Reduced AMEX earn rates from April 2019

[Ken1]

The letter Ken1 posted says its a new benefit. So thats all I know.

I know I had the Smartphone screen insurance with the Explorer card but I don't remember having it with the Reserve.

 

[Pleb Status]

With my Charge, Reserve and Edge combo all crediting to Ascent Premium, I have been advised that my remaining points will double on 15 April 2019.

Charge and Centurion customers should get something for actually paying a net annual fee...

 

[amaroo]

Points retention program (that’s what they call it) is restricted to Cent and Plat charge

 

[Haplo]

My Plat Charge (with Reserve and Edge linking to it) is doubled, average $40k p.a. spend and 7 years with Amex.

I already received from our corporate RM that Spirit is also changing, doubling points required for QFF, Qantas Business and HH, and no change in SPG (as expected). Points will NOT be doubled on 15 April.

 

[SOPOOR]

You are possibly correct. In theory, I will receive a letter for my Reserve and Edge, but I don't care what they say as all points pool to Ascent Premium and I have received that letter stating a doubling of points. It hasn't changed my mind though, I'm still ditching Amex altogether.

I might consider the fee free card though just for Shop Small.

I hope i get a good news letter for my edge/exp combo

Double points are greatbhowever going fwd. Any new points are basicallly worth half so doublung the pointa, unless im mistaken just allows you to have non expiring points, for those with high balances this is great

 

[kkl]

Points retention program (that’s what they call it) is restricted to Cent and Plat charge

Now the dilemma, will they offer it to new plat charge customers..

 

[gregff]

Or maybe its just for the reserve and centurion cards and notbhing else

Or is the offer to retain FF value not available to existing Charge customers who also have a Platinum Reserve Card (as I have discovered). At least as per my letter received today along with no other letters from them.

 

[ajd]

I'm an Explorer customer. Anniversary date coming up next month... 15% VA transfer bonus on right now... is the coming week the right time for me to bail, transfer all my points out, abandon Amex and restart the eligibility clock on future signup bonuses? (How rigorously are they enforcing the 18 month rule these days?)

 

[Ken1]

Or is the offer to retain FF value not available to existing Charge customers who also have a Platinum Reserve Card (as I have discovered). At least as per my letter received today along with no other letters from them.

Was the letter you received today for the Reserve? I have the Charge + Reserve + Explorer and received separate letters for each, and only the letter for the Charge mentioned the doubling of points.

 

[amaroo]

Now the dilemma, will they offer it to new plat charge customers..

Big call, but probably worth a try ... particularly if you wanted to have the charge post 15th April. I got my info from a supervisor, had to elevate an issue unrelated to this devaluation, and since I got handed to a senior, I popped the Q.

 

[blueythecat]

I'm an Explorer customer. Anniversary date coming up next month... 15% VA transfer bonus on right now... is the coming week the right time for me to bail, transfer all my points out, abandon Amex and restart the eligibility clock on future signup bonuses? (How rigorously are they enforcing the 18 month rule these days?)

The 18 month rule seems to be pretty rigorous, I’ve seen a couple of posters mention exceptions on here, but very few.

 

[ajd]

The 18 month rule seems to be pretty rigorous, I’ve seen a couple of posters mention exceptions on here, but very few.

Alas, gone are the good old days. (Not that I ever *expected* them to ignore what used to be the 12 month exclusion rule, but it was nice when they did.)

 

[JohnK]

Agree with others that have posted in reply to this. While the fuel fines can be a pain, if you can't find any seats (especially with their partners) then you are doing something very wrong.

It's about finding seats when you can travel not general availability.

I was looking for seats from ATH/SKG-BKK for next March and only ones left were with QR unless you wanted to go via LHR and almost double the points. Nothing via RJ or EK.

That was a month or so ago.

 

[boomy]

I think AMEX sending letter to customers for the most expensive annual fees first, then going down to the cheapest fees.

Nope. Got letter for Explorer, nothing yet for Plat Charge.

 

[boomy]

interesting that they have added the Smartphone screen insurance, I am surprised nobody has mentioned that yet (maybe I didnt notice).
IMO its a worthwhile benefit, almost everyone breaks a phone screen

Nice perk but I think it’s only useful if paying monthly, not for pre-paid plans which are much better value.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Nope. Got letter for Explorer, nothing yet for Plat Charge.

The opposite for me; my Platinum Charge letter arrived yesterday but not my Explorer.

 

[foggy]

Nice perk but I think it’s only useful if paying monthly, not for pre-paid plans which are much better value.

i used to hop around with prepaid sims too but none of them offer roaming which is a pain, resulted in me signing up for a contract.

 

[ajd]

Nice perk but I think it’s only useful if paying monthly, not for pre-paid plans which are much better value.

It also covers phones that you buy outright - which is the only way I buy phones.

However I've managed to go through 4 smartphones with zero cracked screens...

 

[michael65]

I rang the busy call centre. I talked about cancelling the card. She said that there has been a huge amount of complaints to American Express and that management were aware of the uproar about the changes. She implied that they may be reconsidering their position on some of the changes. I informed her that as a couple we spend over 65000 on AMEX cards (Edge and Qantas Ultimate) every year and that would disappear if the changes to reducing the value of accumulated Membership Rewards points remained.

 

[SOPOOR]

I rang the busy call centre. I talked about cancelling the card. She said that there has been a huge amount of complaints to American Express and that management were aware of the uproar about the changes. She implied that they may be reconsidering their position on some of the changes. I informed her that as a couple we spend over 65000 on AMEX cards (Edge and Qantas Ultimate) every year and that would disappear if the changes to reducing the value of accumulated Membership Rewards points remained.

you dont need a masters in marketing to know that people are going to be pissed off with these changes!

what were they expecting? people to send the amex ceo a christmas hamper