Amex Rewards Maximiser - Increase in annual fee

[gilkatho01]

I put up with seeing the $12 charge, -$12 credit for the 11 months that I held onto the Maximiser and in a strange way was looking forward to cancelling the card and seeing how they would handle the $12 credit in the month that there was no $12 fee.

I cancelled the card and eventually received a cheque for the $12.

Like other posters I think it is a scam for the unwary. It is embarassing that Amex are allowed to get away with it. Would writing to the financial regulator help?

Anyway I switched to companion Amex card that Westpac offered. Comes all on a single bill for the month along with my Visa statement. Just one payment to Westpac pays both cards.

The earning rate I had with Amex Maximiser was 1.5:1, the Altitude Amex is 2:1. I notice that Westpac now have a platinum amex card at 3:1

[Dons83]

The earning rate I had with Amex Maximiser was 1.5:1, the Altitude Amex is 2:1. I notice that Westpac now have a platinum amex card at 3:1

Apples and Oranges...

From Altitude rewards terms and conditions:
http://www.westpac.net.au/manage/pdf.nsf/B1EE55D37846E0C5CA2570D90003ECBE/$File/AltitudeTandC0161104.pdf?OpenElement

For Altitude points earned on or after 9 March 2004, 1 Altitude point converts to 0.5 frequent flyer points in the frequent flyer programs of Qantas and Malaysia Airlines

The higher annual fee gets you basically the same thing. Hence, Maximiser > Altitude