QUESTION: amEX Travel Credits for credit cards

[SOPOOR]

hi everyone

after spending hours on the site because im looking to find a hotel next week in bkk, but due to CNY, everything is exoensuve
agoda etc are expensive and amex is even more

I finally found a hotel that wasnt too bad and a bit cheaper then agoda
my Travel credit shows up but whne I go to book it doesnt give me the option to use it

terms and conditions say it will become avaiable when I pay my annual fee,
is there any way around it?
ive only had my card for 2 weeks

 

[oh_lol]

If you don't use all your travel credit in one go do you lose the remaining amount?

eg. Use a $200 credit for a $150 booking, do you retain the $50 credit difference?

 

[mmchow]

You need to use it in full (one booking), otherwise forfeit the remaining amount.

 

[Dr Ralph]

If you don't use all your travel credit in one go do you lose the remaining amount?

eg. Use a $200 credit for a $150 booking, do you retain the $50 credit difference?

My understanding is that you can't use a travel credit unless you reach the value of that credit for your purchase. So there wont ever be anything left over.

Eg If you wanted to make a $150 purchase and had a $200 travel credit, you couldn't use the $200 travel credit as a form of payment.

Having not used my $400 credit for my AMEX Explorer card yet I may be proven wrong on this. But looking at the terms for the $200 credit on the Platinum Edge card I'm reasonably confident what I have said is correct:

'2. The $200 Travel Credit can be redeemed against any single eligibletravel booking of $200 or more where applicable when bookingonline through americanexpress.com.au/travel.'

 

[prozerran]

Has anyone tried to use 2 years worth of travel credits near to the anniversary date (just like using 2 years worth of complimentary flights near the anniversary date as you could previously)??

 

[SOPOOR]

My understanding is that you can't use a travel credit unless you reach the value of that credit for your purchase. So there wont ever be anything left over.

Eg If you wanted to make a $150 purchase and had a $200 travel credit, you couldn't use the $200 travel credit as a form of payment.

Having not used my $400 credit for my AMEX Explorer card yet I may be proven wrong on this. But looking at the terms for the $200 credit on the Platinum Edge card I'm reasonably confident what I have said is correct:

'2. The $200 Travel Credit can be redeemed against any single eligibletravel booking of $200 or more where applicable when bookingonline through americanexpress.com.au/travel.'

Ie you forfeit any left over credit.

That's pretty bad if that's true....

 

[ric_melb]

If you comply with the Amex terms and conditions you wont forfeit any left over credit as there will be none.
Obviously Amex want you to spend the whole $200 or $400 in one transaction. No doubt this minimises their transactions, and may maximise the commissions they could earn.

 

[SOPOOR]

If you comply with the Amex terms and conditions you wont forfeit any left over credit as there will be none.
Obviously Amex want you to spend the whole $200 or $400 in one transaction. No doubt this minimises their transactions, and may maximise the commissions they could earn.

which term an d condition are you referring to?

If there is one that days you must spend it in one shot. It's pretty bad

 

[Dr Ralph]

If you comply with the Amex terms and conditions you wont forfeit any left over credit as there will be none.
Obviously Amex want you to spend the whole $200 or $400 in one transaction. No doubt this minimises their transactions, and may maximise the commissions they could earn.

That's the way I see it.

It's just not correct to suggest that anything is being forfeited.

 

[ric_melb]

"To redeem the Travel Credit, you must have paid the annual fee and have paid your minimum payment by the due date. The $400 Travel Credit can be redeemed against any single eligible travel booking of $400 or more where applicable when booking online through americanexpress.com.au/travel. The Travel Credit can be used for 365 days from date of issue and cannot be carried forward to any subsequent year. Terms and Conditions apply."

This is from the Amex Terms and Conditions. It seems very clear to Dr Ralph and me.

 

[SOPOOR]

I've just had a look at a few flights just out of curiosity.

Melbourne to bkk in July is $1100 per per person via Philippine air.
I normally pay $400 ish via Jetstar. I assume compared to lcc the Amex flights are going to be non comparable.

Are flight worth claiming the travel credits?

 

[andye]

I've just had a look at a few flights just out of curiosity.

Melbourne to bkk in July is $1100 per per person via Philippine air.
I normally pay $400 ish via Jetstar. I assume compared to lcc the Amex flights are going to be non comparable.

Are flight worth claiming the travel credits?

I used mine for premium economy delta domestic flights-no difference between amex price and elsewhere.
Like hotels, sometimes it will make sense and sometimes not.
I doubt amex will be effective with LCCs as you say

 

[Pleb Status]

I used my Charge travel credit on an SQ booking. Same price as on the SQ website but I avoided the 1.35% CC surcharge that SQ have brought in recently.

Amex travel is not really tailored for 'non-business' travel. They do not offer much from the LCC airlines and for a lot of hotels they offer only 'refundable' options which are more expensive than the 'non-refundable' options available elsewhere.

 

[Skyhawk]

It seems to me that the Amex experiences are a poor option for the $400 travel credit.
For example, the Sydney helicopter tour with Amex is $222, but it can be purchased elsewhere for $129 to $168.
And the Sydney seaplane flight is $243 with Amex, but $200 if you book with the seaplane company.
Also, the Northern Beaches seaplane trip is $319 via Amex, but $285 with the company.
Very disappointing.
I see Dr Ralph that you consider the experiences with Amex to be good value. What experiences were you referring to?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I see Dr Ralph that you consider the experiences with Amex to be good value. What experiences were you referring to?

I only booked the one, and that was a transfer from the airport to our hotel in Koh Samui.

It had flats rates with no distance for group transfer. As our hotel was at the far end of Koh Samui I thought it would be good value, and as the jets were small and it was off season I thought there would be little demand.

End result that it was only my wife and I and so it worked out cheaper than getting a local taxi or car. And this was it was all booked with a driver waiting for us and so less hassle that getting on the ground.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I see Dr Ralph that you consider the experiences with Amex to be good value. What experiences were you referring to?

Hornblower was great value I thought.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

For Koh Samui we used it for two out of 3 hotels booked. Agoda had an amazing deal on our third hotel and so went with that.

When we booked some hotels had a book 4 nights pay for 3 via Amex and so that made one cheaper than through various engines.
Another we only stayed for 2 nights, but it was cheaper.

For the Crowne Plaza at SIN, booked twice now, one time Amex was cheaper and the other time within $3.

 

[Skyhawk]

Unfortunately, i can't travel for at least the next 6 months. So I'm looking for a Sydney experience.
Dr Ralph, by Hornblower do you mean in the USA?

 

[SOPOOR]

Was in bali recently. Admittedly some hotels more than agoda etc. Managed to find a hotel that was same priced. Used my travel credit.
But at 55 per night. I had to book 7 to get close to 400.

I think if you look hard enough you will find some decent hotels

 

[Dr Ralph]

Unfortunately, i can't travel for at least the next 6 months. So I'm looking for a Sydney experience.
Dr Ralph, by Hornblower do you mean in the USA?

Hornblower is at Niagara Falls.