American Express Ultimate Card 30,000 bonus points

[ceavoi]

came across this on the qantas site however someone forgot to update the american express web page as it doesn't say anything about this new promotion...
The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card

Take off with up to 30,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points
https://www201.americanexpress.com/...&XMRSOURCECODE=Q04FUAPH&SOURCECODE=8504705001
It's simple. Apply to be a new Qantas American Express Ultimate Cardmember by 31 March 2010, be approved, and you could be on your way.*
The way the points add up:

• The first time you make a purchase on the Card you'll earn 5,000 points.^
• If you spend $750 on purchases within the first three months of becoming a Cardmember, you'll earn an additional 22,500 points.^
• Plus, earn a further 2,500 points after your first Card spend on selected Qantas products and services in Australia.+

 

[newformula]

Can anyone illuminate me on the next question that come to my mind... is the 30k points worth the $450 annual fee (not taking into account the other benefits such as travel insurance, increased earn rate, flight, QC invites etc).

Is 30k points for $450 decent value, at a cost per point of $0.015 (1.5c)... or not?

 

[drewbles]

Can anyone illuminate me on the next question that come to my mind... is the 30k points worth the $450 annual fee (not taking into account the other benefits such as travel insurance, increased earn rate, flight, QC invites etc).

Is 30k points for $450 decent value, at a cost per point of $0.015 (1.5c)... or not?

I have received an offer for $250, so you could potentially beat them down (although i'm not sure of bargaining power of new members, probably Zero).

Ultimate gives no QP invites, however, does offer a free flight. It's the QF earning equivalent of the Amex Platinum CC. 1.5 points per dollar, bonus 1 point per dollar on QF spend, and a free return flight (excluding east coast-PER flights, but PER-SYD/MEL return is available).

 

[newformula]

Thanks drewbles. I'm an existing Amex Qantas Classic Customer, but have this at $0 annual fee for life so would be a new customer for this card (I checked with them over the phone and it sounded like I'd have little bargaining power).

I guess the free flight is worth around $250 give or take, but the main draw is the FF bonus points. I'm trying to work out if the card fee is worth those bonus points - I'm thinking it probably is.

Any of my QF redemptions would be used on a SYD-LHR flight which makes the 30k points fairly worthwhile IMO.

 

[Danger]

Is there a link for this offer?

 

[newformula]

Can't post a linked link as I have less than 10 posts... but copy and paste this into your browser: bit.ly/5bNucB

 

[Gold Member]

Frequent Flyer - Member Specials - Cards - Qantas American Express Ultimate Card

Knock yourself out.

IMHO, $450 is great value for 30K points. I value my points at 3c pp which makes these points worth ~$900. And as others have said, the flights are probably worth about $250 and after the first year you should be able to secure a $0 fee if you negotiate/threaten to cancel.

UPDATE: I've just realised that clicking on the 'Apply Now' link doesn't actually forward through any special promo details via the URL redirect. I spoke with Amex about this and they acknolwedge it is a problem and that they will fix it ASAP. Personally, I wouldn't be applying for the promo until its fixed despite Amex's insistence they will honour the promo if you take a screen dump of the offer. I've had too many bad experiences with them in this regard in the past.

 

[Danger]

What number did you reach Amex on to discuss this promo?

 

[Gold Member]

1800 507 104

The link has another link to 'Contact Amex' where all the numbers you need are listed by dropdown sort.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Good joining offers have been a bit thin of late.

Hopefully this way be the start of a few more.

I find QF J hard to get for when I want to fly and where I want to fly as my status is low...so I only value QF points at say about 2 cents.

However $450 for say $600 of points plus a domestic flight is not to bad. Not fantasic..but not too bad.

 

[Maca44]

When I applied for the Amex Ultimate QF card about 12 months ago I was declined because I did not meet the level of income required for the card, so had to settle for the Amex QF Premium card. From memory, you had to have a personel income of $65K and my tax return for last year was only $55K. However, I have two separate companies and, as any smart person would do, I put as much as possible through the businesses. Amex were unable to explain why I would not be entitled to the Ultimate card when I have an annual spend on Amex alone of over $120K, but only quoted their T&C's. I suppose that's life, but this year I have put my income up to $70K to get the card and the additional FF points. I would also be crazy not to contact them at the moment for this promo.

 

[zig]

Link is working now.

 

[kamchatsky]

I am actually looking forward to Amex Platinum CC 30K offer in Ascent, since I don't collect QF points anymore. The Amex offer has been high and dry for a while.

I see 30K Ascent Membership Rewards points more value than 30K QF points. But each to its own.

 

[fly by wire]

Would this be open to new Ultimate card holders but whom have another amex such as qantas premium amex..?

 

[newformula]

Would this be open to new Ultimate card holders but whom have another amex such as qantas premium amex..?

I am a current classic holder and was informed over the phone that I could apply as a new Ultimate customer - keeping the classic if I wanted.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I am actually looking forward to Amex Platinum CC 30K offer in Ascent, since I don't collect QF points anymore. The Amex offer has been high and dry for a while.

I see 30K Ascent Membership Rewards points more value than 30K QF points.

Well I do too.

However while my bias is towards SQ...I collect whatever is good value...or in some cases where it is only availble to one program such as Everday Rewards or my work flights on QF domestic..

Ascent points are great, but I am happy to aquire whatever is going unless it is an either/or situation.

ie BMI points for free cannot be knocked!!!

 

[Danger]

I am a current classic holder and was informed over the phone that I could apply as a new Ultimate customer - keeping the classic if I wanted.

I had the complete opposite advice - I have the Premium and was told that the 30k offer only applies to new-to-Amex customers. If you get an answer in your favour (ie. you are entitled to the 30k) I'd be getting it in an email or taking a very detailed record of the phone conversation (person you spoke to (exact name), their city location, number you dialled, time of day).

 

[newformula]

I had the complete opposite advice - I have the Premium and was told that the 30k offer only applies to new-to-Amex customers. If you get an answer in your favour (ie. you are entitled to the 30k) I'd be getting it in an email or taking a very detailed record of the phone conversation (person you spoke to (exact name), their city location, number you dialled, time of day).

Danger - I called Amex again this morning. I actually got someone quite knowledgeable today- she was 100% certain that I could apply for this card and get the bonus points, without cancelling the Classic, as long as I went through the right marketing channels (i.e. the Qantas website). I got her name. She even went so far as to mark our conversation and what she'd told me on my account (apparently ) so hopefully it will be successful and the points will come though.

 

[ksthommo]

Is 30k points for $450 decent value, at a cost per point of $0.015 (1.5c)... or not?

I've sold the flight on ebay the last couple of years for $355 and $294.
Perth residents grab them.

 

[drewbles]

I've sold the flight on ebay the last couple of years for $355 and $294.
Perth residents grab them.

Or you can do as I do and make it a 2-for-1 type arrangement. I book a MEL-PER-MEL in E class, then take the PER-MEL-PER freebie Amex. Perfectly legit, and saves me from having to buy 2 fares to go back home to keep the parents and family happy

And before you say "but I have no reason to go to Perth", just go looking around at the winery regions down south west. That's enough of a reason to go IMHO