Amex platinum Charge annual fee increase

[k3nnis]

My renewal was in July hence unpaid $900 a couple of months ago. Do I still get all the new benefits come next month?

 

[ronnie66]

I applied for Platinum Charge in March. Got approved. Was happy with the deal. Paid 900A$ membership fee.
I applied for the complementary Platinum Reserve Credit Card. Obviously I was meeting all their criteria and applied for this card as well. They would waive the 395$ fee, as part of the deal. This card comes with a complementary international flight.
Obviously for 900A$ membership fee I thought that perk was a great addition and made the 900A$ feel worth the while. I was suprised to learn that my application for this additional card was refused. Income criteria met, no bad credit file (asked for my file), no loans, no mortgage, only 2 credit cards and always paid in time. I feel this "perk" was a carrot. AMEX won't disclose the reason for refusal, while their selection criteria are confidential. In the mean time I did receive the information about the hefty fee increase and the complementary PR credit card still mentioned as one of the perks. I still find this misleading, while you never know in advance if they will approve your application. It is not a real perk. It could be. I think it is close to misleading customers. Maybe they should change it to we will offer some customers the opportunity to apply for the PR credit card, but calling it one of the perks ("if you get approved") is misleading. Since the income criteria for the Platinum Charge are higher than the Platinum Reserve I don't understand the process.
I did complain, but AMEX is not providing any more information, except for the new Platinum Program and the 1200A$ fee information.

Anyone share their thoughts or experiences? Similar? Advice?

 

[Baymax]

I applied for Platinum Charge in March. Got approved. Was happy with the deal. Paid 900A$ membership fee.
I applied for the complementary Platinum Reserve Credit Card. Obviously I was meeting all their criteria and applied for this card as well. They would waive the 395$ fee, as part of the deal. This card comes with a complementary international flight.
Obviously for 900A$ membership fee I thought that perk was a great addition and made the 900A$ feel worth the while. I was suprised to learn that my application for this additional card was refused. Income criteria met, no bad credit file (asked for my file), no loans, no mortgage, only 2 credit cards and always paid in time. I feel this "perk" was a carrot. AMEX won't disclose the reason for refusal, while their selection criteria are confidential. In the mean time I did receive the information about the hefty fee increase and the complementary PR credit card still mentioned as one of the perks. I still find this misleading, while you never know in advance if they will approve your application. It is not a real perk. It could be. I think it is close to misleading customers. Maybe they should change it to we will offer some customers the opportunity to apply for the PR credit card, but calling it one of the perks ("if you get approved") is misleading. Since the income criteria for the Platinum Charge are higher than the Platinum Reserve I don't understand the process.
I did complain, but AMEX is not providing any more information, except for the new Platinum Program and the 1200A$ fee information.

Anyone share their thoughts or experiences? Similar? Advice?

I did have a similar experience as what you had. My CC application was rejected for some unknown reasons even if I was holding a platinum charge card. Calling platinum service hotline did not help much either. 2 weeks after, I re-submitted my application and it went through without any issue. Perhaps, you may want to try applying CC in a short while.

 

[ronnie66]

Yes. That is what I thought too. Initially I was told I had to wait 3 months. That information was new for me (and now they deny giving me that information). So I applied after 3 months, got rejected. So tried again last week. Rejected again.
I did officially complain, and will take it further; guess I have a * at my name being difficult. However, I still think the attitude of AMEX (with the recent fee increase and the unclear refusals) is unacceptable. The hotline is of no help. They do claim to record the conversations for training purposes. When I requested them to listen back to my conversation with the helpdesk and actually hear the advise they gave to me, they implied I was lying.
Customer service with a capital C (not...). Very disappointed.

 

[mitwg]

The posts about people getting a new charge card and failing applications for plat reserve is just ridiculous. While I have not had such a problem myself (I pretty much applied for the reserve straight after I got my charge card and had no issues, albeit this was now a while ago), the fact that they can advertise the reserve card as sort of like a 'complementary' card and list all of its benefits then tell people that they've failed the application without giving much of a reason is not very good customer service. I'd be fairly upset if this happened to me.

 

[k3nnis]

I also applied for the reserve card right after I had the charge card and was successful. This was over a year ago.

 

[ronnie66]

Thank you for your reactions. I am honestly stunned with the process. Also because I put in an official complained and all the recommendations by the call center were denied. Why would I call back after 3 months and ask for a specific employee to support me with my application, if that wasn't advised? Maybe I should have cancelled straight away, but I thought it was a honest mistake from their side. I can see by the reactions that the 3 month wait period was just an excuse. I followed the advise and since then have been rejected twice.
As mitwg is saying I am fairly upset. Not because of the fact that I really need the credit card, but just because of the process and the fact that in the mean time they send me the package of the upgraded Platinum Charge for 1200A$. I would appreciate if more people respond who had similar issues. Also in relation to the increased fee and the new "benefits" that all have a "deadline" attached to it. I might gain insight by your experiences.

 

[mini2]

Income criteria met, no bad credit file (asked for my file), no loans, no mortgage, only 2 credit cards and always paid in time.

Unfortunately our credit system isn't like the US...paying on time means nothing whatsoever, only defaults will affect it. The lack of inquiries on your file (surprisingly) could be your downfall...ie no loans, no mortgage inquiries to your file means you're an unknown quantity.

 

[The Rok]

Thank you for your reactions. I am honestly stunned with the process. Also because I put in an official complained and all the recommendations by the call center were denied. Why would I call back after 3 months and ask for a specific employee to support me with my application, if that wasn't advised? Maybe I should have cancelled straight away, but I thought it was a honest mistake from their side. I can see by the reactions that the 3 month wait period was just an excuse. I followed the advise and since then have been rejected twice.
As mitwg is saying I am fairly upset. Not because of the fact that I really need the credit card, but just because of the process and the fact that in the mean time they send me the package of the upgraded Platinum Charge for 1200A$. I would appreciate if more people respond who had similar issues. Also in relation to the increased fee and the new "benefits" that all have a "deadline" attached to it. I might gain insight by your experiences.

You now have 3 credit enquiries for unsecured credit ( the worst kind) on your file in a very short time. If I were you I would be holding off on credit applications for the next 6 months or so.

 

[ronnie66]

Thank you Mini2 and Rok. I understand what you are saying. I don't need the card, so that's not the point. The point is that AMEX is able to see and is able to know that all the enquiries were done by them. This actually shows on the VEDA file. It all says AMEX. Based on the experiences of other customers I should have been accepted immediately after the first application. I get the point what is shown now on the file. The only issue is that they didn't have any reason for refusal in the first place, based on an empty VEDA sheet etc. Mini2: shouldn't they better refused me all together with the Platinum Charge as well? They could see I have Virgin High Flyer and GE28 Degrees, so in a way they know I have CC without being in credit.
Just asking for more transparency is fair I guess.

 

[ronnie66]

The posts about people getting a new charge card and failing applications for plat reserve is just ridiculous. While I have not had such a problem myself (I pretty much applied for the reserve straight after I got my charge card and had no issues, albeit this was now a while ago), the fact that they can advertise the reserve card as sort of like a 'complementary' card and list all of its benefits then tell people that they've failed the application without giving much of a reason is not very good customer service. I'd be fairly upset if this happened to me.

I agree with you, and think it is time to try to get more transparency or have them look at the advertising. I think that most customers expect if you get approved for their "flagship premium card" a the "complementary" Plat Reserve would not be an issue.

 

[mini2]

Mini2: shouldn't they better refused me all together with the Platinum Charge as well? They could see I have Virgin High Flyer and GE28 Degrees, so in a way they know I have CC without being in credit.
Just asking for more transparency is fair I guess.

Depends how long ago those other cards were applied, if it's been more than 5 years they generally get dropped off the report and not visible.

There's no fairness or transparency in the whole process regardless of which bank you're dealing with - it is their money afterall and they can do as they please.

 

[ronnie66]

I don't really agree. They charge quite a bit of money for the services they are claiming to provide, but they don't meet up to some of the expectations.
I understand that they take a risk, but they took that with approving a Platinum Card (with a much higher treshold). I do get the feeling that most customers just accept the rules, and pay hefty fees and don't question or challenge certain procedures or fee increases. I guess that is why companies get away with it. I like to question these procedures when I think they don't make sense.

 

[mini2]

Don't agree then vote with your wallet and patronage. You can question them till the cow comes home but the plebs you're speaking to aren't in a position to do anything or disclose their credit rating criteria.

 

[ronnie66]

Don't agree then vote with your wallet and patronage. You can question them till the cow comes home but the plebs you're speaking to aren't in a position to do anything or disclose their credit rating criteria.

That is what I intend to do, but also to make myself heard. There are quite a few forum members with similar experiences. I won't renew this card - and seek for better service or a better card with similar benefits etc. however this doesn't mean I can't question procedures and take it further to AMEX employees who can say something about it. Via Ombudsman or ACCC one will get a reply.

 

[Cynicor]

For the record, the new annual fee for association cards is $950. The original letter says 1200 but they express posted a correction out.

 

[Diesellife]

I don't really agree. They charge quite a bit of money for the services they are claiming to provide, but they don't meet up to some of the expectations.
I understand that they take a risk, but they took that with approving a Platinum Card (with a much higher treshold). I do get the feeling that most customers just accept the rules, and pay hefty fees and don't question or challenge certain procedures or fee increases. I guess that is why companies get away with it. I like to question these procedures when I think they don't make sense.

I am not sure what has been discussed between you and the Amex CS...I assume the CS probably said the credit card would be complimentary (fee free) and I believe the CS was unlikely to mention "guarantee" approval in the discussion...
Credit card application is accessed differently with different set of criteria because it's revolving credit (Versus your charge card that is required to be paid off monthly)...
If the credit card was meant to be approved without fail, then no one would need to apply for it, it woould have been done automatically along with the Platinum card application (with a tick box option or some sort). By submitting a new application, it clearly stated that it is subject to amex's approval...

Amex could probably do better to avoid these situations but I don't see any "wrong doing" or any sort of misleading conduct here...

 

[ronnie66]

Fortunately I am not the only one who feels that this is a perk that is advertised, but quite often not rewarded. As mentioned: I know the criteria for both cards and the differences. The process is not transparent and I was provided with different information each time. "You can only apply after 3 months, I will call you back and support the application". "There is a waiting period of 6 months".
I felt they took me for a ride.
It can be communicated better and they should mention that your income criteria or credit history are not relevant for the application. They obviously have their own set of "undisclosed criteria".
Glad you agree that AMEX can do this differently. I think they should.
Not asking them to give a credit card without checking.

 

[Plat_Flyer87]

After I received my Amex Plat Charge Card, I too applied for the PR card and was declined. When I phoned Amex and queried this, one very helpful CS member informed me that as I was new customer, it can generally take a few months for Amex to learn and assess your spend habits and repayment history etc.

As I also hold a DJs amex card (and have for several years) I thought this history would be sufficient. The CS informed me that next time I apply, to use the DJ amex card number (when you input your card number into the application for PR). I thought to enhance my chances that I would put my Plat Charge Card into credit by a few thousand also. What do you know, as soon as I did that, approved!

You'll also find that if you have a partner and you list their income and provide them with a supplementary card (you don't have to activate it, just list it on the application) that this too will better your chances of being approved. In a creditors application, this will give you further points towards being approved.

I find the best way to offset the extortionate $1200.00 annual fee is to ensure you have every single benefit (hence why I was so determined to have the PR card).

Hope this helps

 

[ronnie66]

Thank you for your reply. I have too been an AMEX customer for a long time and thought it would be sufficient. I am glad you didn't understand it either and that you did receive similar advice to what I have received (could have been part of the application procedure, T&C's etc. if they want to avoid this). I will try to put your suggestion into practice. Won't harm.
I don't understand why the extra partner card would work, but I ll try anything.My motives are the same for 1200A$ you would like to be able to use ALL the benefits. How would you feel if more of these benefits were "under their discretion and consideration" .... brrr..
I really appreciate your suggestions. Good for you. Will give it a try.