Ascent Changes - The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community

oz_mark · 7th February 2006, 09:30 PM

Got a letter from Mr Amex today about changes to the Ascent program. Briefly

Annual fee changes from $59 to $80.

TravelKey - Book the travel you want when you want. Use your points to book directly with TravelScene American Express

Virgin Atlantic - From 1 July 2006 will be able to transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at 1:1 rate

Membership rewards guarantee - Return any reward within 14 days if not happy with it. Also guarantee delivery on time or you will get 1000 points.

Qantas Frequent Flyer Guarantee - Transfer will normally be within two hours, but are guaranteed to be transferred within 1 business day, or you'll get 1000 points.

Better Value on Vouchers - Reduced the number of points needed on vouchers.

JohnK · 10th February 2006, 02:46 PM

Australia Post must be more efficient in WA than in NSW. So off I went searching on Amex website and sure enough found the new fee to be $80/pa.

The $21/pa increase is not a big deal as long as the program is not altered drastically. Not sure about others but for me the transfer to QF at rate of 1:1 is most important. If that remains in tact than Amex will continue to get my business.

Damien · 10th February 2006, 03:41 PM

mmmmm - the only place I ever put my points is into QFF. The annual card fee plus the increased annual membership fee is making the QF branded card more appealling.

JohnK · 10th February 2006, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

...The annual card fee plus the increased annual membership fee is making the QF branded card more appealling.

Is that because you have a platinum card?

I like the gold card because they waive the annual fee if you spend >$9000/pa.

Damien · 10th February 2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK

Is that because you have a platinum card?

I like the gold card because they waive the annual fee if you spend >$9000/pa.

No, I decided to stay with the gold. The platinum just isn't worth it for me. I completely forgot they waive the annual fee if you spend a tiny amount.

Thanks for the reminder JohnK.

JohnK · 10th February 2006, 04:03 PM

Same for me, I think the platinum card is not worth it at $395/pa.

oz_mark · 10th February 2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK

Australia Post must be more efficient in WA than in NSW. So off I went searching on Amex website and sure enough found the new fee to be $80/pa.

The $21/pa increase is not a big deal as long as the program is not altered drastically. Not sure about others but for me the transfer to QF at rate of 1:1 is most important. If that remains in tact than Amex will continue to get my business.

Well, from what I could tell they were adding to the program. They may be lurking but none of the 'enhancements' I saw took anything away. Bit of a change that.

MZ · 9th March 2006, 07:36 PM

I Like the new changes to the Asent program with the introduction of Virgin Atlantic as a 1:1 Partner.
Its only 180,000 points in upperclass to the UK Return from syd!

Also, as a plat charge holder - i can get 2 upper class tickets for $5440 TOTAL to HK.

So i worked out... for $5,440 and 200,000 points i can get 2 people from Syd - Lon Return in upper class.

Workings ($5,440 quote from Amex total with companion fare from syd - hk return) and 100,000 each return Hkd - Lon on points * 2 people.

morbo · 9th March 2006, 09:27 PM

My only regret is that i transferred heaps of points to qantas. Now i HAVE to use qantas

hcywong · 30th March 2006, 09:00 PM

Is there a fee waiver for spending a certain amount on Platinum Charge Card? If so, how much?

Cheers

7th February 2006, 09:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
oz_mark Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Melbourne Member of: QF FF, SQ KF, DJ Velocity, MH enrich Posts: 8,193	Ascent Changes Got a letter from Mr Amex today about changes to the Ascent program. Briefly Annual fee changes from $59 to $80. TravelKey - Book the travel you want when you want. Use your points to book directly with TravelScene American Express Virgin Atlantic - From 1 July 2006 will be able to transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at 1:1 rate Membership rewards guarantee - Return any reward within 14 days if not happy with it. Also guarantee delivery on time or you will get 1000 points. Qantas Frequent Flyer Guarantee - Transfer will normally be within two hours, but are guaranteed to be transferred within 1 business day, or you'll get 1000 points. Better Value on Vouchers - Reduced the number of points needed on vouchers.

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10th February 2006, 02:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohnK Posting Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SYD, BNE and BKK Member of: QF Platinum, PC Platinum, HH Silver Posts: 10,997	Australia Post must be more efficient in WA than in NSW. So off I went searching on Amex website and sure enough found the new fee to be $80/pa. The $21/pa increase is not a big deal as long as the program is not altered drastically. Not sure about others but for me the transfer to QF at rate of 1:1 is most important. If that remains in tact than Amex will continue to get my business.

10th February 2006, 03:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Damien Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: BNE Member of: QF, AC, SQ, 9W Posts: 334	mmmmm - the only place I ever put my points is into QFF. The annual card fee plus the increased annual membership fee is making the QF branded card more appealling.

10th February 2006, 04:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
JohnK Posting Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SYD, BNE and BKK Member of: QF Platinum, PC Platinum, HH Silver Posts: 10,997	Same for me, I think the platinum card is not worth it at $395/pa.

9th March 2006, 07:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
MZ New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1	I Like the new changes to the Asent program with the introduction of Virgin Atlantic as a 1:1 Partner. Its only 180,000 points in upperclass to the UK Return from syd! Also, as a plat charge holder - i can get 2 upper class tickets for $5440 TOTAL to HK. So i worked out... for $5,440 and 200,000 points i can get 2 people from Syd - Lon Return in upper class. Workings ($5,440 quote from Amex total with companion fare from syd - hk return) and 100,000 each return Hkd - Lon on points * 2 people.

9th March 2006, 09:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
morbo Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 17	My only regret is that i transferred heaps of points to qantas. Now i HAVE to use qantas

30th March 2006, 09:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
hcywong New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3	Is there a fee waiver for spending a certain amount on Platinum Charge Card? If so, how much? Cheers

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