AMEX 17,500 points offer

[Mal]

Amex used to quite clearly state that you could only have one Amex credit card. They seem to have given up on that judging by the various application forms I have seen in recent times.

I have applied for one. It pretty clearly states that you have to apply before Midnight on the 31st August 2006, so not worried about the points.

Will Amex issue me a card? Still to find out. Oh well. Already have my Plat Amex if they deem me too much of a credit risk (not that they're gonna touch that card!)

I don't really want the card. The points are quite nice, and I think I'll book a QF flight, give away the passes then cancel the card once the points are transferred.

Gotta use the system as per the terms and conditions

(Actually, the one thing I really liked about the application was the absence of the "Nearest relative/friend" question. I hate that question. If I go "missing", why should they be able to phone a friend and harass them about where I am? Or alternatively, if a random "friend" puts my name down, why should I have to put up with harassing phone calls in the same situation? Wish the Fed Govt would outlaw that question. )

 

[JohnK]

johnK did your get on board?

After careful consideration I decided against applying this time. As mentioned previously on this thread I am happy with my fee-free Gold Amex so do not want to have this card cancelled accidentally nor do I want to become a credit card tart. Open this account, the close it, open that account then close it.

 

[tanewi]

Actually, the one thing I really liked about the application was the absence of the "Nearest relative/friend" question. I hate that question. If I go "missing", why should they be able to phone a friend and harass them about where I am? Or alternatively, if a random "friend" puts my name down, why should I have to put up with harassing phone calls in the same situation? Wish the Fed Govt would outlaw that question. )[/quote]

I think the reason is that you already have an AMEX Caed. if you would have selected "no I don't have an AMEX card" I whole different series of questions would have appeared. Only qn I was asked was my Salary. JohnK, call me a "card tart", if you like - however 17,500 points is a nicer little earner. No different to the ANZ 16,000 points offer (since cancelled ) - only potential risk is that it may impact your credit rating (i do remember a thread why a guy earning 40k pa started getting knocked back for credit card applications - because he was "card tarting").

Take it while you can (with both hands) - as simple as that!

 

[Thudd]

I don't have an amex card and in my application I didn't get the 'nearest relative/friend' question so I suspect the question flowchart is the same for everyone.

 

[ColinP]

I have to admit that I've become a 'card tart' too since discovering this forum.
I've given the Woolworths card a hammering for 12 months. (RIP Woolies Ezybank Mastercard) I took up the ANZ 16,000 point offer twice (me and Mrs P) . I held off on the Amex Rewards Maximiser because as I was new to FF points I wasn't sure if I could justify the ongoing cost of Amex. (I now know that I can well and truly recoup the annual fee) I also hate having merchants refuse to take my card. Last week I relented and took up the 17,500 point offer and got the phone call last night --My Qantas Amex Premium card is in the mail. I guess I'll cancel it after 12 months and swap to a Rewards Maximiser Gold card.

 

[tanewi]

Having two cards of the same "make" AMEX can also be advantageous if the billing periods are offset by two weeks.

Let's see when my new AMEX arrives (fingers crossed) what the cycle date is. Knowing my luck, if will be exactly the same as the old card!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

On applying in time.

My experience of last time may be helpful..

I was flying to Syadney..off fora few days work..and spied the add in The australian.

It closed the follwing day.

as I was flat chat I asked my wife to follow up...

She rang up and applied...but there was confusion as she did not know what the deal was called...and they gave her insteada standard AMEX card..no points and yearly fee up front.

Because of the confusion she did not pt mine in on time at all.

On my return I rang up....and politely said (strtching the trutha little witha little white lie)...that I and my wife had applied prior to the date but they had issued the wrong card to her and had not processed mine at all.

I had the add and quoted the date of the paer it was in.

At first they did not wnat to do it but I just plotely insisted..they bumped me toa supervisor and deal was done...and we were both issueda free AMEX with the points...which duly arrived.

TIP: many companies have escalation policies..with the initial staff having not much discretion...just be polite but firm and get yourself bumped up the line till you can speak with someone who has discetionary decision making powers.

 

[ColinP]

Having two cards of the same "make" AMEX can also be advantageous if the billing periods are offset by two weeks.

My friends consider me to be 'obsessive' when they realise that I choose which card to take out of my wallet to make a purchase based on which will give me more interest free days. Most of them wouldn't know, or care when their statement date was.
It's nice to come on here and be amongst other 'obsessive' people.

Re: the 'friend or family member not living with you' question.
I've never had an Amex, yet wasn't asked that question. In fact I was surprised at the lack of information requested compared with other CC applications I have made. Employer and income seemed to be all they wanted.

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[Andy]

I got my card on Friday, but with some problems........

The letter says that I will be charged 195AUD for the first year and also there is no mention of the bonus points, so gave them a ring this morning.

I was told that it needs internal followup and will give me a call tomorrow.

I think what happened is, I had applied for this card 3 months back but never activated it as they would not wave off the fees for the first year thus got it cancelled. but they did mention that I could reactivate this card anytime in the next 6 months.

Now when I applied for this card again under the promotion, maybe they have activated the card from my first application and thus it does not have the correct promotional codes in it.

Hope they can resolve this quickly

 

[Mal]

Well they seem to be quick in processing applications.

I applied at night on the 30th.

I received notification that they accessed my Credit Report on the 31st.

So they were starting to action my request the next morning after applying. Won't know exactly when the card (or rejection letter) arrives as I'm out of town for the next few days, but they seem to be doing things pretty quickly.

 

[ColinP]

Well they seem to be quick in processing applications.

I had the card in my hot little hand, ready to spend, less than a week after applying . That was about the same time taken by ANZ for the 16,000 point promotion last November.
Contrast that with when I applied for a Virgin Mastercard a couple of years ago it took almost 2 months. The Woolworths Ezy Mastercard, iirc took about 6 weeks.

-------------

 

[Febs]

I just applied then...

Wow...quick indeed!
Applied on 30/8 (Wed arvo), card arrived 4/9 (Monday).

For those who signed up for this deal previously - how long did it take for the 10,000 and 5,000 points (and 2,500 points if you purchased a Qantas service) to credit to your QFF membership?

I have to say though, it's a pretty ugly card. "You've heard of AMEX Gold and Platinum, now try the new AMEX BROWN".
Edit: ..and on that note, I understand points from purchases show up monthly. Is that based on your billing cycle, or a calendar month?

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[kyle]

Wow...quick indeed!
Applied on 30/8 (Wed arvo), card arrived 4/9 (Monday).

For those who signed up for this deal previously - how long did it take for the 10,000 and 5,000 points (and 2,500 points if you purchased a Qantas service) to credit to your QFF membership?

I have to say though, it's a pretty ugly card. "You've heard of AMEX Gold and Platinum, now try the new AMEX BROWN".
Edit: ..and on that note, I understand points from purchases show up monthly. Is that based on your billing cycle, or a calendar month?

Cheers,
- Febs.

You must be a valued cardholder Febs. I only got my card on the 10th working day.

 

[Febs]

You must be a valued cardholder Febs. I only got my card on the 10th working day.

Hmm, don't know about that (though I'd like to think so ). I'd never held an AMEX before 2006.

I was hoping it'd arrive before my trip to HK on Sunday, but had my doubts. To arrive after 2 business days though - that's quick!

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[coco50]

Well they seem to be quick in processing applications.

I applied at night on the 30th.

I received notification that they accessed my Credit Report on the 31st.

So they were starting to action my request the next morning after applying. Won't know exactly when the card (or rejection letter) arrives as I'm out of town for the next few days, but they seem to be doing things pretty quickly.

I applied online on 30th. Had call on mobile 31st that they had contacted paymaster and needed my authorisation for paymaster to release details. Haven't heard anything back, but expect some kind of notification soon. I agree with Mal - they do seem to be quick.

 

[Thudd]

Mine arrived yesterday, just about dead on the advertised 10 working days timeframe (which is fine by me). Interestingly they didn't contact my workplace to verify any details, but then again I didn't get a large credit limit either, not that I wanted one.

I'll certainly be keeping my eye out to see if I get "accidentally" charged the card fee for the first year.

 

[Andy]

On applying in time.

My experience of last time may be helpful..

I was flying to Syadney..off fora few days work..and spied the add in The australian.

It closed the follwing day.

as I was flat chat I asked my wife to follow up...

She rang up and applied...but there was confusion as she did not know what the deal was called...and they gave her insteada standard AMEX card..no points and yearly fee up front.

Because of the confusion she did not pt mine in on time at all.

On my return I rang up....and politely said (strtching the trutha little witha little white lie)...that I and my wife had applied prior to the date but they had issued the wrong card to her and had not processed mine at all.

I had the add and quoted the date of the paer it was in.

At first they did not wnat to do it but I just plotely insisted..they bumped me toa supervisor and deal was done...and we were both issueda free AMEX with the points...which duly arrived.

TIP: many companies have escalation policies..with the initial staff having not much discretion...just be polite but firm and get yourself bumped up the line till you can speak with someone who has discetionary decision making powers.

Can you tell me whom didi you speak to to get the matter resolved?

My problem is still not resolved, its been 4 days and the PH call centre has been hopeless.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Hi andy,

I am afraid I cannot name names..

I just rang the call centre number...and perservered....

 

[coco50]

Still no indication of the status of my application. Rang the call centre number and yes, they had received my online application on 29/8 and they had contacted my paymaster on 31/8. The woman said to allow 14 days from 29/8 which is next Tuesday. I should be notified by then, but mails are very slow in the deep south of NSW

 

[Gulliver]

How often do they do deals like this?

I was just about to apply for a Rewards Maximiser, but I could hold off a month if there's any chance I'd get an offer like that.