"Enhancements" to MR earn on Platinum Card, Reserve & Centurian

[Pukka]

Nope still 80000 miles, I think they increased the HKG-LHR sector...

Fair enough it's a much longer flight. Still like VA though I see they have a 20% transfer bonus on at the moment but I've already got 2M with them so I think I'll keep them for SAL

 

[TonyHancock]

LAN remains a problem with Amex. If you are booking flights with LAN keep a check on the points that post. (Advice from Amex customer service today!)

 

[wiz]

Re: "Enhancements" to Membership Rewards scheme for Platinum Card / Platinum Reserve

Can I just clarify something? Someone may have mentioned earlier in this thread that their complimentary DJ flight (through Reserve) was cancelled after they ditched their platinum card (and, hance, companion card). This doesn't seem likely to me, but can anyone confirm?

__________________________________
My new blog: www.vacationkickbacks.com

 

[thehound]

Re: "Enhancements" to Membership Rewards scheme for Platinum Card / Platinum Reserve

Can I just clarify something? Someone may have mentioned earlier in this thread that their complimentary DJ flight (through Reserve) was cancelled after they ditched their platinum card (and, hance, companion card). This doesn't seem likely to me, but can anyone confirm?

I can confirm that the flight definitely WON'T get cancelled. I booked a flight earlier this year PER-DPS for August, and cancelled my Reserve card in ~ February. The flight is locked in with Virgin, so once booked your card cancellation doesn't have any impact on it. I imagine you could even book a flight then cancel it and still keep the Virgin credit shell.

 

[Keith009]

No issues so far with new earn rates. Earning more points than ever even with the rounding down. All restaurants even our weekend brunches have credited with triple points regardless of establishment. Delayed a few flight bookings and overseas currency transactions till Oct and enjoying the 50% more points. Happy days.

 

[serfty]

... Happy days.

... Unless one used to use it to pay their taxes ...

June: $100K in tax would earn 150K in MR points for (a deductible) $1125.

Now: $100K in tax will earn 50K in MR points for a (deductible) $1450.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

... Unless one used to use it to pay their taxes ...

Or advertising......................or freight......................or office supplies.....................or utilities.........................or most other suppliers who accept AMEX - happy days my klakker.........

 

[amaroo]

... Unless one used to use it to pay their taxes ...

June: $100K in tax would earn 150K in MR points for (a deductible) $1125.

Now: $100K in tax will earn 50K in MR points for a (deductible) $1450.

We still have the Amex Ult card......the top line earn @ the bottom line cost.

 

[Pukka]

No issues so far with new earn rates. Earning more points than ever even with the rounding down. All restaurants even our weekend brunches have credited with triple points regardless of establishment. Delayed a few flight bookings and overseas currency transactions till Oct and enjoying the 50% more points. Happy days.

Oh so there is someone who's been enhanced.

Good for you.

Hope you spend lots because Amex is going to need your custom

 

[Jane-Doe]

I enjoy happy days with Citibank Visa having moved away from Amex's credit card surcharges. It's like getting a pay rise.

 

[simongr]

Zero bonus points for me since 1 Oct.

 

[serfty]

Zero bonus points for me since 1 Oct.

Zero bonus listed, but a $70 restaurant bill has credited as 210 MR points strait out.

 

[simongr]

Ouch - nice work Amex! It is only laziness that has led me not to cancel the card...

 

[Keith009]

Well, everyone's situation is different but the new earn rates do suit my spending pattern immensely as the vast majority of spend on the card comes from restaurants, travel and overseas shopping trips (so apart from rip off Australian pricing that's now another reason to get my Prada shoes overseas). In fact, I can't think of any better card now. I cancelled the Charge card due to the insurance downgrade but the Reserve has been great on the new earn rates - ended up getting a comp Gold charge card anyway which is what I'll use for hotel pre-authorisations (only other thing the Platinum Charge card was truly useful for).

I've never put ATO charges through the card as I've always ended up getting refunds rather than owe taxes. That might soon change as we now own an investment property which should make us liable for taxes in the next tax return... But right now, the Points I'm getting has actually proportionally increased on the whole vs the old 1.5 Points/$ rate.

1 weird thing I noticed - I'm getting the 'restaurant' rate with bars I visit (mainly coughtail bars). It's a hit and miss but probs about 3 out of 4 bars have posted as 'restaurants.' Some of them do serve tapas but none are what you'd consider actual restaurants. I guess it would depend on whether they're defined as 'restaurants' in AMEX's back end. I could see this information when I used the Charge card but the credit card doesn't seem to provide this level of visibility.

 

[serfty]

TBH, use in restaurants has become more beneficial, but my spend on the card has gone from over $3k per month for 4.5k MR to maybe $300 for perhaps 1k MR. (Review is due before April)

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[greenfrog86]

TBH, use in restaurants has become more beneficial, but my spend on the card has gone from over $3k per month for 4.5k MR to maybe $300 for perhaps 1k MR. (Review is due before April)

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

I'm with Serfty on this one... Still have the Platinum Charge as I like the customer service, the concierge and travel service (for FHR etc) are ok, don't fly or stay enough to get premium levels with hotels so this is attractive.

I like that it is a charge card, and my main FF program is QF so appreciate being able to earn points towards this.

Overall spend has almost dried up with Amex however with my Citibusiness getting a fair workout and my ANZ FF Amex getting a bit too.

They've certainly changed my behaviour quite significantly, which is negative for them in a big way.

 

[Deleted member]

Well, everyone's situation is different but the new earn rates do suit my spending pattern immensely as the vast majority of spend on the card comes from restaurants, travel and overseas shopping trips (so apart from rip off Australian pricing that's now another reason to get my Prada shoes overseas). In fact, I can't think of any better card now. I cancelled the Charge card due to the insurance downgrade but the Reserve has been great on the new earn rates - ended up getting a comp Gold charge card anyway which is what I'll use for hotel pre-authorisations (only other thing the Platinum Charge card was truly useful for).

I've never put ATO charges through the card as I've always ended up getting refunds rather than owe taxes. That might soon change as we now own an investment property which should make us liable for taxes in the next tax return... But right now, the Points I'm getting has actually proportionally increased on the whole vs the old 1.5 Points/$ rate.

1 weird thing I noticed - I'm getting the 'restaurant' rate with bars I visit (mainly coughtail bars). It's a hit and miss but probs about 3 out of 4 bars have posted as 'restaurants.' Some of them do serve tapas but none are what you'd consider actual restaurants. I guess it would depend on whether they're defined as 'restaurants' in AMEX's back end. I could see this information when I used the Charge card but the credit card doesn't seem to provide this level of visibility.

At the risk of sounding thick. How do decide what is a restaurant?
I mean some places sell food to eat, BUT are they a Cafe? Or a restaurant?
Does Amex have some way of letting us know?


It is I, Leclerc !

 

[greenfrog86]

At the risk of sounding thick. How do decide what is a restaurant?
I mean some places sell food to eat, BUT are they a Cafe? Or a restaurant?
Does Amex have some way of letting us know?


It is I, Leclerc !

It is something that you can't always determine... Generally speaking it is based on the merchant code that applies to the place and the term 'restaurant' and 'cafe' are usually used interchangeably. This differs however where somewhere might have a merchant code as a pub but serves food. In this case you will get one point.

One way to check if you are planning to go to a particular place is to check the Amex merchant listing on their website. If you go to the page for your card, you'll find some links where it explains the points earn. This includes a list of eating places that earn 3 points, along with some accommodation/travel providers.

 

[kyle]

Well, everyone's situation is different but the new earn rates do suit my spending pattern immensely as the vast majority of spend on the card comes from restaurants, travel and overseas shopping trips (so apart from rip off Australian pricing that's now another reason to get my Prada shoes overseas). In fact, I can't think of any better card now. I cancelled the Charge card due to the insurance downgrade but the Reserve has been great on the new earn rates - ended up getting a comp Gold charge card anyway which is what I'll use for hotel pre-authorisations (only other thing the Platinum Charge card was truly useful for).

I've never put ATO charges through the card as I've always ended up getting refunds rather than owe taxes. That might soon change as we now own an investment property which should make us liable for taxes in the next tax return... But right now, the Points I'm getting has actually proportionally increased on the whole vs the old 1.5 Points/$ rate.

1 weird thing I noticed - I'm getting the 'restaurant' rate with bars I visit (mainly coughtail bars). It's a hit and miss but probs about 3 out of 4 bars have posted as 'restaurants.' Some of them do serve tapas but none are what you'd consider actual restaurants. I guess it would depend on whether they're defined as 'restaurants' in AMEX's back end. I could see this information when I used the Charge card but the credit card doesn't seem to provide this level of visibility.

I'm in the same boat. Even without taking away the 1 point and 0.5 point transactions, I am actually better off overall with the restaurant/cafe earn rates.

 

[k3nnis]

Can I ask how much money do you guys spend on restaurants and cafe's a month?