Reduced AMEX earn rates from April 2019

[Jstr]

My understanding is that only actual Platinum holders (Not Reserve or Edge or whatever else) would get their points doubled, and only if the platinum card was held before the announcement of devaluation and only if you have received a written letter.

if you have a Plat Business you can ring your account manager to sort this out for you.

 

[ozstamps]

I had neither, but was clearly told last November - by an Agent fixing other issues,

Agent looked at my card history, tapped the computer, and said essentially “I can see you have been an Amex member for about 40 years, spend ~100K a year, never miss a bill payment, and I can confirm YOUR points balance at 15 April will be doubled, and those bonus points will post by June 15.”

 

[daft009]

12 months on no double points despite this clear assurance to me last November.

Anyone got a real email address I can use, to hopefully avoid going ino a loop over Bangladesh or Manila, to get this hopefully sorted. 1.3 million points is a lot of course!

I have agent name I spoke to and time of call.

Agent looked at my card history, tapped the computer, and said essentially “I can see you have been an Amex member for about 40 years, spend ~100K a year, never miss a bill payment, and I can confirm YOUR points balance at 15 April will be doubled, and those bonus points will post by June 15.”

I was offered similar a double offer based on my spend but did receive a letter in the mail for each of my cards (explorer and platinum edge) in March iirc.

If no letter then no doubling I'm afraid

 

[tinkybelle]

Ozstamps,any way you can get a copy of that or else get the person to identify themselves tape the conversation then take it to the fair trading!

 

[michael65]

I have heard that there was a lot of AMEX card cancellations after the devaluing. I kept the Edge because as it is a CPA card (although CPA Australia have cancelled their arrangement with AMEX), I pay the annual fee of $150 and get a $200 credit. However, I only use the AMEX card at Coles, Woolies and fuel stations and nothing else. I spend an average of $750 per month now on the card whee I used to spend over $5000 per month.

I wonder whether AMEX thought it was worth it

 

[ozstamps]

Ozstamps,any way you can get a copy of that or else get the person to identify themselves tape the conversation then take it to the fair trading!

I took the name of the staffer and diary noted the time and date of the call.

You know how we all get that message "this conversation will be recorded for coaching and Training purposes" - I wonder if one can ask for a copy of the conversation?

We are talking way over a million points here I was stiffed via a hollow assurance by a staffer, so it worth chasing I think.

 

[daft009]

I have heard that there was a lot of AMEX card cancellations after the devaluing. I kept the Edge because as it is a CPA card (although CPA Australia have cancelled their arrangement with AMEX), I pay the annual fee of $150 and get a $200 credit. However, I only use the AMEX card at Coles, Woolies and fuel stations and nothing else. I spend an average of $750 per month now on the card whee I used to spend over $5000 per month.

I wonder whether AMEX thought it was worth it

still the highest earning cards in AU with the best rewards program

 

[gregff]

still the highest earning cards in AU with the best rewards program

And poorest acceptance

 

[albyd]

Diners is practically irrelevant but they might just pip Amex for that title. I can put through most of my spend on Amex now. Very little makes it onto Visa now.

 

[turffy]

And poorest acceptance

Hi, i think you should do your homework. Supermarkets and petrols stations are 2 of the commonest spends in a household. If you use your Platinum Edge Amex (a card that effectively costs you nothing to have nor any cost for supplementary cards) to buy Woolies egift cards on Cash Rewards you will save 5% off the cost of groceries at Woolies, fuel at Caltex and grog at Dan Murphys. All getting 3 AMEX points which convert to 1.5 FF points at about 9 airlines. I THINK that is the best deal available and that every Australian household should have one.
I'm actually hoping someone can find a better credit card deal as i haven't reviewed the options for some time.
I hope this helps - of course the deal was much better when it swapped 1 for 1 with FF.

 

[Chicken]

buy Woolies egift cards on Cash Rewards you will save 5% off the cost of groceries at Woolies, fuel at Caltex and grog at Dan Murphys.

And if you are in Sydney, use it to top up your Opal card (when the AmEx Citi promos expire)

 

[andye]

still the highest earning cards in AU with the best rewards program

I agree but I find it much harder to get excited about the points since the devaluation. Many of my more creative strategies are consigned to the 'Can I be bothered for a fraction of a mile' basket

 

[Bell21]

Diners is practically irrelevant but they might just pip Amex for that title. I can put through most of my spend on Amex now. Very little makes it onto Visa now.

I think Diners does pip AMEX currently, although probably moreso a) if you have a mix of personal and business expenses and b) you don't value QF points --- although putting up with their service levels is frequently a lesson in patience, as it's like a bygone era dealing with them

 

[andye]

I think Diners does pip AMEX currently, although probably moreso a) if you have a mix of personal and business expenses and b) you don't value QF points --- although putting up with their service levels is frequently a lesson in patience, as it's like a bygone era dealing with them

I can just about understand the first proposition if you value VFF points very highly. Otherwise...naah

 

[Bell21]

Actually, the proposition is if you value VFF or KF - once you transfer from VFF to KF, you're in front of AMEX (and of course, on VFF you're well in front), BUT putting up with the 1 to 2 month delay in points posting AND service is an interesting experience

 

[daft009]

I agree but I find it much harder to get excited about the points since the devaluation. Many of my more creative strategies are consigned to the 'Can I be bothered for a fraction of a mile' basket

Same. I've gone into Auto pilot mode. Not worth the time in using the creative loopholes etc anymore.

If they don't take Amex then use my Visa.. And move on. 1.125 vs 0.825 if looking at KF.

Most of my local major suppliers take Amex.

Unrelated but 2 of my customers who were always slow payers have asked to pay COD on creditcard as they are collecting points.. Woot. The small surcharge I cop is worth the time saved chasing them for payment 45-60 days later

 

[michael65]

still the highest earning cards in AU with the best rewards program

It is ok for supermarkets, but only 0.5FF point on general spend. You can beat 0.5FF point with a lot of cards.

I have a Qabtas FF card in my wife’s name which gets 1.25QFF points per$ so most AMEX spend goes on that. I used to buy a lot of vouchers ar Coles but the difference between 1.5FF point and 1.25QFF is not as significant to make me do it as often

 

[daft009]

It is ok for supermarkets, but only 0.5FF point on general spend. You can beat 0.5FF point with a lot of cards.

I have a Qabtas FF card in my wife’s name which gets 1.25QFF points per$ so most AMEX spend goes on that. I used to buy a lot of vouchers ar Coles but the difference between 1.5FF point and 1.25QFF is not as significant to make me do it as often

yes, the edge is low for general spend.
explorer/platinum charge are higher earners

 

[asterix]

yes, the edge is low for general spend.
explorer/platinum charge are higher earners

In our household Platinum Edge is used exclusively for Woolworths egift cards and petrol purchases. Coles purchases are purchased using Suncorp issued Coles gift cards which are 4% off and the Explorer is used everywhere that accepts AMEX. Although I've started using my HSBC Everyday Global debit card on PayWave purchases since they have 2% cashback.

 

[psi999]

I have heard that there was a lot of AMEX card cancellations after the devaluing. I kept the Edge because as it is a CPA card (although CPA Australia have cancelled their arrangement with AMEX), I pay the annual fee of $150 and get a $200 credit. However, I only use the AMEX card at Coles, Woolies and fuel stations and nothing else. I spend an average of $750 per month now on the card whee I used to spend over $5000 per month.

I wonder whether AMEX thought it was worth it

I’m in the same boat, and have recently moved my shopping to Aldi (ANZ rewards black visa so pretty much the same supermarket earn as edge with regular velocity bonuses) and just shop at Coles when bonus offers appear. So with only a tank of petrol every 5 or so weeks - I have literally nothing to put on this card anymore that gives any tangible benefit over my ANZ black which costs me $50 a year to hold.

So unfortunately for Amex It'll be going the way of my explorer at the end of this month (cleared out my last few hundred thousand points this morning in preparation).

Amex must still be bleeding customers like crazy as I literally don’t know a single person that holds an amex card anymore from every man and his dog 12-18 months ago. I’m small bickies compared to most on here (PAYG employee) but at its peak I was probably running 11-12k though my couple of amex cards a month, now a few hundred, end of this month to be $0.