10,000 bonus points per 20 transactions

[oz_mark]

No exceptions will be made (I asked for this as I registered on Saturday the 20th, I also stated that I had earnt in excess of 10,000 bonus points, was advised they would stay, but no more points would be issued prior to 1st of October).

Does that mean points won't be issued on transactions prior to 1 Oct, or that they will be issued, just after 1 Oct? (or are they just holding things up while they implement the 10K limit for later registrants)

(speaking as someone that got the postcard for 10T:5K, registered, have had more than 10 transactions, but not received a single point from this promotion!)

 

[QF WP]

Hmmm , why do they still have it (as well as "tentimes" webpage), still active if they don't consider the T&C's valid :shock:

"fivetimes" webpage not considered valid as T&C's have changed and was only intended for those who received a card/form. (Spurious point debating that link appeared on AMEX homepage)

 

[file51]

Does that mean points won't be issued on transactions prior to 1 Oct, or that they will be issued, just after 1 Oct?

(speaking as someone that got the postcard for 10T:5K, registered, have had more than 10 transactions, but not received a single point from this promotion!)

I think it would be after 1st October.

Personally I am disappointed in the way Amex have handled this, what hurts even more is being told by all 3 Amex staff that these changes have only occurred due to a large number of cardholders abusing the system. What that means, who knows.

I was only hoping to earn 80,000 - 100,000 bonus points, (not much in the big scheme of things, but alas, that wont be happenning)

 

[Flashback]

Personally I am disappointed in the way Amex have handled this, what hurts even more is being told by all 3 Amex staff that these changes have only occurred due to a large number of cardholders abusing the system. What that means, who knows.

An easy copout...

 

[beardoc]

* when pressed for examples CSR cited: small purchases, buying then returning item straight away, paying bills in increments (NOT monthly installment types).

Yup, this is going to be interesting - as someone that moved their twice daily (morning and evening) coffee purchases of $2-3 onto Amex (switching coffee shops, too, I might add), I'm going to be interested to see what they think of this. For me, it's an everyday expense, and justified - but it will remain to be seen what they think of it. Previously I used to buy Wish and Coles "gift cards" through a company that provided me with a 5% discount on their face value (i.e. buy $1000 worth of Wish cards and only pay $950), but they only accepted Visa/Mastercard for purchasing - I would then transact daily or more often using the gift cards at Woolworths/Woolworths Liquor/Coles/DS Electronics/Dan Murphy's/Woolworths Petrol, etc. Now all of those daily transactions are going on the Amex. Amex is getting a lot more business from me as a result.

I've been transacting often - I used to do many small cash transactions through the day as most of the places I have didn't accept Amex for small transactions, but with the impetus provided by Amex with this promotion, I've now found places that will take them and I haven't bought anything with cash or Visa since the promotion started now. All of my expenses are now with Amex, and I've switched businesses to those that take it now.

I can safely say that Amex gets all my expenses (at least until something like council rates come up that can't be paid by Amex!)

It is a very good promotion and I'm glad that there is some certainty coming out of Amex now - uncertainty was preventing me from making some "should I or shouldn't I?" purchases (high cost items that I want to buy, but have been delaying purchasing). With certainly, I will likely spend on them.

It should be noted that with the economic downturn, retail spending is down and this would likely be hitting Amex pretty hard - I imagine that the increase in market share that hopefully is coming Amex's way as a result of this promotion is substantial, and I hope it does improve Amex's overall revenue.

 

[QF WP]

Amex would be happy to know that I have changed my cc habit - normally I would pay for my haircut with my Visa - yesterday I asked whether they took Amex. Yes they did (but with a 3.5% surcharge - a whole $2.36). Still - worth it to ensure I got my next 10 tranasactions in place by 30th.

What we do when we are gripped by the excitement of a promotion...

 

[Ekka]

"
We're sorry...

This offer has been temporarily suspended due to operational issues. Please try again later."


So much for that idea.

 

[QF WP]

Ekka, if my understanding is correct, the website access to register for the promo has been down for days/a week - the only way to register is to ring up (as they want to ask you some specific questions to ensure you're eligble) - see Happy Dude's post earlier today.

 

[straitman]

Thanks for posting that - it makes me feel a lttle better knowing that I am not the only one who received that information from AMEX

... or they both got the same CSR giving the same info which may or may not be correct :!:

 

[NSWhere]

I think it would be after 1st October.

Personally I am disappointed in the way Amex have handled this, what hurts even more is being told by all 3 Amex staff that these changes have only occurred due to a large number of cardholders abusing the system. What that means, who knows.

I was only hoping to earn 80,000 - 100,000 bonus points, (not much in the big scheme of things, but alas, that wont be happenning)

Particularly interesting given that if they truly believed that cardholders were abusing the system they could simply revoke the offending cardholders points and leave the offer open for others. I think that by abuse, what they really mean is use.

As much as many of us would like, we can't simply increase our purchases of F flights and Rolls Royce's to take advantage of the bonus points and provide Amex with fat merchant fees. If they want more transactions, they will have to accept the occasional (or not so occasional) coffee.

 

[Ekka]

Ekka, if my understanding is correct, the website access to register for the promo has been down for days/a week - the only way to register is to ring up (as they want to ask you some specific questions to ensure you're eligble) - see Happy Dude's post earlier today.

Thanks Lindsay: as I received nothing in the mail, it would still seem to be no go, but perhaps for a little further clarification ...

 

[kamchatsky]

An easy copout...

Oh look I think Flie51 has reasons to be upset when some of us have no limits and some of us have limits ...... The realities of "Have" or "Have nots" .....

We should be thankful what we have now ..... That's all I can say.

Lessons Learnt: If Amex in the future ever have more promotions that is "too generous to be true", just sign up in first instance over the internet and confirm over the phone. Don't wait for tomorrow.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If at Woolworths / Coles... splitting into roughly $30 transactions will get you a fuel voucher...

(Actually, I think Woolies and Coles should give you vouchers for however much you spend in the transaction... i.e. spend $100 get 3 vouchers...)

AGAIN..for about the third time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was talking about splitting a bill (ie phone, rates etc) into many MANY multiple transactions...ie a phone bill into 20 to 50 payments..and NOT, I repeat NOT...three transactions at the ONE store on the one day.

AGAIN..as I have said already...think about what is reasonable. If three purchases are reasonable...then ok.
Though, again if you did this at EVERY store you shopped at I think you may be in trouble.

 

[file51]

Particularly interesting given that if they truly believed that cardholders were abusing the system they could simply revoke the offending cardholders points and leave the offer open for others. I think that by abuse, what they really mean is use.

I think 10 minutes of my conversation was stating that why should a small minority (IMO I feel that is what it would be) ruin it for others that do the right thing, and my understanding of the promotion was to get more card use and help generate new merchants.

I was happy for them to go through my account and even the manager agreed that all transactions looked fine, however they have been told that no exceptions are to be made, either you are one of the lucky ones, or capped like myself and I assume a lot of others.

 

[file51]

Oh look I think Flie51 has reasons to be upset when some of us have no limits and some of us have limits ...... The realities of "Have" or "Have nots" .....

We should be thankful what we have now ..... That's all I can say.

Thankful for some bonus points yes, agreed.

Upset, disappointed in being a have not, yes. No need to get annoyed or angry as there is nothing I can do.

Be interesting to see what transpires over the next few days or weeks, but I doubt anything will change, i.e. capped bonus points.

 

[Happy Dude]

Thanks Happy Dude. For the people who will/may remain on the original T&C,... do you recall if 19th is inclusive?

And when you say "anyone", do you know if that includes those with no original postcard?

Yep anyone, postcard or not if you signed up prior to the 19th you'll be on the original T&C's...so go nuts those lucksters. After that, you'll be capped (apparently, but there were some that slipped through the cracks). Even my meagre spend would exceed the cap (CSR agreed that practically everyone will).

Didn't press about 19th being inclusive as I tried to sign up well after then. Dunno why they've plucked the 19th either. See file51's post below for his experience (Apologies file51 if you're not a he ).

Hmmm , why do they still have it (as well as "tentimes" webpage), still active if they don't consider the T&C's valid :shock:

No idea Lindsay. I suspect he told me that to shut me up but I suppose it is still valid for those signed up prior to or on the 19th?

And Sash213, QF card holders lucky enought to get signed on will stay on (as per Luisa's comments). Nowt for the rest of us. Card/form recipients from here on in I was told. Inconsistent is not a word they're interested in hearing.

 

[straitman]

AGAIN..for about the third time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was talking about splitting a bill (ie phone, rates etc) into many MANY multiple transactions...ie a phone bill into 20 to 50 payments..and NOT, I repeat NOT...three transactions at the ONE store on the one day.




AGAIN..as I have said already...think about what is reasonable. If three purchases are reasonable...then ok.
Though, again if you did this at EVERY store you shopped at I think you may be in trouble.

lovetravellingoz,

I think most of understand what you are saying :!:

 

[glass]

To all those replied to me, sorry I duno how to multiquote.
Well I'm saying that when the next newbie come and claims someone is rorting the system (and you know it'll happen again), don't feel like you have to come out and 'defend your honor' again. Those of us who have read all 1000 posts (or new joiners who have read at least the last 50posts) already know what is and isn't legit. You don't have to defend your honor because *I never doubted you*
I also don't have a clue who you (plural) are and what rep you have IRL to begin with.

I also didn't realise there were so many that have read all 1000 posts but still enjoy posting legit reasons for seemingly splitting bills. The Myer example has been posted at least 10 times already, and with no new content. I'm sure you all memorised it by now. And the coffee example, and the parking meter example, and the donations example... maybe someone can finish the list for me.

What I'm saying is I won't think less of you if next time you don't defend why you have small spends, or pay for coffee etc. But if you feel better writing it out again, well I guess if you didn't someone else would anyway.

 

[snufl]

Didn't press about 19th being inclusive as I tried to sign up well after then. Dunno why they've plucked the 19th either. See file51's post below for his experience (Apologies file51 if you're not a he ).

My husband registered online on the 19th, from memory the opt-in page was down on the 20th (and since, of course). That could explain the 19th as the deadline, all registrations after that date had to be made by phone.

 

[QF WP]

I think most of understand what you are saying :!:

Agreed, I understood what lovetravellingoz has said multiple times . They remind me of ozstamps replies - bolding, colour, multiple apostrophe's

At least now I'm sure that there have been many meetings at Amex HQ between Marketing/Legal/Customer Service to iron out their position and ongoing response. That will flow through to CS contact with cardholders by telephone/email/mail/face to face contact - as it appears to have each time somebody has reported here their contact with CS.

But now to buy that take-away Indian meal, serve it with a nice red wine and to pick up those essential weekend items at IGA. A happy wife is a happy life :mrgreen: