AMEX 17,500 points offer

[JohnK]

For anyone interested, the 17,500 points offer is still available according to a large advertisement in the Daily Telegraph today and it has been extended until 22 November. I guess we will still be seeing this offer in one form or another for many months to come.

Same conditions as before, annual fee, 2 complimentary invitations but must apply through the phone on 1 300 665 802.

The Qantas offer sounds much better.

 

[JohnK]

She wasn't aware of any such offer, but gave me her name and extension number, and said to keep proof of the offer, and if I get charged, to call back, show them the proof, and they will refund the fee.

I was intrigued by the advertisement I mentioned in the earlier post and called the number 1 300 665 802 this afternoon.

I spoke to a local rep and mentioned to him that I had noticed the advertisement in the newspaper but have already applied through a link on the internet which offered 20,000 points and waiving the first year's fee. He was aware of the offer and mentioned that it was Qantas that was offering the additional points. He also mentioned that Amex will honour the conditions of the application.

I don't know if call centre reps in India and Philippines are aware of all current offers especially offers from QF website. I have saved a copy of the website page with the details of the offer in case there is any dispute. Not even sure if I will be approved yet as I have an existing Amex Gold Card.

 

[PlutekPlutek]

I was intrigued by the advertisement I mentioned in the earlier post and called the number 1 300 665 802 this afternoon.

I spoke to a local rep and mentioned to him that I had noticed the advertisement in the newspaper but have already applied through a link on the internet which offered 20,000 points and waiving the first year's fee. He was aware of the offer and mentioned that it was Qantas that was offering the additional points. He also mentioned that Amex will honour the conditions of the application.

I don't know if call centre reps in India and Philippines are aware of all current offers especially offers from QF website. I have saved a copy of the website page with the details of the offer in case there is any dispute. Not even sure if I will be approved yet as I have an existing Amex Gold Card.

I don't think the reps in Australia are aware of it either, as the one I've spoken to had no knowledge of it. She said to keep a copy of the offer in case I get charged, and they will then honour it and refund it.

On another note... The two complimentary passes that come with the offer... what do you actually have to do to redeem them? Do they automatically appear on the Qantas Freq Flyer card or is there another way ?

 

[Mal]

On another note... The two complimentary passes that come with the offer... what do you actually have to do to redeem them? Do they automatically appear on the Qantas Freq Flyer card or is there another way ?

Amex have so many different promos running at the moment that most people wouldn't be able to follow them. Just keep your documentation and take appropriate steps with Amex if you don't get what you have been promised.

The Qantas Club passes will be physical laminated cards which you hand in when redeeming. Expiry date should be just over a year from when you get them. I believe they are issued when you make your first Qantas spend.

 

[wafliron]

I was actually thinking of contacting Amex directly before activating the card to sort this one out. Have you tried calling them about it?

I had the same experience - my contract stated a $195 annual fee applied - so I queried it when I rang up to activate the card. The bloke at the other end said he could see from my account that the $195 fee should be waived for the first year and said it would be automatically, despite what the contract said.

 

[wiz]

I just got hit with the $195 fee on my first bill cycle... Called Amex-Bangalore and asked them what promotional code had been used on my application, to no avail. They requested I fax them the hard copy of the promotional offer, of which I am happy to oblige - along with a few comments about referring the incident to the Dep of Consumer and Employment Protection!

It does disturb me that I have to make such efforts to maintain their own promises though. Once I have the fee reversed, I'll also get onto their case about the 12,500 points, which no doubt won't show up without a fight either. It's ridiculous that I have to do this... The card will be getting the chop as soon as it's sorted.

 

[Jenelle]

Hi Wiz

If you look back at my post - very similar situation and I still have not been given the 10,000 points. The spend on Qantas services and the other 5,000 pts went through but the 10,000 are still nowhere to be seen. When I rang last time they said how nothing can be done until after 10 weeks. That is nearly coming up but that is hillarious considering everyone got theirs on here in no time.

Very much over them as well and I'll be sticking to my earth+ - Amex are a waste of space and only ever good for bonus points IMO.

 

[wiz]

I've been following this thread for a while and yes I can see my situation certainly isn't a once-off case. I take some consolation in knowing that a bit of persistence pays off, as has been demonstrated by other readers. I'll keep this thread posted as to what answers I receive from Amex, as they come to hand.

 

[tscharke]

20,000 points - check!
$195 fee reversal - check!
Received what was offered - check!
Easy process - WRONG!!!!

I've received better service from Helstra (oops! I mean Telstra!!!)

dodgy brothers....:evil:

 

[tanewi]

For anyone interested, the 17,500 points offer is still available according to a large advertisement in the Daily Telegraph today and it has been extended until 22 November. I guess we will still be seeing this offer in one form or another for many months to come.

Same conditions as before, annual fee, 2 complimentary invitations but must apply through the phone on 1 300 665 802.

The Qantas offer sounds much better.

I realise that I have posted this earlier in the thread - however will be of benefit to repost it. If you don't want to speak to Imelda Marcos nor Ravi Shafstri regarding the $195 application fee waiver. Best to call Edwardo (maybe not typed correctly) on 029271 8448. That is how I sorted out my mess.

 

[JohnK]

I realise that I have posted this earlier in the thread - however will be of benefit to repost it. If you don't want to speak to Imelda Marcos nor Ravi Shafstri regarding the $195 application fee waiver. Best to call Edwardo (maybe not typed correctly) on 029271 8448. That is how I sorted out my mess.

It is probably Eduardo! Thanks Ian it is to know.

I got a call this morning and apparently my Qantas Amex premium card will be approved. I had to put application on hold as they wanted to cancel Amex Gold card as it has an outstanding balance over 80% of credit limit. Should be able to sort that out early next week.

I also asked about the 20,000 FF points and this was confirmed. I then asked about the annual fee waived in the first year and the lady had no idea about it. When I mentioned that I had kept a copy of the website when I applied for the card she said no problem if this is the case then it will be honoured.

Do they do this on purpose?

 

[serfty]

... Do they do this on purpose?

Yes!

It's SOP for many institutions. 10,000 new accounts, 10,000 fees 'incorrectly' charged, ~8,500 reversed on complaint, ~$30K increase in revenue.

 

[oz_mark]

Yes!

It's SOP for many institutions. 10,000 new accounts, 10,000 fees 'incorrectly' charged, ~8,500 reversed on complaint, ~$30K increase in revenue.

From time to time, after sufficient complaints to a regulator, banks have had to reverse all the charges out for all account holders. Fortunately, all my special offers have been honoured without having to fight.

 

[Mal]

I don't think Amex is out to intentionally credit the wrong amounts of points, or charge fees where no fee is due for the first year.

Instead, I believe it's a side effect of their back office systems. Due to the nature of the issues seen here, my best guess is that applications are manually re-entered from one system to another (or at least the promotion code is). Obviously in some cases this isn't done correctly.

I don't know Amex's online systems so can't give a definate answer. However, due to the complexity of what is involved, I wouldn't be too suprised if there was some double handling at the backend with applications.

 

[oz_mark]

I don't think Amex is out to intentionally credit the wrong amounts of points, or charge fees where no fee is due for the first year.

Instead, I believe it's a side effect of their back office systems. Due to the nature of the issues seen here, my best guess is that applications are manually re-entered from one system to another (or at least the promotion code is). Obviously in some cases this isn't done correctly.

I don't know Amex's online systems so can't give a definate answer. However, due to the complexity of what is involved, I wouldn't be too suprised if there was some double handling at the backend with applications.

This is perhaps more likely than a systematic attempt to charge fees incorrectly.

 

[serfty]

That's what the financial institutions would like you to think ... :shock: :evil:

 

[JohnK]

I don't think Amex is out to intentionally credit the wrong amounts of points, or charge fees where no fee is due for the first year.

Maybe you are right. I just find it strange that when speaking to someone on the phone they cannot automatically tell which promotion code was used with the application. It is up to the person applying for the card to prove! This to me is wrong.

I applied for the premium card with the 20,000 points offer and now looking at the Qantas website this has been reduced back to 17,500 points.

 

[oz_mark]

Maybe you are right. I just find it strange that when speaking to someone on the phone they cannot automatically tell which promotion code was used with the application. It is up to the person applying for the card to prove! This to me is wrong.

I applied for the premium card with the 20,000 points offer and now looking at the Qantas website this has been reduced back to 17,500 points.

The 20,000 point offer expired on November 30.

 

[Kalan]

Given that they obviously stuffed up the promotional codes for the majority here, it sounds possible that anybody who applied with the 17,500 points offer could just follow the link to the 20,000 point offer with no annual fee (in this thread) and tell them they applied with the latter.

 

[JohnK]

The 20,000 point offer expired on November 30.

Yes I know that. My point is that Amex have a few promotions running at anyone time and don't know with which promotion a person has applied. They then apply the conditions that best suit them to that application. This is wrong and deceitful.

It should not be up to the person applying to prove which promotion was used when they applied. This information should be stored with the application.