Oct 4, 18, 1:05 pm
Last edit by: roberto99
Faq amex: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/campaigns/gold-card/gold-update-faqs.html
For existing and new cardholders
For new cardholders (Oct 4 2018 and after)
For existing cardholders (Oct 3 2018 or before)
For existing and new cardholders
- Changes below are effective immediately
- 4x US grocery (25k/calendar year), 4x US dining* (*pervasive reports that many dining transactions are not coding as 4x, including but not limited to those from Square or Toast-based POS systems. Scroll down in thread for more reports and information.)
- $120 dining credit ($10 monthly in certain restaurants)
- No change
- $100 calendar year airline reimbursement
- Other
- $250 AF (see below for existing cardholders)
- No 2x gas (removed, see below for existing cardholders who have it till Oct 2019)
- Metal card (contactless)
- Rose gold card - limited edition until Jan 9 2019
- Regular gold card
For new cardholders (Oct 4 2018 and after)
- You may be able to find targeted/referal 50k/$2k, but first AF is not waived
- Signup bonus: You get 20% off restaurant up to $500 restaurant spend (3 month)
- You do not get 2x gas (only for existing cardholders, see below)
For existing cardholders (Oct 3 2018 or before)
- AF will change to $250 for anniversary dates after April 1 2019
- 2x gas will be removed after Oct 2019
- You can chat/call for the gold/rosegold metal card. AU card will get whatever primary cardholder is getting, cannot be different
Premier Rewards Gold refresh: 4x USA dining, groceries, $10/mon dining credit. $250.
Jan 15, 19, 2:18 pm
#1156
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 6,137
Jan 15, 19, 2:38 pm
#1157
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, LH Silver, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, Rad Gold
Posts: 4,596
Just applied last month but based on this thread I was worried that getting 4x on dining was going to be an issue. Happy to report that the only place that didn't credit at 4x was a local donut chain called Donut Delight with 6 location in CT that was categorized as Category: Merchandise & Supplies - Groceries instead of as a restaurant or cafe. I would think with the Groceries description it would register with 4x as a grocery store but that also didn't happen. Funny thing is that this place also did not register the 3x on dining with the CSR.
Last edited by christianj; Jan 15, 19 at 2:44 pm
Jan 16, 19, 7:04 am
#1158
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: DC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat, Marriott Ambassador/Lifetime Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 27
To clarify, the rep did or did not give you the 4x points for those charges? Think this is an important datapoint on whether they'll make it right on the backend (even if it's annoying for us to get in touch with them, at least they'd be fixing it when prompted).
Jan 16, 19, 8:45 am
#1159
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BAY AREA
Posts: 1,095
The rep said she'll submit a request and she'll still give me the 4x points if the request didn't get approved. However she said it's just a one time courtesy. I won't be compensated the 4x at those locations again if I use my card there and only earn 1x. At that moment I decided to go back to by BofA premium card for restaurants until Amex gets their stuff fixed. I don't have the time to keep calling over points.
Jan 22, 19, 5:04 am
#1160
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 47,206
Jan 22, 19, 6:10 am
#1161
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 16,123
I know the Platinum cards are the best to book directly with airlines due to the 5x accelerators, but I'm just wondering how many people are actually getting and keeping the Platinum just for that? I think the Gold is the better overall card as I do shopping at grocery stores and dining. Booking directly with airlines get me only 3x, but am I really losing much if I spend $2-$3k in airfare per year?
Also, just want to confirm that when AMEX meant booking directly with airlines, it means with any airlines in the world through their websites? What about using Expedia or Orbitz?
Thanks!
Also, just want to confirm that when AMEX meant booking directly with airlines, it means with any airlines in the world through their websites? What about using Expedia or Orbitz?
Thanks!
Jan 22, 19, 6:19 am
#1162
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 4,904
I know the Platinum cards are the best to book directly with airlines due to the 5x accelerators, but I'm just wondering how many people are actually getting and keeping the Platinum just for that? I think the Gold is the better overall card as I do shopping at grocery stores and dining. Booking directly with airlines get me only 3x, but am I really losing much if I spend $2-$3k in airfare per year?
Also, just want to confirm that when AMEX meant booking directly with airlines, it means with any airlines in the world through their websites? What about using Expedia or Orbitz?
Thanks!
Also, just want to confirm that when AMEX meant booking directly with airlines, it means with any airlines in the world through their websites? What about using Expedia or Orbitz?
Thanks!
So if you only spend $2-3K on airfare in a year I would agree that the 3x on the Gold card is a pretty good return. If you value the benefits of the Platinum card you could possibly make a case for that card based on the benefits alone, and/or including a consideration for earning a few thousand additional points per year on airfare spend.
As for earning the airfare bonus with either card, it is marketed as spend direct with airlines. Sometimes when booking through Expedia or Orbitz the charge does show up on your card as a billing direct from the airline anyway and would be eligible for earning the bonus points, but it's not guaranteed.
Jan 22, 19, 5:17 pm
#1163
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 16,123
I doubt there are many people who got the Platinum card just for the 5x earning on airfare -- traditionally the Platinum card has been about the benefits, like airport lounge access and Marriott and Hilton elite status, and points-earning has been a secondary consideration (I've had the Platinum card for years and have almost never used it for spend until the 5x airfare bonus was introduced a couple of years ago). There are probably some super high spenders on airfare who may value that bonus category alone, but a lot of super high airfare business travelers have to book directly through their companies' travel agencies and don't get to use their credit card anyway.
So if you only spend $2-3K on airfare in a year I would agree that the 3x on the Gold card is a pretty good return. If you value the benefits of the Platinum card you could possibly make a case for that card based on the benefits alone, and/or including a consideration for earning a few thousand additional points per year on airfare spend.
As for earning the airfare bonus with either card, it is marketed as spend direct with airlines. Sometimes when booking through Expedia or Orbitz the charge does show up on your card as a billing direct from the airline anyway and would be eligible for earning the bonus points, but it's not guaranteed.
So if you only spend $2-3K on airfare in a year I would agree that the 3x on the Gold card is a pretty good return. If you value the benefits of the Platinum card you could possibly make a case for that card based on the benefits alone, and/or including a consideration for earning a few thousand additional points per year on airfare spend.
As for earning the airfare bonus with either card, it is marketed as spend direct with airlines. Sometimes when booking through Expedia or Orbitz the charge does show up on your card as a billing direct from the airline anyway and would be eligible for earning the bonus points, but it's not guaranteed.
Anyone here tried using their Gold card to book through sites like Expedia and Orbitz and got 3x back? I did used my Gold with Hawaiian and got 3x back for all purchases made with their online website including seat and luggage fees. Consider that to be a data point!
Jan 22, 19, 5:19 pm
#1164
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,151
Thanks!
Anyone here tried using their Gold card to book through sites like Expedia and Orbitz and got 3x back? I did used my Gold with Hawaiian and got 3x back for all purchases made with their online website including seat and luggage fees. Consider that to be a data point!
Anyone here tried using their Gold card to book through sites like Expedia and Orbitz and got 3x back? I did used my Gold with Hawaiian and got 3x back for all purchases made with their online website including seat and luggage fees. Consider that to be a data point!
Jan 22, 19, 5:30 pm
#1165
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 47,206
It isn't that simple. Travel agencies often pass through the booking to the airline, and the airline generates the card transaction, which may trigger the bonus. 3X for airfare is carried forward from Premier Rewards Gold. Here is a discussion:
PRG and BGR Airfare Triple Points via OTA?
PRG and BGR Airfare Triple Points via OTA?
Jan 22, 19, 6:14 pm
#1166
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 16,123
It isn't that simple. Travel agencies often pass through the booking to the airline, and the airline generates the card transaction, which may trigger the bonus. 3X for airfare is carried forward from Premier Rewards Gold. Here is a discussion:
PRG and BGR Airfare Triple Points via OTA?
PRG and BGR Airfare Triple Points via OTA?
The last post was from 2015. It would be great if we have a dp from 2018 especially after AMEX revamped their card.
Jan 22, 19, 6:33 pm
#1167
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 47,206
Jan 22, 19, 10:08 pm
#1168
Join Date: May 2002
Location: SNA
Programs: STARS/LUMINOUS, PRIVE, FSPP, STARS, MO FAN Club, PEN Club, Bellini Club
Posts: 2,604
How do I check how many points I received for each transaction?
Jan 23, 19, 7:37 am
#1170
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 47,206
If the transaction is scheduled to earn bonus points an icon will appear next to it shortly after it posts to your account (not while still Pending). These icons are not completely reliable. Once the statement is generated the icons vanish. A month later, after the points post from pending, you will be able to find a definitive list of transactions that earned a bonus on membershiprewards.com > Points Summary > Activity Detail > Click [+] > See Card Bonus Detail.
