Changes in Charges

Changes to the American Express Membership Rewards program are scheduled to go into effect on Oct. 8. According to American Express, the changes are necessary to bring the Membership Rewards program more in line with the way in which members are actually earning and using their points. Originally, Membership Rewards was designed with the intention of competing with various airline credit cards (thus the original name -- Membership Miles).

But as the program has grown, it has evolved into something quite different. One of the biggest changes; American Express will only offer the Membership Rewards basic program on American Express Green and Gold cards (and on OPEN Green, Gold and Executive Business and Costco cards). Cutting down on the number of cards and options available should make for a simpler and easier-to-understand program. We already think it's easier to understand. Probably the most significant change, however, is the elimination of ...