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

[Masonic Phantom]

There you go bigfella....Qantas Points https://citibank.com.au/aus/credit_cards/cards_select.htm

Cheers M.P.

 

[bigfella]

So I might be a bit daft when doing the comparisons but why would I pay $700 a year for the Citibank card when I can get the HSBC one for $199? The point earn rate is the same...

Alternatively, I could go the NAB Qantas Plat card for $290. Visa point rate is lower, but if I use the included AMEX is it 1.5 points per dollar.

So hard to figure out the best option!

 

[Pukka]

Timely response hound dog - I saw that in Select booklet Sat morning - only thing is I cannot find list of locations where free night applicable - is there a list online to peruse pls?

Go to www.citibank.com.au/citiselect/hotels

Some good ones!!


Sent from AFF Mobile Edition

 

[wafliron]

So I might be a bit daft when doing the comparisons but why would I pay $700 a year for the Citibank card when I can get the HSBC one for $199? The point earn rate is the same...

You wouldn't [pay $700/year for Select if you go for the Qantas points earning option] - there are a variety of other $1 = 1 QFF uncapped cards with much lower annual fees. Now that CitiBusiness Gold is no longer available the pick of the bunch would be Woolworths Everyday Rewards Qantas card - Mastercard, $99/year annual fee (IIRC), $1 = 1 QFF point, uncapped.

Select is an amazing card if you go for the CitiRewards (SQ, DJ, CX) option, but sucky value on the QFF option.

Alternatively, I could go the NAB Qantas Plat card for $290. Visa point rate is lower, but if I use the included AMEX is it 1.5 points per dollar.

This card (and similar $1 = 1.5 QFF point Amex cards) are you other option - you just need to decide if the higher annual fee and Amex acceptance issues / surcharges are worth the extra 0.5 QFF points per $1 over and above the WOW EDR card.

 

[sparoy]

I had an unpleasant surprise when my restaurant spend only get 1 point/$1 instead of the expected 3 points/$1 and now I know why after emailing Amex.

Dear sparoy,

Thank you for your email.

I have taken a look at your Membership Rewards Account and the transaction in question. You are correct, Little Piazza Bar and Grill is classified as a restaurant and will earn 3 points for every $1 spent.

On the Platinum Charge Card the points threshold is 300,000 for the membership rewards year at which point all transactions earn 1 point for every $1 except for utilities, insurance, telecommunications and government which continue to earn 0.5 point for every $1 spent. Your membership rewards year on this card is 18 January to 17 January and your 300,000 points threshold was reached on 13 December which is why the transaction in question only received 1 point for every $1 spent.

Kind regards,


It has become a lot more difficult now to monitor how much points you have accrued in a membership year.

 

[Pukka]

I had an unpleasant surprise when my restaurant spend only get 1 point/$1 instead of the expected 3 points/$1 and now I know why after emailing Amex.

Dear sparoy,

Thank you for your email.

I have taken a look at your Membership Rewards Account and the transaction in question. You are correct, Little Piazza Bar and Grill is classified as a restaurant and will earn 3 points for every $1 spent.

On the Platinum Charge Card the points threshold is 300,000 for the membership rewards year at which point all transactions earn 1 point for every $1 except for utilities, insurance, telecommunications and government which continue to earn 0.5 point for every $1 spent. Your membership rewards year on this card is 18 January to 17 January and your 300,000 points threshold was reached on 13 December which is why the transaction in question only received 1 point for every $1 spent.

Kind regards,


It has become a lot more difficult now to monitor how much points you have accrued in a membership year.

Yeah it sucks,same happened to me so that's why I now put everything through Citibank. Still waiting for the call from Amex to say why has your spend reduced from $800k PA to Sod all I'm dying to tell them why

 

[thehound]

I cancelled my Charge/Reserve combo yesterday, and did at least get asked why I was cancelling. I said the devaluing of the insurance and the reduction in points earn just wasn't worth the $900 fee anymore. The guy proceeded to tell me that looking at my restaurant spend I'd be better off with the new points system. "Really", I said, "that's strange since I put all restaurant spend through my WA Health Department meals entertainment card for salary packaging - I don't use my Amex at restaurants". He didn't have a reply! They must be reading off a pre-set line without any regard to the actual scenario of their customers.

No fight put up after I pointed this out, cards cancelled.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Jeez I am so over AMEX.

Rushed into office last Friday to pay a few accounts - you know how it is - you do what you have to do - but your mind may not be quite where it should be.

Paid 6K to one supplier using Cent instead of WSQ Amex - there goes 3K pts out the window - jeez I hate this new pts system. Yeah my mistake I know - but been paying these same accounts with Cent card for 3 years - kinda habit forming.

Checking pts this morn - see one of my supp cardholders spent $118 at Railway Hotel in Windsor Vic and it earns 118pts. Call her up - what did you buy - 1 bowl of pasta each for 2 of us and a bottle of red - kinda standard fare that a restaurant / hotel would offer. Now I gotta call AMEX and try to sort this out.

YES YES I know - it depends on what merchant has enrolled as - but has life really got to this stage? Doi we really have to go online and search bona fides of a restaurant / hotel prior to eating there?

Jeez I am so over AMEX - it really is just a matter of time and I will be giving them the shunt.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

So I drop an email to AMEX - their response:

Hi Cruiser

I have looked into this transaction for you and for this particular merchant bonus points are not earned, this is because the classification for this merchant is – Shops-Pub/Liquor Sales.

I have listed below a link where you can view all the applicable Restaurants where you can earn bonus points, this can be searched by region etc:

Merchant Geo

As you may be able to see, not every Restaurant qualifies.

ThanksCruiser and please let me know if you need anything further.

Best Regards

AMEX CSM

Kinda thinking life is just too short for this cough.

 

[Pukka]

So I drop an email to AMEX - their response:

Hi Cruiser

I have looked into this transaction for you and for this particular merchant bonus points are not earned, this is because the classification for this merchant is – Shops-Pub/Liquor Sales.

I have listed below a link where you can view all the applicable Restaurants where you can earn bonus points, this can be searched by region etc:

Merchant Geo

As you may be able to see, not every Restaurant qualifies.

ThanksCruiser and please let me know if you need anything further.

Best Regards

AMEX CSM

Kinda thinking life is just too short for this cough.

I agree life is to short

Is it or is it not a restaurant, I've had the discussion with them already apparently the really nice place I was eating was not a restaurant but McDonalds is lol. Well it might be on their list but not mine. Them I had SAL Au is an airline but SAL Thailand is not, then oh you would have got extra points but now you've reached your points threshold.

I'm afraid it's all in the too hard basket I really can't be bothered so I just put it all on Citi sig select.

So when Cent comes around I will take a lot of convincing even though it still has the DYKWIA factor which i'm ashamed to say i still like I think it's becoming a bit of a joke

 

[greenfrog86]

I agree life is to short

Is it or is it not a restaurant, I've had the discussion with them already apparently the really nice place I was eating was not a restaurant but McDonalds is lol. Well it might be on their list but not mine. Them I had SAL Au is an airline but SAL Thailand is not, then oh you would have got extra points but now you've reached your points threshold.

I'm afraid it's all in the too hard basket I really can't be bothered so I just put it all on Citi sig select.

So when Cent comes around I will take a lot of convincing even though it still has the DYKWIA factor which i'm ashamed to say i still like I think it's becoming a bit of a joke

This always really frustrates me too, however places like the Railway I would always assume are listed as something other than a restaurant given their main business is booze and not food...

It really did annoy me though that Agoda wasn't classified as a travel provider given there is absolutely no chance of it being anything other than a travel provider!!

 

[Chicken]

19/12/2012 HOTELCLUB PTY LIMITED $135.30 135
25/12/2012 RENTALCARTOLLPH131865 $10.68 5

Found these, so I called today. Got overseas centre instead of Sydney, not that it would have made any difference I don't think.

Hotel Club: Sorry, I will give you the difference, and I'll forward to management.

Rental car toll phone 131865: It's toll, it's government RMS formerly RTA in NSW, so 0.5 point. I told her I rented the car in QLD, drove the car over QLD Motorways, the tag is from Thrifty, how am I supposed to know the tag belongs to NSW government? Her answer was that's what in the system, and tolls are set by the government, so considered government. I then questioned her, that electricity prices in NSW are set by NSW government but electricity companies are owned for investment banks and foreign companies, so how does that work? No answer. Well, the answer was, you have been a cardmember for many years, so I'll credit you the points to make you happy. I told her that's not the point, the point is none of us should be doing this chasing after 3 months.

Kinda thinking life is just too short for this cough.

Exactly; or maybe we should raise this with ACCC? (since this is not a state fair trading thing, and affects so many of us)

 

[TtiGeR]

19/12/2012 HOTELCLUB PTY LIMITED $135.30 135
25/12/2012 RENTALCARTOLLPH131865 $10.68 5

Found these, so I called today. Got overseas centre instead of Sydney, not that it would have made any difference I don't think.

Hotel Club: Sorry, I will give you the difference, and I'll forward to management.

Rental car toll phone 131865: It's toll, it's government RMS formerly RTA in NSW, so 0.5 point. I told her I rented the car in QLD, drove the car over QLD Motorways, the tag is from Thrifty, how am I supposed to know the tag belongs to NSW government? Her answer was that's what in the system, and tolls are set by the government, so considered government. I then questioned her, that electricity prices in NSW are set by NSW government but electricity companies are owned for investment banks and foreign companies, so how does that work? No answer. Well, the answer was, you have been a cardmember for many years, so I'll credit you the points to make you happy. I told her that's not the point, the point is none of us should be doing this chasing after 3 months.



Exactly; or maybe we should raise this with ACCC? (since this is not a state fair trading thing, and affects so many of us)

I too received a charge from RMS for an EuropCar rental. I did ask at the pickup whether EuropCar or a toll provider will charge me and was told that RMS will be as per the rental agreement. I believe there is nothing wrong with AMEX in this particular case as EuropCar is not charging the rental and stated so in the rental agreement. You can also download the receipt from the RMS website.

HotelClub one is definitely an AMEX mistake.

 

[Mitch_W]

19/12/2012 HOTELCLUB PTY LIMITED $135.30 135
25/12/2012 RENTALCARTOLLPH131865 $10.68 5

Found these, so I called today. Got overseas centre instead of Sydney, not that it would have made any difference I don't think.

Hotel Club: Sorry, I will give you the difference, and I'll forward to management.

Rental car toll phone 131865: It's toll, it's government RMS formerly RTA in NSW, so 0.5 point. I told her I rented the car in QLD, drove the car over QLD Motorways, the tag is from Thrifty, how am I supposed to know the tag belongs to NSW government? Her answer was that's what in the system, and tolls are set by the government, so considered government. I then questioned her, that electricity prices in NSW are set by NSW government but electricity companies are owned for investment banks and foreign companies, so how does that work? No answer. Well, the answer was, you have been a cardmember for many years, so I'll credit you the points to make you happy. I told her that's not the point, the point is none of us should be doing this chasing after 3 months.



Exactly; or maybe we should raise this with ACCC? (since this is not a state fair trading thing, and affects so many of us)

Just as a matter of interest, if you book thru Earn 5 Membership Rewards Bonus Points for every $1 spent you are entitled to another 5 points per dollar on top of the standard Amex points.

Cheers,

Mitch

 

[Chicken]

I believe there is nothing wrong with AMEX in this particular case as EuropCar is not charging the rental and stated so in the rental agreement.

You are right. I just found the T&C for Thrifty, and it does say RMS NSW. I myself have GoVia tag from QLD Motorways despite I'm in Sydney, and it is $1 = 1 point with AmEx, so I didn't give it much thought. Man, this is such a mess.

HotelClub one is definitely an AMEX mistake.

Actually no, apparently not. Read my last fight with AmEx about HotelClub.

 

[Chicken]

Just as a matter of interest, if you book thru Earn 5 Membership Rewards Bonus Points for every $1 spent you are entitled to another 5 points per dollar on top of the standard Amex points.

And you pay more for the room too.

From my experience, book with AmEx HotelClub is 15% more than booking with HotelClub HotelClub. Book with API Lifestyle HotelClub is 5% more than HotelClub HotelClub. If you create a user name with HotelClub, you will get a 5% credit rebate after booking, which you can use for your next booking, so effectively HotelClub HotelClub with user name is 5% cheaper than HotelClub HotelClub.

 

[CWM]

Just as a matter of interest, if you book thru Earn 5 Membership Rewards Bonus Points for every $1 spent you are entitled to another 5 points per dollar on top of the standard Amex points.

Interesting as the AMEX website listed that deal as expired.

AMEX have refused to give me the correct Hotelclub points, they said they list Hotelclub as an 'on-line provider' not a hotel agent so only 1 point / $.

 

[hummel]

It really did annoy me though that Agoda wasn't classified as a travel provider given there is absolutely no chance of it being anything other than a travel provider!!

Really? Wow.

I only carry the plat edge so have been relatively unaffected by points changes but after reading this thread, I know I won' be changing to a higher-tier card.

My Citibank card is seeing more and more use these days!

 

[Cynicor]

I'm changing to the Affinty charge for 1 further year, and going to carefully analyse how many points I am earning and the associated benefits. I don't feel I'm getting even $700 worth but if I use the PP a bit while in Europe this year and take my free flight then I might not be too far behind.

 

[Robert Qld]

I agree life is to short

Is it or is it not a restaurant, I've had the discussion with them already apparently the really nice place I was eating was not a restaurant but McDonalds is lol. Well it might be on their list but not mine. Them I had SAL Au is an airline but SAL Thailand is not, then oh you would have got extra points but now you've reached your points threshold.

I'm afraid it's all in the too hard basket I really can't be bothered so I just put it all on Citi sig select.

So when Cent comes around I will take a lot of convincing even though it still has the DYKWIA factor which i'm ashamed to say i still like I think it's becoming a bit of a joke

I live around the corner from The Railway. There is a bottleshop underneath attached to it and I guess on Saturday nights it does turn into an upscale kinda club/pub. But the food there isn't Maccas.

Reading this stuff made me glad to cancel my account months ago,