Review of Canadian Amex Plat
Oct 6, 2018, 4:19 am
#586
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 415
Because Canadians are reading the same websites as Americans, they are taking in this advice and then looking for those cards. And so they are now asking these questions of their banks, and being turned away. But you're now getting cards like the Brim Mastercard and the Stack prepaid card, and very soon Transferwise and Revolut accounts and cards, and you're getting Scotiabank and HSBC introducing one high-end card each to test the waters.
The big 5 banks may not be ready, but I absolutely think that consumer-awareness of the issue is now getting close to reaching mainstream level awareness, and I can see 2019 (hopefully!) being the year when the balance is tipped in our favour.
I had hoped that Amex would've led the way years ago with their Platinum and Centurion cards, as they did in the US and elsewhere.
(But at least they are not going the TD way, and raising the forex fee to 3.5%!)
Oct 6, 2018, 7:33 am
#587
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kan@da
Programs: Anything with sweet spots
Posts: 1,790
We should contact CBC Marketplace so that they do an episode on the hidden foreign currency charges by credit and debit card issuers. In the United States, banks are obliged to put the 2.5% markup as a transaction separate from the actual purchase, so these fees are under more scrutiny and visibility by consumers.
Oct 6, 2018, 1:55 pm
#588
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Note that they are obliged to do this as the result of a class action suit, not government regulation. Does Canadian law provide for a similar type of action? It can be an effective remedy when large numbers of customers experience a modest harm.
Oct 6, 2018, 8:38 pm
#589
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 72
Just to change the topic a bit I notice on my latest bill that the $200 dollar rebate will be changing from once per calendar year to once membership year. this change takes place Jan 1/ 19. Not sure how you determine your anniversary date but if it isn't till April 1 you won't get the $200 in 2019 until April at the earliest.But you will have until the following March 31 to claim it.
Oct 9, 2018, 1:51 pm
#590
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: Best Western, SPG, Mariott, Amex
Posts: 5
WFT is that!!!????
*Have been looking at applying for Platinum, but am now reconsidering. That's a $200 loss for first year of the card. The 2X Annual Credit was a MAJOR selling point for this card.
- $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit - The $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit can only be redeemed at time of booking through American Express Travel Online at americanexpress.ca/travel or by calling Platinum Card Travel Service. Travel booking must be charged to your Platinum Card. Account must be in good standing. If you choose to use the Travel Credit, it will be credited to your Card account within 2 business days. Basic Card member is entitled to one (1) ***Annual Travel Credit each year based on Card membership anniversary date***, towards a single travel booking of $200 or more, and will appear on your billing statement as “Platinum Annual Travel Credit”. If you cancel your travel booking after redeeming the Annual Travel Credit, you will not be able to use it again in the same year. You can only use one Travel Credit per booking.
*Have been looking at applying for Platinum, but am now reconsidering. That's a $200 loss for first year of the card. The 2X Annual Credit was a MAJOR selling point for this card.
Oct 9, 2018, 2:05 pm
#591
formerly BackSlash3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: YYZ Realistically, YKZ Aspirationally
Programs: AC P25, Marriott Gold, IHG Diamond AMB
Posts: 452
WFT is that!!!????
*Have been looking at applying for Platinum, but am now reconsidering. That's a $200 loss for first year of the card. The 2X Annual Credit was a MAJOR selling point for this card.
- $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit - The $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit can only be redeemed at time of booking through American Express Travel Online at americanexpress.ca/travel or by calling Platinum Card Travel Service. Travel booking must be charged to your Platinum Card. Account must be in good standing. If you choose to use the Travel Credit, it will be credited to your Card account within 2 business days. Basic Card member is entitled to one (1) ***Annual Travel Credit each year based on Card membership anniversary date***, towards a single travel booking of $200 or more, and will appear on your billing statement as “Platinum Annual Travel Credit”. If you cancel your travel booking after redeeming the Annual Travel Credit, you will not be able to use it again in the same year. You can only use one Travel Credit per booking.
*Have been looking at applying for Platinum, but am now reconsidering. That's a $200 loss for first year of the card. The 2X Annual Credit was a MAJOR selling point for this card.
Oct 10, 2018, 2:35 pm
#592
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
However, I am unhappy as an existing cardholder to have to wait until my anniversary date to get my next $200 travel credit when I usually get it in January.
Oct 10, 2018, 3:11 pm
#593
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kan@da
Programs: Anything with sweet spots
Posts: 1,790
Amex is definitely reading the forums and blogs..
Oct 11, 2018, 4:50 pm
#594
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Starwood:Lifetime Platinum, Air Canada:Basic, Asiana:Lifetime Diamond Plus, ANA: Basic
Posts: 980
It's also a MAJOR loophole that they finally get around closing. Their original intent wasn't to encourage users to use the card for 1 year, get 2 x $200 credits and welcome bonus and then cancelling the card. Stooping the leakage probably give more incentive for AMEX to enhance the card.
Oct 15, 2018, 9:59 pm
#596
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BC, Canada
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium Elite, VSE/MVC Chairman's Club
Posts: 546
Just to change the topic a bit I notice on my latest bill that the $200 dollar rebate will be changing from once per calendar year to once membership year. this change takes place Jan 1/ 19. Not sure how you determine your anniversary date but if it isn't till April 1 you won't get the $200 in 2019 until April at the earliest.But you will have until the following March 31 to claim it.
Slightly annoying for the extra-long delay the first time after this policy comes into play.
But about time they started closing down some of these loopholes for those dropping the card after a year. They should reward those of us who've been holding the cards forever (member since 1993), maybe a renewal bonus every 5 years or something, instead of throwing away monies on the cardmembers who don't stay.
Oct 15, 2018, 10:19 pm
#597
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kan@da
Programs: Anything with sweet spots
Posts: 1,790
But about time they started closing down some of these loopholes for those dropping the card after a year. They should reward those of us who've been holding the cards forever (member since 1993), maybe a renewal bonus every 5 years or something, instead of throwing away monies on the cardmembers who don't stay.
Oct 16, 2018, 9:38 am
#598
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, Accor Platinum, AC50K
Posts: 2,927
Oct 16, 2018, 5:59 pm
#599
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
Well, I guess I'm waiting to see that on my next statement now. My annual date is end of Sep, so I just passed it -- I guess that means I can't redeem again until Oct 2019, instead of Jan 2019; or does that mean I still get Jan 2019 but the next one won't be until Oct 2020?
Slightly annoying for the extra-long delay the first time after this policy comes into play.
But about time they started closing down some of these loopholes for those dropping the card after a year. They should reward those of us who've been holding the cards forever (member since 1993), maybe a renewal bonus every 5 years or something, instead of throwing away monies on the cardmembers who don't stay.
Slightly annoying for the extra-long delay the first time after this policy comes into play.
But about time they started closing down some of these loopholes for those dropping the card after a year. They should reward those of us who've been holding the cards forever (member since 1993), maybe a renewal bonus every 5 years or something, instead of throwing away monies on the cardmembers who don't stay.
Agreed that Amex is not doing this fairly to those who did not cheat the system, especially those who have been a long time card member.
Oct 16, 2018, 9:19 pm
#600
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Where can we see our $200 credit online?