Multiple reports are coming in on Flyertalk and Reddit that the MPX app is no longer earning 5x when paying with the Amex Platinum card. The change happened on February 10th or 11th.
For some time, the MPX app was earning 5x with the Amex Platinum personal card since it coded as airlines which earn 5x on that card. This was especially terrific if you also have the Platinum Business card which gets 50% back on flights giving an easy $.02 value on each mile.
If I have my history right, the timeline went as follows: from beginning of time until December 2016 MPX coded as airline for travel points and for airline credit. The airline credit part died end of 2016. I think it may have briefly stopped coding as airfare for category points purposes as well. At some later date the category coding part came back to airfare, though the airline credit part never returned.
It only really started mattering in October 2016 when personal Platinum cards began earning 5x on airfare. And around the same time business Platinum cards got a 50% rebate, meaning you could earn up to 10% value at just about anywhere, including places like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and so many more. To boot, you’d get some bonus United miles from the app.
I’m not sure exactly when people caught onto this hack, but for some months this has been going around by word of mouth. Since February 10th or 11th something changed and MPX purchases are showing up as earning 1x. This Flyertalk data point is especially telling since their airfare purchases are showing properly as 5x while MPX is not, indicating this isn’t merely a delay. Seems like it still codes as airfare, just Amex specifically excluded it from earning 5x.
Curious if MPX’s overall sales will go down due to the change. RIP MPX/Platinum hack.
View Comments (38)
Well it was good while it lasted. Maybe ill get that Amazon card now...
Looking at my ongoing statement, a Feb 4 MPX charge coded 5x but Feb 11 did not, so I can personally corroborate a change around then.
R.I.P
I just got the Wells Fargo Propel World Amex. I was going to use the MPX trick to trigger the airline bonus. Is it safe to assume that's probably dead now too?
I'm in same situation, did you get the credit?
I didn't try it. I don't have an MPX account and didn't want to create one.
^ Chicken :)
It works I’ve getting 3x with my Wells Fargo propel card
Did you try the WF Propel World AMEX thru MPX? Please let us know the result if you did. Thanks!
No I wouldn't assume that at all. Try it out and report back!
PRG worked for me giving me 3x on MPX back in December. I'll try it again soon.
I tried the MPX app with my business platinum for the first time ever on Feb 10. I earned 1x :(
Be still my heart; put this one out of his misery.
Why wasn't it reported here that this was even possible to begin with?
You should find a new hobby, this one isn't right for you.
So you are upset there wasn't a step-by-step guide with arrows and pictures to spoon feed you? Many of us who put in a little bit of effort into this hobby knew.
um. because this is what happens when you do...
apparently I didn't realize the arbitrage opportunity of this deal and didn't use my personal platinum at all. darn it.
Used my PRG to buy a $50 Amazon gc thru MPX on Feb 9th, got the 3x multiplier. Used the same PRG card to buy a $10 Starbucks thru MPX on Feb 14th, no bonus. Looks dead. Disappointed since I just got my personal Plat last week.
How do you know you did not get bonus points.it won't show up until your next statement. I have experience with it not showing on activity 5x but when points posted I got 5x....know way to know for sure until the next statement closes and the points post.
based on ur comment, im gonna assume ur new. yes, you can easily tell if you got 5x asap. its right there within your purchase history. people need to stop using their phone so much.
I have been using mpx with platinum for a while...and although in some cases 5x did not show up on "activity" it showed up on pending points when statement closed...I think we need more time to know for sure...
also forgot to add, OP clearly mentions he saw pts for MPX on Feb 9th, got the 3x. Used the same PRG card thru MPX on Feb 14th, no bonus. that shows it didnt get triggered.
https://i.imgflip.com/24v4y9.jpg
Then this is farewell for me to this card if they don't provide "good-enough" retention offer.
If they do 30k MR again, i'd bite.
add me to this list. 5x at MPR was literally the only solid reason keeping this card in addition to the CSR :(
Second this. Without 5x on MPX, this card is not worth the annual fee at all. CSR will be my only premier travel card going forward.
Knew this was going to end eventually, was good while it lasted, my spend on the Amex Platinum will now totally plunge...
Me too. Now I'm having a hard time with keeping this card since I also have the CSR.