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

[Brooke01]

Hi all,

I had an interesting conversation with my Centurion RM yesterday.

For better points gathering, I am considering getting rid of my Platinum Reserve card, and changing it to a Platinum Edge. I drive a whole heap - so the additional points for fuel would be handy, plus my grocery bill is pretty high - so those points would also be great. The card would be paid in full each month - so no problems with interest etc.

Anyhow - my RM agreed that it would be a good way to go, however the Edge card is no longer a "companion" card to the Centurion. When I received my Centurion a couple of years ago - I had the choice between Reserve and Edge, and I chose Reserve - both cards were "companion" cards, and thus the fees were waived on them.

Not so now - if I want to swap from the Reserve to the Edge it will cost me $149 (i think that was the amount) per annum. No big deal - but I was a little perplexed that there was absolutely NO flexibility with this fee, considering I pay $4300 (soon to be $5000) for my Centurion card.

I dunno - seemed a bit "penny pinching" to me !

On the plus side - if I do swap over and then pay the annual fee - I will get the $10k bonus points

Cheers,

Brooke

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Interesting indeed - Cruiserette would jump at that

 

[sparoz]

I have looked at it late last year as well, and I can only see me getting an extra $300-400 value a year only if you use it on something with a conversion rate to 3-4%. With another bill to pay and reconcile each month, it is not worth the effort after the extra fee.

 

[Brooke01]

I have looked at it late last year as well, and I can only see me getting an extra $300-400 value a year only if you use it on something with a conversion rate to 3-4%. With another bill to pay and reconcile each month, it is not worth the effort after the extra fee.

I am not really sure how to "crunch the numbers" - but I probably spend around $500 per week in fuel, and upwards of $200 per week in groceries - so it did seem attractive to me.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

so it did seem attractive to me.

Brooke that is the only relevant point - "wouldn't do for us to all like the same girl / guy would it"?

 

[sparoz]

I am not really sure how to "crunch the numbers" - but I probably spend around $500 per week in fuel, and upwards of $200 per week in groceries - so it did seem attractive to me.

Brooke that is the only relevant point - 'wouldn't do for us to all like the same girl / guy would it?'

Exactly, everyone is different. . I usually use 1% as a straight value for points, and 4% for FF points claim. So, if you get 10000 extra points, then it is $100 in points value and $400 in FF points value. For me it is not worth it because we spend $50 in groceries and $50 fuel per week.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I am not really sure how to "crunch the numbers" - but I probably spend around $500 per week in fuel, and upwards of $200 per week in groceries - so it did seem attractive to me.

That is about an extra 73000 points on Edge vs Cent. Not counting the 10K bonus.

Perhaps ditch the Cent?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Ok...I have now cancelled the Amex Plat Charge as well.

Best inducement I could get to stay was a bonus 50K base on spend.

However this is really only 25 an extra K compared with a bank issued credit card as they earn at 1.5. Allow for a joining bonus, and that 25K would be reduced by say 15K if I say got a Krisflyer card. If I was a QFF kind of guy, it would be greater than the 25K.

Allowing for the free flight it would be an extra $300 to have kept the card for 10,000 points. Figured it better to depart...and most likely end up in front with a Amex joining bonus a little bit down the track.

I only fly in redeemed J/F for international flights, and so the lounge benefits, are not a factor for me.

 

[aasz1978]

I am finding it bizarre that we still have this conversation 6 months plus after AMEX started its harakiri move by culling the insurance then the membership rewards....

$900 for 0.5 points and nerfed insurance should have sealed in everyone's mind that they are being ripped off.

Admitedly I have only just closed off my AMEX after 12 years with them today with the delay mostly being Christmas and trying to use up all my points.

 

[Keith009]

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

OK... normally I avoid shopping locally and travel just to shop. For a number of reasons, but chief of which being the far more exciting retail scene overseas, greater range, and being served by people who are actually excited and knowledgeable about the wares they're selling - from debating whether patent pig skin is cool anymore to dissecting the rebrand of YSL to Saint Laurent. The new 2 X earn rate for the Reserve card was fab for that reason, similar to why the 3 X earn rate suits my spending patterns.

But occasionally (or maybe semi regularly) there's that Prada manbag, Ferragamo shoes or DITA sunnies that one simply has to have upon sight. It was only after I purchased and walked out of the store that I remembered - my shopping will now earn 50% less Points than before (#pointstartfail I guess). Surely if AMEX sees fit to give enhanced Points for restaurants and travel-related transactions, basic fashion necessities and retail therapy ought to be seen in the same light!

One more reason NOT to shop in Australia (other than the rip off pricing to begin with). It just about outweighs the positives of the extra Points I get from eating out, bars (configured as 'restaurants') and travel-related spend.

But I'd self implode if I held off all shopping until we travel. So perhaps this was the trigger to start a new relationship with Westpac... And even thinking of downgrading the Reserve to an Edge if everything works out well with my new Westpac card. I know the Citibank Select card is great but I just don't have the energy to deal with their call center and processes!

 

[kpc]

So perhaps this was the trigger to start a new relationship with Westpac... And even thinking of downgrading the Reserve to an Edge if everything works out well with my new Westpac card. !

I'm very happy with both my AMEX Westpac Altitude and Earth Platinum cards. I shall be cancelling my AMEX Plat Charge card next week...the Q is whether I keep the AMEX Reserve card.....

 

[exp1k]

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

OK... normally I avoid shopping locally and travel just to shop. For a number of reasons, but chief of which being the far more exciting retail scene overseas, greater range, and being served by people who are actually excited and knowledgeable about the wares they're selling - from debating whether patent pig skin is cool anymore to dissecting the rebrand of YSL to Saint Laurent. The new 2 X earn rate for the Reserve card was fab for that reason, similar to why the 3 X earn rate suits my spending patterns.

But occasionally (or maybe semi regularly) there's that Prada manbag, Ferragamo shoes or DITA sunnies that one simply has to have upon sight. It was only after I purchased and walked out of the store that I remembered - my shopping will now earn 50% less Points than before (#pointstartfail I guess). Surely if AMEX sees fit to give enhanced Points for restaurants and travel-related transactions, basic fashion necessities and retail therapy ought to be seen in the same light!

One more reason NOT to shop in Australia (other than the rip off pricing to begin with). It just about outweighs the positives of the extra Points I get from eating out, bars (configured as 'restaurants') and travel-related spend.

But I'd self implode if I held off all shopping until we travel. So perhaps this was the trigger to start a new relationship with Westpac... And even thinking of downgrading the Reserve to an Edge if everything works out well with my new Westpac card. I know the Citibank Select card is great but I just don't have the energy to deal with their call center and processes!

Check out reebonz.com, they have lots of the things you seem to like and give you 5 bonus pints/$.

 

[cove]

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

Keith009 I was impressed with your style and thoughts on shopping in the US. We decided to not bother getting a third Citi Select card and so to re-load Mrscove's Kris miles involved using a Westpac Amex card.
While that cost a bit more than $700 to do after tax credits it took 45 minutes to get a chunky amount of points into her account for that just in case second list of 6 redemption nominees.

 

[Keith009]

We bought our tickets to HNL with my Reserve card, which means we are covered by the complimentary travel insurance for the trip. These were commercial tickets not redemptions so rather straightforward.

Am I right in thinking that if I downgraded my Reserve card to the Edge card at any point prior to the trip I'd end up with the far inferior insurance attached to the Edge or worse cease to be eligible for any insurance altogether?

Trip isn't till April anyway so was wondering at what point I should downgrade.

 

[thehound]

We bought our tickets to HNL with my Reserve card, which means we are covered by the complimentary travel insurance for the trip. These were commercial tickets not redemptions so rather straightforward.

Am I right in thinking that if I downgraded my Reserve card to the Edge card at any point prior to the trip I'd end up with the far inferior insurance attached to the Edge or worse cease to be eligible for any insurance altogether?

Trip isn't till April anyway so was wondering at what point I should downgrade.

If you get rid of the Reserve, be it by cancellation or a downgrade, you won't be covered by the insurance at all.

 

[Keith009]

Actually I just worked out that the annual multi trip travel insurance policy I can get through work is cheaper than the difference in fees between the Reserve and the Edge cards. So Platinum Edge here I come. Won't get the 2X earn rate for all the shopping we're going to do in HNL though but I think it comes up to about the same now that we're getting a better earn rate on the Westpac for a lot of our local spending.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

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

Check out reebonz.com, they have lots of the things you seem to like and give you 5 bonus pints/$.

So you think Keith009 is a big drinker

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Westpac .

You may find this review of interest if you go with Westpac
Westpac Platinum credit card travel insurance reviewed - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

And overviewing a range of card insurance offerings:
http://www.ausbt.com.au/best-and-worst-credit-cards-for-travel-insurance

 

[simonsyd]

Actually I just worked out that the annual multi trip travel insurance policy I can get through work is cheaper than the difference in fees between the Reserve and the Edge cards. So Platinum Edge here I come. Won't get the 2X earn rate for all the shopping we're going to do in HNL though but I think it comes up to about the same now that we're getting a better earn rate on the Westpac for a lot of our local spending.

Think I may have got the same policy.. Was the final piece that made me ditch the plat charge and reserve combo. Now very happy with citi select and edge in my wallet. Overseas spend on select is a good earner.

 

[Keith009]

You may find this review of interest if you go with Westpac
Westpac Platinum credit card travel insurance reviewed - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

And overviewing a range of card insurance offerings:
Best and worst credit cards for travel insurance: what's covered? - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

I see Westpac has simplified their T&C for activation requiring simply $500 spend per pax on the Westpac Platinum credit card (I got the Singapore Airlines version but they all seem to have the same policy), but one needs to have a 'return overseas travel ticket' and a literal interpretation of a 'return overseas travel ticket' literally (a single ticket for travel out of and return to Australia - my paraphrasing - rather than simply any combination of tickets that illustrate return travel out of/into Australia) seems to exclude a lot of our travel where Points from different FF accounts are used - thus resulting in 2 or more one way tickets.

After the watering down of the AMEX Platinum Charge card travel insurance, I've not found an alternative credit card-based free travel insurance policy that I'd be 100% confident using. I was going to hold on to the Reserve until our HNL trip over Easter but the difference in fees between the Edge and Reserve will pay for a solid retail travel insurance policy with leftover change.

Anyway current portfolio as follows:
* VMA / Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer card (free through work)
* Westpac Singapore Airlines Platinum
* AMEX Gold charge card (free for now, came as a companion card with the Reserve. Used solely for hotel pre-authorisations. And I can confirm the above advice that this card comes with a free AMEX Platinum Edge so it will become my 'main' AMEX card soon due to the lower fee.)
* AMEX Platinum Reserve which will soon become an Edge (and becomes a free companion card with the Gold charge card)

(My head is spinning)

Plus a very good and comprehensive multi trip annual TI policy I can get on a pretty nice deal through work that also covers my partner.

Will give it a year and see how I go.

We've also got an ANZ Platinum (can't remember which one it was but I think we selected the non Points earning version as the QF card came with a surcharge) that forms a compulsory feature of our home loan (ANZ Breakfree Package) but we've never used it. I see that AUSBT likes their TI policy but I've not gone through the T&Cs in detail. We're shopping around for an alternative home loan anyway.