Qantas/Amex Changes [consolidated threads]

[simongr]

Updated attached
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[poppet]

I'm confused! I have stacks of points on my Corporate Amex - the old style green & white one and even more points on my Platinum Amex. Am I right in assuming that the Platinum points are safe, but should take the opportunity to transfer the Green & White points to Qantas points now?

[moa999]

I can only imagine the revolt from holders of the Corporate card,

unless Ascent Premium is going to be available for all (albeit at an increased fee )

[JohnK]

Not the end of the world. I am not rushing to transfer all my Amex MR points to Qantas and I will continue using the Amex Gold Card which is fee free for life. There are other airlines apart from Qantas.

The Amex Qantas Premium Card will only be used for Qantas domestic flights, to earn 2.25 QFF points per $, but this card is under review due to the increase in annual fee to $249.

[oz_mark]

As we all know, QF are moving towards direct sweep from CC's - i.e. you will have to move all your CC points QF rather than decide for yourselves what to do with the points. Obviously you can still use points for other purposes but unless you direct sweep you wont be able to get points to QF.

I am in two minds about why Qantas have done this. It is either

1) A stroke of genius to take control of the loyalty playing field in Australia this way or
2) It is an exceptional display of arrogance by QF

Just can't convince myself which one it is!

[medhead]

What is interesting is that this letter is tailored to my buying habits - Tiffany, David Jones and Aria...

That's pretty standard these days. They know all our spending habits and they target us accordingly. It's the information super highway, such a benefit for us.

The Amex Qantas Premium Card will only be used for Qantas domestic flights, to earn 2.25 QFF points per $, but this card is under review due to the increase in annual fee to $249.

I jumped to the base QF AMEX when they had it fee free. This earns 2 points per dollar for qantas spend. However, I see that they now have a fee. the no annual fee didn't last long

[JohnK]

1) A stroke of genius to take control of the loyalty playing field in Australia this way or
2) It is an exceptional display of arrogance by QF

Just can't convince myself which one it is!

I think it is mainly option 2. Some of QFs decisions lately do not make any sense....

[straitman]

After the recent dinner in Melbourne and listening to the presentations from Virgin & AMEX I also believe that #2 is the most logical answer.

[auriga]

And why 1 April 2009?

[JohnK]

Not sure why they picked that particular date but with a change this big and the potential backlash Amex faces from their credit card holders Amex had to give plenty of notice for them to decide what to do with their MR points.