Email received today:
We are writing to let you know that the Airpoints Dollar earn rate of your American Express Airpoints Platinum Card is changing.
Currently you earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $59 of eligible spend on your Card. From Thursday 3 October 2024 you will earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $70 of eligible spend on your Card.
Still represents the best airpoints earn rate for cards on the market as far as I am aware.
I just got the email, it's been a great card.
yep… got it too.. be interested to hear if people are still going to keep it. I mean it's not that bad compared to the ANZ air points card.
Depends if I can get the fee waived or reduced. Would of 100% canceled if TSB hadnt also just announced the earn rate for their card moving from $1 every $70 to $1 every $100. TSB message "From 8 July 2024, we’ll be changing the cashback reward rate on our Platinum Mastercard from $1 for every $70 to $1 for every $100 spent."
Have you had much luck getting the fee waived/reduced before? I've seen that you can ask/try your luck, but I've never really gotten round to it…
Last year was my first time after paying the fee three times previously I think. I was given $150 credit towards the $195 annual fee. No idea how they came up with $150 but that value was given to me almost straight away and I was told dont bother asking for more so I took it.
Probably not. Unless they change it, my BNZ Platinum will have a similar earn rate and much lower fees.
What is the best earning card these days?
$70 (sadly) still seems like the best…
But high annual fee and limited acceptance.
With such a high annual fee of $195, isn't it better to go for the True rewards card or the non-platinum amex card? Half the places don't even accept Amex now (inc. Subway). Also more and more places are going with credit card fees in smaller shops.
I think you would loose alot of insurance benefits and also reduced koru club fees. Has subway ever accepted amex? I think it might be store dependent like pak n save and New World. I recall trying to use amex at a subway 15+ years as the open closed hanging sign was amex branded but they just aquired the amex merchandise and never accepted amex.
Sigh.
Regarding fees, I think I may have just recouped my fees with multiple Lounge access
~$13,750 required to recoup the card fee after this change assuming you don't use the other benefits.
That's assuming $1 airpoints is worth $1. If you spend the airpoints on flights that's kind of true (assuming ANZ is your cheapest flight option, which it often isn't on international flights). If you spend the $$$ in the overpriced airpoints store then it's not so true..
You're right. Luckily I live in a region which means I fly to cities for events and weekends to use my points.
Could be worth slightly more on a partner redemption but unfortunately I think that would be a stretch to find on air NZ
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airline-partner-reward-chart
I called them today asked what options they had, they refunded me the annual fee. $70 for 1 $APD is still pretty good. Give them a call
Amex refunded your fee? Wow. How long have you been a customer? And do you spend much$$?
Mind sharing how you approached the call? Like do you ask for retention offer right away?
I’ve been with them for two years with this card (I’ve had it previously, but canceled because I was shopping around for a mortgage in 2020 ish) 99% of the places I shop do accept it. I pay the balance in full each month and I have the lowest credit limit for that card. 3/4 transactions I do would go on my Amex, so I assume I would be considered as someone they would want to keep.
But when I called I just said I got the earn rate email, I’m not happy with the change and I want to speak to someone about my options or cancellation. I was put through to someone and I said I don’t see the value in the card anymore and wanted to know if they wanted to keep me as a customer. I was direct in saying business do have offers to keep customers, what have you got?
The person was pretty helpful on the phone.
Just had a call with them, her name was Diana i think. I approached the call quite well, acted disappointed that the earn rate is changing etc. She was adamant theres no offers or compensation she could give me. I spend 15-25k through my amex each month, and always pay the balance.
Wonder if it has something to do with the amount of airpoints i earn per month on the card (Usually around 300-400 airpoints monthly) and they can see i get good value out of it already.
$25,000 a month! That is a spend of 180-300K a year through the Amex. And you are trying to save on the $195 yearly fee….. you win the award for the richest cheapie.
Ha ha, nah. Not that glamorous, work expenses…
If you are spending that much won't you be better off getting the actual AMEX platinum card?
I spend a lot less than you and they basically told me to kick rocks too. I somehow doubt the above guys story honestly.
Not sure why he would come up with an elborate story - for no benefit at all…
I believe its all worked out by an internal algorithm, similar to how amex can offer a bonus if you upgrade cards. Its all targeted offers.
I think you'll find people have lied for far less reason on the internet before haha.
I have no reason to mislead anyone, but I misunderstood what was offered to me on the call I was given 150 not the full $195.00
How is it that both your card fee and the credit are showing next to each other?
@Jexla: Dude chill, As I said, I wouldn’t mislead anyone. I think next time I might not engage with the community :/
@Jexla: Yes because that’s the date I was charged my annual fee, the credit was given to off set that charge. As you can see. I called them on the 2nd.
It’s more you made a statement to insinuate that was lying in the first place, but meh. I’ll let it go. Good luck finding more cheapies.
@AhhNo: Really appreciate you sharing mate, don't worry about that one hater, you've helped more lurkers saved money then he ever will
The free Amex card is still at $100 for 1APD vs most major banks @ $110
Has anyone had any success getting a $ credit or airpoints when calling to complain?
They told me no, I might actually make a fuss of it because I'm not prepaying that much in fees to have them unilaterally change their reward rate
I think the trick is you should ask them to cancel the card. They will offer you Airpoint credit depending on how long you are using AMEX. I tried cancelling my AMEX airpoint platinum card multiple times in the last 3-4 years and have been provided with a good airport credit (400, 500 & 800) to stay, finally in apr24 I cancelled my platinum card but they gave me another 800 airpoint to remain with AMEX so took free annual fee card with same credit limit. using AMEX for 9/10 years I think that's what the customer care person told me :) …
May I ask how much on average you spend on your card every month?
1500 to 2000 per month, paid in full after each statement.
Thank you, I will give it a try tomorrow.
Its a sad day.