Changes to how you use your $450 Travel Credit

[Kremmen]

Depends on the hotel. I’ve found deals on Amex travel that were cheaper than other sites (including some “stay X nights, get 1 free”).

If they gave you a credit with no strings attached, then that would effectively just be an annual fee reduction. I don’t think Amex will be in a hurry to do that.

It is possible. Last time I found one was about 5 years ago. It's not worth the hours of searching. Even if the hotel rate is the same on all channels, the chain itself gives points, other sites (hotels.com, etc) give some rebate (1 free night per 10, etc), Agoda will give at least 7% off ... but Amex charges the sticker rate, meaning you pay at least 7% extra effectively vs everywhere else. (And it can be 50%.)

Having to use their web site at all attaches strings.

 

[33kft]

Having to use their web site at all attaches strings.

Exactly. Make it a requirement to book direct with the airline and I'd call it an upgrade but if we still have to deal with AMEX travel, no thanks

 

[VPS]

I made my booking in January to use up my credit and the amount I used (not the full $450) is still showing as a debit on my Amex card. I can't remember what used to happen so guess I'm going to have to call them

 

[Lynda2475]

Well change doesnt come in until May, so you can use it the old way until then.

As I have Qantas Amex Ultimate, the $450 credit has only ever been able to be used on QF flights and I've always tried to use it during a DSC on a more expensive flight (but only after verifying price is same as on Qantas site).

 

[Happy Dude]

Yes. I just received the email.


Amex Travel is over-priced for hotels. For airlines, it matches usual fares, but many airlines are missing so, again, that makes it way more expensive. I've used my $200 for a $199 air fare. Way better to get $199 credit than to have to buy something over-priced in order to get the credit.

Terrific. No material difference for you either

 

[RealtimeY]

I've found Amex tends to mirror the price of Expedia hotels (which it sounds like they book through anyway), as well as Qantas Hotels, for that matter. Even the "member rates" apply to the same hotels.

 

[Kimster]

Something to ponder - booked Amex FHR at the Langham. Rack rate at the Langham was the same as what was at Amex Travel. Booked 3 Rooms (the limit is 3 for Platinum reserve) and each room gets $100 US in credit to be used in the room, plus late check out plus Breakfast for 2 each per room. That is a total of $300 US to be used during the stay plus free breakfast for all 6 people and 4 pm check out. Don't see how any of the travel sites can beat this value!!!

Needed the 4th room - so booked with my Supp Card - same price but again the $100 US credit and similar benefits. In total 4 rooms would have costed us $1600 (say 10% off if used agoda or expedia - so say $1400, but with no associated benefits. With Amex travel $1600 - US$400 which comes to a total of say $1000 with inclusions of breakfast and late check out.

 

[pangwen]

Something to ponder - booked Amex FHR at the Langham. Rack rate at the Langham was the same as what was at Amex Travel. Booked 3 Rooms (the limit is 3 for Platinum reserve) and each room gets $100 US in credit to be used in the room, plus late check out plus Breakfast for 2 each per room. That is a total of $300 US to be used during the stay plus free breakfast for all 6 people and 4 pm check out. Don't see how any of the travel sites can beat this value!!!

We did a similar thing - booked Amex FHR at the Langham (Melbourne). Rack rate was the same as Amex Travel for us too, except Amex Travel had (has?) a "stay 2 nights, get the 3rd free" offer. This, plus the free breakfast and $US100 credit blew any other booking options out of the water.

 

[Happy Dude]

When you guys are saying "rack rate" do mean the going/asking rate when comparing prices on the two (Amex and hotel) sites?

 

[pangwen]

When you guys are saying "rack rate" do mean the going/asking rate when comparing prices on the two (Amex and hotel) sites?

Yep that’s right.

Comparing the price on a room on the hotel website (with a cross check against Expedia) against the price on Amex travel.

 

[justinbrett]

I initially assumed this change meant you could just book with QF direct, and they'd refund you the $450 - which I thought was excellent.

Now I don't really get the point of the change. We're no worse off, but kind of seems a bit silly. I guess it fits with their other cashback offers.

 

[Danger]

Has it always been the case that if you cancelled a fully refundable booking that in part been booked with the $450 credit, you lost that $450? That is, everything gets refunded, but you lose the $450 credit; it's not held in further credit, even on a fully refundable ticket?

 

[Lynda2475]

Has it always been the case that if you cancelled a fully refundable booking that in part been booked with the $450 credit, you lost that $450? That is, everything gets refunded, but you lose the $450 credit; it's not held in further credit, even on a fully refundable ticket?

Yes except in 2020-21 where there was some leeway for Covid.

I used mine on Thursday and note that was still the old method i.e. my card only charged the price less the $450.

 

[Danger]

Interesting. So how much can you "change" a booking and it still be considered a change? For example, can you book HKG-xSYD-MEL on a fully flexible, free (other than fare difference) change fare to, say, MEL-xBNE-DRW?

 

[mick]

I initially assumed this change meant you could just book with QF direct, and they'd refund you the $450 - which I thought was excellent.

Now I don't really get the point of the change. We're no worse off, but kind of seems a bit silly. I guess it fits with their other cashback offers.

The annoying thing about this change (once it kicks in) is that you won't be able to use the $400 Platinum Reserve credit with a Platinum Charge card which has better travel insurance. You'll soon be forced to use the travel credit on the card it comes with (which I'm sure is their intention).

 

[johnny_yh2000]

I’m really annoyed about the change. As I always call Amex to book my flights. Since I want a specific fare class for a flight, not just the cheapest fare so I can build up my frequent flyer status. This is indeed a bad move from Amex.

Besides, as a platinum card member, your Amex platinum travel agent is available to you 7days. Whereas the online team opening hours is restricted to weekdays only. So if you have problem during the weekend, good luck finding someone to fix your problem.

 

[mick]

I don't know whether it's the same for anyone else, but I was emailed about the changes a few weeks ago and they weren't supposed to take effect until 1 May 2023 but it looks like Amex have already unbundled the travel credits and they can't be used on any other card. Grrr!

 

[borrowlo]

Does anyone know if the new changes regarding the $450 credit from 1 May 2023 apply for only a one-way ticket, or can it be used to book a return ticket?

“Eligible single Qantas flight booking” suggests to me a single transaction, and not a single flight (ie. just one-way).

 

[Lynda2475]

Does anyone know if the new changes regarding the $450 credit from 1 May 2023 apply for only a one-way ticket, or can it be used to book a return ticket?

“Eligible single Qantas flight booking” suggests to me a single transaction, and not a single flight (ie. just one-way).

No problem on a return (or even multi-flight) booking provided the ticket is for the card holder and all on one PNR

 

[VPS]

Does anyone know if the new changes regarding the $450 credit from 1 May 2023 apply for only a one-way ticket, or can it be used to book a return ticket?

“Eligible single Qantas flight booking” suggests to me a single transaction, and not a single flight (ie. just one-way).

When you try to do multi trip it does sometimes give an error but I successfully did a MEL ADL and ADL BRI - you couldn't do ADL MEL and ADL BRI - can't leave the same place twice.