Which is better - $450 travel credit, or free return flight?

zaqwsx3 on 04/08/2017 - 12:10

American Express currently offers a free domestic Qantas return flight with their Qantas American Express Ultimate card

You can enjoy a complimentary Qantas domestic return Economy flight every year4* between selected Australian capital cities after your first Card spend in Australia on selected Qantas products and services. You'll also enjoy extensive protection for you and your family when you pay for travel on your Card.

However they are changing this bonus inclusion for a $450 Qantas travel voucher.

On 31 October 2017, the complimentary domestic flight will be replaced with a $450 Qantas Travel Credit. The Qantas Travel Credit can be redeemed for any eligible Qantas flight booked and paid online through American Express Travel in a single booking. The Qantas Travel Credit will be available each year of Card Membership, as long as you have paid the annual fee and your account is current and in good standing. You will have the option to redeem your complimentary domestic flight up until 30 April 2018, after which, only the Qantas Travel Credit will be available each Membership year.

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on this? Would it be better to rush in and book a free return flight before 31/10/2017, or wait for the $450 free travel credit to come through?

Travel

Comments

  • Cheap Charlie on 04/08/2017 - 12:26

    Are you paying the $450 p.a. annual fee, or have you an offer to avoid/reduce the fee?

    • zaqwsx3 on 04/08/2017 - 13:53

      I'm paying the $450 fee. Was not aware of any deal to avoid/reduce it. Are there any?

      • Cheap Charlie on 04/08/2017 - 14:25

        How much value do you place on having this specific card?
        Is the main motivation the flight credit?
        AMEXs airline cards flight credit varies dependant upon the annual fee.
        Across most of the their cards, than annual fee is within a few dollars of the flight credit.

        • zaqwsx3 on 04/08/2017 - 15:21

          Motivation was 100K QFF point, domestic return flight, and insurance bonuses … all within the $450 fee. I'm planning to cancel the card just before the next annual fee is due, as many other OzBargainers also seem to be doing.

        • Cheap Charlie on 04/08/2017 - 17:24

          @zaqwsx3:

          I'm planning to cancel the card just before the next annual fee is due, as many other OzBargainers also seem to be doing

          LOL, your OZB status is confirmed! ;-)

  • [Deactivated] on 04/08/2017 - 12:38
    +2

    Would it be better to rush in and book a free return flight before 31/10/2017, or wait for the $450 free travel credit to come through?

    Huh? It isn't rocket science to figure this out. Do you need to travel somewhere in the next few months? Go on the amex travel website, see what it costs. It'll probably be a few dollars more expensive than skyscanner.

    The travel credit needs to be used in 1 shot … can't use it for multiple trips.

    • zaqwsx3 on 04/08/2017 - 14:03

      True, I'm looking into it, and part of that is seeing if anyone else on here was doing the same. For me, I'm planning on doing a PER-MEL return in Nov/Dec this year, the price of which is exactly $450 with Qantas. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

      • [Deactivated] on 04/08/2017 - 14:40

        I would take the the flight … may wait a few weeks for the price to go up, then you'll feel better about taking the flight, instead of the credit.

        The prices on amex travel tend to be a little more expensive than other sites, so using the exact amount of the coupon in one go in difficult.

  • CLoSeR on 04/08/2017 - 13:37

    I looked into this last night; it really depends on how you use your free domestic flight.

    If you're flying return Sydney to Melbourne with Qantas you can pick these up with Amex Travel for around $280, so that means you still have $170 left to use towards a second ticket or accommodation. Keep in mind it needs to be used in one transaction.

    In the above case it seems the travel credit is the better option as with free domestic is worth less than $450.

    Oh, and you don't need to rush in a book your free domestic. If you read the terms and conditions on the flyer you have until April 2018 to redeem your complimentary domestic flight if that's what you want. After that date you can only use the travel credit.

    • zaqwsx3 on 04/08/2017 - 14:06

      Thanks CLoSeR - I'm leaning towards the travel credit too, just for that extra flexibility.

      • CLoSeR on 04/08/2017 - 14:08

        No problem. What I want clarified is does the two Qantas Lounge tickets replace the Amex Lounge Access or in addition to?

        • cimrak on 04/08/2017 - 14:33

          AMEX lounge is in addition to the Qantas passes, and you only need to show an AMEX card (direct or bank-issued is fine) to get access.

        • CLoSeR on 04/08/2017 - 14:34

          @cimrak: Oh great, so from October we should be sent the Q lounge passes.

        • cimrak on 04/08/2017 - 14:42

          @CLoSeR: I can't find the link right now, but I remember reading that you had to spend on valid Qantas items with your CC first (either flights or QC I think), then request then Q lounge passes.

  • zaqwsx3 on 04/08/2017 - 15:23

    For those fellow AMEX card holders … just a reminder you can get an extra 5000 Qantas points by getting another card holder added to your account.

    • CLoSeR on 04/08/2017 - 15:34

      I should have waited rather than adding on application? I guess I am not eligible for the bonus points?

      • zaqwsx3 on 04/08/2017 - 15:43

        Wouldn't hurt to call (1300 132 639) and ask. Maybe they can grant bonus points retrospectively?

  • zzap on 05/08/2017 - 09:22

    I've been using the free return flight for years and was pretty annoyed when Amex decided to change the benefit to the $450 travel credit. Personally, as someone who tends to book travel last minute for a weekend away etc (and thus gets stung by the high last minute costs) I think that the free flight benefit is better. I was booking a MEL - CBR rt flight a few weekends ago with the credit and the total cost ended up being higher than $450 — I had to pay out of pocket just to get to Canberra.

    Also take into account that the Amex Travel portal prices are, in general, a rip off. They're materially higher than the average market rates, for both flights and hotels. The only time you'll get a net gain by using the Amex Travel portal with your own cash (not a credit) is if you have a Platinum/Centurion card and you manage to find a good enough business/first class deal to leverage their free companion ticket benefit.

    Also keep in mind that the travel credit needs to be used entirely in one transaction, otherwise you forfeit the delta.

    • CLoSeR on 07/08/2017 - 06:40

      I don't understand why you're using travel credit already when it's not available till October 2017 and you can continue to use the complimentary domestic until April 2018. Booking any flights last minute will always cost more; I have heard that availability of the complimentary domestic through AMEX was limited perhaps like classic reward flights and it was always advisable to book in advance.

  • gasman70 on 20/10/2017 - 17:56

    Guys, how do I claim the free domestic flight? Just book a qualifying Qantas flight using the card?

    • zaqwsx3 on 20/10/2017 - 19:10
      +2

      I believe you need to "work through the booking details with American Express Travel by calling 1300 363 687 between 8am and 7pm AEST seven days a week". That is going by this article (even though the article is for Virgin flights, but it should be the same).

      • pyramid on 20/10/2017 - 19:11

        Zaq is right.

      • gasman70 on 21/10/2017 - 15:55

        Not open on a Saturday, so I'm guessing they're not open tomorrow either. I'm flying Tuesday, so I hope there's a seat available on Monday.

  • gasman70 on 15/11/2017 - 13:28

    Does not include flights from Brisbane to Perth.

  • endgame on 15/11/2017 - 15:16

    Note that if you're chasing status, you can buy a status-earning flight and then get the statement credit. The free flights do not earn points or status.

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