10,000 bonus points per 20 transactions

[simongr]

hmm ... Domestic Oz$ transactions only apply ....

Initially Febs did get bonus points on overseas T.

 

[DTM1]

You guys have got me all curious to see if I've got a letter now! (Home on Saturday).

It's been a big week of transactions - I ran out of USD last week and decided to see how far I'd get putting everything on AMEX. So far so good - averaging 5-10 transactions a day!

Bring on those free SPG nights.

Cheers,
- Febs.

Even if AMEX comes through with the points generally (which I'm not holding my breath for), you'll probably be disappointed to know that the deal only ever applied to Australian purchases.

 

[straitman]

Even if AMEX comes through with the points generally (which I'm not holding my breath for), you'll probably be disappointed to know that the deal only ever applied to Australian purchases.

A bunch of us who went to the FT Do in Christchurch in September will attest to this also.

 

[Febs]

Wow, you all jumped then didn't you?

As simongr mentioned - I've definitely had international transactions (both USD and MXN) post in the past. I know, because it was after I'd signed up for the deal, and I'd only made transactions in MXN for the week preceding.

simongr - Yes, it looks like I have been getting bonus points for my USD transactions this time around (5,000 for every 10T, though I signed up for 5K/5T). Of course, they could be for earlier transactions and might just look like they're for my USD transactions...hard to tell. Back in September though, I was definitely getting 5,000 bonus points for my MXN and USD transactions.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[straitman]

Febs,

I hope it continues to work for you. It just highlights another anomaly in the promotion. :shock:

 

[simongr]

Febs,

I hope it continues to work for you. It just highlights another anomaly in the promotion. :shock:

Ithink it tells the story more that the IT solution to allocating points was not as clever as it should be - it was only when they turned the initial solution off that they then were able to control the flow.

 

[NSWhere]

With two weeks remaining in this promotion I am now fairly certain that I will meet my total transaction target. I initially had a much higher target (one million!) but once it became clear that multiple promotions would not count the cost-benefit analysis changed and my target was revised downward substantially (after all, transacting takes time and time is money). As of today I am about 10T short of my goal and I look forward to surpassing the magic number. Even though I am still in duspute with amex over eligibility and there will likely be a loooong wait before points are credited, I am quite a happy chappy.

So, how are the rest of you going?

And remember, charities need your help this time of year more than ever

 

[MicoPico]

Ok... i also received the "admin error" apology letter today.

My background:
* No postcard
* signed up for MYBONUS on 17/9.
* called to change to MYREWARD on 18/9.
* confirmed to be in MYREWARD on 19/9.
* 5k/5t Bonus til 23/9.
* no POC
* 10k bonus on 10/12.
* Letter last week saying I wasn't originally invited, so they would move me to 10k/5t backdated to 1st Oct.
* I sent a complaint letter to the Exec Office on 10/12
* Today I received the admin error letter.

I suppose the admin error letter has nothing to do with my complaint as many people are getting this letter. But I feel a little better as AMEX is acknowledging my enrolment (eventhough i had no postcard) in black and white.

Looks like there's no need for a letter to the FOS, yet.

Now... where are the points!?

 

[AnonymousCoward]

simongr - Yes, it looks like I have been getting bonus points for my USD transactions this time around (5,000 for every 10T, though I signed up for 5K/5T). Of course, they could be for earlier transactions and might just look like they're for my USD transactions...hard to tell.

If so, then you're definately lucky

I've been overseas for a month. just had a look through what's posted and I have just over four pages worth of transactions (so roughly 90 overseas) and no bonus points during that period.

I have 8 transactions since returning home (and a few cab fares still to post), so will see soon if bonus points start accruing again...

 

[lovestotravel]

No letter here still!

No boni points since about 8th of December now

 

[QF WP]

Wow, that's over 17 hours between posts...

Month      Transactions      Points Credited      Points Owed 
September^      23               10,000                   0+
October         70               10,000              25,000~
November       102                    0              50,000
December#       73                    0              35,000

^ from date of registration (18/9)
# up to and including 16/12, with 2 transactions to post from yesterday afternoon and 2 already from today. Goal is 150, so I'm back almost on target [That would make an overall target of 155K bonus points]
+ Points owed were 5,000 but paid on 10/12
~ Points owed were 35,000 but 10,000 paid on 10/12

Will be having a good afternoon on transactions (drinks in BNE with other AFF'ers), so I'm sure they bar staff will get used to seeing Amex.

 

[anat0l]

After a bumper November, it's a much more sedated December for me, with a mere 47 transactions so far. I might sit down some time and start thinking about donating some money. There's also a couple of carbon offsets on QF flights to be made, and I still am thinking about some Christmas gifts... (on a budget, of course)...

*sigh* the joys of strategic spending...

On the plus side, those 5k bonuses just keep rolling in routinely.

 

[atalooseend]

I always seem to have difficulty finding companies that take American Express in Australia

 

[NSWhere]

I always seem to have difficulty finding companies that take American Express in Australia

Check out: The American Express Merchant Map

Or else look at the door/window where most companies seem to display a 'we accept EFTPOS VISA AMEX etc' sticker.

Or you could just ask.

But yeah, amex is much less accepted than Visa and MC - most of us feel it is a price worth paying though.

Good luck in the search!

 

[QF WP]

Very true - once I find a retailer or shop who accepts Amex, I'll tend to shop there knowing I can get a transaction. For example, I had no idea the cafe next to my Post office accepted Amex - I'd never been in there previously. A month ago, I thought I'd check it out (thinking about this promo) went inside for a drink and saw the "Amex accepted here" sign. So now every morning when collecting my mail, I get a Chai Latte, the break special or some small sweets for my 3 female staff (so spend ~ $5.80 to $10). For lunch, I have 3 places I go - back to the Cafe, Cibo (down in New Farm) or Red Rooster (if I feel like a 2km drive). I haven't had a weekday that I haven't had 2 transactions a day from a combinations of these places.

Then there is always the shopping on the way home (will always split the shopping to at least two of the local Woolworths, Coles, IGA or Spar), plus pick up a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer (BWS etc). Thus my goal for 5 transactions a day isn't hard to achieve.

The bigger weekly shops use those listed above - and I always need the sustenance of a Chai Latte (local Coffee Club) to be able to go around all these shops. So long as I spend the minimum transaction value ($5 in most places)...but that's not difficult. My wife loves me as I do something she hates (food shopping) and accepts that it might take me a little longer to do the shop - as I keep reminding her of the prize (MR bonus points converted to AA miles for free J class travel).

Weekends (or my wife going out shopping) is the bonanza transaction days...better do some Xmas shopping this weekend :idea:.

 

[NSWhere]

...... My wife loves me as I do something she hates (food shopping) and accepts that it might take me a little longer to do the shop - as I keep reminding her of the prize (MR bonus points converted to AA miles for free J class travel).... .

That's it, it's all about 'eyes on the prize' at this stage. I had a chat on the weekend to my MrsNSWhere (who is in Melb atm) about how far we've come and how with only two weeks to go we can make a strong finish. The result? Well judging from the tranasactions,let's just say for someone who travels with hand luggage only she'll have a hard time bringing all those clothes back :shock:

I have a pattern similar to yours Lindsay (I wonder if others do to?) I head to my local sandwich store in the morning and grab something, then 5m across the road for a coffee, for a snack at some stage in the day I head to the corner store to grab an OJ and a Carmen's muesli bar and on the way home I usually grab some fuel. Shopping is done more than weekly now and, like you, usually involves multiple stores (after all, Coles is rubbish for nice fresh stuff, but other stores can't compete on price... Oh, and my liquor cabinet should last christmas this year (went a bit overboard at Dan Murphy's in the last couple of months). I aim for five a day, and for MrsNSWhere to make at least one. Weekends are usually quite slow though (except last weekend when I did all my Xmas shopping).

 

[vet]

I always seem to have difficulty finding companies that take American Express in Australia

I keep being asked 'do you have another card'. I know that's contrary to the standard 'agreement' they sign, but clause 6 of the restaurant contracts allows them to cancel 5 year contracts in 30 days - unless amex drops the rate to .99%. from 1.25%, 1.99% and 2.55%. One sop thought he was on 5%!

Update: Received Amex's 'we made a boo boo' letter. I've accepted the mistake coz I'm happy to be on 5/5. Now its off to China Town for a luncheon meeting. (I wonder what those guys are paying Amex?:idea

 

[JohnK]

I have a pattern similar to yours Linday (I wonder if others do to?) I head to my local sandwich store in the morning and grab something, then 5m across the road for a coffee, for a snack at some stage in the day I head to the corner store to grab an OJ and a Carmen's muesli bar and on the way home I usually grab some fuel

Not here. Make my own sandwich in my apartment in the morning. Then have an orange and a mango for lunch and cook my own meals at night. Don't drink tea or coffee but have been known to indulge in the occasional beer.

I can't wait for this promotion to be over so my life can return to normal. I am like an addict looking for ways to get an extra Amex transaction....

 

[NSWhere]

I know what you mean about being addicted, sometimes I just have to laugh at my behaviour recently. I have no doubt that my life will return to normal post December, quite a few of the transactions I make (such as the aforementioned sandwich) are only made because they quite literally pay for themsleves during the promo. It will be intersting to see how often I pull out the amex vs the visa post promotion, I expect the amex will continue to be well represented but after the promo I think 1.5MR/$ might seem rather anaemic.

 

[nlagalle]

Well after having no further luck on the phone with Amex, my complaint letter has been sent to them. Lets wait and see what the reply back is.