When I called AMEX on August 23 among the issues I addressed was the free night cert - since my annual fee posted August 20. So she looked up my anniversary date and said it was a date in July, and that the annual fee posted at the close of my statement for my July/August cycle, which was on August 20. She said it's the anniversary date which is used to mark my eligibility not the date the fee posts, and that I'll get my first free night cert after my anniversary date in July 2019. And that for this year I'd get the 5 night stay credit as per the old T&Cs.

I hope she's wrong about her facts (some of what she told me has already proven erroneous), because I'd much more appreciate the free night cert - but, I do see on my account the 5 night stay credit which would seem she was correct.

For those of you with annual fees that posted in August but who have yet to receive the Free Night, check your stay credit. Do you see an added 5 nights?