Reduced AMEX earn rates from April 2019

[ms1]

Playing a bit of catch up on this thread.
Am I correct in saying there is not much change for those who have received the letter of the doubling of their points? Understand there is some changes in the way we earn points post April but the existing points are unaffected?

 

[andye]

Playing a bit of catch up on this thread.
Am I correct in saying there is not much change for those who have received the letter of the doubling of their points? Understand there is some changes in the way we earn points post April but the existing points are unaffected?

If I understand you correctly, yes. The net value of accrued points is undiminished (and increased for Marriott) in April if you have a doubling offer

 

[David L]

My wife holds Explorer and Edge. I hold Platinum.
She called in December and they said No as of this time. Call back closer to April.
Called back today and they confirmed there would be a doubling of points and that the letter would be coming!

There are significant business expenses on her cards, so I imagine that has helped.

 

[JohnK]

ensure its recorded in your account history and perhaps even ask for a letter to be 110% sure!

He did say it's recorded in account history and I have kept a copy of the chat. Is there somewhere I can check?

Wow - what’s your points balance and do you have a platinum charge?

Points balance is only just over 200,000 MR points. Vanilla Platinum but continuous customer for 19 years. I'll use 84,000 MR points now and didn't want to transfer somewhere and then forced to use them.

 

[SOPOOR]

He did say it's recorded in account history and I have kept a copy of the chat. Is there somewhere I can check?


Points balance is only just over 200,000 MR points. Vanilla Platinum but continuous customer for 19 years. I'll use 84,000 MR points now and didn't want to transfer somewhere and then forced to use them.

I just did chat and expressed my "outrage" but got a "sorry, the changes are already set"

 

[daft009]

He did say it's recorded in account history and I have kept a copy of the chat. Is there somewhere I can check?

not that I know off. I guess you should be okay.
Or ask chat again to see if its really recorded under your account history.
and/or also ask for a letter to confirm the same.

 

[potm]

Just gave amex a call to ask again, another no. Edge/explorer held for a long time. Opened a charge after changes were announced last year.

 

[DC3]

How do you call an Australian rep?

It’s very hit and miss, but 9-10am finally worked for me. After lunch = no good, I have found.

The Oz CSO that answered this morning said that you can always ask for the call to be transferred to Oz in any case.

 

[JohnK]

not that I know off. I guess you should be okay.
Or ask chat again to see if its really recorded under your account history.
and/or also ask for a letter to confirm the same.

I specifically asked for letter confirming doubling of points. Answer was no letter and that it would be in account history.

I'll check again in a few days.

 

[theblank]

Used online chat earlier today enquiring about points devaluation and in less than 1 minute I was recognised as a valued card member and offered doubling of my Membership rewards points on 15 June 2019 based on balance as at 15 April 2019.

why were you recognised as a valued card member? the only likely critieria would be spend average and length of custom.

 

[JohnK]

why were you recognised as a valued card member? the only likely critieria would be spend average and length of custom.

Member for 19 years and carry a balance?

 

[Valdek]

Member for 19 years and carry a balance?

I do not think they look at the length of membership. 19 years is a long time, but still only half of my 37 years.
As to the spending rate, I may be not a big Amex spender, but still averaging more than 200K per annum on 3 cards. Repayments - always in full and on time. Now: can you figure out their criteria?

 

[JohnK]

Now: can you figure out their criteria?

No. I was only guessing and @SOPOOR would appear to have huge points balance yet was rejected for doubling of points. I'm surprised the answer was so quick. The response took seconds. Not even 1 minute.

 

[albyd]

Initially, looks like the criteria was holding high AF card like the Platinum Charge from before the devaluation was announced.

They seem to be adding more criteria now like customers who have a revolving balance.

There likely are other criteria. Plenty of examples of non PC holders also receiving doubling.

 

[andye]

They are probably creating a rod for their own back. You know how much everyone gets cross at inconsistency

 

[potm]

Member for 19 years and carry a balance?

From what you’ve decribed, I would be calling Amex to check that you actually have the double points offer. Most likely the online chat agent just has no idea. The other option is to put up a fight about it after the fact and you’ll probably get the points eventually.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Member for 19 years and carry a balance?

Yikes.... as in you pay them ongoing interest $$$. If so, then I can see that they would ant to keep you. Customers who pay interest are profitable.

 

[Pointy Bird]

I tried today - no luck.
Very big user of Amex with Explorer + Edge.
I told them this is not good enough - I must be in the top 1 % of users. Insisted on action. They promised to escalate this matter but I don't like my chances.

A couple of weeks ago in a prior attempt to double my points it was suggested that Centurion card holders always get point doubling and perhaps if I attained one one these, they may consider doubling my points even though the card would be attained "after the fact". So - they looked at my spend etc and promised they will contact the Centurion team who may contact me in the next couple of weeks. I have thus far heard nothing and assume they will not be offering me a Centurion.
If there is a logic to their decision making, it is not clear to me.

I will probably send all our points to KF and will need to donate many suite flights to friends and family as I can not burn them at an adequate rate.

 

[lilkid28]

I tried today - no luck.
Very big user of Amex with Explorer + Edge.
I told them this is not good enough - I must be in the top 1 % of users. Insisted on action. They promised to escalate this matter but I don't like my chances.

A couple of weeks ago in a prior attempt to double my points it was suggested that Centurion card holders always get point doubling and perhaps if I attained one one these, they may consider doubling my points even though the card would be attained "after the fact". So - they looked at my spend etc and promised they will contact the Centurion team who may contact me in the next couple of weeks. I have thus far heard nothing and assume they will not be offering me a Centurion.
If there is a logic to their decision making, it is not clear to me.

I will probably send all our points to KF and will need to donate many suite flights to friends and family as I can not burn them at an adequate rate.

Being based in Melbourne, I wouldn't mind being a friend.

 

[SOPOOR]

I tried today - no luck.
Very big user of Amex with Explorer + Edge.
I told them this is not good enough - I must be in the top 1 % of users. Insisted on action. They promised to escalate this matter but I don't like my chances.

A couple of weeks ago in a prior attempt to double my points it was suggested that Centurion card holders always get point doubling and perhaps if I attained one one these, they may consider doubling my points even though the card would be attained "after the fact". So - they looked at my spend etc and promised they will contact the Centurion team who may contact me in the next couple of weeks. I have thus far heard nothing and assume they will not be offering me a Centurion.
If there is a logic to their decision making, it is not clear to me.

I will probably send all our points to KF and will need to donate many suite flights to friends and family as I can not burn them at an adequate rate.

I have read that with centurion, they actually do look at what you spend on, and if you spend it on groceries etc, then you are less likely to get the offer compared to people who spend it on say entertainment or luxury goods