Apr 22, 2015, 10:57 am
Last edit by: mia
Effective June 2017 the USA Business Platinum airfare Pay-with-Points refund was reduced to 35%. This brings the net value to $0.0153 per point, essentially the same as Chase Sapphire Reserve's Pay-with-Points redemption rate.
USA Business Centurion cardholders will continue to receive a 50% refund. The Centurion version is also broader than the Platinum benefit:
Centurion: beginning October 6, 2016 you will get 50% Membership Rewards® points back when you use the Pay with Points feature for all or part of a flight on any airline. The maximum rebate per calendar year for Centurion members is (_______?)
Platinum: Business Platinum Card Members will receive 5 extra points for every 10 points they redeem for either a First or Business class flight on any airline, or for flights with their selected qualifying airline using Membership Rewards Pay with Points with American Express Travel (35% Airline Bonus). The maximum rebate per calendar year for Business Platinum Card Members is 1,000,000 points.
FAQ
Q1. How does the process work?
A1. Here is an example, buying a $1,000.00 ticket:
Q2. Must the Business Centurion or Platinum card be used to purchase the ticket?
A2. When the benefit was refreshed in October 2016 you could pay with any card linked to the same Membership Rewards account, but it appears this changed in April 2017.
Q3. Will I earn Membership Rewards points on the purchase price?
A3. You will not earn base points, but you may earn bonus points if you pay with a card that awards a bonus for airline ticket purchases, such as Business Platinum, Personal Platinum, Business Rewards Gold, Premier Rewards Gold.
Q4. What happens if I cancel the ticket?
A4. There are mixed reports, but in most examples the cost of the ticket is refunded (a second time) to the card account. In one example American Express refunded the remainder of the points instead. If you prefer the points refunded rather than a cash credit, phone into AMEX and they will restore the points and remove the credit.
Q5. Can this benefit be combined with the International Airline Program companion ticket?
A5. One poster was told no, but another was able to do so.
USA Business Centurion cardholders will continue to receive a 50% refund. The Centurion version is also broader than the Platinum benefit:
Centurion: beginning October 6, 2016 you will get 50% Membership Rewards® points back when you use the Pay with Points feature for all or part of a flight on any airline. The maximum rebate per calendar year for Centurion members is (_______?)
Platinum: Business Platinum Card Members will receive 5 extra points for every 10 points they redeem for either a First or Business class flight on any airline, or for flights with their selected qualifying airline using Membership Rewards Pay with Points with American Express Travel (35% Airline Bonus). The maximum rebate per calendar year for Business Platinum Card Members is 1,000,000 points.
FAQ
Q1. How does the process work?
A1. Here is an example, buying a $1,000.00 ticket:
- $1,000 charged to American Express card [Day 1]
- 100,000 Membership Rewards points redeemed [Day 1]
- $1,000 credited to American Express card [Day 2]
- _35,000 Membership Rewards points returned [~a month later]
- Net: $1,000 ticket for 65,000 points = $0.0154/point
Q2. Must the Business Centurion or Platinum card be used to purchase the ticket?
A2. When the benefit was refreshed in October 2016 you could pay with any card linked to the same Membership Rewards account, but it appears this changed in April 2017.
Q3. Will I earn Membership Rewards points on the purchase price?
A3. You will not earn base points, but you may earn bonus points if you pay with a card that awards a bonus for airline ticket purchases, such as Business Platinum, Personal Platinum, Business Rewards Gold, Premier Rewards Gold.
Q4. What happens if I cancel the ticket?
A4. There are mixed reports, but in most examples the cost of the ticket is refunded (a second time) to the card account. In one example American Express refunded the remainder of the points instead. If you prefer the points refunded rather than a cash credit, phone into AMEX and they will restore the points and remove the credit.
Q5. Can this benefit be combined with the International Airline Program companion ticket?
A5. One poster was told no, but another was able to do so.
Pay-with-Points flights. BUSINESS Centurion 50% refund, Plat 35%, Gold 25% (2015-23)
Apr 28, 2017, 10:36 am
#467
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
From an Amex chat rep:
"If you opened your Business Platinum Card account anytime between October, 2016 and May 31, 2017, we will be honoring the 50% Airline Bonus, with unlimited points for one full year from the date your Business Card was issued. Once that full year has passed, you will start receiving 35% points back on eligible flights, up to a maximum of 500,000 points per calendar year."
Really disappointed with Amex. Seems like other issuers are adding perks, while Amex Platinum and Cent cards continue diluting them. So personally, I'll have until next January to use up the MR points I've been collecting due to this benefit, while re-assessing where to put our everyday non-bonus spending.
"If you opened your Business Platinum Card account anytime between October, 2016 and May 31, 2017, we will be honoring the 50% Airline Bonus, with unlimited points for one full year from the date your Business Card was issued. Once that full year has passed, you will start receiving 35% points back on eligible flights, up to a maximum of 500,000 points per calendar year."
Really disappointed with Amex. Seems like other issuers are adding perks, while Amex Platinum and Cent cards continue diluting them. So personally, I'll have until next January to use up the MR points I've been collecting due to this benefit, while re-assessing where to put our everyday non-bonus spending.
Last edited by hiima; Apr 28, 2017 at 10:48 am
Apr 28, 2017, 10:36 am
#468
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SMF, SNA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite, IHG Diamond
Posts: 175
Apr 28, 2017, 11:27 am
#470
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Well this SUCKS.
I've had the Biz Plat for a couple of years and was contemplating canceling it in favor of shifting spend to Chase after I got under 5/24 to combine CSR with Ink Cash and Freedom for good bonus on my normal spend. When Amex introduced this 50% rebate benefit, and enhanced the Priority Pass to include 2 guests, I decided to stay with the card, and i *just* applied for the Everyday Pref to move my family's spend to that card and start beefing up our MR balance.
And now this.
As one of the bloggers calculated, a hypothetical $20K annual everyday spend will now yield ~$459 net benefit from using the earned points on paid travel, whereas the Chase card combo gives you ~$450 benefit, but it's not hampered by coach redemptions being limited to one airline and waiting on rebates to post.
Amex completely dropped the ball on this benefit which isn't even a year old, and left their customers feeling screwed over.
I've had the Biz Plat for a couple of years and was contemplating canceling it in favor of shifting spend to Chase after I got under 5/24 to combine CSR with Ink Cash and Freedom for good bonus on my normal spend. When Amex introduced this 50% rebate benefit, and enhanced the Priority Pass to include 2 guests, I decided to stay with the card, and i *just* applied for the Everyday Pref to move my family's spend to that card and start beefing up our MR balance.
And now this.
As one of the bloggers calculated, a hypothetical $20K annual everyday spend will now yield ~$459 net benefit from using the earned points on paid travel, whereas the Chase card combo gives you ~$450 benefit, but it's not hampered by coach redemptions being limited to one airline and waiting on rebates to post.
Amex completely dropped the ball on this benefit which isn't even a year old, and left their customers feeling screwed over.
Apr 28, 2017, 11:37 am
#471
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,786
I posted a few pages back some of the reasons for the perfect storm that took them down, but I think the dwindling availability of domestic saver award F space (along with dropping prices for the same seats) has a lot to do with it.
Still, if I were a major Amex investor, I might be a bit concerned by the rather astounding lack of foresight this experience demonstrates.
I've posted this before, but I think each of the credit card banks, and all of the loyalty programs, would do well to go out and find a travel hacker and put them on the payroll with no job other than to try to anticipate the effect of promotions and redemptions. Because, frankly, they suck at it. They keep ending up having to clean up their messes caused by their inability to anticipate a market which is more efficient, motivated and intelligent than they understand.
Apr 28, 2017, 11:40 am
#472
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: AUS TUS
Programs: AA PLT, UA GLD
Posts: 993
just opened biz platinum 3 weeks ago. it's good to know they are keeping the benefit until one year anniversary but then it means for sure it will be cancelled after that.
chase CSR 1.5 is on all travels, including flight, car, hotel, AND activities (guided tours, attraction tickets, prepaid shuttles etc.). AMEX 50% back is on pre-determined airlines and it's a rebate not really same as 1.5x
chase CSR 1.5 is on all travels, including flight, car, hotel, AND activities (guided tours, attraction tickets, prepaid shuttles etc.). AMEX 50% back is on pre-determined airlines and it's a rebate not really same as 1.5x
Apr 28, 2017, 12:00 pm
#473
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,130
Major, major fail!
What kind of idiotic company rolls out an enhancement like this, one so significant it dramatically extends the value proposition of their product, then turns around and cancels it a couple months later??
I'll be bringing this up during my renewal call next week.
I guess one option is to redeem all of my MRs into a refundable ticket on my preferred airline, get my 50% back, then do it again...and again...until the balance is too small to fund another ticket.
Thoroughly disgusted by this news.
What kind of idiotic company rolls out an enhancement like this, one so significant it dramatically extends the value proposition of their product, then turns around and cancels it a couple months later??
I'll be bringing this up during my renewal call next week.
I guess one option is to redeem all of my MRs into a refundable ticket on my preferred airline, get my 50% back, then do it again...and again...until the balance is too small to fund another ticket.
Thoroughly disgusted by this news.
Apr 28, 2017, 12:05 pm
#474
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,786
I think in this case Occam's razor works.
They have likely determined that the fallout, which will surely be significant, is outweighed by the economic butt-kicking they are taking as a result of their lack of foresight.
Apr 28, 2017, 12:05 pm
#475
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 774
Major, major fail!
What kind of idiotic company rolls out an enhancement like this, one so significant it dramatically extends the value proposition of their product, then turns around and cancels it a couple months later??
I'll be bringing this up during my renewal call next week.
I guess one option is to redeem all of my MRs into a refundable ticket on my preferred airline, get my 50% back, then do it again...and again...until the balance is too small to fund another ticket.
Thoroughly disgusted by this news.
What kind of idiotic company rolls out an enhancement like this, one so significant it dramatically extends the value proposition of their product, then turns around and cancels it a couple months later??
I'll be bringing this up during my renewal call next week.
I guess one option is to redeem all of my MRs into a refundable ticket on my preferred airline, get my 50% back, then do it again...and again...until the balance is too small to fund another ticket.
Thoroughly disgusted by this news.
Renewal date is in 5 days. and got a $0 offer for 700K spend last year. Looks like it's time to find a new card....
Apr 28, 2017, 12:38 pm
#476
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,951
Only a guess, but it could be a simple arithmetic error. Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a 50% bonus (points worth $0.015, rather than $0.01 when redeemed for travel). American Express calls this a 50% Bonus, but it's not, it's a 50% refund which doubles the value of the points.
Going forward American Express is offering a 35% refund, and Chase is offering a 50% bonus. The American Express offer is fractionally larger discount, but for marketing purposes 50% bonus sounds larger.
Going forward American Express is offering a 35% refund, and Chase is offering a 50% bonus. The American Express offer is fractionally larger discount, but for marketing purposes 50% bonus sounds larger.
Apr 28, 2017, 12:48 pm
#477
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 623
Yeah this has really gummed up my domestic travel strategy 4 months into the year. Was planning to take the $110k needed for WN CP and put that on the AmEx Biz Plat in hopes it would be enough to fly Mr. and Mrs. FlyerTalkUserName on revenue first class flights domestically. No way I can justify that now. AmEx Biz Plat is going on the shelf. Will be an Authorized user on her CSR and never look back. No way I'm renewing.
Apr 28, 2017, 1:00 pm
#478
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,829
I'm really ticked about this, and will gather my thoughts before calling to voice my displeasure. I just charged a significant tax bill to my Amex. Pay1040.com charges 1.87%, and getting 1.5 MR per $ charged, I calculated I was paying approximately 1.25 cents per point and would then be able to redeem for 2.0 cents per point. I paid a large fee of approximately $7k to get approximately $11K in travel.
With only the 50% bonus received and waiting for the pending base points to be put in my account, I won't have time to purchase and receive the 50% point reimbursement before the June 1 change.
Big time bait and switch.
With only the 50% bonus received and waiting for the pending base points to be put in my account, I won't have time to purchase and receive the 50% point reimbursement before the June 1 change.
Big time bait and switch.
Apr 28, 2017, 1:05 pm
#479
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Mem
Programs: Delta GM, Amex Reserve, Amex Plat, JP Morgan Palladium
Posts: 984
Well this just blows. I just added another Amex Business Gold to my arsenal for my Google Adwords budget for my business and so I could get 3x on my spend over the next year just to use this 50% rebate feature. And poof it's gone! Too bad. I had moved most of my personal spending from Chase already. I guess Chase is going to be getting me back.
Apr 28, 2017, 1:14 pm
#480
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Charlotte NC USA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat, Alaska 75k, IHG Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 863
I've posted this before, but I think each of the credit card banks, and all of the loyalty programs, would do well to go out and find a travel hacker and put them on the payroll with no job other than to try to anticipate the effect of promotions and redemptions. Because, frankly, they suck at it. They keep ending up having to clean up their messes caused by their inability to anticipate a market which is more efficient, motivated and intelligent than they understand.
In the applicable aphorism department, I would add the invaluable Hanlon's Razor, "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity" .
