Bad news from Amex [QF Ultimate Card - reduced point earnings]

[puppysparkes]

I think they are splitting hairs with point 2 of the T&C's. Add the annual fee and I'm dusting off the visa with less imposing spend conditions.

 

[Lisee]

I notice that your letter says "change from earning 1 Qantas frequent flyer point per $1...". Is this a typo or is that really what your card has been earning? Mine has been 1.5points/$ for everything up until now'.

I just opened my mail a few mins ago to get the bad news re. QFF points earn downhill slide... & saw the even worse news that I had been earning 1 point / $1 !

Straight on the phone to AMEX - they readily admit it is a "typo" - to be followed up by an apology letter that is apparently making its way to me as we speak.

Then of course I immediately look up my trusty AFF. Sure enough, here is the thread! I will be watching the site closely for tips as I shop for a new card between now & July. This card has now lost its value to me :shock:

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

I don't think there are any Amex cards left that have a blanket x points that are above 1:1. Even the centurion is the same

NAB Platinum does 1.5 per $ 1, at the moment but sure to change as NAB do not have a reputation for being generous

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

I've not received anything from AMEX about this enhancement.

If you have the card just wait ....!!

 

[legroom]

The un-glamorous CBA Diamond / Plat AMEX cards still have 1.5 per $ AFAIK.

Low cap, however

 

[ozflier]

I can't see any advantage now over the QFF Woolies Mastercard except for the automatic insurance cover.

Look forward to thoughts re an alternative card .

 

[QLD'r]

I have a QF Amex Premium card and a corporate amex which also directs points to QF. I'm about to give up the corp card as I'm moving to another firm and with this recent news I'm on the lookout for another QF card... Any suggestions?

 

[amaroo]

The un-glamorous CBA Diamond / Plat AMEX cards still have 1.5 per $ AFAIK.

Low cap, however

I'm yet to receive my letter however, I'm a true believer & know it's in the mail

Have a couple of those CBA Dia AMEX cards buried deep in the undies draw....will need to go find them & read up on the T&C.

Does anyone know the cap $ amount?

 

[ric_melb]

Also received the letter on my Qantas Amex Premium card. Quotes my earning rate as 1 point per dollar, whereas its 1.25 points per dollar.
You would think on an important notification like this they could get their facts right.
My own review of my spending patterns indicates that the extra one point I would earn on supermarket and petrol spend, should make up for losing a quarter of a point, and the lesser earn on utilities, primarily as the only utility I use Amex for is Telstra!
Others will have different findings, and will be very disappointed by this ënhancement".

 

[legroom]

I'm yet to receive my letter however, I'm a true believer & know it's in the mail

Have a couple of those CBA Dia AMEX cards buried deep in the undies draw....will need to go find them & read up on the T&C.

Does anyone know the cap $ amount?

CBA T & C for AMEX with QFF direct transfer

Diamond QFF linked: 1M award points (500,000 QFF points) pa (1.5:1)

Platinum QFF linked: 120,000 award points (60,000 QFF points) [1.5:1] pa, after that 1/2 QFF point per $ for another 40,000 QFF points pa

 

[amaroo]

CBA T & C for AMEX with QFF direct transfer

Diamond QFF linked: 1M award points (500,000 QFF points) pa (1.5:1)

Nice one Legroom better than nothing!

 

[RichardKopf]

I've just received a letter from Amex outlining a new points earning structure.
3 points per dollar for tens of thousands of restaurants and selected Qantas products and services.
2 points per dollar for accommodation, airlines, major cruise and tour operators paid directly or through travel agencies and spend in foreign currency when o/s and online
1 for 1 all other providers and insurances offered by Amex
.5 per dollar for utilities, which are gas, water and electricity providers, other insurance, telcos, government bodies including ATO, Australian Post and federal /state/ local government bodies.
effective 22/7/13

Only negative viewpoints here, until now. I use the QF Ultimate to buy Qantas tickets. This will now earn 3 points per dollar instead of 2.5.

Also, all other travel spend (I put this on other cards) earns 2 points per dollar instead of 1.5.

I guess it depends on how you spend. The value of this card went up, for me.

Last, all the comments about bank issued Amex card are really not relevant, as there is an exchange rate to get airline points. This thread is about QF Ultimate Amex.

 

[cove]

Reloading both cards this week for ATO payments through all of April.

 

[Beta4Me]

Bank issued Amex cards are relevant because they are the alternative to the pre-changes Qantas Ultimate Amex: 1.5ppd for less annual fee but no free flight.

 

[legroom]

.... all the comments about bank issued Amex card are really not relevant, as there is an exchange rate to get airline points. This thread is about QF Ultimate Amex.

That comment is misplaced.

When something adverse happens (not to you) but to a lot of AFFers, then the discussion of alternatives is highly relevant and valid.

Your scenario is a highly restricted one, hardly generalisable to all others.

Blind Freddy could see what this thread is about.

 

[asg29e]

Only negative viewpoints here, until now. I use the QF Ultimate to buy Qantas tickets. This will now earn 3 points per dollar instead of 2.5.

Also, all other travel spend (I put this on other cards) earns 2 points per dollar instead of 1.5.

I guess it depends on how you spend. The value of this card went up, for me.

Last, all the comments about bank issued Amex card are really not relevant, as there is an exchange rate to get airline points. This thread is about QF Ultimate Amex.

If you are mainly using it for QF tickets you would need to be buying a fair few to make the extra points worth the annual fee. Good on you if that is the case. You will do alright from this enhancement.

But there are those here who have been using the card to pay very large sums to the ATO, obviating the need to ever actually buy airline tickets. This enhancement screws us over royally.

Hence the sad posts.

And the search for suitable replacements.

 

[RichardKopf]

That comment is misplaced.

When something adverse happens (not to you) but to a lot of AFFers, then the discussion of alternatives is highly relevant and valid.

Your scenario is a highly restricted one, hardly generalisable to all others.

Blind Freddy could see what this thread is about.

If that's the case, the thread title should be changed.

 

[RichardKopf]

If you are mainly using it for QF tickets you would need to be buying a fair few to make the extra points worth the annual fee. Good on you if that is the case. You will do alright from this enhancement.

But there are those here who have been using the card to pay very large sums to the ATO, obviating the need to ever actually buy airline tickets. This enhancement screws us over royally.

Hence the sad posts.

And the search for suitable replacements.

I wasn't disagreeing with any of the disappointment, just noting that not everyone is disappointed. I do feel for those who will suffer.

 

[asg29e]

If that's the case, the thread title should be changed.

Strictly speaking, you shouldn't be posting on this thread if you are getting increased points earning from your card. It is only for grumps like us who have decreased earnings.

 

[mattmison]

This is a little off topic, but from reading this thread I have learned you can pay the ATO your tax liability with AMEX.

I take it you are all business owners, and that I cannot instruct my payroll department to stop witholding tax for me so that I can pay it myself....? If I can I really really wish I knew this about 12 years ago.........