Aus. Financial Review benefit gone. (Replaced with The Australian)

[robbo135]

I cancelled my plat charge in march 2020 but still have access to the AFR, was hoping that I'd be able to leach this benefit for little longer but looks like it'll be gone soon.

 

[Trin Trin]

My $75 credit on Mr Porter got me a few pairs of Nike branded socks, which I could have purchased from my local shopping mall for $30 or so.

I'm sure you can get Nike socks or whatever else you please for way cheaper locally. But - it won't come in Mr Porter Signature packaging

Jokes aside, I totally agree - it's way overpriced. And if you add in the shipping costs (~$30) and currency conversion, you're not really getting much value.

I managed to grab a pair of undies but it came with so much fancy packaging that I've left it in the box for now. I'll deal with it when I really need them.

 

[glasszon]

Any intel on what the new benefit(s) may be?

FWIW, AFR subscription can be had for $5 a week with a student account (which is not hard to get).

The student discount requires a current Australian University email address, is there a way around that? I used a NZ University email and Unidays won't let me sign up for discounts in Australia.

 

[tinkybelle]

They certainly need to offer more like the $400 supermarket credits to get me to stay

 

[Shannon Mullins]

First post so please don’t flame me like it’s Whirlpool!
Between the loss of AFR and Golden Circle, I’m kind of jack of this. Is it a ploy to move us over to credit cards over charge? In any case, I know I can cancel my card and go elsewhere but I’m going to email ”Executive Customer Care” and provide feedback, hopefully if enough of us contact Amex or cancel something positive might come out of it.

 

[drd71]

First post so please don’t flame me like it’s Whirlpool!
Between the loss of AFR and Golden Circle, I’m kind of jack of this. Is it a ploy to move us over to credit cards over charge? In any case, I know I can cancel my card and go elsewhere but I’m going to email ”Executive Customer Care” and provide feedback, hopefully if enough of us contact Amex or cancel something positive might come out of it.

Hi mate, do you have an email address for "Executive Customer Care"

I'm sick of the constant degradation of conditions too whilst paying a $1495 fee!

 

[daft009]

It's not only that -- it's that the goods on Mr Porter and Net A Porter are ridiculously -- and I mean ridiculously -- overpriced. My $75 credit on Mr Porter got me a few pairs of Nike branded socks, which I could have purchased from my local shopping mall for $30 or so. In terms of actual purchasing power, the $150 annual credit is worth more like $70-$80 or so.

Thanks for the reminder.. used mine to get a girly eye mask. Under $78 shipped so only a couple of bucks over

 

[Shannon Mullins]

Hi mate, do you have an email address for "Executive Customer Care"

I'm sick of the constant degradation of conditions too whilst paying a $1495 fee!

Sure do, [email protected]

Agreed, if the emails were sent advising us of changes were like "You're going to lose AFR but in its place the new benefit is ...." it might make it easier to determine whether to keep the card or look at other products prior to changes/renewal.

 

[drd71]

[email protected]

Email them and complain about the constant degradation of the perks associated with this card, AFR, Priority Pass Restaurant credits, removal of $400 travel credit for Reserve card holders et etc

It's just not worth it anymore.

Has anyone got any suggestions of a better AMEX card where you get similar points benefits to the Platinum Charge?

 

[ThePointyEnd]

It certainly makes you re-think staying with a Pt card. And regarding the date for termination of the AFR subscription, mine stopped working on May 1st! Maybe they'll come up with a free Economist subscription?, yeah, I know.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

This was a benefit I didn't think I'd care much about initially and now will be sad to live without. Given Priority Pass is virtually worthless domestically and the reduction in the number of VA lounges if you're actually flying VA, I'm also finding this card harder to justify. Hotel and hire car status here and there just don't cut it, and the Accor Plus benefit, though "fun" if you can manage to maximise its value, is something I could easily live without.

I received the $400 supermarket benefit shortly before renewal and am still benefitting from the Reserve travel credit, but even then, I feel increasingly more like I'm just offsetting the card's cost by prepaying for groceries or travel credits and less like I'm getting any real value from the card.

So unless some real, tangible benefits start following, I will just go back to one of the many AMEX credit cards with lower fees that are immediately offset by a travel credit, while still enjoying the usual AMEX benefits like Shop Small, etc.

 

[blaz]

For me, the subscription had a limited use. Who has that much free time to read ? However, I was able to score a return trip for two (Adelaide to Melbourne) with a $100 discount on accommodation using the $450 travel credit, including lounge access in Virgin lounge, $400 off my shopping bill, free breakfast using my Hilton gold membership when we stay in Darwin and one free night and half price dinner with my accor plus membership. That's about $1200 saved without feeling the need to change my choices. If I score a few bonus money back deals, I have got a fair whack of my $1400 back. When international travel returns, because of the travel insurance , I will be back in the black.

 

[mjward55]

This is a real disappointment for me as I browse the AFR on my iPad every day and click on any articles that interest me. Their personal investment sections on Wed and Sat are very good value.
So I will take DRD71 advice and email them.
I was hoping there would be 100's of entries on this thread and if we all emailed, maybe we could get some traction.

 

[TRS123]

[email protected]

Email them and complain about the constant degradation of the perks associated with this card, AFR, Priority Pass Restaurant credits, removal of $400 travel credit for Reserve card holders et etc

It's just not worth it anymore.

Has anyone got any suggestions of a better AMEX card where you get similar points benefits to the Platinum Charge?

I think this is a great idea - please share AMEX's replies

 

[drd71]

I think this is a great idea - please share AMEX's replies

After emailing them yesterday, I have the standard "Thank you for contacting us with your concerns. We are currently reviewing the issues you raised, and your unique case reference number is above" reply at present.

 

[Infrequent traveller]

Don’t shoot the messenger but the Amex website (via Platinum Charge log on) now shows $300 (instead of $450) Travel Credit

 

[scottlu13]

Solid benefit that wasn’t directly travel related, the recent devaluations are significant, hard to get your head around what the play for them is currently.
Instead of making the card more appealing and adding some wider non travel specific benefits they keep chipping away at it.
The US AMEX don’t just stick their head in the sand they add current benefits like the monthly Uber cash credit.

They need to update this card or create a new high end card that is more relevant for the times plus lift the 18month exclusion on sign up bonuses so everyone that has left them is tempted to jump back on.

Just an opinion from an ex long term holder.

 

[henrus]

Don’t shoot the messenger but the Amex website (via Platinum Charge log on) now shows $300 (instead of $450) Travel Credit

Perhaps it's a mistake? Just 3 years ago they increased it from $300 to $450.

Also just noticed that the AFR is still advertised as a benefit for new cards. Seems a bit misleading.

 

[Daver6]

Don’t shoot the messenger but the Amex website (via Platinum Charge log on) now shows $300 (instead of $450) Travel Credit

I can't find any mention of this. The only mention of $300 is this one.

 

[Infrequent traveller]

I can't find any mention of this. The only mention of $300 is this one.

View attachment 247096

Thanks. I read this as well (just now after my earlier post). I was browsing on my Amex app on iPhone and click explore/learn Platinum benefits and it definitely ONLY mentioned a flat amount of $300 (of Travel Credit). I was alarmed and even thought I might have been redirected to the US Site (i.e. US$300) but it was not. However, I now hold the hope that it's a mistake on Amex side of failing to update its "mini" site. Let's hope for the best.

Any way, my apology if it's a false alarm.