Amex points devalued against Emirates Skymiles again

[justapax]

An Amex membership point used to be worth one Emirates Skymile. Then it was 3/4 of one. Now it's 1/2.

Emirates really seem to be saying 'if you're flying with membership points, don't fly with us, we don't want you'.

[Asturias56]

That's right - redeeming membership points cuts their current income - they've issued the IOU but they don't want anyone to come and collect -

[PAXboy]

Earlier today a relative was asking for advice about F.F.M. The short amswer was: Every company will tell you the collection rate but the redemption rate is in the small print and is the one that they mostly change.

[ZFT]

Loyalty schemes are to benefit the operators not the customers.
Over the years, I accumulated Gold and Platinum cards on both major alliances as well as hotel chain cards when I wasn't footing the bill.
These days when it's my dollar, I look for (and get) the best deals and totally ignore loyalty cards.
I've used up outstanding points where possible but many have just expired.

[Mr Mac]

I think the AMEX BA and Nectar transfer work quite well judging by the cabin on the Manchester Shuttle where one of the ground staff last year told me everyone in the Business class cabin was on that flight using AMEX points, and that was not an unusual thing, indeed her nickname for it was the AMEX Express, which I had not heard before.

With regards to EK they used to have an MBNA card in the UK that was quite good for points but that went around 2017 I think and has never come back. I currently have an awful lot of EK points as a Platinum Member and I am looking to use these for holidays in the future., I have a reasonable number of SQ and LH as well and will look to use these before I lose them as well. As others have said these were all obtained on company business and therefore a perk, if I was paying myself I have observed that EK have become very punchy with their prices these days, and I think I would look at alternatives, much as I love their A380 as a passenger experience.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[PAXboy]

It was around 2017 that rules were changed and many credit card companies had to change their loyalty schemes. I cannot remember the details.

The AmEx Two-Four-One voucher was changed significantly in the past 18 months. In that, the amount of cash that you have to funnel through the BA AmEx card increased by 50%. It was obviously too succesful for AmEx to stomach.

[IBMJunkman]

Earlier this year I sold the bulk of my United Miles. Then I decided I wanted to visit Chicago. So I drove.

[Innominate]

The AmEx Two-Four-One voucher was changed significantly in the past 18 months. In that, the amount of cash that you have to funnel through the BA AmEx card increased by 50%. It was obviously too succesful for AmEx to stomach.

We used to use the BA/Amex Companion Voucher for two long-haul seats in Club, but now it gets us one seat in Club and one in Economy. Where's the point of that? Either I get the Club seat while She Who Might Be Obeyed slums it at the back, or vice versa - not a good way to start or end a holiday!

[PAXboy]

With the 2-4-1, they have also been steadily increasing the amount of points needed to accompany the voucher. Not to mention the cash part. I shall soon have to decided whether to continue with it or not. Which is, of course, what they want.

[Saintsman]

Plus, the BA black Amex card has a £300 annual fee to add to the mix.

[Mr Mac]

Mrs Mac still seems to get enough spent to make it worth while, though I do wish it was a different carrier as in some respects as routing through LHR makes for much longer flights and service is frankly not as good as my normal carriers unfortunately. But on some routes they do make a more direct route.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[Mr Mac]

Well the god of upgrades has smiled on us tonight with an upgrade to First on the long haul to Santiago 🙂 I am not sure who I have to thank for this most welcome turn of events but very grateful and Mrs Mac Uber pleased.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[S.o.S.]

No problem Mr & Mrs Mac. Glad to help.

[Mr Mac]

S.O.S
If it indeed was you, thank you sir. If not I think I may know one other person who I know on 787 Fleet with BA as a FO who I have emailed to ask. He is not operating flight tonight or on our return but a possibility otherwise a BA computer glitch perhaps as I have done very little miles with BA since around 2000.
Have a great evening.
Cheers
Mr Mac

[krismiler]

It was around 2017 that rules were changed and many credit card companies had to change their loyalty schemes. I cannot remember the details.

In 2018 credit card companies were required to assist customers in persistent long term debt by offering easier payment options and reducing or cancelling interest payments. This made cards less profitable for them and loyalty schemes had to be adjusted accordingly. Basically, the poorer customers with balances rolling over each month at 20% interest weren't paying for the perks of the better off customers who paid in full each month.
https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-re...introduced-fca

Airlines would rather you use your miles for the premium cabins on leisure routes. These are likely to be empty anyway, and the top tier FF going on holiday with his wife burning up his points is far better than having him try to use them for a business class seat on routes such as LHR - JFK. Hence leisure routes have good availability and attractive redemption rates.

I confess to having been a miles whore many years ago, concentrating only on my monthly total. Now I don't use CCs for any foreign spending even if they offer double miles as Wise, Revolut or similar have better rates and no 3.5% fee. I'll also shop around for the best fare rather than stick with an alliance.

Basically adjustments are another form of shrinkflation. Reduce the product size or reduce the quality of the ingredients for the same price.