10,000 bonus points per 20 transactions

[oz_mark]

Lindsay Wilson,

Unfortunately from what I'm now reading there are some out there who still don't get it :!:

Pity to spoil something good with petty bickering. There are a few who really need to look back at their posts and have a serious rethink :!:

I'll do that when I have three hours spare But the thread certainly has not degenerated into personal attacks like many others do!

 

[simongr]

Another check point will come later this morning. Since my first two blocks of 5,000 posted yesterday, another 12 transactions :shock: have hit the card over the weekend with an average value of $59 per transaction for the 10 qualifying transactions (still a heap of the month to go). That in theory would be around 5.9c/point.

Compare that to the normal of 100c/point or if I took a QF flight SYD-MEL for say $319 and earned 1000 points that would be around 31.9c/point.

However - I did use the card in at least 3 stores that I would not normally use it

 

[creeno]

One very happy camper here - just checked Amex account and points have posted. They generally update at 9am MON-FRI in my account.

 

[oz_mark]

Another check point will come later this morning. Since my first two blocks of 5,000 posted yesterday, another 12 transactions :shock: have hit the card over the weekend with an average value of $59 per transaction for the 10 qualifying transactions (still a heap of the month to go). That in theory would be around 5.9c/point.

Compare that to the normal of 100c/point or if I took a QF flight SYD-MEL for say $319 and earned 1000 points that would be around 31.9c/point.

However - I did use the card in at least 3 stores that I would not normally use it

...and I kept finding the Visa/MC only places :evil:

 

[ColinP]

I've had 17 transactions totalling $725 since registering, for a total of ~ 16,300 points. An average of $42 per transaction and 4.5c per point.

My past average of ~3 transactions/day has gone to just over 5 but that can probably be put down to an initial burst of enthusiasm and will probably settle down to maybe only an extra 10 - 20 transactions/ month.

This deal is so generous that I'm happy to pretty well carry on acting normally except that I will walk out of shops that don't take Amex where in the past I would have pulled out my Visa. Surely that's the whole point of the promotion.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

...and I kept finding the Visa/MC only places :evil:

Normally I use my Visa more than my Amex due to who accepts it or not.

However since the promotion started I have not used the Visa at all. If the store does not accept, then I do not buy there period!

Normally I am not that fussed, if they do not take Amex I just use my Citibank Gold.

From a promotional point of view Amex's transactions must be up and there must be a lot of puzzled store-owners about the sudden increase in people who are No-Amex = No-buy.

 

[snufl]

In case Amex are lurking, the promo is working at our house. We did a search of merchants and there was our local Thai restaurant. We buy takeaway there about once a fortnight. Never knew they took Amex, never asked. I know which card will be used next Friday night

 

[lovetravellingoz]

In case Amex are lurking, the promo is working at our house. We did a search of merchants and there was our local Thai restaurant. We buy takeaway there about once a fortnight. Never knew they took Amex, never asked. I know which card will be used next Friday night

Yes like you in the past I had nevered bothered to look to see who had Amex. If somewhere I shopped had it then well and good, but if they did not then I just used the Visa.

I am now looking to see who has Amex and am basing which shop I buy at on this basis.

 

[file51]

Well here goes something that some people in this thread may have difficulty in relating to, or doing the same.

In reference to my comments earlier regarding minimum spend levels with cards like Amex, I have spoken to one of the Woolworths regional managers that I previously worked with, and he stated, as of approx 6-8 months ago (couldnt give me the exact date) a memo was circulated to all stores and co-brand petrol stations that there was no limit in regards to min or max transaction values.

My previous comments were based on fact for the policies in place whilst I worked for Woolworths (well over 1 year ago).

So I was wrong, however a lot of smaller businesses do have minimum spends for all cards and usually have a sign advising of this.

 

[holo]

mine have posted as well. It has changed how I use it. I have a corp card with someone else, now I have ditched that and use my Amex. I can't be bothered with lots of small transactions trying to rort the system, however now only use Amex where previously it was cash. My Amex spend will increase dramatically.

 

[simongr]

Well here goes something that some people in this thread may have difficulty in relating to, or doing the same.

In reference to my comments earlier regarding minimum spend levels with cards like Amex, I have spoken to one of the Woolworths regional managers that I previously worked with, and he stated, as of approx 6-8 months ago (couldnt give me the exact date) a memo was circulated to all stores and co-brand petrol stations that there was no limit in regards to min or max transaction values.

My previous comments were based on fact for the policies in place whilst I worked for Woolworths (well over 1 year ago).

So I was wrong, however a lot of smaller businesses do have minimum spends for all cards and usually have a sign advising of this.

Thanks for that - actually making an effort to say mea culpa is a breath of fresh air. It is amazing to us all how things like this change so quickly. The same applies with FF advice - instantly out of date sometimes and the old diehards sometimes have no idea

 

[ColinP]

Well here goes something that some people in this thread may have difficulty in relating to, or doing the same.

I have no difficulty relating to your admission and like to think I'd do the same. This forum after all, is about giving and receiving accurate and up to date information.
My opinion of you has gone up a notch.

 

[mr_matt_t]

I am currently overseas (last 10 days) and have caught snippets of this thread. Wow there have been a lot of comments. I haven't been able to read them all but here is my experience.

I called Amex yesterday (Sunday) on their toll free number. I have the Ultimate card. I explained i would like to register for the MYREWARDS promotion (as from link p 46). I was told that this promotion had been suspended and was now capped at 40k points. I said i would still like to register. He said he would check with his supervisor. I was told i was not eligible (apparently they have developed a search engine to see who has been mailed out the postcard). I replied i thought anyone could register and had just followed the link. No - not eligible, wait for future targetted promotions. The guy was very friendly and helpful including putting a note in my record that i was o/s but would not budge about the registration.

Oh well seems to be my luck (including current $AUD exchange). Good luck to all those getting points. I would like to know who has the most points by December.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Well here goes something that some people in this thread may have difficulty in relating to, or doing the same.

In reference to my comments earlier regarding minimum spend levels with cards like Amex, I have spoken to one of the Woolworths regional managers that I previously worked with, and he stated, as of approx 6-8 months ago (couldnt give me the exact date) a memo was circulated to all stores and co-brand petrol stations that there was no limit in regards to min or max transaction values.

My previous comments were based on fact for the policies in place whilst I worked for Woolworths (well over 1 year ago).

So I was wrong, however a lot of smaller businesses do have minimum spends for all cards and usually have a sign advising of this.

Thanks for that, and in taking the time to check and to post a retraction.
Though I would note that official policy is one thing, and what actually can occur is another. I would also note that you were in NSW and that I am in Vic.

I buy bread most week days for the kids lunches. Sometimes I grab milk or another item such as fruit at the same time. It is always a quick shop though and mostly just grabbing the bread.

My local Safeways (Woolworths) is actually closer than any Milk Bar or 7/11 and so I use it for this purpose.
I have been doing this for many years....the transactions are almost alway under $10, and most of the time are under $5 as I often time my run for when the bread has been discounted (it is normally only a $1 to $1.50 per load of half a dozen rolls).

I have in 99.9% of cases paid for this on Amex.

 

[lovestotravel]

file51 - Thanks for the correction :mrgreen:

I do even remember a time when Coles and Woolies didn't accept AMEX, I think that was around 6 years ago, maybe more...

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Just on Supermarkets. I remember way back when they first started accepting CC for groceries (initially they would not accept it for persishables and hence food stores did not allow use of CCs).

I had been merrily using my then CC for months at my local supermarket.

However one day I shopped at the same chain but at a different location. I got to the checkout witha overflowing trolly, and flashed my CC only to have the check out person say they did not take credit cards.

I assumed initially that she meant just her station, but was then told that the supermarket did not at all.

I then got into a yes you do, now we don't discussion for a bit when I pointed out that I had been shopping at their chain for many months every week and had paid by CC each time to be told no could not have!!!!!!!!!!!

Fisrt over comes the supervisor, and then the manager who makesa call to discover that evidently that the store in the chain I had been shopping at was the first in OZ to do so and they were using my "home" supermarket aasa trial.

No cash on me and so full trolly of groceries was just left.

I can see the humour in it now, but was wondering what the hell was going on at the time

 

[snufl]

Just looked here The American Express Merchant Map
Yesterday we bought prawns and a crab at our local fish market and paid cash even though we are registered for the promo. They take Amex!

Old habits die hard, in the past our Amex spend has been with the big retailers. I can't believe how many places we have used cash or Visa, simply because we didn't know they took Amex.

 

[lovestotravel]

No cash on me and so full trolly of groceries was just left.

Geez and I felt bad after walking out and leaving two bottles of wine on the counter as they didn't accept AMEX

 

[skeltonl]

Geez and I felt bad after walking out and leaving two bottles of wine on the counter as they didn't accept AMEX

At this rate we may have to start a competion on the best refuse to use a merchant because they dont take AMEX .

This is what AMEX wanted to do with the promotion - make people realise that their card is accepted in more places. Its just a shame that if they introduce the 40,000 point cap this goodwill may be lost.

 

[glass]

I am happy with a 40k cap, that's plenty good gift from amex. But now I will move my surcharged bills back to visa as it's not worth paying 3% for 1.5pts
Now for lunch, not sure whether to spend $10 for an amex-able lunch, or $4 for cash takeaway. I think I can still hit the cap in 4mth - I have 15-20 transacts/mth usually.