Flexperks Will be Worth 1.5 Cents in 2018 and Beyond [Down from up to 2 Cents]

[Update 7/13/17: Reposting since this is now confirmed. Picture at the end of post.]

Beginning January 1, 2018, US Bank Flexperks points will be worth a flat 1.5 cents per point toward travel redemption, down from the current tiered system where it’s worth between 1 cent and 2 cents.

Reddit user AlienBrainJuice got the following info from a US Bank insider:

Beginning Dec. 31, it will be easier to understand redemption of FlexPoints. Each FlexPoint will be valued at at 1.5 cents when redeeming for car rentals, airline tickets, hotel rooms and travel packages. Redemptions made prior to Dec. 31 will continue to use the current tiered rate schedule.

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, all earning tiers will be removed for all FlexPerks products. There will no longer be a cap for points earned at the 1:1 rate, regardless of the amount spent. Additionally, the definition of “charitable organizations” will expand to over 1,000 entities. The accelerated earn rate for charitable organizations will be 2X on all FlexPerks product with the exception of FlexPerks Reserve, which will continue to earn at 3X.

The big news, of course, is that Flexperks will be have a lower maximum value, although it’ll obviously be simpler. After the change, Flexperks and Altitude points will be the same, and I suspect they’ll make transferring from Altitude to Flexperks possible (something they mentioned might come in a future update). Currently, it’s only possible to transfer Flexperks > Altitude, not Altitude > Flexperks,

Also noted is that Charity will earn 2x, not 3x, as we reported previously, though the category will be broadened. Interestingly, the Flexperks Reserve will continue to earn 3x, something we didn’t know previously. And the expanded categories will be valid on the Reserve too, I assume, which could make for a real selling point on that card.

They also not that there will no longer be a cap for points earned at the 1:1 rate, regardless of the amount spent. Previously, there was a $120,000 annual spend limit, after which point the card only earned 1 point per $2 spent.

Update 7/13/17: These changes have now been confirmed. Here’s a picture being sent out regarding the changes. (Thanks to plainclothesbot on r/churning.)

 

 

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Aubrey
Aubrey (@guest_558232)
February 6, 2018 23:49

Anyone have an update if Altitude points can transfer to FlexPerks? I want to cancel my Altitude in May, but I really want to use the points for summer travel! Anyone know how the new changes affect Altitude?

ENOTTY
ENOTTY (@guest_439384)
July 14, 2017 00:59

what no-AF downgrade options are there for flexperks?

sdsearch
sdsearch (@guest_440634)
July 16, 2017 11:51

There is a Delta Flexperks card that has no annual fee. See here:

https://www.flexperks.com/credit/welcome.do

Whether you can “donwgrade” to it, I’m not sure.

sdsearch
sdsearch (@guest_440635)
July 16, 2017 11:53

Typo above, I meant an Amex Flexperks card. (I don’t see a way to edit my comment above to correct it.)

Mark O
Mark O (@guest_439123)
July 13, 2017 16:27

This makes me more likely to earn them. Having to get to 20k was a pain but now you essentially get 4.5% back from restaurants with the amex version and you have no breakage/loss like before. I am good with this move!

Shaun
Shaun (@guest_433634)
July 5, 2017 09:20

Thanks for posting this information. Related question: when purchasing a flight using FlexPoints, does the charge show up on your statement in dollars with a second item on the statement crediting the charge for using their points (which is how Amex MR flight purchases are done), or does the purchase never even show up on your statement (which is how Citi TYP flight purchases are done)? Haven’t used my FlexPoints yet, but wondering vix-a-vis business travel expense tracking.

Mark O
Mark O (@guest_439124)
July 13, 2017 16:28

No it is just deducted from your points.

Adam D
Adam D (@guest_433254)
July 4, 2017 12:41

Data Point: There is a $30 fee to refund an airline redemption and it has to be done 24-30hrs max from time of initial booking by phone only, Unlike Merill points which you can cancel yourself until the next business day by 11EST for free online. CSR told me points reappear by next statement closing date, but possibly 7-10 business days, really is sub-par compared to other award refunds.

Larry
Larry (@guest_432666)
July 3, 2017 10:50

Do you have to complete the flight before end of 2017 to get the 2x max rate or just make the purchase before 2018?

Tom L
Tom L (@guest_432050)
July 1, 2017 23:06

Is the $25 travel credit per reservation affected? If not, don’t these changes arguable make the program more valuable?
Ie, buy cheap one way flights with points, and collect $25 credit (gift cards seem to work). I’ll use for short hauls, and collect those credits.

ed
ed (@guest_432369)
July 2, 2017 18:11

Yeah, no chance that’ll happen. It will go away.

Dan
Dan (@guest_431715)
July 1, 2017 01:47

US Bank is not even trying to compete. Honestly, why would anyone KEEP their cards… I got the Altitude, but no way I am keeping it. Already closed my FlexPerks from last year. Now, with the devaluation will have to redeem points in spouse’s FP too… lots of Southwest credit …

Gadget
Gadget (@guest_439166)
July 13, 2017 18:12

You can book Southwest with FP? I don’t recall seeing that when I was booking a flight late last year. Or, are you buying gift cards?

rubixx
rubixx (@guest_439218)
July 13, 2017 19:55

Have to call in. The strategy is to find a flight as close as possible to the thresholds, then call in book it, wait a day and cancel to get SW travel credit valid for 1 year from booking date.

Mike B
Mike B (@guest_431680)
June 30, 2017 23:49

Will points still expire 5 years after being earned?

Jim
Jim (@guest_431500)
June 30, 2017 18:15

“Effective Jan. 1, 2018, all earning tiers will be removed for all FlexPerks products”

So this means no more 2x at grocery or gas?

William Charles
Admin
June 30, 2017 20:58

I think so?

Ben
Ben (@guest_431656)
June 30, 2017 22:29

If “all earning tiers will be removed for all Flexperks products” indicates that 2X grocery/gas is going away, then it is somewhat contradicted by the third sentence after that: “the accelerated earn rate for charity will be 2X”

If ALL EARNING tiers will be removed, then charity (at 2X) would also be removed….right? They can’t both be true.