Looks like the 80k joining bonus has been reinstated.

[thehound]

Hi all, considering I don't fly enough to justify the conversion of 80,000 to Qantas points etc, can I convert to Gift Cards via the Amex rewards website? By my calculations, 80,000 is roughly worth $600 in Coles/Myer vouchers.

If you want $600 in Coles vouchers, just buy Coles vouchers. I wouldn't spend $900 on the card fee to get $600 of vouchers plus the free flight that (might) make up the rest. 80,000 points can be worth far more than the $900 card fee if used for flight redemptions...

 

[11sjw]

So did anyone apply based on this offer being available? I did as I was told that as I held no AMEX branded cards (I have an ANZ AMEX) that I would be considered a new customer, hence eligible for the 80k points. Will send the wife to Bali for a weekend with the free flight. Easily justifying the outlay, well in my mind at least!!!

 

[xtoss]

Anyone know how long you would have to be without an AMEX card before you are considered a new customer again?

 

[mitwg]

Anyone know how long you would have to be without an AMEX card before you are considered a new customer again?

I actually had a gold charge card prior to recently applying for plat charge for the 80k bonus and prior to 'upgrading', I called platinum services to see if they were willing to extend the 80k offer. I was told they wouldn't do that since I was an existing cardholder but due to my travel requirements, I decided to just apply anyway without expecting much. I was told I'd have to apply online.

When I filled out the application form, I noted that there was no option to upgrade from the gold charge to the plat charge (if there was one, I certainly missed it) but it did have me put in my existing amex number in there.

Got the card a few weeks ago and on my first week, I charged around $2k on it and was quite surprised to see the 80k bonus point posted.

What I noticed though was the plat charge's MR points initially went into a separate pool compared to my gold charge so I had to have them manually move the gold charge points across to the plat charge. This was a bit unusual for me because all of the other cards attached (i.e. the plat reserve) was correctly listed as a child card under the plat charge in terms of MR.

Given the above, I suspect it all depends on how MR gets setup on your account.

 

[fersea]

They told me that if you had a bank issued Amex (like the ANZ one I got through my home loan) you will still be eligible for the bonus points.

I did ask about the Marco Polo gold and they were supposed to ring back but haven't. That will be the deal breaker for me. I am planning on going RTW next year and having Gold status or more importantly oneworld sapphire would be handy to have as well as the priority pass and Virgin access for domestic.

I thought I might have had to do the RTW trip in J which would have meant I needed the extra points but it now seems that Y will be available. Extra points would mean I have another Y RTW up my sleeve.

 

[zig]

I actually had a gold charge card prior to recently applying for plat charge for the 80k bonus and prior to 'upgrading', I called platinum services to see if they were willing to extend the 80k offer. I was told they wouldn't do that since I was an existing cardholder but due to my travel requirements, I decided to just apply anyway without expecting much. I was told I'd have to apply online.

When I filled out the application form, I noted that there was no option to upgrade from the gold charge to the plat charge (if there was one, I certainly missed it) but it did have me put in my existing amex number in there.

Got the card a few weeks ago and on my first week, I charged around $2k on it and was quite surprised to see the 80k bonus point posted.

What I noticed though was the plat charge's MR points initially went into a separate pool compared to my gold charge so I had to have them manually move the gold charge points across to the plat charge. This was a bit unusual for me because all of the other cards attached (i.e. the plat reserve) was correctly listed as a child card under the plat charge in terms of MR.

Given the above, I suspect it all depends on how MR gets setup on your account.

Welcome to AFF mitwg.
As I posted previously I have always received sign on bonuses when changing Amex cards, despite being a current Amex card holder. However when I rang to question my eligibility for this sign on bonus I was given the same answer as you. Your post confirming that you received the points is promising, and I am now considering applying - if I don't get the bonus points, I can always cancel and ask for a pro-rata refund.

 

[11sjw]

After having cancelled my last Platinum Charge in August last year I applied and hit the $500 spend this week. Literally as soon as the $500 was on the card the 80k points appeared. Now where to send them AA (via SPG) or QF? Mmmmmmmm

 

[fersea]

After having cancelled my last Platinum Charge in August last year I applied and hit the $500 spend this week. Literally as soon as the $500 was on the card the 80k points appeared. Now where to send them AA (via SPG) or QF? Mmmmmmmm

11sjw - is the Marco Polo gold available to you?

 

[11sjw]

11sjw - is the Marco Polo gold available to you?

To be honest I didn't bother looking into it as I've retained QF WP until 30 June '14. I'm not planning on keeping the card beyond 1 year. I'll ring AMEX and ask.

 

[mattmison]

Just got this offer, card arrived today...

Have never had a Amex card before but the offer seemed to good to refuse.

I presume i now have to go in and apply for an additional card to get the reserve Credit card as well? (thus the free flight)?

Also, with the 80k bonus points - is that a 1:1 to Qantas?

And I presume the Charge card only earns 1QFF:$1 spend on the majority of transactions?

Also very interested in the Marco Polo Gold bit - I presume that would give QC Access? .. Virgin Lounge is nice, but I always fly Qantas. Although I think we are moving to the USA later this year - so Admirals club will be nice as well.

I presume you cant access the Admirals Club when flying Qantas?

 

[11sjw]

Just got this offer, card arrived today...

Have never had a Amex card before but the offer seemed to good to refuse.

I presume i now have to go in and apply for an additional card to get the reserve Credit card as well? (thus the free flight)?

Also, with the 80k bonus points - is that a 1:1 to Qantas?

And I presume the Charge card only earns 1QFF:$1 spend on the majority of transactions?

Also very interested in the Marco Polo Gold bit - I presume that would give QC Access? .. Virgin Lounge is nice, but I always fly Qantas. Although I think we are moving to the USA later this year - so Admirals club will be nice as well.

I presume you cant access the Admirals Club when flying Qantas?

Yes it is 1:1 QFF Points

Majority of transactions will be 1:1

Yes on the free flight via the reserve cc

MP Gold = QFF Gold which gives QP access. Not sure on AA Lounges

 

[mattmison]

Just logged into the Amex Platinum website... it still advertises Qantas Club when you "Search" Lounges etc, and also says complimenty MP Gold still available.. but there is a date of the 15th of February 2013 listed as a cut off only on the bottom of the PDF form itself... so not sure whether they would accept it ? seems very odd and misleading to leave all that info up there when the offer is supposedly 2 months over due. I think they would be hard pressed to argue that its not missleading.

 

[k3nnis]

If you apply for mpc gold, please let us know the result.

 

[mattmison]

If you apply for mpc gold, please let us know the result.

no harm throwing the form in.

As I said I think if they reject it there is a case to argue the point. Its really misleading.

Will let you know.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

They seem to have tightened the T&C as I do not remember this exact wording before:

2. .....Cardmembers who currently hold or who have previously held any other Card product offered by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 12 month period are ineligible for this offer.... .

 

[Airbumps]

Yeah thats pretty much a cover all show stopper for a lot of people I would think.

 

[11sjw]

Yeah thats pretty much a cover all show stopper for a lot of people I would think.

Fortunately for me I had been out of AMEX for a while. 80k points came through one week (& one phonecall) after the qualifying spend.

Free flight has been used, 80k points banked soon. Now to cancel the cards pre Oct.

 

[kremin]

I signed up last month. No problems at all, first spend had the 80 k points on my account within 24 hours. Sweet ! My first ' real' amex card though so o wouldn't have been on the books. I've had an ANZ platinum amex for years. But its linked via my visa so maybe under the radar. Anyway I'm happy, got 9 months to decide whether to cancel & do it all again.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

I signed up last month. No problems at all, first spend had the 80 k points on my account within 24 hours. Sweet ! My first ' real' amex card though so o wouldn't have been on the books. I've had an ANZ platinum amex for years. But its linked via my visa so maybe under the radar. Anyway I'm happy, got 9 months to decide whether to cancel & do it all again.

What is the annual cost ?

 

[11sjw]

What is the annual cost ?

$900. Comes with a free flight based on the Platinum Reserve CC you get with it. Well you have to apply for it as well but you don't have to pay for it.