Reduction in Amex lounge benefits

[Dave G]

Yeah - But grandfathered -
$1250 fee - $850 travel credit, $400 dining - rest is for gratis - for now

 

[SydneySwan]

$1450 minus dining credits, minus travel credit makes this a $600 card.
Losing PP companion membership and Avis upgrade only leaves Accor membership as a sweetener for me.
I'm looking at alternatives. Maybe Amex just goes back into the churning list.

First post after being a member since 2013! Welcome to 'active' AFF membership..

 

[Ozchorlton]

You can thank stupid RBA surcharge ban and interchange reduction, with card revenues down they have to cut costs and some benefits to be able to fund any rewards. Im sure research showed that big spenders valued points more than lounge perks given most big spenders on travel would have status and hence airline lounge access anyway.

Amex is not covered by the RBA surcharge changes

 

[Aeryn]

Amex is not covered by the RBA surcharge changes

Yet - RBA have specifically announced they are next, they just getting ahead of the chnages.

 

[ramboflyer]

Domestically I think my Amex Platinum Velocity card is reasonable value for $440 annual fee. I get lounge access every time I fly Virgin. I get 2 guest passes every year so my wife can join me. I get 1 free flight each year, 100,000 sign on points and 1.25 earn rate. I also get 2 guest lounge passes each year with my Velocity High Flyer card.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

$1450 minus dining credits, minus travel credit makes this a $600 card.
Losing PP companion membership and Avis upgrade only leaves Accor membership as a sweetener for me.
I'm looking at alternatives. Maybe Amex just goes back into the churning list.

Minus comprehensive international travel insurance… which is worth several hundred dollars.

 

[albyd]

I don’t believe the RBA regulates Amex fees does it? so it hasn’t impacted.

They don’t but Amex has to compete with MC & Visa. They have to cut their fees to merchants or we’ll have Amex cards with high point earn but nowhere to use them.