Reduced AMEX earn rates from April 2019

[Chicken]

My point being ... is the era of perks for points now essentially over?

Big changes like this ... well, at what point do we just put away these high cost cards and start using cash again? Just buy what we want?

Don't knee jerk just yet.

Even the free AmEx Qantas Discovery or Velocity Escape, that is $0 annual fee unconditional, would give $1 = 0.75 QF / VA points after April. Don't need high cost.

The easy choice would appear to be KF and would solve both problems. But their three year expiry policy makes me nervous. A million or so points to use up in 3 years? Easy to do if forced I guess, but I like to pace myself and not simply burn points.

That's the reason I still have an account with VS, and AmEx transfers to VS at the same rate as SQ.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I've received the letter AND the guarantee of a doubling of MR points on April 15, 2019.

 

[bbqwer]

I've received the letter AND the guarantee of a doubling of MR points on April 15, 2019.

Which card you holding ?

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Which card you holding ?

Plat Charge. Was Centurion for 10 years.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I think AMEX sending letter to customers for the most expensive annual fees first, then going down to the cheapest fees.

You are possibly correct. In theory, I will receive a letter for my Reserve and Edge, but I don't care what they say as all points pool to Ascent Premium and I have received that letter stating a doubling of points. It hasn't changed my mind though, I'm still ditching Amex altogether.

I might consider the fee free card though just for Shop Small.

 

[opusman]

I've received the letter AND the guarantee of a doubling of MR points on April 15, 2019.

Note that double points may not come through until June 15.

 

[theblank]

I'm still ditching Amex altogether.

What will you use, nothing else earns more.

 

[Mr_Orange]

What will you use, nothing else earns more.

HSBC Premier Mastercard. Fee free. I'm just tiring of the points chasing and justifying $1400 in annual fees for the Charge and Edge. The travel credits are a PITA to use. Priority Pass is nice but we aren't travelling overseas much at the moment. I like the digital AFR, but there is no way I would pay nearly $700 pa for that if it wasn't free with the Charge.

I'll transfer my existing MR points to QF with a 25% bonus which will give me over 1.4m QFF points to burn on domestic/trans-tasman J. I'll still churn other VISA/MC sign on bonus cards to keep my QFF balance going.

I'm just over it all, to be honest

 

[ninja-tim]

So just got of the phone to overseas call centre for platinum. Just so you're aware, I've got the Platinum Business Charge card which links to an ascent program.

The operator had to "put me on hold" so she can check the account history etc, then came back saying she could offer me the double points if I "agree" not to cancel this card next year, which I said yes to.

 

[bbqwer]

The operator had to "put me on hold" so she can check the account history etc, then came back saying she could offer me the double points if I "agree" not to cancel this card next year, which I said yes to.

lol amex is negotiable

I will be piss IF my points not get double, the past 2 years put thru $500k annually with explorer/edge combo!!!

 

[ninja-tim]

lol amex is negotiable

I will be piss IF my points not get double, the past 2 years put thru $500k annually with explorer/edge combo!!!

Yeah, I thought it was weird when she "offered" to double the points if I agree not to cancel the card rather than just doubling it like most others here. Regardless, I'll be waiting for written confirmation so they can't back out of this "offer".

 

[Bell21]

It’s probably just a generic letter. Your charge one will likely mention the doubling of points like all the others. As long as all your points are in ascent premium, you should be fine. Things should clear up once all the dust settles.

Agree - I've had a letter re my Business Explorer with no reference to points doubling, but I understand that my Plat points will double

 

[Bell21]

So just got of the phone to overseas call centre for platinum. Just so you're aware, I've got the Platinum Business Charge card which links to an ascent program.

The operator had to "put me on hold" so she can check the account history etc, then came back saying she could offer me the double points if I "agree" not to cancel this card next year, which I said yes to.

that's an 'interesting' response!

 

[StevePER]

I will be piss IF my points not get double, the past 2 years put thru $500k annually with explorer/edge combo!!!

And I'll be pissed if the big spenders get their points doubled while long term members with more modest balances get screwed.

 

[amaroo]

Snail mail has arrived. Have received the letter for the Platinum - same as posted above, doubled on the 15 April. Nothing on the other two Explorer / Edge, but since it all pools as Ascent Premium - no worries.

FWIW I've only had the card since Aug, but have been an AMEX card holder for 25 years. I have put through a substantial amount of $$$ in the last 3 months via the Explorer.

 

[Ken1]

I received the letters for the Charge and Explorer cards yesterday and posted scans of those letters here. Today I have received the letter for the Reserve which is the Companion card for the Charge card and I've attached a scan here. I plan to keep the Charge card at this stage along with the Reserve, which I don't currently use but have kept it for the $400 travel credit. The Explorer card has been my most used card since it is linked to the Ascent Premium but I don't see the point of keeping the Explorer as well after April 15.

 

[theblank]

I received the letters for the Charge and Explorer cards yesterday and posted scans of those letters here]

interesting that they have added the Smartphone screen insurance, I am surprised nobody has mentioned that yet (maybe I didnt notice).
IMO its a worthwhile benefit, almost everyone breaks a phone screen

 

[Mr_Orange]

interesting that they have added the Smartphone screen insurance, I am surprised nobody has mentioned that yet (maybe I didnt notice).
IMO its a worthwhile benefit, almost everyone breaks a phone screen

That isn't a new benefit.

 

[JessicaTam]

interesting that they have added the Smartphone screen insurance, I am surprised nobody has mentioned that yet (maybe I didnt notice).
IMO its a worthwhile benefit, almost everyone breaks a phone screen

I guess I must be the exception then!

 

[theblank]

That isn't a new benefit.

The letter Ken1 posted says its a new benefit. So thats all I know.