AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[Moopere]

We use a corporate Amex and everywhere I go, except Sydney, its fine, really, no problem at all. I must admit, even Sydney isn't terrible for me, but I did definitely notice a difference from elsewhere.

Heres something to make you chuckle next time you get an Amex refused response in Australia. I was in the Ambassador transit lounge at Changi a few weeks ago, first time in that lounge for me, I was gob-smacked to find that not only do they accept Amex for entry payment but I got a discount by using Amex, 10% ... a sort of _reverse_ surcharge!! hahah, you have to laugh.

Had a delightful curry at an Indian Restaurant last night. Was bemused to see that they presented the bill in a Diners Club folder ... "Hmm" I thought, very small, family run, I pre-supposed that there would be almost no chance of them actually taking Diners. Anyway, I don't have a Diners so I pulled the Amex .... lo .. no problem at all, and no surcharge either! This place could become my favourite local curry house.

 

[zzyss]

I think the autoclubs still take it and are happy to also give you a 5% discount

Actually, I'm mistaken. It's membergiftcards.com.au that stopped taking Amex, and that's the one that Entertainment book and the motoring clubs use. everydaygiftcards.com.au still takes Amex, but doesn't offer the 5% discount.

 

[wxxnxs]

More and more places are dumping AMEX=> less and less people are using AMEX=> less and less revenue that AMEX are getting and finally more and more points earning ratio cutting from AMEX. I can see that AMEX is going to be the 2nd Diners card in Australia.

 

[Moopere]

More and more places are dumping AMEX=> less and less people are using AMEX=> less and less revenue that AMEX are getting and finally more and more points earning ratio cutting from AMEX. I can see that AMEX is going to be the 2nd Diners card in Australia.

I really don't know about that. I don't see much evidence that business is dumping Amex as a payment method ... except for very small or family run business (with a few exceptions of course).

Certainly Amex Australia are fiddling around with their model and this is causing a fair amount of angst among card holders, but at the same time new product is continually coming out so its hard to know on balance if there is any material change or just a lot of activity without any real difference. Perhaps the days of holding a single high earning and decent all-round Amex card are gone? I've got 3, soon to be 4 and all have their own quirks and purposes, my Amex points earn has never been higher than now, though it takes some thought and management to use the right card under the right conditions to maximise gains.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Perhaps the days of holding a single high earning and decent all-round Amex card are gone? I've got 3, soon to be 4

You are counting co-branded cards here right?

 

[Chicken]

You are counting co-branded cards here right?

I am in his/her shoes.

I have Platinum Reserve for 1.5 point
I have Platinum Edge for supermarket and petrol.
I have a gold charge for extended warranty.

So messy.

 

[lovestotravel]

As it stands I'll continue using my Amex issued cards for travel/restaurants for 3 or 2 points per $1

I'll be using my Comm Bank Amex for everything else at 1.5 points per $1

A pain in the behind TBH

 

[k3nnis]

I have 3.
AMEX Plat EDGE - Groceries and Petrol, free flight
AMEX Plat Charge - Travel, restaurants
AMEX Plat Reserve - complimentary with charge for free flight/hotel

 

[Moopere]

You are counting co-branded cards here right?

Yes.

I'm not saying that I'm not a bit miffed at the apparent direction Amex Australia is going. MR points are important to me for their flexibility, however, despite changes coming in that I don't like, I'm still earning more rewards via Amex (inc co-brands) than any other source so I have to keep my indignation in perspective.

Green Charge : Corporate, only 1p/$ but earns its keep in MR

Plat Edge : Free flight, 3 MR/Food$, 2MR/Fuel$. The flight covers the cost of this card

Velocity Plat : Free flight, 1.5 VFF/$, 3 VFF/$ for virgin spend. The flight covers the cost of the card. Amex has manoeuvred me into making this one my everyday card for general use. Not affected by recent reductions for ATO/Utilities/Telcos

Frankly, I'd probably prefer to swap this fistful of cards for a single Plat Charge and make my life a lot less cluttered, but as we've seen and discussed, there seems to be a move by Amex Australia to discourage take-up - reasons unknown to us all.

 

[lovestotravel]

There seems to be a move by Amex Australia to discourage take-up - reasons unknown to us all.

Which from a consumer perspective, is sad!

It's their 2nd highest card level and there are much lower annual fee cards that give more points on everyday spend.

From an Amex perspective, there would be tens of millions of $$ going through on Plat cards for ATO and "other spend" which they want to cut back!

Personally, the Plat charge card should have retained the simply 1.5 per $1 spend, but put a cap on ATO payments etc etc

 

[k3nnis]

I think they are trying to classify the AMEX plat charge as a "luxury" spend card. i.e. restaurants and travel....

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Ok I actually just had to cancel the Velocity Plat Amex this morn so I could take up DJs Plat Amex - 3pts at supermarkets and servos more value to me than 3pts on Virgin spend.

But yes going forward the great FF pts pursuit is becoming a tad more complicated and time consuming - but I gotta tell you - when I park myself in 3D on VA 11 heading to LAX on Thursday and have just poured the 5th or 6th Lanson down my throat I will prolly think to myself YES THESE FF REDEMPTIONS ARE WORTHWHILE!

 

[k3nnis]

Not sure if I should post here or create a new thread, how is the service of VA long haul for SYD-LAX-SYD in Y,PE,J? Compared to say VS. And the seats of course

 

[Moopere]

Ok I actually just had to cancel the Velocity Plat Amex this morn so I could take up DJs Plat Amex - 3pts at supermarkets and servos more value to me than 3pts on Virgin spend.

Mmm. The "DJ" card above being the David Jones card? The 3p/$ spend at supermarkets associated with that card are 3 special DJ MR points, or 1.5 VFF points/$ or 2.25 QFF points/$. A good earner in QFF terms for sure. I'm going to give this card a try myself, for the first year anyway (with the 30K bonus).

I'm fairly disappointed though that this card couldn't have been worked to provide "proper" Amex Ascent MR points.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Mmm. The "DJ" card above being the David Jones card? The 3p/$ spend at supermarkets associated with that card are 3 special DJ MR points, or 1.5 VFF points/$ or 2.25 QFF points/$. A good earner in QFF terms for sure. I'm going to give this card a try myself, for the first year anyway (with the 30K bonus).

I'm fairly disappointed though that this card couldn't have been worked to provide "proper" Amex Ascent MR points.

I don't think you are 100% correct here mate.

I was given approval over phone this morn for my applic for a David Jones Platinum Amex.

Rep informed unequivocally that DJ Rewards pts transfer to Ascent MR pts at rate 1:1.

BUT - if you transfer DJ Rew pts across to Amex Membership Rewards there is indeed fee of $5/1,000pts with maximum annual transfer permitted 50,000pts.

And I might just add that this is a little contradictory to what is included in DJ Plat Amex promo booklet which gives no mention of fee to convert ot annual cap - I will know more when car pack arrives in a few days.

 

[k3nnis]

Sorry if I sound silly, but what is the difference between Ascent MR and Amex Membership rewards?

I don't think you are 100% correct here mate.

I was given approval over phone this morn for my applic for a David Jones Platinum Amex.

Rep informed unequivocally that DJ Rewards pts transfer to Ascent MR pts at rate 1:1.

BUT - if you transfer DJ Rew pts across to Amex Membership Rewards there is indeed fee of $5/1,000pts with maximum annual transfer permitted 50,000pts.

 

[Moopere]

I don't think you are 100% correct here mate.

I was given approval over phone this morn for my applic for a David Jones Platinum Amex.

Rep informed unequivocally that DJ Rewards pts transfer to Ascent MR pts at rate 1:1.

Always happy to be corrected, and particularly in a case like this as it changes the value proposition considerably. The cap of 50K a year is potentially a problem though, particularly if one gains the 30K sign on bonus.

BUT - if you transfer DJ Rew pts across to Amex Membership Rewards there is indeed fee of $5/1,000pts with maximum annual transfer permitted 50,000pts.

I haven't read that anywhere... but I've not had a look at the printed application form yet, only the few snippets available online. The above cost adds 0.5c per point to the cost of accrual.

Seems they've built an awfully convoluted system here though:

4 DJ MR Points / $ spent at DJ

1) Converts at 1:0.75 to 3 QFF points, or,
2) 2:1 Virgin points (amongst other airlines at a similar rate) making 2 VFF, or,
3) 1:1 Amex MR Ascent points at 0.5c each, which then can be converted via regular Ascent rules to .. say VFF at 1:1


Value proposition

1) = say 3QFF x 3c = 9c value / $1
2) = 2VFF x 3c = 6c / $1 (DJ MR)
3) = 4VFF x 3c = 12c / 1.005$ or 11.94c/$ (Amex Ascent MR)

And I might just add that this is a little contradictory to what is included in DJ Plat Amex promo booklet which gives no mention of fee to convert ot annual cap - I will know more when car pack arrives in a few days.

I'm always cautious of verbal information in cases like this and tend to defer to printed material unless the CSR can fax or email me a document to back up their verbal assertions. I'll be really interested to see what you get in your welcome package.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It's started - just had to pay 5K advertising invoice - Cent shoved aside - whipped out the Westpac Singapore Airlines Plat Amex - have not used this card in Oz in like 3 years - except SQ bookings - this has gotta hurt Amex big time.

 

[lovestotravel]

Westpac Singapore Airlines Plat Amex - have not used this card in Oz in like 3 years - except SQ bookings - this has gotta hurt Amex big time.

Yes and no, but more yes than no.

Amex would still get a % of the merchant fee, no idea what exactly they get VS what Westpac get's from it

But for Amex
They don't have to chase you for not paying the bill
They don't have to service you as a customer
They don't have to give you any Membership Rewards points

However, they miss out on interest payments etc etc....

 

[Mal]

Was surcharged 2 pounds in the UK for using my Amex at a holiday inn.

So 2 pounds surcharge plus the Amex conversion fee means I am seriously ripped off.

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