Alternatives to AMEX after April 2019

19 replies

BigH

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 24 Dec 2012

Total posts 33

BigH: "Now $1 = 1.125MR points (max) = 0.5625 airline points (max)."

That's incorrect. The 'everyday' earn rate for Platinum will become 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent, equal to 1.125 frequent flyer points per $1 spent.

OK, it seems I have been working on the redeemed points value 2.25 / 2 to start with when I should be using the earned 2.25 / 2 = 1.125 FF points. Thanks Chris

So basically, we are better off from April onwards? WOW. How did this discussion turn positive for AMEX?

oxy

Member since 03 May 2017

Total posts 5

The calculations for my platinum edge are simple. Now general spend $1=1mile via MR. After april $1=0.5mile. Definately much worse off despite the fluff and confusion floating around.

Felipe

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 18 May 2017

Total posts 2

Can anybody tell me if the Union Pay Card is available to Australians.???? Visa, MasterCard and American Express are all headquartered in the U.S., and subject to U.S. laws, not allowing them to be easily used in many countries..... Union Pay is accepted in most places where U.S. based cards may be problematic in some countries. Not only this, but some healthy competition to the U.S. based cards would be welcome.

Last editedby Felipe at Dec 07, 2018, 10:56 PM.

Michael Kao

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 Nov 2014

Total posts 163

BigH: "Now $1 = 1.125MR points (max) = 0.5625 airline points (max)."

That's incorrect. The 'everyday' earn rate for Platinum will become 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent, equal to 1.125 frequent flyer points per $1 spent.

OK, it seems I have been working on the redeemed points value 2.25 / 2 to start with when I should be using the earned 2.25 / 2 = 1.125 FF points. Thanks Chris

So basically, we are better off from April onwards? WOW. How did this discussion turn positive for AMEX?

Not really. You lose the bonus on restaurants, overseas spent....etc. You have to be a big spender or have good use of all the perks that comes with charge, to justify the hefty annual fee of $1450 rather than the extra 0.125 mile earn per dollar.


I will be cancelling all my Amex cards and maybe just keep an explorer card on my wife's account to continue to earn 1FFP/$ for merchants that accepts Amex without surcharge. All government spend or any thing that has Amex surcharge, I'll use StG Amplify. This will probably limit my Amex spend to <$10000 per year.

BigH

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 24 Dec 2012

Total posts 33

MK,
I don't use much on restaurants or overseas spend. it is used predominantly for suppliers/merchants that accept MX so my $1 = 1.125FF points mostly. I'll investigate Amplify as well

Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Alternatives to AMEX after April 2019

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