Ascent Changes

[oz_mark]

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]

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]

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]

...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]

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]

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

[oz_mark]

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]

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]

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

[hcywong]

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

Cheers