10,000 bonus points per 20 transactions

[Lindsay Wilson]

Many thanks to matt_r and oz_mark fro their brilliant finds. Very glad I logged in today and checked "today' posts" - not something I'd normally do (and rarely come to Amex Forum). I've signed up for both and will greatefully receive whichever (or both) bonus points Amex want to give me.

JohnK, you did work out that the quoted T&C's were for the 20 transaction bonus offer, but as you signed up for the 10 transaction offer. So not likely that the T&C's would be the same.

Why do people have to think of ways to abuse the system when a great promotion like this comes along? Abuse is part of the reason these types of promotions don't come along that often and may end up spoiling it for everyone else....

It's called greed or avarice.

[glass]

Has anyone dared to call AE and ask them about abuse? Cuz I'm sure someone is going to try a 1000x5c on their merchant acc or paying their biils. And I'm sure AE isn't going to stand for that. I would guess they would at least group such together.
Hope they don't cancel the promo due to abuse.

[oz_mark]

Has anyone dared to call AE and ask them about abuse? Cuz I'm sure someone is going to try a 1000x5c on their merchant acc or paying their biils. And I'm sure AE isn't going to stand for that. I would guess they would at least group such together.
Hope they don't cancel the promo due to abuse.

It will probably set off the suspicious transaction detector and get the card cancelled

[JohnK]

JohnK, you did work out that the quoted T&C's were for the 20 transaction bonus offer, but as you signed up for the 10 transaction offer. So not likely that the T&C's would be the same.

It was the same message when I signed up for both. Promotion valid from the 1st September 2008 through to 31st December 2008.

It's called greed or avarice.

Greed is the right word. I don't expect to be getting much out of this promotion as I feel it may get knocked on the head. All the smart alecs have come out of the woodwork paying sizeable bills in $10 increments. Do these people seriously think these companies do not have systems in place to monitor what is happening?

Don't be stupid and spoil it for everyone else. I am seriously thinking about calling Amex daily to tell them there are people abusing the promotion. I hope all the abusers get caught....

[lovetravellingoz]

I would suggest that anyone looking to scam first read ALL the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Awards Program as it says on the postcard that this promotion is subject to them.


I have not read it...but I would imagine that somewhere in there there would be wording about reasonable use etc....and I would imagine that splitting up one payment into many small transactions is going to be in breech of that.

Remember too that it says that points will not be awarded till 8-10 weeks AFTERWARDS. So lots of time for AMEX to put through all claims through software to look for anomalies.

Odd usage behaviour will be there in black and white in your usage history...so would be hard to defend.

So I would suggest that bending it for lots of small genuine transactions is fine...but that say taking a $1000 bill and paying in in $10 lots may find you being excluded. Do you want to wait 8-10 weeks to find out if your scam has been detected or not?

[Andyc]

Anyone planning to head to the movies should remember that Hoyts doesn't have AMEX surcharges. So don't forget to buy tickets for the whole family in separate transactions.

Then head to the candy bar and buy pick'n'mix lollies... but in lots of bags!

[lovetravellingoz]

Terms and Conditions

14.4 Fraud and abuse relating to the earning of points in the program or redemption of
rewards, including transfer of points to participating frequent traveller programs,

may result in forfeiture of points as well as cancellation of the program account.


I am no lawyer.....but the practices that some on this thread have said that they have already done I think will be deemed to either be abuse....or fraud.

[JohnK]

So I would suggest that bending it for lots of small genuine transactions is fine...but that say taking a $1000 bill and paying in in $10 lots may find you being excluded.

I could not care less if the abusers get excluded from the promotion. What worries me is the thread about Citibank simongr referenced where everyone was inconvenienced because some people decided to abuse the promotion. Why can't people just be grateful for what is offered? Always wanting more....

[lovetravellingoz]

Yes that is my concern too..

This is agenerous program....one that we do n ot want stopped.

Hopefully it will be repeated.

[futaris]

Got the flyer in the mail today.

Don't forget that last year's 10x bonus (Opt in to Earn 10 Bonus Points for every $1 spent) had similar terms and conditions. There were a number of users that bought multiple gift cards, some spending $4000+.

Also interesting that there are multiple Terms & Conditions for Membership Rewards, depending on when you enrolled.

4. Points Accrual

Except for promotional offers, certain Cards are subject to clause 2.6 and the exclusions in clause 5 – if enrolled in the program you will accrue one point for every one Australian dollar (AUD1) spent on goods and services which are charged to the account or any linked account.

5. Points Accrual – Exclusions

5.1 You will not accrue points for:
(a) charges processed, billed or prepaid prior to the enrolment date;
(b) cash advances, Corporate Cash, Express Cash or any other cash services or transactions;
(c) American Express Travellers Cheque and Gift Cheque purchases;
(d) charges for dishonoured payments;
(e) interest charges – including Line of Credit charges and American Express Credit Card account finance charges;
(f) fees and charges, including joining fees, annual Card fees and Membership Rewards program fees;
(g) late payment charges;
(h) charges for the pay portion of a Points + Pay Membership Rewards redemption;
(i) charges in relation to promotional offers which we exclude from points accrual;
(j) charges for which we do not receive payment in full for any reason;
(k) balances transferred from other credit card accounts; or
(l) any credits that are posted to your primary account or any linked accounts - including those arising from returned goods or services or from billing disputes. Any points accrued in your program account will be reduced to reflect the amount credited.

5.2 We reserve the right to change these exclusions at any time, for example - we may offer points on balance transfer amounts as part of specific promotions and subject to any conditions we think fit.

5.3 Points accrued in your program account have no monetary value.

5.4 Points accrued in your program account for any given year will only be carried forward on the anniversary of your enrolment date if conditions set out in this agreement have been met.