New Card - Rewards Advantage Card

[bravoecho1]

Received a letter from AMEX yesterday outlining a new charge card called the American Express Rewards Advantage Card.

From what I can see the difference is that post the QFF/MR changes this card will have QFF as a rewards partner whereas the Gold Charge card won't.

Has anyone else received this?

[snufl]

Yes, my husband received the letter about this card (he has a gold charge card). We have put it aside as it says he has until March 31 to decide.

We are waiting to see what options become available for our Citibank Visa before making any decision. It would be nice to have a QFF option on one of our cards although it is not a priority for us. I think other cards will become available as we get closer to the QFF changes so we will weigh up our options as they become available.

[codash1099]

Yes, I've received that letter. I'm leaning towards taking up the offer since with the little travel I do these days, I don't want to be restricted to QF only.

Cost is higher than the Gold Charge card plus Ascent, but it is worth it for the added flexibility it provides, with a link to both *alliance and Oneworld.

[simongr]

Hmm - so basically QF says "no optional moving of points to QFF" and Amex bring out another more expensive card with that option. Seems a tad fishy to me...

Codash - if you don't want to be tied to QFF then the Gold Charge card will still transfer to Virgin Atlantic and *A partners.

[oz_mark]

I don't have the offer, but wonder how they implement it. Is it, for example, a way of getting access to Ascent Premium without the need to go down the Platinum Charge/Centurion path?

[NM]

Originally Posted by simongr

Hmm - so basically QF says "no optional moving of points to QFF" and Amex bring out another more expensive card with that option. Seems a tad fishy to me...

Codash - if you don't want to be tied to QFF then the Gold Charge card will still transfer to Virgin Atlantic and *A partners.

I get the feeling that Qantas didn't say "no optional moving ...", but said "if you want to have the option, the points will cost you more". That is why some cards are imposing a fee for people who want to retain the QF transfer option and some cards are offering a direct sweep or non-QF transfers. I expect the higher fee for this card is justified by higher charges by QF for transferring the points and the fact that some people are willing to pay a higher fee for the extra flexibility.

[snufl]

Originally Posted by oz_mark

I don't have the offer, but wonder how they implement it. Is it, for example, a way of getting access to Ascent Premium without the need to go down the Platinum Charge/Centurion path?

Yes, the cost is $250 per year including Ascent Premium and improved travel insurance, according to the letter. It would be more suitable for us than Platinum Charge/Centurion.

It does say the Rewards Advantage Card is not available to the general public, so they must be sending out targetted letters.

[codash1099]

Originally Posted by simongr

Codash - if you don't want to be tied to QFF then the Gold Charge card will still transfer to Virgin Atlantic and *A partners.

True, but I want to have my cake and eat it too.

[simongr]

Unfortunately cake consumption and ownership come at a price...

[NM]

Originally Posted by simongr

Unfortunately cake consumption and ownership come at a price...

Cake procurement can earn Amex points. Cake consumption is unlikely to directly earn Amex points.