AmEx Platinum Edge is replacing free round trip flight with $200 travel credit even in old cards. Time to replace the card?

virhlpool on 14/12/2016 - 09:52
Last edited 14/12/2016 - 09:53

My AmEx Platinum card is about 18 months old. I knew that they weren't offering complimentary flight tickets in new cards any more, but I thought that old cards like mine will continue to have that feature. However, I received a letter today, with a positive note, saying so that customers can have flexible travel benefits, they will be replacing flight ticket with $200 travel credits from early next year. I am sure value of the flight was much more than the travel credit they are going to offer. What are you thoughts on this? Should I still stick to it or look for some other Amex card?

Thanks.

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Comments

  • bobbified on 14/12/2016 - 10:22
    +1

    For someone who travels domestically, that $200 credit is less than the value of a return domestic flight.
    But for someone who doesn't travel domestically, the $200 travel credit can be used for international flight bookings.

    Guess it's up to the individual user to assess what's more valuable.

    • virhlpool on 14/12/2016 - 11:28
      +1

      Amex complimentary tickets get sold/used for anything between $230-$300 (even more if one can find a buyer from Perth to East Coast). So, $200 is a lower value in any case.

      • bobbified on 14/12/2016 - 18:40

        how many of the free flights would lapse?

        Not everyone goes on ozBargain or realises they can book the flight in someone else's name (ie sell or giveaway their flight).

  • railspider on 14/12/2016 - 10:36

    I much prefer my ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures AMEX card - as it gives you the return domestic flight across far more routes than the Platinum.

    In particular, the Melbourne-Perth flight makes the $225 annual fee a bargain - and this route was never available on the Platinum Edge.

    • virhlpool on 14/12/2016 - 11:29

      You are right. Perth-Melbourne-Perth has been available in Amex Platinum but not Melbourne-Perth-Melbourne. One needs to be an ANZ customer to get ANZ Amex card.. right?

      • railspider on 14/12/2016 - 11:34
        +1

        The ANZ Travel Adventures care is available to anyone - it was my first and only ANZ account. Was a pretty painless process to signup, and it seems there's usually some sort of sign-up promotion on (I got a $200 Flight Centre voucher for joining, but there was also a newer offer of $400 in Velocity points.)

        I’ve really enjoyed the card so far – comes with AMEX & VISA for maximising reward points, and no international fees.
        Haven’t booked my ‘free’ flight yet, but from what I read it’s a very simple process as long as you book 60 days in advance.

        • djkelly69 on 14/12/2016 - 12:20

          Just be aware ANZ's mobile banking app (and general banking experience IMO) is pretty average compared to most others.

    • prozerran on 18/12/2016 - 16:26
      +2

      ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures is a good card, but not as good as the AMEX plat edge when it was offering the free flight.

      -Now with the changes the ANZ card is not bad. You need to book 60days in advance, and I don't think you can book 2 flights near the anniversary date like the edge card?? (just by reading t&c - anyone know if you can?)
      -2 virgin lounge passes good
      - rewards program is very poor for FF programs, $1(amex) = 0.666 Krisflyer/0.666 Asia Miles/ 1 Velocity (0.74 Krisflyer - if you use the 1:1.35 exchange). Compare to amex which is a direct $1=1 FF point for all the above (and $1 grocery=3, $1 petrol=2, $1 normal=1, $1 ato/govt = 0.5)

      Conclusion. If you only had the Amex plat edge for the free flight then the ANZ rewards travel card is a good alternative - $25 more but you get 2 lounge passes. If you used Amex plat edge for rewards program+ free flight, then ANZ is not as good for this.

      • railspider on 18/12/2016 - 17:36

        Good analysis. I'm pretty happy with the ANZ Travel Adventures as my daily spending card, but I agree the reward point earn-rate is miserly. The main reason I chose it was for MEL-PER-MEL flight once a year, and that alone makes it worth the annual fee.

  • ilikeradiohead on 14/12/2016 - 15:35

    Did you get a physical letter or an email? I haven't received anything. Being from Perth, the $200 credit won't get me anywhere, whereas the flight could go to the other large cities. I'll probably cancel if they rescind the flight.

    • shuss2 on 14/12/2016 - 16:37

      I just got a physical letter yesterday. Signed up and was approved a few months ago while they were still offering the free flight.

    • virhlpool on 14/12/2016 - 23:19
      +1

      I received a physical letter.

      Being from Perth, the $200 credit won't get me anywhere, whereas the flight could go to the other large cities. I'll probably cancel if they rescind the flight.

      That's exactly my point. $200 is much less than the value of flight which could go as high as $450 at times in case of Perth residents. Moreover, funnily enough, AmEX tries to justify this step in the letter in the name of flexibility.. lol :). Selling a free flight ticket for $300 was the utmost level of flexibility. There was no need to degrade it and portraying it as an upgrade.

  • E5TOQUE on 14/12/2016 - 20:13
    +1

    The best thing you can do to find out how much value you will get from the points is to:

    • Look at your monthly budget
    • List all the expenses you would pay with the AMEX (or whatever card you are looking at)
    • Figure out how many points you would earn per expense.
    • Add this figure up over the 12 month period.

    Then ask yourself

    • How many points does it look like I can earn in 12 months?
    • You then need to figure out how you want to use the points. In most cases people redeem points for Virgin Velocity and QANTAS FF programs.
    • So keeping with this example, lets say you want to redeem the points for Virgin Velocity points, you then need to figure out how much 1 point is worth in dollars.
    • My maths has 1 point worth between 0.023c for Virgin Flights and around 0.013 if you redeem velocity points for Singapore Airlines flights (Code Share).
    • Now you know how much 1 point is actually worth in a dollar figure, you can then subtract your annual fee off and figure out how much actual extra value you are getting.

    In my case as great as the ANZ Adventures card actually looks, you dont have anywhere near the point earning potential of the AMEX Platinum Edge, AMEX Explorer Card or AMEX Velocity Card ($0 Annual Fee).

    • virhlpool on 14/12/2016 - 23:24

      Answers to the most of your questions depend on how much you spend.

  • jonnoyeo on 16/12/2016 - 16:53
    +1

    Just got that letter as well, will definitely be cancelling as once you factor in the annual fee, might as well pay for it with cash.

  • csg001 on 17/12/2016 - 00:34
    +1

    I for one actually prefer to have the credit instead of the free flight.

    Being married, to utilise the free flight for a family holiday, I would have to fork out for a paid Virgin flight for my partner. Better for me to buy a pair of cheap airfare on Jetstar or Tiger, and put the $200 towards a hotel instead. Also have the flexibility to NOT fly and holiday locally, while still using my annual "benefit".

    Then again I'm in SYD, so quite spoilt for cheap flight choices (while getting reamed for cost of getting TO the airport).

    • prozerran on 20/12/2016 - 10:55

      csg001 - you know you could have used the anniversary trick? - where within a few weeks of your card anniversary date you can book 2 flights (one for this year anniversary and one for next).

  • donkcat on 20/12/2016 - 12:46
    +2

    Yeah not thrilled about this at all. Now we're pigeonholed into using the amex travel which from my searches aren't cheaper than elsewhere anyway and the hotel search is quite inferior to other sites like Expedia or Booking etc in fact from the hotel offer no pictures of the rooms when selecting different rooms.

  • inherentchoice on 21/12/2016 - 14:42

    Yes I'm pretty disappointed too. Oh well I will cancel the card and find a different Amex I think.

    The return flight was worth much more than a $200 travel voucher for me. I think they realised people were abusing the system a bit by selling them on the black market.

    If my annual fee is due in February, will I still get one more free flight?

  • yycan on 23/12/2016 - 12:51

    I got the same for the Platinum Reserve card as well. They're replacing it with $400 travel credit.

    • Peck on 24/12/2016 - 14:02
      +1

      True. I contacted them re: Platinum members with platinum Reserve . I wanted them to verify that we would get 2 travel credits,$300 & $400. Their reply was that you can't use 2 travel credits together in the one booking, and that your travel credit that expires the soonest will be used first. Not exactly what I was asking, but still useful info.

  • SaberX on 23/12/2016 - 17:11
    +1

    Have had mine since about 2014? I've at least gone through 2 or 3 years of renewals and I'm quite disappointed by this. Bar the points being worth $ for spend, the main draw card of amex to offset it's rejection at most places was the complimentary flight. We used it once a year to visit places we probably wouldn't in Australia i.e. Adelaide, and more recently Melbourne etc. for our foodie/drinks binges.

    WIth the flights disappearing I will look for an alternative - if there even exists one. I don't think any such thing exists as far as a free flight or monetary benefit goes?

    It just means I may get rid of the Amex altogether and go with the credit card that Bankwest offers with the complete home loan (as the package fee covers the annual fee.)

    $200 is a pitiful amount compared to the value of any domestic flight. I am also another Perth based member so we definitely won't be getting to Syd or Melb for that amount (one way).

    What I'm curious about is my anniversary date is March , given this starts from march 30 onwards, does anyone know if we can book our new refreshred flight for 2017 in March before we lose the benefit? I'd assume so otherwise someone who booked a flight say this or last month for next april would have their flights invalidated, which I don't see happening?

    • Peck on 24/12/2016 - 00:13

      The way that I read their literature, I would say yes you can book a flight as long as you became entitled to it before March30

      • virhlpool on 24/12/2016 - 13:49

        In my case, renewal is in April so I can't book a flight in 2017.

      • SaberX on 28/12/2016 - 14:01

        hoping! i'll ring up sometime in the new year to check though. it would be great if i could. one last flight.. not sure if i'll keep or cancel the card then… if we fly over east it would be great - $200 credit, but i heard the ANZ card offers for a $200 something membership fee a free virgin flight, so that would probably be better off - you pay another $50-80 more for annual fees, but if you do take a flight you could possibly get up to $550 for a return perth-melb ticket for example.

        the only positive of this change is those who don't fly but want to use it on local accomodation or other providers. then again if you were going to do that you'd most likely need a flight anyway.

        sad that this change has come :(

  • GundamZeta on 28/12/2016 - 11:35
    +2

    Recently received a letter from Amex for the changing of complimentary flight to $400 Travel credit from Mar-17. After research and calculations I found myself is worse off with the new changes and I have no intention to keep the card anymore.

    Previously with the complimentary flight, I enjoy the Virgin complimentary flight to Auckland included Baggage & Meals every year. I did some research last night and found it will cost me $480-$550 for a Virgin flight to AUK with meals & baggage. If after deducted the $400 travel credit, I still need to pay additional $80-$150 for a flight to Auckland.

    With the annual fees of $295, my total cost for the Auckland flight will be $375-$445. Nowadays fly with Jetstar to Auckland is much less. Therefore, I’m happy to cancel my Amex card and flight with Jetstar.

    Airport lounge will not be the motivation for me to keep the card as it’s not an essential part of my trip, I’m happy to live without it.

    My other Fees free credit cards also provide the travel insurance and the Platinum Reverse Card isn’t the unique to me anymore.

    I’m happy to review my opinions and my cancel the platinum reserve card and apply to other $0 annual fees Amex card e.g. Amex Essential Credit card

  • The Champagne Mile on 28/12/2016 - 11:48

    The Explorer card has replaced the Plat Edge for me as my go to day to day card - with a flat 2 x points per dollar on everything except Govt spend (MR Gateway Ascent scheme), I use this card to pay for all AMEX accepted spending which makes it easy. Yes, annual fee is steeper at $395, but you get $400 travel credit, 2 x AMEX lounge access and of course the 110,000 bonus MR Gateway points when you apply with a referral by Jan 30: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/262944

    • AncientWisdom on 02/01/2017 - 18:24

      I thought the conversion rate is different between the programs though?

      • The Champagne Mile on 02/01/2017 - 18:28

        Yes, conversion rates are different between Gateway (Explorer) and Ascent (Edge). AMEX Gateway points convert at 1:0.75 to airlines and 1 to 0.5 for Starwood (plat edge is 1:1 and 1:0.5). As I convert all of my points to Starwood (which has excellent redemption options for both accommodation and other airline partners), I come out slightly better with Explorer as conversion rate for this partner is same as Edge.

        But should you choose to convert your Explorer bonus sign on points to an airline partner, you'll still end up with 82,500 airline points, which is enough to get you business class to Europe one way on Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines.

  • AncientWisdom on 02/01/2017 - 18:25
    +1

    Question: for someone from WA (that was using the free flight every year to fly to the east coast) is there a better value card that still retains the same great reward points?

  • BargainBenno on 05/01/2017 - 16:38

    ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card. $220 annual fee. Offers the return flight free. Does not have the bonus points when shopping at Woolworths or Coles or for petrol though.

  • SaberX on 15/02/2017 - 02:38

    Still don't know what card to switch to! My anniversary comes up in March and i had confirmd that one could book one last flight before the march 31st deadline when this ends.

    It's a pity - for groceries and anyhwere that did accept amex without charging an arm and leg surcharge… it was great for points system. And the free return flight each year was cream of the crop.

    I'm glad i got 3 or so years of flights, but wish I had it for longer! Surely if people were abusing the system they could make it so the flights couldn't be easily sold or only used/transferred within family or selected nominated people? At least then the rest of us coudl still enjoy it!

    Needless to say, does anyone have a recommendation for a replacement card that had either the free flights or a better value in terms of annual fee versus what you get out of it (points, free flight, or free other stuff).

    • Holysmoke on 15/02/2017 - 05:36

      Amex Explorer card is the closest to Plat Edge. Flat 2 points per $, $400 travel credit, plus lounge access and sign up bonuses.

      • AncientWisdom on 15/02/2017 - 13:14

        If most of your spending is in supermarkets and fuel, the Platinum Edge is still the better card!

        I ended up keeping mine and supplementing it with an Explorer. When the Explorer's anniversary comes up I'll check if it's worth the $400 annual fee in my case.

    • virhlpool on 15/02/2017 - 16:56

      I switched to their zero annual fees one - Amex Essential. I don't spend so much with Amex so less points don't bother me. My purpose of keeping Amex is mainly to take advantage of Amex offers.

      • POWERevolution on 08/11/2017 - 23:30

        I'm in the same boat.
        Can you still keep your existing points when switch to Essential?

        • virhlpool on 10/11/2017 - 22:08

          I used the points against payment to the card, so I started fresh with Essential.

  • frugalfamily on 14/11/2017 - 22:29

    Can you use the travel credit for a hotel voucher? ie to be used for dining or spa within the hotel?

    • AncientWisdom on 15/12/2017 - 15:35

      You may need to give them a ring and ask, my feeling is that you can't. What you can do is book a full board room for example.

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