Reduced AMEX earn rates from April 2019

[daft009]

Just a side note to this discussion (if someone hasn’t already posted this).

After much reading and trying to work out what to do with my points i called AMEX and they confirmed the 15th of April date for doubling points balances. This will essentially mean the burn rate stays the same for existing balances because the points in your account double. So despite the reduction in earn on some cards being a pain at least they have recognised that for those with a decent balance the halving will have an impact and they are doing something about it.

There is an EXTREMELY important caveat here though. THIS IS NOT AUTOMATIC!

When asking about my account and for something to confirm this I was also told I will receive a confirmation letter in 7 – 10 business days. The operator said this was not an offer being made to all account customers or something that happens automatically. Firstly, you need to call. Secondly you need to be what she said was a “premium account” and you need to have a “significant balance”. I did query what the thresholds were but this question was brushed aside.

To give you an indication I have 3x amex cards (QBR, BusGold, Plat CC) and our spend across the board is well into the 7 figures. We have a dedicated account manager and my current balance is 7mil+ in AMEX alone. It would be useful for other members that have received the offer to perhaps detail what their accounts look like (without too much detail of course) which would help other AFF members ascertain whether they would be eligible. They may offer it to anyone that calls but it seems the key is to call them!

so just tried my luck as well 15min ago...
first reply was "no, no such doubling offer for you" and that's it
so I asked again, "is there any escalation process that you could suggest for special consideration, i have a high spend etc"
put me on hold again and after 5mins said she would escalate to another team who would make the call (after seeing my spend & tenure etc), will get back to me in 4-5 days..

so *fingers cossed*

 

[Rushtuy]

good luck - hopefully they give it to you. If they did this for all accounts I think it would put a lot of the rumblings to bed. Id love to know what their threshold is!

 

[daft009]

good luck - hopefully they give it to you. If they did this for all accounts I think it would put a lot of the rumblings to bed. Id love to know what their threshold is!

thanks, I put quite a bit of spend every month so hopefully that helps my case

 

[hossein_au]

Standard Ascent - not premium

You wrote that you "...have 3x amex cards (QBR, BusGold, Plat CC)...", and you have been told your point balance will double in April. I would make a guess that you very well might have premium ascent (doesn't it automatically come with Plat CC?).

 

[theblank]

Just a side note to this discussion (if someone hasn’t already posted this)!

only about 100x

 

[60spud]

Rang amex re only receiving 1 point instead of 3 points on my edge card at Super IGA and was told that IGA is not a major Supermarket anymore only Coles and Woolies. The plot thickens?

 

[albyd]

Just checked my MR and I made a purchase yesterday with my edge at a Romeo's IGA and got 3 points/$ spend. Guess I'll need to look closely - usually use IGA for smaller 'convenience' shops.

 

[djchuckles]

HUACA

3. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Ascent program available at membershiprewards.com.au/termsandconditions Participating retailers include the following merchants who have been classified as "major supermarkets" where you will earn 3 points for every $1 spent: Bi-Lo, Coles, Fishers, Food For Less, Fresh Provisions, Harris Farm Markets, IGA, Macro Wholefoods, Safeway, Supabarn, Thomas Dux and Woolworths. Participating retailers include the following merchants who have been classified as "major petrol stations" where you will earn 2 points for every $1 spent: Ampol, BP, Caltex Woolworths, Gull, Metro, Peak, Safeway Petrol, Shell, United, Woolworths Petrol and 7 Eleven. Exceptions may apply if an individual merchant trading as one of the above named retailers does not accept American Express as a form of payment. Purchases at major supermarket & major petrol station retailers are only eligible for additional points if the transactions are made in Australia. You will earn 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else except for merchants classified as: "utilities" including gas, water and electricity providers; "government" including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), federal/state and local government bodies; “telecommunications” including goods and services purchased from phone, mobile and internet service providers and "insurance" where you will earn 0.5 points per $1 spent (excluding insurances offered by American Express, where you’ll earn 1 point per $1 spent).

 

[60spud]

He (Ian) also told me that our points will not change in April for existing customers but in July. April expiry is only for new bank customers were his words.

 

[60spud]

Thanks for that, looks like another phone call tomorrow.

 

[djchuckles]

He (Ian) also told me that our points will not change in April for existing customers but in July. April expiry is only for new bank customers were his words.

Sounds like Ian is making up his own rules and t's and c's

 

[60spud]

My purchases were 4 days ago and late November so it looks like they do not know whats going on.

 

[lopes2017]

Nah, that's a lie, been there done that. Better off with a Bankwest / ANZ / 28 Degree

Might be a lie but as stated on Citi website

Earn Points faster with a Linked Diners Club Card.† Simply request a Linked Diners Club Card when you apply and spend on it within 90 days of approval to earn an extra 10,000 bonus Points.^ You will also enjoy:

• An uncapped earn rate of 2 Points per $1 spent on all Eligible Transactions‡
• Points earned will be added to your Rewards Balance
• No International Transaction Fees when spending overseas~
• One PIN used across both Visa Credit Card and Linked Diners Club Card, one monthly payment and same online banking log in details.

Enjoy all this with no additional fees. Linked Diners Club Cards are accepted at Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings and many more retailers at home and abroad (See a full list of retailers and our FAQ here).

 

[Jacques Vert]

Sounds like Ian is making up his own rules and t's and c's

Sounds like Ian doesn't know what he is talking about

 

[Chicken]

He (Ian) also told me that our points will not change in April for existing customers but in July. April expiry is only for new bank customers were his words.

Did you record his call?

 

[michael65]

Just a side note to this discussion (if someone hasn’t already posted this).

After much reading and trying to work out what to do with my points i called AMEX and they confirmed the 15th of April date for doubling points balances. This will essentially mean the burn rate stays the same for existing balances because the points in your account double. So despite the reduction in earn on some cards being a pain at least they have recognised that for those with a decent balance the halving will have an impact and they are doing something about it.

There is an EXTREMELY important caveat here though. THIS IS NOT AUTOMATIC!

When asking about my account and for something to confirm this I was also told I will receive a confirmation letter in 7 – 10 business days. The operator said this was not an offer being made to all account customers or something that happens automatically. Firstly, you need to call. Secondly you need to be what she said was a “premium account” and you need to have a “significant balance”. I did query what the thresholds were but this question was brushed aside.

To give you an indication I have 3x amex cards (QBR, BusGold, Plat CC) and our spend across the board is well into the 7 figures. We have a dedicated account manager and my current balance is 7mil+ in AMEX alone. It would be useful for other members that have received the offer to perhaps detail what their accounts look like (without too much detail of course) which would help other AFF members ascertain whether they would be eligible. They may offer it to anyone that calls but it seems the key is to call them!

Supspect it is the fact that your spend is in 7 figures that leads to the doubling offer

 

[SteveLL]

so just tried my luck as well 15min ago...
first reply was "no, no such doubling offer for you" and that's it
so I asked again, "is there any escalation process that you could suggest for special consideration, i have a high spend etc"
put me on hold again and after 5mins said she would escalate to another team who would make the call (after seeing my spend & tenure etc), will get back to me in 4-5 days..

so *fingers cossed*

Keep us posted. I was told the same thing but 5 days later when I followed up, the consultant told me the case was closed not long after it was created as they shouldn’t have opened the case - no doubling if no letter

 

[bobbinbrisco]

Keep us posted. I was told the same thing but 5 days later when I followed up, the consultant told me the case was closed not long after it was created as they shouldn’t have opened the case - no doubling if no letter

Are you on ascent premium?

 

[Rushtuy]

You wrote that you "...have 3x amex cards (QBR, BusGold, Plat CC)...", and you have been told your point balance will double in April. I would make a guess that you very well might have premium ascent (doesn't it automatically come with Plat CC?).

I have had the account for a long time and the Plat came way after it was setup. Its definitely a standard acount but im guessing that overall they have a benchmark for what they consider is a customer they will do it for. What thats based on I have no idea but seems a little unreasonable given the changes they are making that they dont just do it for everyone.

 

[Rushtuy]

Did you record his call?

Yes - call is recorded as part of our organisations systems.