topic Re: amex plat airline credit in Credit Cards

amex plat airline credit

red259 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 20:40:19 GMT

There appears to be a number of reports that airline GCs are no longer being reimbursed. If so (unles its just a system slowdown for reimbursements), this is a blow to the ability to offset AF on the card, because it seems like you would have difficulty using the airline credit fee unless you are flying (something I did not intend to do with only a few months left in 2015). For those with status or credit cards that give lounge access, free checked bag etc the ways to use crdit become even more limited. Can't really be too upset about it because it wasn't a benefit it was just something Amex let people do. Sad though since the prestige lets you use theirs towards actual airfare so amex is going further in wrong direction with this card and I'm definetly dumping it after the first year.

Re: amex plat airline credit

DrZoidberg — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 21:07:05 GMT

Not being able to use the airline credit for gift cards in no way diminishes the value.

Re: amex plat airline credit

yfan — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 21:50:02 GMT

As you said, you can't really be too upset about it since it was never a benefit to begin with. A step further, Amex makes it abanduntly clear that gift card purchases are not eligible for incidentals in the fee terms of the Platinum.

Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees.

Now I agree, judging by rewards, the Citi Prestige is the superior card. If I were deciding between one of these 2, I would go for the Prestige.

But the Platinum is not predominantly a rewards card. It's a benefits card. FHR, Starwood Gold status, and the privilege of Amex approving really giant transactions, like a boat, and the other bells and whistles. My guess is Amex isn't particularly interested in customers haggling over the AF.

Re: amex plat airline credit

red259 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 21:37:10 GMT

@DrZoidberg wrote:
Not being able to use the airline credit for gift cards in no way diminishes the value.

Maybe not for you individually, but for many people it absolutely does.

Re: amex plat airline credit

red259 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 21:38:39 GMT

@yfan wrote:
As you said, you can't really be too upset about it since it was never a benefit to begin with. A step further, Amex makes it abanduntly clear clear that gift card purchases are not eligible for incidentals in the fee terms of the Platinum.

Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees.

Now I agree, judging by rewards, the Citi Prestige is the superior card. If I were deciding between one of these 2, I would go for the Prestige.

But the Platinum is not predominantly a rewards card. It's a benefits card. FHR, Starwood Gold status, and the privilege of Amex approving really giant transactions, like a boat, and the other bells and whistles. My guess is Amex isn't particularly interested in customers haggling over the AF.

I fail how to see how this has anything to do with the topic in the thread.

Re: amex plat airline credit

yfan — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 21:40:02 GMT

@red259 wrote:
@DrZoidberg wrote:
Not being able to use the airline credit for gift cards in no way diminishes the value.
Maybe not for you individually, but for many people it absolutely does.

Only insofar as the ability to get around clearly defined rules adds value can the enforcement of those rules dimish value.

Re: amex plat airline credit

yfan — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 21:46:12 GMT

@red259 wrote:
@yfan wrote:
But the Platinum is not predominantly a rewards card. It's a benefits card. FHR, Starwood Gold status, and the privilege of Amex approving really giant transactions, like a boat, and the other bells and whistles. My guess is Amex isn't particularly interested in customers haggling over the AF.
I fail how to see how this has anything to do with the topic in the thread.

It relates to this part of the topic from your original post: "There appears to be a number of reports that airline GCs are no longer being reimbursed. If so (unles its just a system slowdown for reimbursements), this is a blow to the ability to offset AF on the card,..."

Since it appears in the original post that the ability to use gift cards against the incidentals credit for you is directly related to the AF, I'm saying Amex may not be particularly concerned about customers who are interested in loopholes (loophole, since it wasn't allowed in the agreement to begin with) to cancel out (offset) the AF directly in dollars.

Re: amex plat airline credit

red259 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 22:20:39 GMT

@yfan wrote:
@red259 wrote:
@yfan wrote:
But the Platinum is not predominantly a rewards card. It's a benefits card. FHR, Starwood Gold status, and the privilege of Amex approving really giant transactions, like a boat, and the other bells and whistles. My guess is Amex isn't particularly interested in customers haggling over the AF.
I fail how to see how this has anything to do with the topic in the thread.
It relates to this part of the topic from your original post: "There appears to be a number of reports that airline GCs are no longer being reimbursed. If so (unles its just a system slowdown for reimbursements), this is a blow to the ability to offset AF on the card,..."

Since it appears in the original post that the ability to use gift cards against the incidentals credit for you is directly related to the AF, I'm saying Amex may not be particularly concerned about customers who are interested in loopholes (loophole, since it wasn't allowed in the agreement to begin with) to cancel out (offset) the AF directly in dollars.

That has nothing to do with haggling over the AF. I'm not haggling with amex about anything and am paying the AF.

Re: amex plat airline credit

yfan — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 22:55:12 GMT

@red259 wrote:
That has nothing to do with haggling over the AF. I'm not haggling with amex about anything and am paying the AF.

Lol, alright. I don't want to haggle over 'haggling.' Trying to offset the AF that hard to me is something akin to haggling over it, but basically, I'm just saying Amex probably doesn't care to keep customers who're looking to offset AFs by using loopholes. Give it whatever term you want.

Re: amex plat airline credit

red259 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:03:23 GMT

@yfan wrote:
@red259 wrote:
That has nothing to do with haggling over the AF. I'm not haggling with amex about anything and am paying the AF.
Lol, alright. I don't want to haggle over 'haggling.' Trying to offset the AF that hard to me is something akin to haggling over it, but basically, I'm just saying Amex probably doesn't care to keep customers who're looking to offset AFs by using loopholes. Give it whatever term you want.

I consider it more of an unenforced policy than loophole. Amex knows whats going on and just didn't enforce the policy is all. Still the topic of the thread is the impact the new (if it is indeed occurring) enforcement has on the perceived value of the card when factoring in the AF. The thread is not asking why Amex did this and is not asking for opinions on who amex considers to be good or bad customers. Since nobody here, that I am aware of works for Amex, that seems like a silly discussion, because we don't know what Amex thinks and the thread wasn't soliciting opinions about the why of the enforcement change or for an assessment of Amex's ideal customer in any event.

Re: amex plat airline credit

kdm31091 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:05:42 GMT

@red259 wrote:
@yfan wrote:
As you said, you can't really be too upset about it since it was never a benefit to begin with. A step further, Amex makes it abanduntly clear clear that gift card purchases are not eligible for incidentals in the fee terms of the Platinum.

Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees.

Now I agree, judging by rewards, the Citi Prestige is the superior card. If I were deciding between one of these 2, I would go for the Prestige.

But the Platinum is not predominantly a rewards card. It's a benefits card. FHR, Starwood Gold status, and the privilege of Amex approving really giant transactions, like a boat, and the other bells and whistles. My guess is Amex isn't particularly interested in customers haggling over the AF.
I fail how to see how this has anything to do with the topic in the thread.

Here's the thing, red: you like to call things "off topic" if they disagree with your main priorities. You are one who likes to churn bonuses, maximize rewards, pay as little in AFs as possible, etc. You like to maximize the system. Let's use that as a term. That is how you are, and that's fine. Yfan is basically the opposite, one who uses cards only "as intended" (however you want to interpret that).

Point is just because some disagree with your method doesn't mean they are off topic. You said yourself -- "can't be upset as it's not a real benefit". Ok, so you're not upset then....what's the point of this thread? This seems like it would be more like a Flyertalk thread. We all know the gift card/ "offset AF" stuff doesn't fly here.

As to this thread and the whole "impact the AF" thing...it's simple. If you cannot justify the AF with real, actual spending on products/merchandise, think twice because these "loopholes" often don't last forever.

Re: amex plat airline credit

red259 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:10:15 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
@red259 wrote:
@yfan wrote:
As you said, you can't really be too upset about it since it was never a benefit to begin with. A step further, Amex makes it abanduntly clear clear that gift card purchases are not eligible for incidentals in the fee terms of the Platinum.

Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees.

Now I agree, judging by rewards, the Citi Prestige is the superior card. If I were deciding between one of these 2, I would go for the Prestige.

But the Platinum is not predominantly a rewards card. It's a benefits card. FHR, Starwood Gold status, and the privilege of Amex approving really giant transactions, like a boat, and the other bells and whistles. My guess is Amex isn't particularly interested in customers haggling over the AF.
I fail how to see how this has anything to do with the topic in the thread.
Here's the thing, red: you like to call things "off topic" if they disagree with your main priorities. You are one who likes to churn bonuses, maximize rewards, pay as little in AFs as possible, etc. You like to maximize the system. Let's use that as a term. That is how you are, and that's fine. Yfan is basically the opposite, one who uses cards only "as intended" (however you want to interpret that).

Point is just because some disagree with your method doesn't mean they are off topic. You said yourself -- "can't be upset as it's not a real benefit". Ok, so you're not upset then....what's the point of this thread? This seems like it would be more like a Flyertalk thread. We all know the gift card/ "offset AF" stuff doesn't fly here.

As to this thread and the whole "impact the AF" thing...it's simple. If you cannot justify the AF with real, actual spending on products/merchandise, think twice because these "loopholes" often don't last forever.

You may have been writing this before I posted my explanation as why I feel it is off-topic.

Re: amex plat airline credit

yfan — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:24:41 GMT

@red259 wrote:
I consider it more of an unenforced policy than loophole.

And I consider unenforced policy to be synonymous with loopholes in this case.

@red259 wrote:
Amex knows whats going on and just didn't enforce the policy is all.

And now it looks like they are.

@red259 wrote:
Still the topic of the thread is the impact the new (if it is indeed occurring) enforcement has on the perceived value of the card when factoring in the AF.

To which my answer is none, unless 'unenforced policies" can add value to a card - which I don't think it can.

@red259 wrote:
The thread is not asking why Amex did this and is not asking for opinions on who amex considers to be good or bad customers. Since nobody here, that I am aware of works for Amex, that seems like a silly discussion, because we don't know what Amex thinks and the thread wasn't soliciting opinions about the why of the enforcement change or for an assessment of Amex's ideal customer in any event.

This thread IS talking about Amex's choice of enforcement affecting the value of AF, and so speculation about why Amex may do so - or whether they have any incentive to go back to the previous way - is relevant. If a lender's enforcement of a policy affecting the value of the AF is the topic, then the lender's motivation for such enforcement is certainly related.

Re: amex plat airline credit

CreditCuriosity — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:36:44 GMT

I see another thread going no where and getting locked. anyways, have fun while it lasts

Re: amex plat airline credit

kdm31091 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:39:55 GMT

@CreditCuriousity wrote:
I see another thread going no where and getting locked. anyways, have fun while it lasts

The thread really has nowhere to go...it's just kind of the OP venting about something.

As I have nothing else to add to this discussion...see you in other threads!

Re: amex plat airline credit

red259 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:40:16 GMT

@yfan wrote:
@red259 wrote:
I consider it more of an unenforced policy than loophole.
And I consider unenforced policy to be synonymous with loopholes in this case.

@red259 wrote:
Amex knows whats going on and just didn't enforce the policy is all.
And now it looks like they are.

@red259 wrote:
Still the topic of the thread is the impact the new (if it is indeed occurring) enforcement has on the perceived value of the card when factoring in the AF.
To which my answer is none, unless 'unenforced policies" can add value to a card - which I don't think it can.

@red259 wrote:
The thread is not asking why Amex did this and is not asking for opinions on who amex considers to be good or bad customers. Since nobody here, that I am aware of works for Amex, that seems like a silly discussion, because we don't know what Amex thinks and the thread wasn't soliciting opinions about the why of the enforcement change or for an assessment of Amex's ideal customer in any event.
This thread IS talking about Amex's choice of enforcement affecting the value of AF, and so speculation about why Amex may do so - or whether they have any incentive to go back to the previous way - is relevant. If a lender's enforcement of a policy affecting the value of the AF is the topic, then the lender's motivation for such enforcement is certainly related.

What I would like to be able to do is have a thread discussing the value of a card without someone interjecting their own personal agenda in to it. I take issue with people coming into a thread and basically saying that Amex doesn't care about me as a customer if this change is a consideration for me nor the implication that they do not care about anyone else who would consider this change when assessing the value of the card. Like I said I am unaware of anyone here working for Amex so nobody can really judge who they consider to be a good customer and I believe these forums were developed to help people not to come here and judge someone elses priorities or decisions. Even when I ask you not to take the thread off topic you continue to argue about how you are on topic. I don't see why these issues have to be raised by in every other thread.

Its not a matter of disagreeing with people who have different viewpoints than I do. Its a matter of this having been said a hundred times before in different ways in other threads along with the backhanded judgements of whether or not certain people are customers amex cares about/wants. If you don't want to stay on topic please feel free to leave the thread. You are always free to start your own thread if you want to debate other topics that are tangential to the discussion.

Re: amex plat airline credit

red259 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:42:03 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
@CreditCuriousity wrote:
I see another thread going no where and getting locked. anyways, have fun while it lasts
The thread really has nowhere to go...it's just kind of the OP venting about something.

As I have nothing else to add to this discussion...see you in other threads!

I'm not venting about anything. I'm just trying to talk about one thing without the conversation being derailed.

Re: amex plat airline credit

yfan — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:48:20 GMT

@red259 wrote:
What I would like to be able to do is have a thread discussing the value of a card without someone interjecting their own personal agenda in to it.

There's no personal agenda here - or at least, there wasn't until you inserted judging into this.

@red259 wrote:

Its not a matter of disagreeing with people who have different viewpoints than I do. Its a matter of this having been said a hundred times before in different ways in other threads along with the backhanded judgements of whether or not certain people are customers amex cares about/wants. If you don't want to stay on topic please feel free to leave the thread. You are always free to start your own thread if you want to debate other topics that are tangential to the discussion.

Huh? We cannot speculate about the motives of a lender whose card and policy is being talked about in a thread? I am sorry, but I am going to need a mod ruling about that. And the judgment is not on you here, it's on Amex.

At any rate, I think I have said my piece about the on-topic-ness of this and you have yours. No need to keep it going. I'll look forward to whether others also feel this enforcement of plainly stated rules somehow reduces value of a card.

Re: amex plat airline credit

myjourney — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:51:22 GMT

Everyday same offenders all day long and me personally I'm getting real tired of this display of this game

If we can't get along go to neutral corners

OR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: amex plat airline credit

red259 — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:58:17 GMT

@myjourney wrote:
Everyday same offenders all day long and me personally I'm getting real tired of this display of this game
If we can't get along go to neutral corners
OR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lock it please. I thought it may have been a helpful thread, but I don't feel like arguing anymore about what my own thread is about. Thanks.