MR points ball back in Amex's court
 

Interesting developments highlighted on CP's web site. They've posted scanned copies of recent correspondence between CAIL and Amex. They can be found at: http://www.cdnair.ca/eng/cpi/01discover/index2.html

It's telling I think, that CP chose not to include a copy of the original termination notice sent in the late afternoon of April 20. My guess is that they fired off the letter in the heat of the moment, then only after it hit the fan realized the black eye they gave themselves, and started back-pedalling.

Nevertheless, now it's Amex's turn on the hot seat. I can't see any reason (other than corporate pride, otherwise known as spite) that Amex wouldn't at least consider the issue. Maybe it's time to start lobbying Amex. It would be in the best interest of the customers of both CP and Amex to resolve this issue, and probably in the best interest of CP and Amex themselves, as well. If they can't, then "A plague on both your houses."

And Shareholder -- don't you have a copy of the April 20th letter? Can you post it somewhere?

Shareholder
I just noticed the posting on the CP site. I suggest that CP, er AC, may be covering their butts because of calls from hostile AMEX users.

An agreement is an agreement is an agreement! What would the world be like if we all broke/terminated agreements that were no longer favourable to us!?

And then there's the Inside Flyer take on the CP/Amex fiasco... See the 3rd bullet down, at: http://www.webflyer.com/@flyer/domestic/jun00/pp&r.htm and 2nd paragraph at: http://www.webflyer.com/@flyer/domes...n00/awatch.htm

[This message has been edited by Ken hAAmer (edited 06-05-2000).]

I do have a copy of that termination letter from Canadian to Amex. I had not posted the whole thing -- just key excerpts -- because it was provided to me by Allan Stark of Amex personally, and was marked "Confidential". I do respect confidences. But since it seems to now have been more widely circulated, I will post the full document when I get back to my office tomorrow.

Thanks, Ken! I noticed a link from CP's site earlier but assumed it was the usual crap (maybe it was).

Interesting that their April 24th letter includes an offer to continue honouring the companion-ticket coupon. Suggests that a suit against Amex won't go far (the assumption has been that such a coupon doesn't actually require CP's cooperation for Amex to issue the ticket, rather that cooperation would save Amex much $$$).

I hope they figure this out soon! I'm into the final stretch on my Amex Platinum and I want to make sure the points get moved (forget the 10% saving on tickets after a transfer!). Also the July 1 start of the 3500pt fee for airline transfers is rapidly approaching.

andrew

Hi.

The letter from CP to Amex (April 20th -- marked "Confidential") has been up on the Amex website for a few weeks now, it's at: http://home3.americanexpress.com/can...d/CAIL_Q&A.htm

Is this the same letter that was faxed to you Shareholder?

Now that we've lost:
* 2 for 1 certificate
* ability to transfer MR points to CP (earning them at 1.5/dollar with no transfer fee)
* CP Club and Empress lounge membership (which it seems won't be renewed)
* Discounted CP rewards
* 1000 Cplus Point booking with Amex bonus

Without those perks, I can't see reason to renew the $399 card at the end of this month!

Later,
-Ty

Yes, that's the letter exactly as I have it, complete with the fax marking from CAIL's "Law Dept". Thanks for the link Ty.

I wonder how many Amex Plats have thown out their 2 for 1 certificates already, so what good would reintroducing it be. (Suppose they could always confirm it has already been used by some.) My membership doesn't come up for renewal until year's end, so I'm keeping the card at least through the year to see what else if offered.

Maybe they can include the sub to "Travel & Leisure" and reintroduce "Destinations"?

A friend told me that he was told the 3.5K transfer fee could be waived for a $35 charge when he moved his points to Delta or Continental, Has this been posted anywhere?

The 3.5K "fee" does not come into effect until July 1, 2000.

Shareholder,

The Amex site just says 3500pt (plus another 3500pt for rush service of <3 days).

Yesterday I was poking around the site trying to figure out my options if I have to move the points, and nowhere could I find details on Starwood and other hotel-plan transfers. (I know Starwood is a bad deal, and this is probably all in the book, but I'm surprised it wasn't on the site).

BTW, are those Holiday Inn, Radisson, and Delta awards for specific dates, or can I redeem one and then pick my dates later? I'm not saying I want those specifically, but free nights in Toronto hotels are probably what I need most! But they're no use to me if I have to pick the dates now!

Thanks!

andrew

I had to call to find out about Starwood. But the Hilton is not directly related to Amex, but rather a "benefit" of Delta Skymiles and Continental Onepass. If anyone else can come up with other hotel transfer plans, please post them.

The Starwood conversion rate is not very good, something like 230 points for every 1K of MR used. (The last catalog from MR refers to Starwood in terms of both Sheraton -- at 230 Club miles per 1K MR -- and Westin -- at 2K Premier points per 1K MR -- since the merger hadn't then taken place.) I believe the Sheraton Club International rates were the ones adopted by Starwood when the merged the two programs, so that would be the conversion rate being applied by Amex.

Since HHonors is the only hotel program I know of that permits conversion of airline program miles to its own points (at a 1 to 2 ratio), using the intermediary of DL or CO is the only alternative to the Starwood option.

Don't know if you get a certificate good for use at hotels, or if you have to book specific nights and properties at the time of redeeming MR points.

Concerning Starwood, I checked in my 2000 Platimum guide and they still indicates the 230 for 1000 exchange rate.

According to a report in today's Financial Post, a judge threw Amex's suit against Cdn out until after the July 5th conclusion of the bankruptcy hearings. Other snippets in the report indicate that Cdn has changed some of the content on their website relating to the matter, while one of their spokespersons said that the two parties were having "talks to resolve the matter".

As for the class actions, one is being taken on behalf of a Toronto broadcaster (according to the Post) by lawyer Malcolm Ruby. I can find no professional listing, but Mr. Ruby is listed in the Toronto residential phone directory (only two M Rubys, both with complete first names, so call info if you want to sign on: I won't put the number onto the net for obvious reasions).

FYI and so not to disturb Mr. Ruby at home, he works for the law firm "Gowlings" (formerly known as Gowling, Strathy & Henderson)

Gowlings law firm and information on Mr. Ruby can be found on the web at: http://www.gowlings.com/cgi-bin/gow....ruby&x=13&y=14

p.s. - You can find the white page listings of M. Ruby in Toronto on the web as well at http://www.infospace.com/info/index_ppl.htm

[This message has been edited by steve100 (edited 06-21-2000).]