We're upgrading your Gold credit card to Platinum!

[dajop]

Hmmm. That is sneaky and I would not let them get away with it either.

They give me $10 back, which is around the pro-rate difference between last years renewal date, and this years.

Australian credit cards are tough, it would have been nice to have the fee waived In Singapore I have a suite of different credit cards for different needs, and it is so easy to get fees waived, in some cases it is even automated (dial 3 for fee waivers, dial 1 for late payment fee waiver, dial 2 for annual fee waiver etc, not kidding!). Amex SG only give me 50% discount though due to low spend, but I am Ok with that as it comes with a 35,000 pt/50% off voucher for Krisflyer awards, worth more than the $60AUD it costs me.

 

[mick]

I haven't received a new card, either - and their Internet Banking website still refers to my card as American Express Gold Credit Card, with the Gold CC picture. The card hasn't been used in years and I have it "free for life", also.

On my Amex Account Summary, it now refers to the old Gold CC as "American Express Platinum Rewards Credit Card" - looks like the change has happened. My MR on that card is linked to Ascent Premium because of my Platinum Charge account. Still haven't received the replacement card, though...

 

[Mal]

They finally caught up and charged me a $80 fee for my card.

Not sure what to do - Don't see the card as worth $80/year, and my Gold was fee-free forever (The caveat was that they would charge $80 to join Membership Rewards from memory, but when I got my Platinum it was given automatically and the Gold card started crediting towards it).

 

[noopy]

Does anyone know what happened with this? It's a little confusing. I applied for, and received an Amex Gold credit card last week with zero fees forever (annual fee + Membership Rewards).

However, after some googling I ran across this thread, and I was surprised to read that that the card was being discontinued last year. Did they change their mind?

 

[Mal]

Does anyone know what happened with this? It's a little confusing. I applied for, and received an Amex Gold credit card last week with zero fees forever (annual fee + Membership Rewards).

However, after some googling I ran across this thread, and I was surprised to read that that the card was being discontinued last year. Did they change their mind?

Is yours an "industry card"... ie free due to a professional body or organisation you're associated with? Perhaps some of them haven't yet been changed.

 

[JohnK]

Does anyone know what happened with this? It's a little confusing. I applied for, and received an Amex Gold credit card last week with zero fees forever (annual fee + Membership Rewards).

I was told the Gold card was no more and put on Platinum Rewards which is the same as the Gold card but instead of an annual $80 membership rewards fee the Platinum Rewards credit card has an $80 annual fee including Membership rewards.

Since Amex put me on the Platinum Rewards they have been trying to get me off that card and onto a Platinum Edge card which I suspect comes with a higher annual fee.

I think Amex are trying to get everyone onto higher annual fee cards. A couple of months I cancelled my Qantas Amex premium card as they would not waive the annual fee on the card.

 

[noopy]

Is yours an "industry card"... ie free due to a professional body or organisation you're associated with? Perhaps some of them haven't yet been changed.

Yes, it's with the ACS. I'm surprised that they are still allowing people to apply for it if they plan on phasing it out.

 

[Mal]

Yes, it's with the ACS. I'm surprised that they are still allowing people to apply for it if they plan on phasing it out.

Don't know when (or if) it would be phased out, likewise don't know the agreement with ACS and when it might expire. So it could last for a short time or a long time. And any replacement card may or may not have the same benefits... something for you to keep an eye on.

 

[flyingfan]

After accepting a free Gold credit card offer in the mail some time ago and barely using it, I received a letter last year saying my card would be 'upgraded' to a Platinum and would come with a fee. My online Amex account now shows it's a Platinum Rewards card, and I've received some points for the one purchase I've made since the change, but I haven't received a new card in the mail nor have I been charged the fee.

 

[Arrow29]

I had been using a corporate affiliation Gold credit card last year with no annual fee (recently upgraded to the platinum edge) and a friend only just recently was approved for the gold card. So seems like the corporate affiliation cards are still being used.

 

[Mal]

After accepting a free Gold credit card offer in the mail some time ago and barely using it, I received a letter last year saying my card would be 'upgraded' to a Platinum and would come with a fee. My online Amex account now shows it's a Platinum Rewards card, and I've received some points for the one purchase I've made since the change, but I haven't received a new card in the mail nor have I been charged the fee.

They weren't planning on replacing cards until the current one expires. And as for fee, I'm sure they'll catch up eventually .... probably on the anniversary of you opening the original card.

 

[Dr Bob]

Had the free Gold CC linked to my Platinum Rewards Advantage Card for several years now & received the advise of the upgrade when it started saying it would remain free as long as I had Advantage card. Due to the excessive wear on the supplementary card I ordered replacements last week & received them today. As well as chip & pin they are also tap ( up to $100 purchase) great for fuel purchase. After activation of my card on line I noted that the online account name had changed from Gold Credit Card to Platinum Rewards Credit Card. I also noted that it was very easy to set a pin & online services access for the supplementary card holder from my personal log in. I some how thought that I would be kicked out & my wife would have to ring in to set up pin etc.
Anyway very happy with the product & the points keep rolling in with the bonus on supermarkets & fuel.

Cheers

 

[Mal]

Dr bob. Was that fee waiver in writing? How did they advise?

Time for me to chase Amex I think..

 

[Dr Bob]

There was no mention of it when the new cards arrived but I do remember I was advised with the original offer that as my Gold Card was fee free there would be no change with the upgrade card. The letter of offer is long gone I'm afraid. Maybe I should have kept it in case they change their mind.

 

[noopy]

Don't know when (or if) it would be phased out, likewise don't know the agreement with ACS and when it might expire. So it could last for a short time or a long time. And any replacement card may or may not have the same benefits... something for you to keep an eye on.

Talking about benefits, what can I do with my Qantas Direct points that I'm earning with this gold card? I've been told that it can't be linked to a Qantas frequent flyers account? It seems pointless (pardon the pun) earning all these points for nothing? I just assumed that you could link it directly to your frequent flyers account, but apparently that isn't the case with this card?