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

[Bunty]

Was charged $395 annual fee for my Reserve earlier this week. Called Amex, was put through to cancellations Dept when I only called to query the value of the card and was almost instantly offered a fee waiver - didn't even have to ask! Took no more than 5 minutes on the phone.

My spend has dropped significantly in the last 12 months on this card as I have shuffled most of my payments to other, more rewarding, cards and used the Reserve exclusively for restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of the fee waiver, especially as they also waived my fee last year. The Amex Consultant did mention my length of Membership a couple of times during the call (nearly 20 years), so perhaps that was the catalyst for this offer.

 

[lovestotravel]

Well that is interesting!

My Plat Charge card is up fo renewal next month and I can't justify the $900 so will cancel that card and stick with the Plat credit card, but only IF I can get it for free.

 

[k3nnis]

For me one of the big advantages of the plat charge is ascent premium. Would like to warehouse and can transfer to QF... But for $900 doesn't look good!

 

[lovestotravel]

Oh I did forget about that

Look likes I'll be paying the $900

 

[deluxeflyer]

Was charged $395 annual fee for my Reserve earlier this week. Called Amex, was put through to cancellations Dept when I only called to query the value of the card and was almost instantly offered a fee waiver - didn't even have to ask! Took no more than 5 minutes on the phone.

My spend has dropped significantly in the last 12 months on this card as I have shuffled most of my payments to other, more rewarding, cards and used the Reserve exclusively for restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of the fee waiver, especially as they also waived my fee last year. The Amex Consultant did mention my length of Membership a couple of times during the call (nearly 20 years), so perhaps that was the catalyst for this offer.

My story: called to cancel the Original Plat and to take up Edge just to warehouse points.
No offer of fee waiver, or reduced fee, or bonus points. Nothing at all.
Just endless reminders that I'll be missing out on all those restaurant points,
but conveniently not mentioning that my monthly spend has dropped from 5 figures to 3.
I've been a member for 22 years.
Last year I was offered Cent 3 times.
Hero to Zero, not Zorro.

It seems that experiences vary greatly with Amex.

 

[k3nnis]

So I am not the only one that wants Ascent Premium

So does the ability to warehouse and transfer to QF a great benefit for you?

Oh I did forget about that

Look likes I'll be paying the $900

 

[Ricardo]

My story: called to cancel the Original Plat and to take up Edge just to warehouse points.
No offer of fee waiver, or reduced fee, or bonus points. Nothing at all.
Just endless reminders that I'll be missing out on all those restaurant points,
but conveniently not mentioning that my monthly spend has dropped from 5 figures to 3.
I've been a member for 22 years.
Last year I was offered Cent 3 times.
Hero to Zero, not Zorro.

It seems that experiences vary greatly with Amex.

Bugger, you would think they would bend over backwards for your 'loyalty' and long standing card membership.

I had a fee reduction a few years back when they had the 80k join up points for new members, will try that approach this year when my fee is due in another month or so.

 

[lovestotravel]

So I am not the only one that wants Ascent Premium

So does the ability to warehouse and transfer to QF a great benefit for you?

Yes!!

The vast majority of my FF points are sitting with Amex with another huge chunk sitting with Virgin (which I wish I didn't have)

The ability to transfer to SQ or QF are my main two requirements of a credit card

I have the following cards
Westpac SQ Amex/Visa
Commbank Diamond Amex/MCard
Amex Plat Charge
Amex Plat Credit

Plus a few others I use/have used for balance transfers.

I am tempted to just transfer most of the Amex points to Qantas and cancel the charge card (now that I know I need the charge card to keep Ascent Premium)

Maybe I'll stick it out another year and wait and see what Qantas International/Emirates alliance does over this time and what Qantas actually does with the 787's, if they all stay with Jetstar then it's goodbye QFi but if some go across to QFi then it shows some promise. That being said, given that Qantas is going to spend $$$ on the A330's to refurbish them I have a strong feeling that no 787's will ever make their way to QFi...

 

[k3nnis]

I agree with your views.

I have the following:
Westpac Altitude Black MC/AMEX
Amex Plat Edge
Amex Plat Reserve
Amex Plat Charge

I'm going to cancel the charge and see what they offer me. But I would really like to stay on Ascent Premium......

Also I transferred Amex MR to QF a couple of days ago and it took only 1 day to appear on my QF account

 

[JohnJ]

I cancelled my Platinum Charge 2 months ago, leaving just the Platinum Edge but I still have access to Ascent Premium (but earning 3 points at supermarkets, etc). Maybe it will change soon, but handy to still have the option...

 

[Cynicor]

How do you know you still have ascent premium? Have you tried a QF transfer recently? This is the only difference AFAIK.

 

[JohnJ]

When you view the reward points, there is a drop down box to select which program you want to view - my only option is Ascent Premium.
I haven't transfered to Qantas, but I still have the option to select them as a partner and can get to the confirmation screen without submitting the request.

 

[k3nnis]

Yep whatever JohnJ said is correct. But my issue is $900/year to keep ascent premium .....

 

[deluxeflyer]

Bugger, you would think they would bend over backwards for your 'loyalty' and long standing card membership.

I had a fee reduction a few years back when they had the 80k join up points for new members, will try that approach this year when my fee is due in another month or so.

Follow up to my experience in post 545.
I called up amex to find out about the progress of my conversion from Plat Charge to Edge.
Transferred from new cards to loyalty or something like that, and the operator said: "May I ask why you are changing from our super premium card to a much lower card?"
I said: "Thank you for asking, but the Plat charge has changed so much that it is just not worth my while anymore.
First was the insurance, then the points changes.
Quite frankly I would give up amex entirely if it were not for my substantial points balance which I don't want to lose.
You are the first person to ask me why, and this is at the very last stage.
Doesn't that speak volumes about amex? I feel very poorly treated after 22 years of loyalty."
She said: "I agree and understand your position. Is there anything we can do to restore your perception of us?"
I said: "You can start by waiving my Plat Edge fees"
She said: "I can waive the first year, but I can't guarantee for subsequent years".

I accepted the offer of course, but I'll be fighting every year for a fee waiver.

I subsequently received a letter to say if i change my mind within 60 days they are happy to reinstate Plat Charge. Big whoop.

 

[WA flyer]

Just canned my Amex Plat after several fruitful years. The only remaining benefit was the Marco Polo gold, as I've already qualified for SPG gold for next year. I had to call to get my points transferred to the reserve card and again to get the $900 refunded. I'll probably switch to an Edge when I get charged for the reserve as the $195 is justified by the free flight if you live in Perth. My wallet is feeling a lot slimmer these days with the Westpac black being used mostly and the Citi Select for non Amex spend!

 

[xtoss]

Hi, just a quick question.

If I use my platinum reserve card to book some accomodation that charges me in foreign currency, do I get 2 points per dollar for accom and 2 points per dollar for foreign currency spend? ie 4 points in total?

 

[mitwg]

Hi, just a quick question.

If I use my platinum reserve card to book some accomodation that charges me in foreign currency, do I get 2 points per dollar for accom and 2 points per dollar for foreign currency spend? ie 4 points in total?

2 points only

 

[jazza1971]

It might have been mentioned somewhere else but I see today that the Velocity Platinum earn rate has been enhanced from 1.5 points per $ to 1 for 1 on most purchases......now same as the velocity gold earn rate.