American Express is discontinuing the upgrade with points program starting December 3, 2023. On statements the following is stated:
Effective December 3, 2023, American Express Card Members with a Membership Rewards account will no longer have access to the Upgrade with Points program and, accordingly, will not have the option to use Membership Rewards points to place an offer on a seat upgrade for any upcoming flights. This will not impact offers placed for a seat upgrade prior to December 3, 2023. All pending offers will still be processed and accepted or declined by the airline. This will not impact any offers that, as of December 3, 2023, have already been accepted or declined by the airline. Upgraded tickets for accepted offers will continue to be valid.
Not a huge loss given how bad value this program was but something to be aware of.
Hat tip to HappyP2
Why is everyone here complaining about this? This was always literally the worst use of points I could think of. They’re not discontinuing it because they’re taking away value, they just don’t want to keep maintaining this when no one uses it in the first place. Honestly if you were using this before they just did you a favor.
I wont be renewing my plat card
American Express really shines when you combine it with Hilton Hotels. Cards like the American Express Hilton business card is awesome. That is of course only if you frequent Hilton hotels…
I’m trying to figure out if this is a troll or not. I don’t think there any value in those cards except the SUB.
The only reason I use the card is for my free companion ticket (always worth more than my annual fee) + I get discounts on restaurants or products I buy anyway. Plus I use the points for free travel on Delta (which unfortunately are worth 1/3 than they used to be). Yes, I pay the balance every month.
Wrong card
Amex takes the lead in the face of Durbin Marshall…
“Upgrade” should be discontinued!
At this point it’s best for people to just not do business with these banks anymore. There is no real benefit anymore but for the companies. I mean Amex offered $75 cash to deposit 50k in a saving account but it has to sit for a year. How do the banks charge for a 50K loan about 10k?? But people think it’s a deal lol
i already trashed my Amex Plat because they wouldn’t give me any sort of retention offer despite the fact that I spend $70k/yr on the card. I noticed their customer service has declined significantly.
Putting $75000 on Amex Platinum seems like a bad idea. Why would you do that. Also I go offered 30000 MR points to keep mine open and I had zero spend after meeting sign up bonus. Still cancelled due to high fee.
Yesterday I asked for a retention offer for my Amex platinum which I have had since 1983. They were quick to point out that I got back around $1198 in statement credits this last year. Most of the things like the Saks money, the Walmart membership, Clear, and other things I would never buy without getting my money back. In the past the retention offers were really the motivation for me to keep the card. The only offer they would make was for me to use 69500 points to pay for my renewal fee. I would never do that. If it were not for the access to the American Express lounges at various airports I would cancel the card. While I will keep the card one more year I am really on the fence whether it is worth it or not.
I got the same retention offer, but then I called them again after a few days with an intention to cancel, they gave an offer for $250 statement credit after spending $3k in 3 months, which was acceptable for me…
I would just try getting different retention offers until I get the one that works for me.
Good to know. I got none retention offer
A lot of people seem to think that retention offers are directly tied to how much you spend on the card. That isn’t the case: they try to “guess” if you will close your account if they don’t offer you something. If they think you will keep the card, they don’t offer anything (or anything worthwhile). “john” below is proof that this works … a sucky offer, and yet he will keep the card.
Of course…Another horrible surprise for Americans who rely on their credit rewards. Not surprising after my APR is now a whopping 29.99% with almost perfect credit. I have 3 AMEX cards and I will just use another one that actually has Perks for main purchases. Goodbye AMEX, another loyal customer lost to greed.
delete
If you give a single shit about APR (besides when it’s 0) then you’re not playing this game correctly.
If you care about APR, you don’t need this feature anyway.
I wouldn’t care if the APR was 100% because the game is to pay your full amount due, on time, every time!
I have no idea what the APR on any of my cards is. I think you aren’t doing this right.
trash as always