Reduced AMEX earn rates from April 2019

[blueythecat]

Hi guys, i noticed a fair amount of people are going to cancel their Amex cards due to the upcoming changes but i am actually thinking of applying for the Platinum Charge. I currently hold an explorer card. Am i correct in saying the travel credits are

$400 (Reserve) + $450 (Platinum) + Accor one night stay ($300?) = $1150 which goes a long way in offsetting the annual fee. To me still looks like a pretty good card? Not to mention the PP and host of other benefits. Please correct me if i am misguided.

Also

1) Possible to use the $850 travel credit on a single booking? Or if booking with Accor Hotels, use all travel credit + Free Hotel Stay.

Thanks!

Yep your not misguided and it is why a lot of people are keeping the card. Depending on your spend breakdown the Platinum Charge could actually earn you more points after the devaluation than before as the effective base earn rate is increasing.

If you use a number of the benefits, the Platinum Charge can be well worth the annual fee, even though it is steep.

In my experience the travel credits can’t be combined, although I’m sure I saw someone post here last week saying they had rung up and they combined them over the phone. Something about a special deal for Platinum Charge card holders.

 

[Mr_Orange]

In my experience the travel credits can’t be combined, although I’m sure I saw someone post here last week saying they had rung up and they combined them over the phone. Something about a special deal for Platinum Charge card holders.

A one off, I suspect. I am a Platinum Charge holder and have never managed to combine travel credits or even use the Reserve and Edge credits on the phone with the Platinum Travel team.

 

[DC3]

A one off, I suspect. I am a Platinum Charge holder and have never managed to combine travel credits or even use the Reserve and Edge credits on the phone with the Platinum Travel team.

Same here. Have all 3, also. I have tried and no deal.

 

[maccaisking]

Yep your not misguided and it is why a lot of people are keeping the card. Depending on your spend breakdown the Platinum Charge could actually earn you more points after the devaluation than before as the effective base earn rate is increasing.

If you use a number of the benefits, the Platinum Charge can be well worth the annual fee, even though it is steep.

In my experience the travel credits can’t be combined, although I’m sure I saw someone post here last week saying they had rung up and they combined them over the phone. Something about a special deal for Platinum Charge card holders.

I agree on the benefits being worthwhile for some but not all. I am a new holder, (before deval announced) and having a family of four using TCs is no issue, one return domestic flight will chew them both. MrsMac previously had an AFR subscription, which with the TCs gets the value from the annual fee. I look at the Accor free night, hotel status, PP, etc as cream on top. With that said, if I was on my own I think it would be a very different story.

On a side note, I visited USA last year and found in many airports going to the designated Priority Pass eatery (bar) where no lounge offered was a great way to meet some interesting people, and would choose them over a lounge if both were available.

 

[Leroy87]

April devaluation.
I can buy just over $50,000 a time and then repeat.

Excuse my ignorance, but that seems like a heck of a lot of fuel and groceries. Are you running a bus company or something?

I'm sure you have a process for divesting these at a decent rate per month, I'm sure others would love to hear it, unless it is a closely guarded "trade secret" that shouldn't be spread around...

 

[daft009]

Excuse my ignorance, but that seems like a heck of a lot of fuel and groceries. Are you running a bus company or something?

I'm sure you have a process for divesting these at a decent rate per month, I'm sure others would love to hear it, unless it is a closely guarded "trade secret" that shouldn't be spread around...

cove runs an awesome & vast empire.
guess he has a large fleet of business vehicles

 

[HTG2016]

If you got Explorer + Charge linked . will whole points bal (Ascent Premium ) get double 15th APR or only points earned via Charge ?

 

[Bell21]

I assumed (hoped) that any points in ascent premium by due date would double

 

[The Analyst]

Thank you very much for the help guys. Any suggestion as to which cards I should keep if i go ahead and apply for the Platinum Charge + Platinum Reserve?

Currently holding an Explorer and Westpac Black MasterCard ($250 annual fee). MasterCard is more widely accepted as we all know. So thinking whether to cancel the Mastercard. Or should i cancel the Explorer instead? For now, travel approx twice a year, one to Asia and one domestic. Family of 4 with two kids under 3.

I hope to give my parents a supplementary Platinum Charge so they can use PP lounges on their travels. And just use the 2x PP access on the Explorer/Mastercard + Platinum Charge to get myself, wife and kids into lounges.

 

[blueythecat]

Thank you very much for the help guys. Any suggestion as to which cards I should keep if i go ahead and apply for the Platinum Charge + Platinum Reserve?

Currently holding an Explorer and Westpac Black MasterCard ($250 annual fee). MasterCard is more widely accepted as we all know. So thinking whether to cancel the Mastercard. Or should i cancel the Explorer instead? For now, travel approx twice a year, one to Asia and one domestic. Family of 4 with two kids under 3.

I hope to give my parents a supplementary Platinum Charge so they can use PP lounges on their travels. And just use the 2x PP access on the Explorer/Mastercard + Platinum Charge to get myself, wife and kids into lounges.

You’re totally right about the Mastercard, I’d find it hard to live without a Mastercard or Visa card of some description.

If I was in your situation and apply for the Platinum Charge (and Reserve) I’d be dropping the Explorer as I don’t think it really offers anything in the new world (assuming you have the Charge)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Excuse my ignorance, but that seems like a heck of a lot of fuel and groceries. Are you running a bus company or something?

I'm sure you have a process for divesting these at a decent rate per month, I'm sure others would love to hear it, unless it is a closely guarded "trade secret" that shouldn't be spread around...

Yes Cove operates a business.

 

[HTG2016]

Thank you very much for the help guys. Any suggestion as to which cards I should keep if i go ahead and apply for the Platinum Charge + Platinum Reserve?

Westpac Black give you Visa Master option with unlimited points earn at 0.75 / $ something i will keep if you planning to spend more than $10K / month

Explorer is free to keep if you can easily spend the travel credit . i have no problem spending $1250 TC per year and will keep all 3

Charge will earn more 2.25 compare to 2 from Explorer but cashflow free day is 44 compare to 55 days from Explorer

 

[The Analyst]

You’re totally right about the Mastercard, I’d find it hard to live without a Mastercard or Visa card of some description.

If I was in your situation and apply for the Platinum Charge (and Reserve) I’d be dropping the Explorer as I don’t think it really offers anything in the new world (assuming you have the Charge)

Thank you very much Bluey. Sounds like an idea. Maybe i will do just that.

 

[The Analyst]

Westpac Black give you Visa Master option with unlimited points earn at 0.75 / $ something i will keep if you planning to spend more than $10K / month

Explorer is free to keep if you can easily spend the travel credit . i have no problem spending $1250 TC per year and will keep all 3

Charge will earn more 2.25 compare to 2 from Explorer but cashflow free day is 44 compare to 55 days from Explorer

Thanks Billt. Very helpful. I currently only spend about $2000 - $3000 on the Mastecard and about $2500 on the Explorer. Not a very big spender but will most likely go up as the kids grow up!

 

[Swappy74]

Hello Gurus
Just came back from Europe after 4 week holiday on SQ first to Paris and return via India
Just came to know about the devaluation. My dilema I have 500K Amex MR points potentially devaluaing to half after april
I already have 700K Krisflyer points which I am planning to use in the next 3 years. I dont need anymore Krisflyer points atleast for the moment. I cant let the value diminish in April though. What should I do with my AMEX MR points? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Hello Gurus
Just came back from Europe after 4 week holiday on SQ first to Paris and return via India
Just came to know about the devaluation. My dilema I have 500K Amex MR points potentially devaluaing to half after april
I already have 700K Krisflyer points which I am planning to use in the next 3 years. I dont need anymore Krisflyer points atleast for the moment. I cant let the value diminish in April though. What should I do with my AMEX MR points? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Which version of MR do you have?

 

[derrick]

Hi all.

have an important question, need some advice before I act


currently have an Explorer card and Plat edge but unfortunately I didn't get any offers for double points....
and from this forum lots of people with Plat charge card has the offer.

since I am cancelling the Explorer card in April and I have yet to decide on where to transfer my points to before April,

do u guys think if I apply for a Plat Charge Card (ie now), and then call them up after I got it and push for the double points offer, I will get it?

thanks in advance

 

[daft009]

Hi all.

have an important question, need some advice before I act


currently have an Explorer card and Plat edge but unfortunately I didn't get any offers for double points....
and from this forum lots of people with Plat charge card has the offer.

since I am cancelling the Explorer card in April and I have yet to decide on where to transfer my points to before April,

do u guys think if I apply for a Plat Charge Card (ie now), and then call them up after I got it and push for the double points offer, I will get it?

thanks in advance

Quite a few have already tried, no dice

 

[burmans]

Hello Gurus
Just came back from Europe after 4 week holiday on SQ first to Paris and return via India
Just came to know about the devaluation. My dilema I have 500K Amex MR points potentially devaluaing to half after april
I already have 700K Krisflyer points which I am planning to use in the next 3 years. I dont need anymore Krisflyer points atleast for the moment. I cant let the value diminish in April though. What should I do with my AMEX MR points? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thai or Asia Miles are options you should investigate. Pointhacks has some ideas of good redemptions for each of these. Asia miles is non Star Alliance so expands your options.

 

[andye]

Thai or Asia Miles are options you should investigate. Pointhacks has some ideas of good redemptions for each of these. Asia miles is non Star Alliance so expands your options.

I'd missed the Thai article but useful information, thanks
A problem with Asia Miles and Thai (and EY for that matter) is that they both have a 3-yr expiry which is the OPs issue with transferring to Kris.
I'd be (heavy-heartedly) considering transfer to VF in their position (could still redeem on SQ by calling up for 'unseen' availability). I would leave until late just in case there was a transfer offer.