Reduction in Amex lounge benefits

[HMcM]

Was this also the case last year? I seem to recall the dining credits were supposed to end in December 2025 before being extended into 2026.

By ~September that definitely wasn't the case. I can't talk to if it was before then.

 

[blacksultan]

Was this also the case last year? I seem to recall the dining credits were supposed to end in December 2025 before being extended into 2026.

Yes

 

[Doctore1003]

The dining credits were extended in early September last year

 

[fly7689]

Is it correct that if you cancel your card mid-year you will get a pro-rata refund of the membership fee?

has anyone tried to cancel halfway through their year after these benefit reductions and managed to get any refund of the annual fee? or maybe a discount on the fee for the upcoming year?

not sure whether i should keep my card for the remainder of the year or just cancel now and get to churn it faster in 18 months. but then again amex is very strict with churning and not sure my chances of getting approved next time...

 

[Cynicor]

has anyone tried to cancel halfway through their year after these benefit reductions and managed to get any refund of the annual fee? or maybe a discount on the fee for the upcoming year?

not sure whether i should keep my card for the remainder of the year or just cancel now and get to churn it faster in 18 months. but then again amex is very strict with churning and not sure my chances of getting approved next time...

I haven't tried but it's a massive material change, they would certainly give you something back

 

[Daver6]

I haven't tried but it's a massive material change, they would certainly give you something back

Not without a fight. My annual fee was charged a few weeks prior to the change announcement. I enquired about a pro-rata annual fee should I cancel later in the year. They said no. I think you'd have a very strong case with AFCA on this one if they refused though.

 

[Cynicor]

Yeah. I'm sure their first-line people say no but mention AFCA and I think they'll change their tune. The annual fee is high because of the benefits, they can't argue anything else.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not without a fight. My annual fee was charged a few weeks prior to the change announcement. I enquired about a pro-rata annual fee should I cancel later in the year. They said no. I think you'd have a very strong case with AFCA on this one if they refused though.

You are entitled to a pro-rata refund if you cancel you card when the changes are announced.

This is covered by clauses 23 and 27 of the platinum terms and conditions: https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/au/benefits/Platinum/CMagreement.pdf

Can you keep using the card now and cancel down the track? Dunno. I think that would be a little more in the grey area.

 

[Daver6]

You are entitled to a pro-rata refund if you cancel you card when the changes are announced.

This is covered by clauses 23 and 27 of the platinum terms and conditions: https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/au/benefits/Platinum/CMagreement.pdf

Can you keep using the card now and cancel down the track? Dunno. I think that would be a little more in the grey area.

It only states "you may be entitled to". So you also may not be entitled to. Who knows.

When I called they made no mention of those provisions. The agent only stated that I wouldn't be entitled.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It only states "you may be entitled to". So you also may not be entitled to. Who knows.

When I called they made no mention of those provisions. The agent only stated that I wouldn't be entitled.

You asked whether you could cancel later in the year. That may come under a grey area…
If you are unhappy with the card, why continue to use it?

I think the ‘may be entitled’ here refers to how many of the benefits you’ve used? If you’ve already used your travel credits and dining credits and everything else, you might not be entitled to the full pro-rata refund.

I think if you were to invoke the request to cancel around the time of any major announcement, there wouldn’t be any issue with a refund. That’s why the clause is there.

 

[Daver6]

You asked whether you could cancel later in the year. That may come under a grey area…
If you are unhappy with the card, why continue to use it?

Unhappy yes. Still get value out of it. Just peeved with the continued devaluation of benefits more than anything.

 

[muppet]

Completely agree with the theme of this thread. The value is nothing it used to be.

I can live without VA lounges, Amex Lounges and the Priority Pass, so happy to give up the card. But I can’t find comparable travel insurance (even though it too is a shadow of its former quality).

I don’t value the dining credits dollar for dollar. Inevitability I’m schlepping around Singapore or London to some over-priced place just to use it. Accor+ … I can buy that. FHR, easily replaced with other programs.

But even Amex’s devalued travel insurance still offers better coverage on the “most likely” claims (not referring to most risky/expensive like medical - as I’m lucky to have nothing preexisting).

Any suggested alternatives? Or just get some random points card and buy an annual travel policy?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Check out ANZ platinum card. It’s the one I use. $250 activation (can be in anything, even the taxes and fees on an award ticket). $79 annual fee, but no points earning.

 

[Johnxx]

Completely agree with the theme of this thread. The value is nothing it used to be.

I can live without VA lounges, Amex Lounges and the Priority Pass, so happy to give up the card. But I can’t find comparable travel insurance (even though it too is a shadow of its former quality).

I don’t value the dining credits dollar for dollar. Inevitability I’m schlepping around Singapore or London to some over-priced place just to use it. Accor+ … I can buy that. FHR, easily replaced with other programs.

But even Amex’s devalued travel insurance still offers better coverage on the “most likely” claims (not referring to most risky/expensive like medical - as I’m lucky to have nothing preexisting).

Any suggested alternatives? Or just get some random points card and buy an annual travel policy?

Why do you value one so highly over another?

I've been travelling for 30 years and never made a claim and use whatever credit card (travel insurance) I have at the time. I just look at travel insurance as if it doesn't send me bankrupt for major medical it does the job.