American Express Membership Rewards - Membership Rewards Service Level Downsized by 55%

In recent years it was worth it to join the Amex Membership Rewards programme. This is in my opinion no longer the case.

Until recent the Amex Membership Rewards programme accumulated in the Netherlands for standard Membership Rewards 1 point per 2 DFL (= Euro 0,91) spend with the card. With the classic Membership Rewards, for which there was a fee of DFL 40 (= Euro 18,15) per year, the programme accumulated 1 point per 1 DFL (= Euro 0,45) spend.

Most likely in other countries the accumulation of points was different. I know France had a better rate.

Now with the Euro Amex downsizes the rewards level. At present the Amex Membership Rewards programme accumulates in the Netherlands for standard Membership Rewards 1 point per 2 Euro spend with the card. With the classic Membership Rewards, for which there is a fee of Euro 20 per year, the programme accumulates 1 point per 1 Euro spend.

This implies a decrease in building up points of 55%! To have a reward flight Europe – US with Amex Membership Rewards you have to spend now approximately Euro 100k with Amex.

In the Netherlands Amex Membership reward points can be transferred to Air France Frequence Plus on a 1 : 1 rate, to Delta SkyMiles on a 3 : 2 rate, to Continental OnePass on a 3 : 2 rate, to British Midland on a 65 : 1 rate, to Alitalia Mille Miglia on a 5 : 4 rate and to Qualiflyer on a 13 : 10 rate. This can differ per country.

I am highly interested to hear from you details about the Amex Membership Rewards programme in other European countries and about Amex Membership Rewards in the US.

Amex "downsized" the reward level (points earned for each Euro spent) , but changed accordingly the transfer ratio for airline miles and other rewards.

Only the "MR currency" changed, you get the same rewards as before for the same amount of money spent.