it cover centurian lounges overseas. Thanks

Two free entry passes are the Australian Amex lounges only. You can pay to enter Centurion lounges though.

 

[rock86]

How do you think I should play it?

I'd be ringing first, the late payment makes things makes it a bit muddled - better to try and sort it nicely before playing hard ball.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I would appreciate advice from the brains trust on how best to follow up missing bonus point in my circumstances.

I met the minimum spend criteria and following the "wait eight to ten weeks for points to post"... the 100k bonus points should have posted on or before 28 February.

Due to work travel I didn't follow up quick enough when that date passed.

My last statement was 19 Feb with payment due 5 Mar. However, a typo when entering BPay details meant the payment didn't process and by the time I realised my error, my payment was 4 days late. I've now payed off the card entirely just to be safe.

To pursue the missing bonus points should I:
1. Wait until my next statement is generated on 19 Mar and hope the bonus points appear.
2. Phone to explain they were due by 28 Feb and ask for them to be manually processed.
3. Use the @Dr Ralph method with a letter alleging breach of contract and asking for both the bonus points and a fee waiver.
4. Another options?

Normally I'd take option 3. However, I'm slightly concerned they'll claim my late payment means that my account wasn't in good standing. I'd then have to argue the account was in good standing on 28 Feb - the date of their breach. I'd rather be 100% squeaky clean if taking this approach.

Given the late payment was my fault I'm inclined to seek a friendly rather than legal solution in the first instance.

How do you think I should play it?

I'd still advise option 3, but tone down the demands/consequences and simply ask them to fulfill their obligations.

 

[rock86]

I'd still advise option 3, but tone down the demands/consequences and simply ask them to fulfill their obligations.

AMEX T&C, I understand that you did pay the outstanding amount, but reading the below point tey actually do have the right to forfeit any accrued points (including bonus points), I'd go with a friendly phone call first, but hey that is just me.

3.9 If any Card Account is not in good standing, the Basic Cardmember’s privilege to earn Points may be cancelled or Accrued Points may be forfeited. American Express reserves the right to withdraw all Card benefits from the Basic Cardmember and Supplementary Cardmember due to the Basic Cardmember’s or the Supplementary Cardmember’s failure to adhere to the American Express Credit Card Conditions of Use.

 

[Captain Halliday]

AMEX T&C, I understand that you did pay the outstanding amount, but reading the below point tey actually do have the right to forfeit any accrued points (including bonus points), I'd go with a friendly phone call first, but hey that is just me.

3.9 If any Card Account is not in good standing, the Basic Cardmember’s privilege to earn Points may be cancelled or Accrued Points may be forfeited. American Express reserves the right to withdraw all Card benefits from the Basic Cardmember and Supplementary Cardmember due to the Basic Cardmember’s or the Supplementary Cardmember’s failure to adhere to the American Express Credit Card Conditions of Use.

Yes I considered that. But as the bonus points were due on or before 28 Feb, the account was in good standing at the time Amex breached the contract.

Had Amex complied with the contract and awarded points on or before 28 Feb, the late payment would have been irrelevant.

A forefeit of points from the time the payment was late I could understand, but I don’t see grounds to forefiet points prior to 5 March and would therefore expect the 100k bonus points to be honoured.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Whatever the situation, I always go the nice guy route first.

You can always progress from nice guy to legal if you don't get the answer you want; much more difficult to go the other way.

JV

 

[Captain Halliday]

Thanks all for the input on my recent question.

I contacted Amex today and due to an error in my credit card spreadsheet, there'll be no 100K bonus points for me. It was 100% my fault so I'll just have to move on. And I'm pleased I didn't go the breach of contract method.

However, as a result I can now say with 100% certainty that Amex is enforcing the 12/18 month exclusion T&Cs.

 

[Daver6]

Sorry to hear of that outcome. It seems very harsh for an honest and short term mistake. I'm really surprised that they weren't more lenient.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Sorry to hear of that outcome. It seems very harsh for an honest and short term mistake. I'm really surprised that they weren't more lenient.

It was my mistake. I applied just inside the 12 months which was the exclusion period at the time. No leniency was sought, nor was it expected.

I just hope Mrs H is understanding. Courtesy of you lot she likes flying up the front and this means she’ll either be down the back, or have to wait a bit longer for the next trip.

 

[Limewood]

Mrs Lime sat down the back me up front on CX to HKG as only 1 x J seat left on booking, mind you she had a great time spending the difference between Y & J!.

 

[Limewood]

Siser in law has company issued Amex card so would she be entitled to the 100K points if she signs up for the Qantas Ultimate Amex card?.

 

[exceladdict]

Siser in law has company issued Amex card so would she be entitled to the 100K points if she signs up for the Qantas Ultimate Amex card?.

IME corporate cards don't exclude you from the bonuses but suggest getting this in writing in case you encounter problems

 

[Limewood]

Thanks for the advise I'll pass i on.

 

[torks]

I understand that the $450 travel credit has to be used on a flight with a qantas flight number. I'm going to be in Asia and Europe most of this year. Does anyone know if it is possible to get a QF flight number flying intra asia or intra europe without having a QF long haul flight on the same booking?

 

[I love to travel]

Is anyone finding weird things with pending transactions posting then disappearing? And then taking days to post or not posting at all so you are not paying for something?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Is anyone finding weird things with pending transactions posting then disappearing? And then taking days to post or not posting at all so you are not paying for something?

Don't currently have this card, but I frequently found this with my Explorer card.

 

[N0mad]

anyone know how soon after qantas spend the passes should be available? spend $1.04 on the carbon offsets beginning of the week but still no passes.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Mine was around 10 days but I bought an actual airfare.

Given the fuss in the past week about opportunities being “exploited”, there’s no guarantee that the passes will have been triggered by your support of the environment.

 

[Limewood]

Used my $450 Q Amex travel credit to bring son up for a nice weekend in Cairns, really enjoyed it and on my birthday too.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Used my $450 Q Amex travel credit to bring son up for a nice weekend in Cairns, really enjoyed it and on my birthday too.

Your birthday, he gets the present?

Hmmmm my father has been doing it wrong all these years!

Happy birthday Limewood!