Clipper801

After you signed into Amex on-line travel, you will see it there or make a dummy booking over $200, at the payment page, it will prompt you whether you want to use your travel credit.

MasterGeek

It looks like the Platinum Dining program has been "enhanced" away. There description of the benefits has been watered down (more more&mirrors and could/would language, less explicit) and there is no more explicit description of the free amenity offered by each participating restaurant.

https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/e...staurants.html

I benefited from this program twice during a recent stay in Quebec City and received free wine and champagne at Le Sam and Champlain restaurants in the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City

Clipper801

Yes, they used to spell out the exact "benefits" but I did run into a situation in Vancouver last year where the restaurant refused to honour the Amex Plat dining programme. I booked the table via the concierge. Similarly, the Canadian International Airline Programme is virtually useless in most cases.

dts9

american express

Clipper801

Yes, it makes sense because in your 1st year of membership, although you joined in September, you received $200 for use as soon as you have signed up. You received another $200 in January after just 4 months' membership. However, I am surprised that it is not a pro-rated charge back, i.e., from Sept. to Dec. for 4 months = $200/12 x 4 = $67 instead of the full $200.

mulla57

dts9

The agreement they send you is very clear. It outlines that a member is entitled to a $200 travel credit every calendar year.

Historically that has posted in january, so following the terms, someone could join in July and get two $200 travel credits and then cancel the card. Nothing wrong with that as following the terms.

To fix that, they have adjusted the terms and conditions to say that you get the travel credit on your anniversary date, ie upon paying your $699 fee..

This fixes the double dipping by people who only keep the card for a year, but impacts loyal card holders,\

ie, if you originally signed up in December year ago, you have been getting the $200 every January.

This december, you will pay $699 and get NO TRAVEL CREDIT in the entire membership year... your next travel credit wont be until you renew in Dec 2019.

That is not fair...

painintheuk

Definitely not fair. I got caught by this when I tried to use my credit today. The supervisor was pretty bad and tried to make it sound like I didn't understand and that the benefit was exactly the same. If I had known this at my renewal last June, I never would have renewed. Of course since they announced the change in the small print on the back side of my bill, after I had already paid, there was nothing I could do about it. I have only been a member since 2010 (I previously had a UK Amex Plat), but I certainly won't be renewing this card. The benefits that I want to use have deteriorated in any case.

That will be an extra $700 in my wallet every year.

Dr. PITUK

yeunganson

I think the overall direction AMEX taking is correct. Remove the people that exploit loopholes in the cost of other paying members. There have been too much enthusiasm for people taking the welcome bonus, and taking two years of travel credits before cancelling the card. They probably have their stats and numbers. The money saved from losing to churning loophole taking customers likely outweigh the collateral damage of well-meaning customers and thus change happens.

A good change for AMEX is to allow those travel credits to roll-over for a two year period so it increase flexibility.

ffsim

painintheuk

Hi ffsim,

I did use the credit back in May 2018 - before my renewal date. I renewed my card on the basis that the travel credits were done on a calendar year basis and I could book my flight last week and use my credit. Had it been renewal date basis, then I may not have renewed, but I wasn't given the choice. Based on the rules in place when the contract was put in place, I should have been able to use my credit on Jan 1. They changed the rules. Had I not renewed my card, then they couldn't have come after me for a credit used in good faith. I get 0 credits during my 'fiscal' (rather than calendar) 2019. Maybe my total life time credits can just be moved around and I can use my 2019 credit in September instead, but they no longer have my good faith.

At no point have I tried to 'flip' this card, and have only canceled in the past to move to a different country and back.

Dr. PITUK

smilee

I called Amex on Thursday. I was told that I can't use my renewal until October.

That is terrible, I have only had the card a few years, but will cancel after this. The card is barely a good deal with the 1.25 points per dollar and Priority Pass. But I used to think the $200 I used every year anyhow, so it was a $700 - 200, so a $500 fee for Priority Pass. Don't think I will renew!

They say the credit will come in October. Problem is every year I use the credit in January and book for my annual March trip. This year I won't get the credit until October? Will I only get 3 months and then it will expire. Terrible change and poor communication on Amex's part.

mia

Is that what they told you? If the credit is offered on an account anniversary year basis I would expect it to be available October 2019 - September 2020.

Yul_voyager

I also won't renew. 500$ for Hilton Gold, CC Gold and Priority Pass is not worth it.

MasterGeek