10,000 bonus points per 20 transactions

[beardoc]

What amazes me and I find unbelievable is the lengths that people will resort to in order to get an eligible transaction. It is things like my local coffee shop won't accept Amex but I have found a 7/11 a few kms down the road that accepts Amex so I will drive there at lunchtime to buy coffee.

And not to labour the point here, but I can't see how driving a few kilometres out of my valuable lunch time just to get another transaction would be worth it at all. I'd find that unbelievable. All that effort and time, and the damage to the environment! *




* Not attacking your decision, just trying to make the point that setting your own own standards on others is fraught with problems.

 

[JohnK]

Essentially this promotion awards people to consume - and encourages people to drive around, shop at multiple places,etc.

I have been guilty of buying extra fruit and vegetables but have thrown them away as I could not consume them as fast as I bought them.

There's an environmental impact there - stuff manufactured and bought just to get another transaction.

I haven't gone to that extreme and frankly I am not about to start.

But in the end it's up to the individual to decide here

Off course it is an individual choice.

At the risk of being flippant, perhaps they can consider that as they are flying over the Pacific in J or F for free.

Not quite free. There is also the sinking AUD and exhorbitant taxes and surcharges to consider.

 

[Zippy7]

Has anyone found any 7/11s (or other convenience stores not connected to petrol stations) in Sydney that don't have a minimum transaction of $5? I'm having trouble finding any - so am having to seek out petrol stations all the time.

Hmm - I'm having trouble finding a 711 store that is happy to accept Amex when only buying bus tickets. The newsagent at the bottom of Wynyard refused to take it as well.

 

[edman]

I must say that I too would not go to some of the extremes that have been discussed here. In fact my spending patterns and card usage have been largely the same, average of 120 transactions on the Amex per month and around 100 on the Citibank Visa.

Having said that though, I did get a little bit of pleasure in seeing that a few restaurants that I went to over the weekend had the tip go through as a separate transaction to the meal

 

[JohnK]

And not to labour the point here, but I can't see how driving a few kilometres out of my valuable lunch time just to get another transaction would be worth it at all. I'd find that unbelievable. All that effort and time, and the damage to the environment! *

* Not attacking your decision, just trying to make the point that setting your own own standards on others is fraught with problems.

I must check my posts clearly before posting. I would not waste my lunchtime trying to find a place that accepts Amex for coffee. It would be a real waste of time as I do not drink coffee. My comment was in reference to someone elses post earlier.

 

[beardoc]

Hmm - I'm having trouble finding a 711 store that is happy to accept Amex when only buying bus tickets. The newsagent at the bottom of Wynyard refused to take it as well.

I've found two that consistently take them - George Street, World Square, and Corner of Pitt and Bathurst Streets.

 

[Zippy7]

I've found two that consistently take them - George Street, World Square, and Corner of Pitt and Bathurst Streets.

Thanks Beardoc.
I'm located down between Wynyard and the rocks, so have been limited to visiting those shops that are within walking distance.

However, with the new (free) 555 bus, I might have a go at travelling down to that part of the city.

 

[beardoc]

Thanks Beardoc.
I'm located down between Wynyard and the rocks, so have been limited to visiting those shops that are within walking distance.

However, with the new (free) 555 bus, I might have a go at travelling down to that part of the city.

Someone earlier in the thread mentioned a 7/11 near erskine street that also accepted - check earlier in the thread!

 

[Zippy7]

Someone earlier in the thread mentioned a 7/11 near erskine street that also accepted - check earlier in the thread!

Yeah, I walked there today. He declined.
I also remember someone else specifically mentioning the Wynyard Newsagent, but they declined as well. The girls in the 711 next to the Holiday Inn swiped my card, but then they realised it was Amex as the transaction failed/timed out.

One guy said he would take it if I bought something else, but I only need the bus ticket. (I could use VISA at the RTA bus ticket place at the top of Wynyard, but that wouldn't help me get any boniiiii)

 

[straitman]

But in the end it's up to the individual to decide here

Just as I've decided to read this thread but no longer contribute to the waffle and BS factors that some others seem to have been caught up in :!:

I'm quoting you beardoc, but not pointing at you specifically.

 

[Mal]

Received my postcard today for the 10 trans / 5000 points [I think that's what it was... not in front of me now] "new" promotion (capped at 10K points) for transactions in December. The interesting thing to note was that they specifically locked it down to one of my Amex cards by mentioning it by name. My other Amex card (which I've used constantly during this promotion) is not listed.

Trying to decide whether to register or not.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Received my postcard today for the 10 trans / 5000 points [I think that's what it was... not in front of me now] "new" promotion (capped at 10K points) for transactions in December. The interesting thing to note was that they specifically locked it down to one of my Amex cards by mentioning it by name. My other Amex card (which I've used constantly during this promotion) is not listed.

Trying to decide whether to register or not.

T&C of earlier...

Can I enrol in the promotion more than once?
No, only one registration is permitted per eligible Cardmember.

American Express will be tracking instances of multiple enrolments and for those cases identified your Membership Rewards account will be amended to reflect one enrolment.

 

[oz_mark]

Thing is, I am not so sure it is the same promotion - the previous one (which we are all signed up and waiting for points for), was promoting everyday spending. My latest card is more about promoting Christmas Gift buying.

Might have to make a phone call to find out...

(although looking at it more, the three codes mentioned seem to be the previous capped codes from earlier in th thread)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

WOW!!! There seems to be a lot of "judging" going on.

This I find quite amusing as if one reads the various threads on this wonderful forum there are all sorts of activities pursued for all sorts of reasons...though with a link back to flying all travel.

To me we all have different goals...but no-ones goal is better or more worthy than another persons (mind you I wish when I was at Uni that I had QF009 current lifestyle ). We are just different.

Yes I have no shame to adimt that I am an avid Point Runner.

On this forum people do mileage runs, staus runs, only stay at certain hotel chains etc etc etc...

Some choose particular airline or hotel programs.

Some just mildly make the most of what comes their way...others go to quite some lengths.

It all depends on what one values....and what one desires to do to achieve.

With this current Points Run.... it is like many others for me. I am very mercenary and the Point Running in itself does not give pleasure. But the points I gain give me great pleasure in achieving my travel goals which is to fly my family of 5 on international holidays.

I only aquire points when for me the $$$ stack up and it is profitable for to do so.

Cost for benefit.


And the cost also includes my time.

So with the current points run I use my time very efficiently.

Yes I might drivea few minutes at lunchtime to buy a coffee. But the key here is that you do not only go to geta coffee. I might all in the one trip geta tx at each of JB Hifi, DSE, Coles, BP and the coffee at the cafe. That is 5 tx in the one lunchbreak.

The coffee taken on the footpath to laze in the sun and read the Fin Review or Age as I take a break.

Now to me that is a well spent lunchtime. For others not.

With the current points run I very much view it as part-time job

Amex have set the rules...and just as with any FF program or Hotel Program...or even the ATO and my tax...my task is to maximise the advantage for myself.

The offer is extremely generous and I view it as a once in my lifetime opportunity which I never expect to get again. so I am making the most of it this time around.

I have calculated how much time I will spend shopping and the points I expect to earn. For me it is a wonderful exchange even though I basically hate shopping. But the points I gain for me make the drudgery more than worthwhile. Mind you while I do not like the actual shopping I do enjoy refining my strategies to maximise my tx rate.

Mind you in the Points Run I have refined things as I have gone along to maximumise my earn rate.

This to me is quite appropriate for what was originally titled an Earnpoints promo...for earning points is definately what I am doing.

 

[Danger UXB]

Got a post card today reminding my there is still the whole of december to go in the promotion. Didn't say which promotion but I know I'm on 20/10 as its the only one I signed up for. All bonus points received so far up to the end of October so just Novembers to go. So all seems well in Dangerland.
Still no sign of the Platinum Credit Card Bonus Points returning but still getting the Platinum Points Accelerator to get total to 1.5 /$. Wish I was still getting 2/$ with all these extra work transactions.
Just a couple more points to get before I can book the F trip to LHR before Gordon Brown extracts more $ from me at this cough exchange rate!!
Cheers Danger UXB

 

[beardoc]

Got a post card today reminding my there is still the whole of december to go in the promotion. Didn't say which promotion but I know I'm on 20/10 as its the only one I signed up for. All bonus points received so far up to the end of October so just Novembers to go. So all seems well in Dangerland.
Still no sign of the Platinum Credit Card Bonus Points returning but still getting the Platinum Points Accelerator to get total to 1.5 /$. Wish I was still getting 2/$ with all these extra work transactions.
Just a couple more points to get before I can book the F trip to LHR before Gordon Brown extracts more $ from me at this cough exchange rate!!
Cheers Danger UXB

I got one last night too - it affirmed that the promotion terms and conditioner were "as per the original mailer". No mention of caps here.

 

[Rambo]

I agree with this - I want all my points BEFORE MARCH 31 so I can decide if i want them in QFF or leave in Amex. I'll be blowed if i'm paying a lousy $10 for the ability to transfer points. Talk about money grabbing.

Note: I realise Amex dont give a stuff about March 31 and have no control.

I think the other this Amex need to consider at this point is this:

I love having my Amex card, especially no I have platinum, but this is really testing my patience, and if i can get a decent deal now from CBA on my Gold MCard, I'll be ditching Amex come March 31 - a huge part of it is all the stuffing around - free flights with no availability, this points promo and all the non-crediting, surcharges / not accepted everywhere. And for me to be conisdering getting rid of my Amex is really something as 6 months ago i'd bnever even have thought about it.

I hope Amex realises this effect it's having on its (previously) very loyal customers.

I have never had any problem getting my free flight on a date that i wanted.

Regarding changing to the CBA card if from a Amex Platinum you are not going to get the 1.5 points per dollar so depending on the annual spend amount you will be down on points earned.

On the surcharge or not being able to use amex at some locations simple use the Visa/mastercard. Amex is my prefered choice for the points earning but will happily use the other card if needed.

 

[QF WP]

Month      Transactions      Points Credited      Points Owed 
September^      23                5,000               5,000
October         70                    0              35,000
November       102                    0              50,000
December#       11                    0               5,000

^ from date of registration (18/9)
# up to and including 3/12, with at least 4 transactions to post from that day (plus any from my wife), plus 5 from 4/12 + wife's. Goal is 120, so I'm well ahead of target

Can't wait to clear the last column number in September to zero, commencing from 9 December. Amex, you are on track to meet the times in your T&C's aren't you (otherwise you'd be telling us, wouldn't you)

 

[oz_mark]

I got one last night too - it affirmed that the promotion terms and conditioner were "as per the original mailer". No mention of caps here.

Intriguing that some have got reminder notices, while others (like me) have got offers to sign up on the capped version. Wonder what that means (and I would have rung Amex today, but left my postcards at home so would have struggled if I needed to refer to them for anything)

 

[simongr]

Dispure lodged with the Financial Ombudsman Service today and supporting documentation sent.

Let's wait and see