This weekend, we wanted to know what you thought of the earn and points transfer rates changes coming to American Express cards in mid-April, so we asked our Facebook community this question:
What is your take on the changes recently announced by American Express? How will they affect your points-earning and redemption strategy moving into 2019?
Some were understanding of why Amex decided to do this:
It’s simply a point devaluation exercise – Lawrence C.
I wondered how long it would take to be honest. Have had a good few years on the Platinum Edge with three points per dollar at most places a family with kids shops – Leigh M.
I understand what has driven this, and whilst I don’t like it, reducing point earn is something we need to expect – Peter
It’s not great…but what is the option…no points at all? I don’t think so. I’d rather earn something than nothing – Dave B.
Whilst others expressed their disappointment:
On top of the fee hike this year for the card, this is extremely frustrating. I’ve also contacted Amex and expressed my anger at the changes. The more people that do this the better – Matt
This is highly disappointing and from my perspective, if they’re degrading the agreed product by a proportion, like these 34-50% earn reductions, it’s only reasonable to expect the annual fees—at a bare minimum—to be reduced by the same proportion – Adam
Amex have trashed their cards – Platy
Some readers indicated they will now treat Amex cards like those from other credit card providers:
Continue to churn credit cards for the sign-up bonuses with a focus on fee-free or reduced-fee first year – Scott W.
I used to be willing to pay surcharge to use Amex. After the devaluation, it won’t be worthy to do that again – Liz
If you’ve got an Amex card that earns Amex Membership Rewards points and you convert them to Velocity or Qantas Points, then you’d be better off switching to a direct-earn Velocity or Qantas Card. The devaluation of Amex points into frequent flyer points is significant – John J.
I would like to know how many people will renew their cards after the devaluation in April – Keith K.
For those who have a current balance of Amex Membership Rewards points, many suggested transferring them out to one of the transfer partners:
Spend what I have left with KrisFlyer and focus on collecting Qantas Points – Ryan G.
I’ve got a lot sitting in that account and prefer using them for Singapore Airlines flights but the problem is they expire, so I’ll have transfer some to Qantas – Matt P.
This is very disappointing. It will probably be worth transferring all points to KrisFlyer or Velocity (if the bonus is good) and then reconsider my Amex – Rowlie B.
The 50% devaluation is horrible! I think I am better off moving the points in April and just making sure I use them in the three years allocated with Asia Miles – Sam
I will almost certainly transfer everything to THAI – Pisan K.
A key decision to make is that if you already have Membership Rewards points, should you do something with them now or wait for a few months. We posed this follow-up question and almost 4 in 10 responders indicated they would transfer their points out soon:
Some want to take advantage of the current transfer bonus on Velocity Points:
I know we have five months to consider a strategy but could it be worth taking advantage of Virgin’s 15% bonus transfer offer before the end of November? – Adam
Currently a 15% Velocity Points transfer bonus on my card so transferring out NOW! – Andrew R.
I am transferring out as there is a 15% bonus and my Velocity Points don’t expire while I continue earning – D-Ann J.
Note that there is also a bonus running this month on transfers to Qantas for Platinum Charge, Business Platinum and Centurion Card Members.
However, some readers suggested holding off:
Presumably there will be some juicy transfer bonuses coming up before April, so I’ll be watching and waiting – Matt P.
You have four months before you have to transfer out…and as soon as you transfer out there is three-year expiry on your miles (depending on the program), so just wait for any further news and transfer when April comes! – Ben T.
We do not have any information on the following statement so we cannot confirm if it is true but if it is, that would help soften the blow of the changes for existing Card Members—only time will tell:
I have seen a post that indicates that any existing points will be doubled in your account at the changeover so they won’t lose their value – Peter S.
You can read about the changes and our advice on what to do, and we will be sharing more of our—and your—thoughts on the changes over the coming weeks and months.
Did you have your say on the changes in our Facebook discussion? If not, share your thoughts in the comments below!
So it turns out the devaluation will hit David Jones Amex cards also, an email was received this morning advising that QFF earn rate was reducing from 0.75 pts/$ to 0.5 pts/$ from 15th April 2019, while the existing earn rates remain at 3pts/2pts/1pts earn at ‘major supermarkets & petrol stations’/’David Jones’/’Elsewhere/ (respectively) for DJ’s Membership Rewards. A well-timed move that I switched from QFF earn to MR earn just last month!
Hi Matt, I should say that I really like Points Hacks. However, in the case of the April 2019 devaluation of Membership Rewards points, you should take a more principled stand against American Express. It is within American Express’s rights to reduce the earring rate from a future date, but they should not be able to reduce the value of points they have allowed you to accumulate. Their change is like your employer telling you we will give you a leave loading of 10% from April 2019, but unless you take your leave by April 2019, we will reduce your annual leave credits by 50%.
Points Hacks should tell American Express that you will not carry their advertising on the Points Hacks webpage or offer links to AMEX Card applications until they maintain the value of Membership Rewards Points into the future and not retrospectively reduce them.
This is all so upsetting, my strategy is different to most as credit card churning isn’t viable for me. The good offers have too high a target that my regular spending doesn’t reach in a given period. 3 points per dollar at the supermarket was my big earner 🙁 If it had continued, I was well on my way to getting a business class flight for my mum and I to Italy by September next year. Devastating.
Regarding transferring points from Platinum Edge to Platinum Charge: I don’t believe you can do this. I had both cards a few years ago and they would accrue points into separate totals. The Charge card accrues “Ascent Premium” points and the Edge accrues “Ascent” points.
Spoke to amex today re Edge and was told no mention of double points on my profile and there is a letter forthcoming. Any ideas if I apply for a plat charge card and transfer my edge points over to new card so as not to have them devalued.
Apparently those with Platinum Charge are receiving letters telling them that their accrued points will be doubled as at 15 April, so their value does not reduce post the change. With cards like the Platinum Edge you may receive an offer depending on your history with AMEX, whether you keep the account in good order.