American Express Membership Rewards - Bad Changes in MR Program for German Members

Just three days ago I was notified on my last credit card invoice that they converted my MR points from DM to EURO. I immediately enquired what would happen to the transfer ratios - MR points into airline miles - and there was the problem: Until now you got 1 MR point for 10 DM purchases which did convert 1 MR point into 4 Delta Skymiles or 4 Continental One Pass Miles. From Aug. 25 the ratio is 3:2 which means you get 2 Skymiles or 2 One Pass Miles for 3 EURO MR points. Just double these figures and you see from now on 4 Delta Skymiles or 4 One Pass Miles will cost you 6 EURO (equals 11.73 DM) in purchase. This is a much worse ratio and for all MR members who plan a conversion of their "old" MR points into either of these two programmes it is time to request it from AMEX. With all other airline programmes the ratio remains almost unchanged; slightly better with AF Frequence Plus and Qualiflyer, slightly worse with Iberia, Alitalia and Finnair. I feel MR should have notified each member well ahead of these modifications to allow them to make a decision. Cheers.

some additional Information:

new MR Germany (1 MRP = 1Euro)
transfer exchange rates.


Partner

Air France Fréquence Plus 1 Membership Rewards Punkt = 1 Meile

Alitalia Club 'Mille Miglia' 5 Membership Rewards Punkte = 4 Meilen

Continental OnePass 3 Membership Rewards Punkte = 2 Meilen

Delta SkyMiles 3 Membership Rewards Punkte = 2 Meilen

Finnair Plus 13 Membership Rewards Punkte = 20 Meilen

Hilton HHonors Club 1 Membership Rewards Punkt = 1 Meile

Iberia Plus 18 Membership Rewards Punkte = 1 Meile

Marriott Rewards 1 Membership Rewards Punkt = 1 Punkt

Priority Club Worldwide 5 Membership Rewards Punkte = 4 Punkte

Qualiflyer 1 Membership Rewards Punkt = 1 Meile

Starwood Preferred Guest 3 Membership Rewards Punkte = 1 Starpoint

Diners Club will introduce a much better programm (at least that`s what I hear) at the end of the year in Germany. Maybe a good idea to switch from Amex to Diners then.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Meilensammler:
Diners Club will introduce a much better programm (at least that`s what I hear) at the end of the year in Germany. Maybe a good idea to switch from Amex to Diners then.</font>

Unfortunately, a credit card is not only a mean to earn miles, but "the key" to travel and financial related services.

I applied for a french Diners Club and an Amex green card the same year, many many years ago. I used both cards about 50/50 for my personal and travel expenses.

Now, as a long time Platinum card holder (in France, and new Plat in Germany), and still holder of a DC card, I can say that DC is in no way an alternative to an Amex card.

The level of service you can get from Amex in case of an emergency during a trip (from any Amex representative) has no equivalent by DC.

I'm sorry for the few MR miles, but ...



[This message has been edited by ahrz (edited 10-13-2001).]

Unfortunately, a credit card is not only a mean to earn miles, but "the key" to travel and financial related services.
[/QUOTE]

I do not consider my AMEX as a key to to travel and financial services a travel-agency can do the job much better than they do. I only have my card because of the miles. My other credit-card-companies are much easier and nicer to do business with. So I`m looking forward to the introduction of the Diners Rewards Programm in Germany.

To: Meilensammler and moellernotar

That´s exactly why I rejoined the Diners Club Germany again this year. I´ve had some descent experiences with Amex, especially the MR-programm and I hope the Diners-thing will do much better.