Reduced AMEX earn rates from April 2019

[Bell21]

St George's earns 0.75 points per dollar and does not have a cap. There is also birthday bonus of 10%, which brings it up to 0.825 points per dollar if you keep the card past your birthday.

Bankwest World Mastercard earns 0.6 (or is it 0.66?) QF points per dollar, and no cap.

Thanks - I prefer the flex of the St G offer, as I'm weaning myself of QF points wherever possible (I was just running the numbers on fuel surcharges for J awards Syd-SIN for KF vs QF...) - I'd misquoted the VA points / $ - thanks for correcting

 

[Bell21]

Now imagine doing exactly the same, but start with a fee of 0.08% including GST (albeit only for VISA or MC).

Thanks again for reminding me of this service, which I'd overlooked. It's kind of off-topic, b/c I think there's another thread that covers this well, but on the other hand, this exchange has helped me to formulate a post-April extra points generation strategy to replace RP, given the AMEX devaluation, as it seems that EBP / V & MC may well be the way to go --- so hopefully this is helpful to others.

I was a bit concerned that I'd been following the wrong strategy for the last year using RP, but after running the numbers, at least for me, RP was better than EBP, mainly b/c I could generate 2 points / $ vs 0.5 points / $ (based on over-cap spending) and with a much better cost per point.

However, EBP seems to come into its own if you're generating at least 0.75 points / $ for V/MC spend, and is slightly ahead, if you're getting the St G birthday bonus. Of course, I'll be earning about one-third less total extra points than I will for RP / AMEX spend, but points value will be similar, so that's something (I guess...)

 

[amaroo]

It all depends on what RP decides come 16 April.

Not sure they can survive by reducing their fee 50% .... but I think they can get close enough to make it work with the Plat charge.

 

[albyd]

I think the challenge will be getting Amex to reduce their merchant fee to RP and others due to Amex’s MR devaluation. Amex have suggested it’s because of it reducing its merchant fees that it’s needed to devalue. I’m sure RP won’t be the only merchant with pressure from its customers to drop their charges in response to the MR devaluation. This may be a self-reinforcing cycle.

I got a call back from B2BPay and while they’re in the same position with Amex changes and it being way too early, they were standing firm on their processing fee rate and cited the small # of QFF points that can be earned from the service as the value they provide.

Hopefully Dragon will stay around current levels to keep EBP viable.

 

[amaroo]

I had a chat with RP last week, as mentioned upthread by someone else - they are in discussions with Amex and are acutely aware what will happen to their business if the fee isn't reduced.

The ever changing game....

 

[k3nnis]

Hi guys,

Sorry to sound dumb what is RP?

 

[carls888]

Hi guys,

Sorry to sound dumb what is RP?

Reward Pay

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks

 

[samopp]

My explorer's annual fee was charged on 1st Nov. Called yesterday to cancel to get AF refunded, and it was done in less than 5 minutes. Didn't ask why I want to cancel it nor offered any incentives i.e bonus points or reduced AF.

 

[andye]

I received my Platinum Charge doubling letter.

I was a little nervous as I don't put huge $ through the Charge but with a reasonably hefty use of of other Amexes.

This is part of a strategy to only put business expenses (and even then only bonus categories such as travel) through the Charge so can claim the fee as an expense. Sure I lose the travel insurance, warranties and most Charge statement credits but it makes the Charge better than 'free' for me with Professionals discount, Charge/Reserve statement credits.

As of April, I will need to calculate whether this strategy is still best-the earn on the Reserve is pretty close so still may be. However it would be easier to put it all on one Amex

 

[potm]

I currently have the edge/explorer combo.
What I want to know is if I can get the charge, have all the points moved to ascent premium and have them doubled next year.

 

[Saltywings]

I currently have the edge/explorer combo.
What I want to know is if I can get the charge, have all the points moved to ascent premium and have them doubled next year.

Based on everything I've read in this thread (which is literally everything), I'm going to go with 'no'.

 

[imipenam]

I currently have the edge/explorer combo.
What I want to know is if I can get the charge, have all the points moved to ascent premium and have them doubled next year.

I don’t think anyone can give you the correct answer until someone actually takes the plunge. I have had the charge for about 3 months and received the “double points” letter, so maybe a possibility ....

I also had the edge/explorer combo prior to charge ... all the points were automatically enrolled into ascent premium.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I currently have the edge/explorer combo.
What I want to know is if I can get the charge, have all the points moved to ascent premium and have them doubled next year.

I suspect Amex would be wise to such moves. It is likely that letters offering the doubling of points for Charge card holders have already been decided and new applicants would not qualify since the change in points earn and redemption is now public.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I don’t think anyone can give you the correct answer until someone actually takes the plunge. I have had the charge for about 3 months and received the “double points” letter, so maybe a possibility ....

But you held the Charge before the devaluation was announced so that seems fair.

 

[daft009]

I currently have the edge/explorer combo.
What I want to know is if I can get the charge, have all the points moved to ascent premium and have them doubled next year.

I think I'm going in for the plunge, wish me luck!
lets see if I get approved first

 

[potm]

I think I'm going in for the plunge, wish me luck!
lets see if I get approved first

The problem is even if I take the plunge, I would need it confirmed 100% in writing to risk not transfering the points out before devaluation date.
I’m afraid Amex may never give us a confirmation.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I think I'm going in for the plunge, wish me luck!
lets see if I get approved first

Fair enough. You are essentially going to pay $1450 to double your existing points balance so there must be some Maths you can do to see if that is worthwhile for you.

Are you planning to keep the Charge with the ongoing reduced earn rates and, if so, will you get value from the annual fee?

 

[imipenam]

I think I'm going in for the plunge, wish me luck!
lets see if I get approved first

All the best. Hopefully you will find out about the approval online. The charge card is couriered from Singapore ... thus a very quick process. Might get it by Friday/Saturday if approved today!

Edit: Don’t forget $250 less for the annual fee if you belong to a professional association

 

[sjk]

Their intentions are clear enough as the Terms and Conditions of the letter say "Only valid for the recipient of this letter who holds an American Express Platinum Card as at 19 November 2018."

But it wouldn't surprise me if they were open to negotiation.