10,000 bonus points per 20 transactions

[aus_flyer]

Whilst the CSO advised that this was accurate, he stated that all people subscribed to the offer would be receiving a further mailout shortly advising that the Terms and Conditions have changed and that all promotions are now capped at 40,000 for the entire duration of the promotion!!

Can they do this!?

I suspect a change like this may attract some attention - particularly as the terms and conditions of the promotion(s) specifically state that there is no limit.

 

[LordGarlic]

Hey Guys! Long time lurker first time poster also!

I just thought I would let you all know that I just rang Amex Membership Rewards CS to ensure that all cards linked to my account would be eligible for this offer. Whilst the CSO advised that this was accurate, he stated that all people subscribed to the offer would be receiving a further mailout shortly advising that the Terms and Conditions have changed and that all promotions are now capped at 40,000 for the entire duration of the promotion!!

Can they do this!? :shock:

It says:

Each month, every five transactions qualifies you to earn 5,000 Bonus Points, with no limit to the points you can earn. So every five times you use your Card, you’ll get much closer to the rewards you want.

I will be writing to the office and consumer business affair if they do it. This is deceptive.

 

[lovestotravel]

Hey Guys! Long time lurker first time poster also!

I just thought I would let you all know that I just rang Amex Membership Rewards CS to ensure that all cards linked to my account would be eligible for this offer. Whilst the CSO advised that this was accurate, he stated that all people subscribed to the offer would be receiving a further mailout shortly advising that the Terms and Conditions have changed and that all promotions are now capped at 40,000 for the entire duration of the promotion!!

Can they do this!? :shock:

They can try to do this but the postcard was quite clear and the two reps I spoke to said there was "NO LIMIT" on the amount of bonus points I can earn.

Hello ACCC :mrgreen:

 

[Gold Member]

Just called up the QF Amex Ultimate number to register for the 'Myreward' promo. The CSR asked me to clearly state the name of the promo from the postcard (which of course I don't have) AND asked me to verify the offer - 5K per 5 transactions (which of course I learnt from my fellow AFFers!). Long story short, after contacting MR in the background to process the offer, the CSR then reported that the offer is now CAPPED at 40,000 points for the period up to 31st December. She did not say whether the points would be deposited into MR or transferred to QFF.

In either case, one happy chappy. I will not have to change my spending habits at all to get 40,000 points! Makes me wonder though, although I've had my Utimate for over a year now, and since the QF branded cards were specifically not intended for this promo, what would be stopping me signing up for a Premium card and also taking advantage of this offer, or better still request a companion card and double the points.

 

[aus_flyer]

Changing to 40k limit doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Obviously Amex would like to limit their cost, but I suspect that they're not achieving anything if they place a cap on it.

What I mean is that I suspect most cardholders would not have to change their spending patterns to earn 40k between September to December. So what are Amex achieving?

Not imposing a cap meant that people would change their spending habits - which I suspect was their intention.

In terms of implementing the cap, I would hope that Amex realise they will strike opposition if they try to. Perhaps they're being clever and telling people their is a cap, but also honouring the original offer - but by telling people there is a cap, people will be less likely to do stupid things.

 

[lovestotravel]

CSR then reported that the offer is now CAPPED at 40,000 points for the period up to 31st December.

Ahh AMEX you have outdone yourself this time with a poorly thought out promotion.

40,000 points, big deal!! I earn more than that in a normal month anways.

If this is the case, I am going to be sending the ACCC some details and let them have a chat to AMEX

I did receive a postcard which states 5 for 5 and very clearly says no limit to the amount of points that can be earned. I also have the two reps who I spoke to on Thursday night names.

 

[holo]

It says:

Each month, every five transactions qualifies you to earn 5,000 Bonus Points, with no limit to the points you can earn. So every five times you use your Card, you’ll get much closer to the rewards you want.

I will be writing to the office and consumer business affair if they do it. This is deceptive.

you won't be the only one !

 

[LordGarlic]

This is an absolute PR tragedy!!!

 

[lovestotravel]

you won't be the only one !

Hello Mr Jones....... I'll write a letter at the same time as the trip report

 

[holo]

Hello Mr Jones....... I'll write a letter at the same time as the trip report

:mrgreen: afternoon !

I won't be holding out for your letter then !

 

[oz_mark]

Changing to 40k limit doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Obviously Amex would like to limit their cost, but I suspect that they're not achieving anything if they place a cap on it.

If they are going to change, I would have thought putting a minimum on the transction amount would have been a better strategy.

 

[lovestotravel]

If they are going to change, I would have thought putting a minimum on the transction amount would have been a better strategy.

Exactly - Minimum of $50 for a transaction to qualify, that would be far more acceptable than a 40,000 point limit.

Holo - Breck.... remember

 

[kpc]

I think that AMEX clearly have not thought this promotion out carefully. A simple restriction eg minimum spend of say $15-20 for a transaction to count could easily have overcome some of the absurd plans of some. If AMEX now restrospectively bring in a 40K pouints cap, this will result in a lot of backlash and bad publicity against AMEX....not to mention the number of complaints I expect will be made to the consumer watchdog.

I have been a loyal member of Diners for nearly 20 years, and was prepared to jump over to AMEX with this promotion....but alas it appears that AMEX are not going to extend this offer to new members. Bad decison, I think, as I would have poured a lot of money through AMEX....

Oh....it's obvious that the AMEX rep, and all her superiors are following this thread very closely, and posts suggesting ways some are going to get millions of points through this scheme have resulted in alarm bells and panic at AMEX, hence their current back peddling on the T & Cs of this promotion; a great promotion for them is fast becoming a publicity nighmare

 

[LordGarlic]

I recalled the Xmas citibank promotion fiasco was featured on today tonight/current affair. Not sure if it will happen for AMEX.

 

[lovestotravel]

Oh....it's obvious that the AMEX rep, and all her superiors are following this thread very closely, and posts suggesting ways some are going to get millions of points through this scheme have resulted in alarm bells and panic at AMEX, hence their current back peddling on the T & Cs of this promotion; a great promotion for them is fast becoming a publicity nighmare

Pretty much, companies need to learn that publicity and offers both good and bad spread around the world via forums in a matter of hours!

Since I put through about 200 tranasctions a month, and could make it 300, yes I should end up with alot of bonus points but some things are always too good to true.

 

[oz_mark]

Oh....it's obvious that the AMEX rep, and all her superiors are following this thread very closely, and posts suggesting ways some are going to get millions of points through this scheme have resulted in alarm bells and panic at AMEX, hence their current back peddling on the T & Cs of this promotion; a great promotion for them is fast becoming a publicity nighmare

Well, we knew all along that Amex was going to be reading the thread. Here is the problem:

1) They have a great promotion, not too many conditions.
2) People take the p!ss with it (and of course this may be happening on other boards as well)
3) They need to find some way to bring things back under control.

Unfortunately it may affect future promotions.

 

[Tiki]

Are they capping it for everyone or only NEW sign ups? The CSR told me there was no cap and no limit as well. I don't mind if they put a minimum transaction level as long as they give warning in advance so we can comply. I will be very upset if I made a special effort to seek out stores that sell $5 t-shirts and accept Amex was for nothing. I am always happy to comply with the rules of a promotion but the company should clearly state them and even if they stuff up because they didn't think things through clearly (such as the people planning to rort the sytem by paying their bills $1 at a time or paying their groceries one bread roll at a time). I knew when I first read that, those people would ruin it for everyone. :evil:

I made transactions of a reasonable amount and even looked outside my usual shopping focus to buy a few bottles of dish soap at a Bargain Center rather than Coles because they took Amex. "Hello, do you take Amex?" "Yes" Then I made an effort to find some item I would use anyway to buy from them.

The other thing to consider is that this promo as it is is STILL very cheap publicity. OK 130,000 points is worth $1000 on the Amex, right? But to get the 130 transactions, that person would have been physically going to stores, asking if they take Amex, walking out if they don't and returning if they do. Those merchants will have a huge percentage of Amex transactions vs other credit cards or cash which makes the Amex stats look better to stockholders.

So what is the worst case scenario, 500 people all make a huge effort to use Amex everywhere and they all get $1000 worth of points, but in doing so, they refuse to shop anywhere that doesn't take Amex? What is $500,000 worth of publicity worth? How much do those silly tv commercial cost and who really watches them anyway? People fast-forward through tv commercials or go to the kitchen or loo. The impact of merchants watching people walk out of the store because they don't take Amex is far more valuable--just wait until Christmas shopping time!

 

[rodgerbranch]

Ha ha ... Didnt I said too good to be true

:mrgreen:

Well, That makes sense now. At last we have an idea of what the deal is about... May I say that is not a bad deal at all ... Remember these are Bonus Points (points on top of our normal points). Com'n is something for FREE... amex customers didnt loose anything but a crazy dream they could make 1,000,000 by buying 1000 $2 items LOL :mrgreen:

I trully prefer to know where I am standing rather than going crazy assuming I know the rules when I dont. On my previous post I said points have a value and CANT be given in unlimited numbers to unlimited customers for NOTHING.

odoherty ... If the promotion was really unlimited it would cause more damage to amex than achieve anithing... merchants would be angry at the fees-bill at the end of the month since all of us would try to make as many small purchases as possible... On the other hand I never thought Amex could pay millions of points to 1000's of customers customers... qantas would be screaming... WHAT!!! 10 free return tickets to USA for you buying many small things? Com'n

They did tell me the terms and rules will be sent on the mail next week.

Sorry for the guys who went 10 times a day to the shops to increase the No of transactions... I guess you lost Fuel $$$ for nothing....

Remember all promotions have to be balanced... Customers Get something and give something and Amex Get something in return.... Unlimited uncaped points was Un-realistec

 

[ColinP]

Changing to 40k limit doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Obviously Amex would like to limit their cost, but I suspect that they're not achieving anything if they place a cap on it.

What I mean is that I suspect most cardholders would not have to change their spending patterns to earn 40k between September to December. So what are Amex achieving?

Not imposing a cap meant that people would change their spending habits - which I suspect was their intention.

I agree. I've calculated that if I make no change to my spending habits (ie about 2-3 transactions/day) I'd have 'earned' about 200,000 - 300,000 bonus points during this promotion. By changing my spending habits in a (I believe) legitimate way, I'll be up for maybe 400,000 - 600,000 points. I don't see any reason for the promotion other than to encouraging Amex cardholders to change their spending/card use habits. If it is capped at 40,000, I'll be 40,000 points better off but my spending habits won't change so what would be the point?

IMO this is a very generous promotion and I think that the marketing gurus at Amex might have been spooked by talk of rorting, hence their poorly thought out change of plan. I think they're making policy on the run so let's just take a chill pill, sit back and wait to see what transpires.


.

 

[holo]

remember this, talks about the initial deal. Does that not confirm the initial deal is valid

It's Luisa from American Express here. I've asked admin to post this message on my behalf.

I have been reading with interest the discussion about our bonus points offer. I'm happy to confirm that it is a legitimate offer. As it has been rightly pointed out, the intent of the offer is to encourage our Cardmembers to get out and use their Cards. Particularly in the thousands of new businesses we have signed this year.

I just wanted to let you know that the offer will be restricted to Cardmembers who received the invitation in the mail; and Cardmembers who are currently enrolled, even if the offer was not intended for them.

We will be reviewing all Cardmembers who registered multiple times and limiting their enrolment to the original offer, or the offer they would have been eligible for had they been invited to participate.

It's great to see you are so excited about the benefits of using your American Express Card, but unfortunately there are limits. I have been disappointed to read some of the posts suggesting abuse of the offer. We will be reviewing all spend activity related to the offer to identify cases of suspected abuse. Cardmembers who are found to have acted inappropriately risk forfeiting any points earned .

Sorry to end on a low note. But we love how enthusiastic you guys are about your American Express Cards and encourage you to get out there and spend. While I will continue to read - or is the right term lurk - with interest, I'm not planning popping up here regularly.

Luisa