Anyone have any recent experiences on how strict are Amex on the bonus points for existing Amex card holders (or those who had one within the last 12 months)?

Good for Perth, bad for Sydney Plat/Golds

I'm curious as to whether Amex will bring back their Velocity Platinum with 110k sign on points offer that they did last year...

Is it generally cheaper to buy an economy ticket with cash and upgrade using points compared to redeeming out right with points on international long haul flights?

They should have at least made an announcement rather than try to sneak it in unnoticed...