Qantas/Amex Changes [consolidated threads]

[glass]

What about for us 'low spenders'? QFF was good due to no expiry, but all other airlines and asiamiles etc expire in 3yrs. I personally don't spend enough to earn rewards every 3yrs and not enough to keep paying cc annual fees. I only stay 1-2yrs on each card while they waive the fees :-|.

I think I put about $15000 max on cards each year, and not all on AE.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

What about for us 'low spenders'? QFF was good due to no expiry, but all other airlines and asiamiles etc expire in 3yrs. I personally don't spend enough to earn rewards every 3yrs and not enough to keep paying cc annual fees. I only stay 1-2yrs on each card while they waive the fees :-|.

I think I put about $15000 max on cards each year, and not all on AE.

OK - you don't pay annual fees. You generate few $$ in transaction charges. What do you expect? If you are a low value customer, then I wouldn't expect much in return - someone has to pay for the system - and that's the card holder.

I'd look for other cards - the real "no annual fee" ones, or the ones that give you discounts on smaller value items (petrol or groceries). Use the money you save there to save up for flights (assuming you really want flights).

 

[medhead]

What about for us 'low spenders'? QFF was good due to no expiry, but all other airlines and asiamiles etc expire in 3yrs. I personally don't spend enough to earn rewards every 3yrs and not enough to keep paying cc annual fees. I only stay 1-2yrs on each card while they waive the fees :-|.

I think I put about $15000 max on cards each year, and not all on AE.

Have you considered what other cards you might get from having a relationship with a bank.

I get a free NAB gold rewards card by having my mortgage with NAB. Sure the earn rate is less than 1 QF point per $1. But it's free, well it's included in my mortgage fee, it's a back up to my 2 ANZ and 1 AMEX cards and my wife uses it when AMEX isn't acepted.

 

[Mal]

Platinum Credit card is not exempt from these changes. Received my letter today advising of the withdrawal of Qantas FF point redemptions.

There is a sweetner in that they'll offer a Plat Charge card for $600 (for the first year).

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Platinum Credit card is not exempt from these changes. Received my letter today advising of the withdrawal of Qantas FF point redemptions.

There is a sweetner in that they'll offer a Plat Charge card for $600 (for the first year).

Well Mel,
I find all this hard to believe!!!

 

[JohnK]

There is a sweetner in that they'll offer a Plat Charge card for $600 (for the first year).

They call that a sweetener? Hmmm....

 

[Mal]

Well Mel,
I find all this hard to believe!!!

Here's what my letter says:

"Dear <Mal>,

I am writing to let you know about some changes and enhancements [oops - there's that word!] to your American Express Platinum Credit Card and Membership Rewards Ascent program.

Important changes to your Terms and Conditions regarding Qantas Frequent Flyer, effective 1 April 2009

We would like to advise you that Qantas has decided not to renew its participation as an airline rewards partner[...]
This means that after 31 March 2009, you will no longer be able to trasfer your Membership Rewards points from Ascent to the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program[...]

Your Options.

Option 1: [summarised]
Switch to Plat Charge Card. Introductory fee $600 for the first year. Provides access to Ascent Premium which allows continued transfer of points. All other Amex cards linked on your Ascent account will also earn points that can be transferred to Qantas.

Option 2: [summarised]
Switch to a Qantas co-branded card.

Option 3: [summarised]
If you don't care about Qantas points - do nothing.

Don't have a scanner or a camera that does macro shots well, otherwise would post an image of the letter.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Here's what my letter says:


Don't have a scanner or a camera that does macro shots well, otherwise would post an image of the letter.

OK Mel,
That looks like that,I had a Plat Charge but found it hard to justify
the cost $900, so have Gold Charge + Plat Credit at the moment,not sure
which way to go after reading your post???

By the way anyone want to buy a bottle of "Grange to pay for the Plat Charge" ok----just kidding!!!

 

[Kendall Roy]

I have an Amex Qantas Premium credit card and I will more than likely cancel it when the $249 annual fee is due in March 2009. I wonder if they will offer to waive the fee for me as well. Worth a try....

JohnK,

No issues talking my way out of the annual free for the 3rd year in a row.

Just ask to be put straight through to cancellations - a quick look at your spend then farewell annual fee

 

[gibspmuh]

Your Options.

Option 1: [summarised]
Switch to Plat Charge Card. Introductory fee $600 for the first year. Provides access to Ascent Premium which allows continued transfer of points. All other Amex cards linked on your Ascent account will also earn points that can be transferred to Qantas.

Option 2: [summarised]
Switch to a Qantas co-branded card.

Option 3: [summarised]
If you don't care about Qantas points - do nothing..

I got the letter from Amex today as well, though no offer of switching to the Plat Charge Card for me, just switch to Qantas co-branded card or do nothing.

 

[oz_mark]

Hmm, I await my letter to see if I have any offers of note!

 

[straitman]

Hmm, I await my letter to see if I have any offers of note!

Likewise for me.

 

[LordGarlic]

How about those affiliated AMEX?? eg: professional bodies card such as the Australian Computer Society,CPA/CA,AMA? Are they affected too?

 

[oz_mark]

How about those affiliated AMEX?? eg: professional bodies card such as the Australian Computer Society,CPA/CA,AMA? Are they affected too?

I would think that it affects any card that links to th Ascent program, given that it is the transfer of points from Ascent that is being stopped.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Has anyone heard about corporate cards that earn points in the Spirit program? They used to be able to be redeemed for QFF points.

 

[Soundguy]

I just got the same letter Mal has with three options given as he lists. I have about 250k points on my AMEX Platinum credit card so considering which way to go....

I normally use the points to fly the family on Qantas AU to USA, any suggestions on other airlines that I could do the same with these points at around the same burn rate?

Going to write to AMEX & ask about direct transfer of points to American Airlines (again, didn't get a response last time I asked).

 

[straitman]

I just got the same letter Mal has with three options given as he lists. I have about 250k points on my AMEX Platinum credit card so considering which way to go....

I normally use the points to fly the family on Qantas AU to USA, any suggestions on other airlines that I could do the same with these points at around the same burn rate?

Going to write to AMEX & ask about direct transfer of points to American Airlines (again, didn't get a response last time I asked).

Have the burn rates for Velocity via V Australia been released yet :?: This may be useful but I have not looked.

 

[gibspmuh]

Going to write to AMEX & ask about direct transfer of points to American Airlines (again, didn't get a response last time I asked).

Just keep in mind at the moment you can filter Amex points through to AA via SPG - and if you do it before the end of September then it's 600 SPG per 1000 Amex points. Then for every 20,000 SPG points you transfer to AA you get a 5,000 point bonus. So 250,000 Amex points can become 185,000 AA points - not too shabby.

 

[oz_mark]

Have the burn rates for Velocity via V Australia been released yet :?: This may be useful but I have not looked.

Yes, see here Velocity - V Australia

 

[straitman]

Yes, see here Velocity - V Australia

oz_mark,

Thanks. Maybe I should have transferred some points from Amex to Velocity whilst they had the 50% bonus.