David Jones Amex offer 30k $99 July 18

[Einherjar]

I read that as existing Amex DJ cardholders won't be eligible? I do note that it says platinum but that's a hard reach to argue the bonus points. Definitely a double credit hit if you want to cancel and re-apply instead of upgrading.

This is strange because I called Amex re: DJ upgrade
For those who have the black DJ (standard) card and have paid $95, the current offer is 40,000 points which is equivalent to $200
This 40,000 points gets absorbed to pay the $200 and you're left with $95 annual fee for the platinum card.
I asked if the black (standard) cardholder who has already paid the $95 will have to pay another $95.
He believes it's pro-rata'd so the upgrade is essentially free but no 'additional' points as the 40,000 offered is converted to pay the $200 annual fee.

Anyone get a response like that?
So it's only worth upgrading for the Amex lounge I guess? Maybe I should call again and get a different response unless I'm asking the wrong questions.

 

[rock86]

Thanks rock86. I can confirm my partner did not have a check on his credit file when he upgraded.
Does anyone know if you can refer yourself for the platinum card and receive points as referrer and referee?

I doubt it as you can't have both cards at the same time, so you'd have to cancel the standard card before being able to be considered for the platinum.

I read that as existing Amex DJ cardholders won't be eligible?

This is strange because I called Amex re: DJ upgrade
For those who have the black DJ (standard) card and have paid $95, the current offer is 40,000 points which is equivalent to $200
This 40,000 points gets absorbed to pay the $200 and you're left with $95 annual fee for the platinum card.
I asked if the black (standard) cardholder who has already paid the $95 will have to pay another $95.
He believes it's pro-rata'd so the upgrade is essentially free but no 'additional' points as the 40,000 offered is converted to pay the $200 annual fee.

Anyone get a response like that?
So it's only worth upgrading for the Amex lounge I guess? Maybe I should call again and get a different response unless I'm asking the wrong questions.

I find that answer by the phone agent strange.

As it specifically states regarding both application and eligibility 'David Jones American Express Platinum Card' Members, so they need to update their T&C's if that's the case - but I can't see how they would wriggle out of giving you both bonus points based on what their T&C's says on their website (and there is no further mention of bonus point eligibility in the pdf T&C's).

 

[Einherjar]

This is strange because I called Amex re: DJ upgrade
For those who have the black DJ (standard) card and have paid $95, the current offer is 40,000 points which is equivalent to $200
This 40,000 points gets absorbed to pay the $200 and you're left with $95 annual fee for the platinum card.
I asked if the black (standard) cardholder who has already paid the $95 will have to pay another $95.
He believes it's pro-rata'd so the upgrade is essentially free but no 'additional' points as the 40,000 offered is converted to pay the $200 annual fee.

Anyone get a response like that?
So it's only worth upgrading for the Amex lounge I guess? Maybe I should call again and get a different response unless I'm asking the wrong questions.

This time I had someone who had a bit more of an idea. He mentioned 50,000 points for the upgrade. The $99 annual fee is pro-rata'd, leaving whatever annual fee is remaining from $295.
Then the 50,000 has the option of being an annual fee waived as 50k should be equivalent to the annual fee charge. Or just pay the $295 like normal and keep the 50,000 (37500 QF) points.
Does this sound more correct than my last call?

 

[kapook]

This time I had someone who had a bit more of an idea. He mentioned 50,000 points for the upgrade. The $99 annual fee is pro-rata'd, leaving whatever annual fee is remaining from $295.
Then the 50,000 has the option of being an annual fee waived as 50k should be equivalent to the annual fee charge. Or just pay the $295 like normal and keep the 50,000 (37500 QF) points.
Does this sound more correct than my last call?

yes the second response sounds more like it!

 

[kapook]

This time I had someone who had a bit more of an idea. He mentioned 50,000 points for the upgrade. The $99 annual fee is pro-rata'd, leaving whatever annual fee is remaining from $295.
Then the 50,000 has the option of being an annual fee waived as 50k should be equivalent to the annual fee charge. Or just pay the $295 like normal and keep the 50,000 (37500 QF) points.
Does this sound more correct than my last call?

They should give you the option of deciding what to do with the bonus- Use it for cashback or convert to QFF points. Maybe the first agent was trying to use use that option to clarify what the upgrade would cost monetarily.

 

[rock86]

This time I had someone who had a bit more of an idea. He mentioned 50,000 points for the upgrade. The $99 annual fee is pro-rata'd, leaving whatever annual fee is remaining from $295.
Then the 50,000 has the option of being an annual fee waived as 50k should be equivalent to the annual fee charge. Or just pay the $295 like normal and keep the 50,000 (37500 QF) points.
Does this sound more correct than my last call?

yes the second response sounds more like it!

Sounds great, and more like what their T&C's allude to (although nothing said about pro-rata'd fee's in the document).

Did the agent say when you could actually apply for the upgrade? Or it was more of a general answer?

 

[Einherjar]

Sounds great, and more like what their T&C's allude to (although nothing said about pro-rata'd fee's in the document).

Did the agent say when you could actually apply for the upgrade? Or it was more of a general answer?

It was a generalised answer. It was a lot of "don't quote me on this" because the offer could end and by the time I get my 1st bonus reward, I may not have the invitation to upgrade. He also said "case by case" basis.
Having the points to pay for the annual fee is essentially a free upgrade to get Amex lounge.
Or pay the annual fee and have 37500 QFF. Not sure which is better as I haven't looked at the value of QFF lately. Been on other airline rewards.

 

[rock86]

It was a generalised answer. It was a lot of "don't quote me on this" because the offer could end and by the time I get my 1st bonus reward, I may not have the invitation to upgrade. He also said "case by case" basis.
Having the points to pay for the annual fee is essentially a free upgrade to get Amex lounge.
Or pay the annual fee and have 37500 QFF. Not sure which is better as I haven't looked at the value of QFF lately. Been on other airline rewards.

Depends on where you look, ozbargain use a 1c per QFF - so $375 value - but depending on your use you'd probably be able to garner more value then 1c out of a QFF point.

 

[Einherjar]

They should give you the option of deciding what to do with the bonus- Use it for cashback or convert to QFF points. Maybe the first agent was trying to use use that option to clarify what the upgrade would cost monetarily.

Yeah if you're with DJ MR your 50,000 can be redeemed for anything, including the annual fee. But what if you're QFF? You'll get those points but there's no way to cashback the annual fee. I guess the letter that was sent out had to be very specific in saying that they're offering points "equivalent" to an annual fee, without saying that the fee gets waived.

 

[benjy]

Can confirm that existing amex card holders are eligible to receive the bonus when applying for DJ amex card, received my bonus of 40,000 today

 

[rock86]

Can confirm that existing amex card holders are eligible to receive the bonus when applying for DJ amex card, received my bonus of 40,000 today

Did you get the Platinum? (After you already had then standard?)

 

[rock86]

Yeah if you're with DJ MR your 50,000 can be redeemed for anything, including the annual fee. But what if you're QFF? You'll get those points but there's no way to cashback the annual fee. I guess the letter that was sent out had to be very specific in saying that they're offering points "equivalent" to an annual fee, without saying that the fee gets waived.

@Einherjar how did you go, did you decide to apply for the card? I got mine already! Approved Thursday, card arrived today. Referral link for me is http://amex.com.au/refer/aarynbhwqi?XLINK=MYCP if you are interested

 

[Einherjar]

@Einherjar how did you go, did you decide to apply for the card? I got mine already! Approved Thursday, card arrived today. Referral link for me is http://amex.com.au/refer/aarynbhwqi?XLINK=MYCP if you are interested

I jumped on it on Friday using @kapook referral.
Got the card last night and already made my 3 non-DJ purchases!

 

[rock86]

I jumped on it on Friday using @kapook referral.
Got the card last night and already made my 3 non-DJ purchases!

Nice!! I can't believe how quickly the card came in all honesty due to the seemingly more 'manual process' then the other normal AMEX cards.

Now for us to wait for the points to post once the transactions settle.

On another note I got the same feedback from a phone agent that you had, you can apply for an upgrade which is individually assessed based on your information (he said there's no hard and fast rule, nor a minimum time the normal card must be held before upgrading to the platinum), and you will get the platinum bonus points or fee reduction in lieu of the bonus points.

 

[rock86]

Hi all,

My referral link is http://amex.com.au/refer/aarynbhwqi?XLINK=MYCP would love the referral if you're interested in the card, I'll get 20,000 points and you will get 30,000 (converts to 15,000 SPG=45,000 Marriott)!

As discussed, there's only a few weeks to make do of the current outstanding SPG transfer rate. My card approval was quick, with a speedy delivery (all within 5 business days). So, if you're looking to make do of a low fee card with a decent SPG bonus, this is it!

 

[Einherjar]

I haven't quite worked out where I want to take my redemption path as I was set on Asia Miles until they changed it a few weeks ago.
SPG redemption has been absolutely nerfed.
QFF has crazy high redemption (and taxes/fees) but earning them is very accessible through partners and welcome rates.
AAdvantage I've only started to read about this week and still learning what the possibilities are.

I don't spend much (~$2000-$3000) month on CCards so I kinda want to make those points count. Churning is something I won't be able to do all the time due to investment loans which may cause issues but I have given myself 2 years to churn a few since my rates are fixed.

 

[Einherjar]

Not how it reads in the T&C's, reads as if you're only ineligible if you've previously held the DJ Amex Platinum in the prior 18 months. So cancel & re-apply should be fine - but yes you will cop another credit hit (although I would have thought there would be an enquiry even with an upgrade).

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When I look at the referral T&C's it mentions (for the Platinum card) that the welcome offer is available for those who have NOT had the Platinum DJ card in the past 18 months.

but if you check David Jones American Express Platinum Card the T&C there has
Customers applying for the David Jones American Express Staff Card or Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any other David Jones Credit Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer.

Now I want to see what the T&C on this upgrade letter...

 

[rock86]

When I look at the referral T&C's it mentions (for the Platinum card) that the welcome offer is available for those who have NOT had the Platinum DJ card in the past 18 months.

but if you check David Jones American Express Platinum Card the T&C there has
Customers applying for the David Jones American Express Staff Card or Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any other David Jones Credit Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer.

Now I want to see what the T&C on this upgrade letter...

Get a confirmation on the phone, and make sure you get the reference number.

Otherwise, apply on the AMEX site, and keep a screenshot of the T&C's you based your decision to apply off - and that says holding the 'normal' card you'll still be eligible

I do think it is weird though that the DJ & AMEX site have different T&C's.

 

[Einherjar]

Get a confirmation on the phone, and make sure you get the reference number.

Otherwise, apply on the AMEX site, and keep a screenshot of the T&C's you based your decision to apply off - and that says holding the 'normal' card you'll still be eligible

I do think it is weird though that the DJ & AMEX site have different T&C's.

Yeah but it's the upgrade T&C I'm interested in because I don't want another credit hit by applying for the Platinum

 

[rock86]

Yeah but it's the upgrade T&C I'm interested in because I don't want another credit hit by applying for the Platinum

The phone agent said to me that DJ's have an upgrade paper form in store, may have T&C's on that?

On another note, when my wife rang up about her application the phone agent was talking to her about the card and that if she wanted to upgrade "after 3 months" to the Platinum they will assess it. I found it interesting he mentioned 3 months.