AMEX Platinum Charge Card now 120,000 points!

[decs]

Based on others' experience, as long as you haven't previously held this particular product before then you should be able to get the 120k points. Worst case scenario is get the card, if the points doesn't show up then ask for a pro rata refund on the fee if they billed you for the fee otherwise it's a full refund.

If you haven't already signed up, it would be most appreciated if you could use my referral link:
http://amex.com.au/refer/evanslUDuf

There's one theory that is if they need to create a new rewards account (ie. Membership Rewards) for you that the bonus will apply.

 

[prodaroda]

In case anyone is wondering how to use the 120,000 points efficiently, I thought I'd share my research.


The best way to use these points are undoubtably by redeeming premium class flights.
And my research shows that Asia Miles is by far the best program to redeem flights with.


Here is an example award seat costs for Sydney to Hong Kong:

Asia Miles Points + tax (AUD) / RRP minus tax / Points per dollar (lower is better)
First Class Return - No First Class with Cathay Pacific (120,000 for similar destinations eg Tokyo)
Business Return - 80,000 + $145.6 / $6019 / 13.3
Economy Return - 45,000 + $145.6 / $805 / 55.9


Krisflyer Points (after 25% discount for booking online) + tax (AUD) / RRP minus tax / Points per dollar (lower is better)
First Class Return - 127,500 + $550.9 / $6197 / 20.6
Business Return - 93,500 + $508.3 / $3303 / 28.3
Economy Return - 42,500 + $473.7 / $437 / 97.3


Velocity Points
Business Return - 702,900
Economy Return - 118,300


I have searched for many different destinations in Asia, as well as Europe, and Asia Miles 9 times out of 10 comes in cheaper than any other FF program.


So what I have done with my 120,000 points is booked a return business class flight with JAL to Tokyo for 80,000 points + $162 taxes. You will have to manually call Asia Miles to check availability and book flights that are not with Cathay Pacific.


I then did all my EOFY shopping and bills in the first month, and got enough for a one way business class flight with Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong to Sydney for 45,000 points + $57 taxes (I did this because most flights from Hong Kong are over night, and sleeping in economy is simply not an option). And I fly to Hong Kong via Manila through Cebu airlines (currently $199 one way!!).


This along with my free return flight to Queenstown worth $600, I will be going on 3 holidays this year saving approx $7000 in airfares.


And of course, I will be using the unlimited Priority Pass lounge access in all the cities I go through, so I think this card is the best thing to happen to me in my adult life


And as a note to those who might be thinking of transferring the points to the hotel programs, DON'T! Most of the hotels in major cities will set you back around 30,000 AMEX points per night! Simply not worth it considering they're only about $300-$350/night.


One thing that caught me by surprise is that SPG tranfer ratio is only 0.5:1, so definitely keep that in mind if you're planning to transfer points to SPG.


So stick with Asia Miles for best value!


Of course, if you're feeling generous, please use my referal link to sign up! Thanks!
http://amex.com.au/refer/doreek0Wdc

 

[rfc4eva]

Im not sure if its worth the risk as Ive already held a card and cancelled it before the anniversary.Someone mentioned if i didnt have a membership account it will go through but I do.

The other question is say I get the 120k points,will calling them up to book the hotel and other features raise alarm bells on there system?

And lastly how do you transfer the Mmbership rewards points to say Asia Miles?

Thanks in advance.

Based on others' experience, as long as you haven't previously held this particular product before then you should be able to get the 120k points. Worst case scenario is get the card, if the points doesn't show up then ask for a pro rata refund on the fee if they billed you for the fee otherwise it's a full refund.

If you haven't already signed up, it would be most appreciated if you could use my referral link:
http://amex.com.au/refer/evanslUDuf

 

[mini2]

Im not sure if its worth the risk as Ive already held a card and cancelled it before the anniversary.Someone mentioned if i didnt have a membership account it will go through but I do.

Open a new one

I don't know if it's still valid as it's been years but when I cancelled my DJ Amex and got the Plat Charge, the account I've created for the DJ card cannot be used with the non-cobranded card.

The other question is say I get the 120k points,will calling them up to book the hotel and other features raise alarm bells on there system?

You could do it online if that alleviates some of your concerns. Besides, they don't seem to look anything beyond the card number that's been authenticated.

And lastly how do you transfer the Mmbership rewards points to say Asia Miles?

Thanks in advance.

1. Sign up to Asia Miles if you haven't already got an account.
2. Register the Asia Miles in your MR to link the two together.
3. Transfer points like you normally do with MR.

 

[decs]

Someone mentioned if i didnt have a membership account it will go through but I do.

But do you have a Membership Rewards Ascent Premium account? That could be the difference.

 

[kaktusdigital]

But do you have a Membership Rewards Ascent Premium account? That could be the difference.

I believe the referral system (ie applying through ones referral link) will overide any check on whether you're a new or existing member. Of course this is just best guess based on such overwhelming cases where bonuses have been awarded despite being a current member.
Amex aren't stupid, I'm sure they know they're handing out bucket loads of points even to people who don't qualify. Take the risk and apply i say. Worst case scenario, cancel it when you don't the bonus and get a pro-rate refund. alternatively kick up a stink with customer relations. they're one of the best over the phone companies to deal with, they'll be sure to try and please you - especially as you've taken out one of their premium cards.

 

[blueythecat]

Hi Guys,Ive previously held a Velocity Platinum card up until last month,this card interests me but with the 12 month rule im not eligible,Does anyone know how stringent they are on this as id love another 120k points. Anyone had luck getting the points under my same circumstances?

Based on others' experience, as long as you haven't previously held this particular product before then you should be able to get the 120k points. Worst case scenario is get the card, if the points doesn't show up then ask for a pro rata refund on the fee if they billed you for the fee otherwise it's a full refund.
....

There's one theory that is if they need to create a new rewards account (ie. Membership Rewards) for you that the bonus will apply.

I've done quite a bit of reading on this, both here and elsewhere and my completely unscientifically tested hypothesis is the same as decs, if you don't hold an existing Membership Rewards account of the type attached to the card you are opening you'll most likely get the bonus points.

From my own personal experience, over the last ten or so years, here is what has happened:

• Current Platinum Edge -> Applied for Platinum Charge = success, bonus points credited
• Current Qantas Premium -> Applied for DJ's Platinum = success, bonus points credited
• Closed Qantas Premium (about 9 mths prior) -> Applied for Qantas Ultimate = FAIL! Bonus points didn't credit

When I rang AMEX about the last one they said it was because I hadn't waited 12 months before reapplying, take from that what you will. No manner of attempting to get them to credit the points anyway worked, so I closed the account and received a full pro-rata refund (this was about 5 years ago).

So in your case if you don't have another Ascent Premium account, which you most likely don't, I think you'll get the points - but I certainly wouldn't guarantee it. If it fails though, as others have said, I don't think you have any problems getting the annual fee refunded.

Based on this theory, if you are planning on applying for multiple products in the Ascent MR range (eg Plat Edge, Plat Charge etc), I think it is best to "move up" the card range to get the bonus points. Eg:

• Apply for an Edge first and then the Platinum Charge second.

I'm going to give this hypothesis another test in the next few days and see if I can add another AMEX card to my collection in the great "July / August AMEX points bonanza".

Good luck in your AMEX point collect endeavours, may the points be with you!

 

[billbro]

Im not sure if its worth the risk as Ive already held a card and cancelled it before the anniversary.Someone mentioned if i didnt have a membership account it will go through but I do.

The other question is say I get the 120k points,will calling them up to book the hotel and other features raise alarm bells on there system?

And lastly how do you transfer the Mmbership rewards points to say Asia Miles?

Thanks in advance.

I think your questions have more or less been answered by others.

However, just to add some further food for thought - I was facing the same dilemma a few months ago (I already had an AMEX issued card through an association I am in) and was lucky enough to receive the 120,000 points.

No matter what is anecdotally mentioned here, you will run the risk of not receiving the points due to the T&Cs. I took the risk because I needed the points to fund a trip overseas next year to propose to my girlfriend, so the punt was worth it and ultimately I'd read like others have said that you could call up to pro-rata the cost.

As for triggering alarm bells, I don't think that is an issue - I actually tried to link my Platinum Charge to an existing account online and it failed. I ended up having to call them to set it up and I was given the option of a new account or an old AMEX account and I just ended up with a new one. I think the good thing is MR points come across so quickly unlike other programs that you will be able to quickly tell whether you were entitled to points (e.g. I've been waiting months for WBC).

Like everyone else, I would also be appreciative of anyone who is willing to use my referral link - I'm no where near the 200k referral cap (though one user from here was kind enough to use mine when I first posted!).

http://amex.com.au/refer/williw5hto

 

[rfc4eva]

If you transfer to air miles.SYD-LAX is 120k.Not bad business class for $1200 annual fee

 

[Cerca]

Anyone confirm they got the bonus points using a referral link even if they're a current AMEX cardholder or cancelled one less than 12 months ago?

 

[mini2]

Anyone confirm they got the bonus points using a referral link even if they're a current AMEX cardholder or cancelled one less than 12 months ago?

Based on ancedotal evidence from various forums, even if you're current Amex member you will still be receiving the points. However, if you've cancelled one for less than 12 months then you're most likely out of luck.

If you haven't already signed up, it would be most appreciated if you could use my referral link:
http://amex.com.au/refer/evanslUDuf

 

[Mondo]

For those who would like to use my referral link it is here

Thanks so much guys

 

[Cerca]

Based on ancedotal evidence from various forums, even if you're current Amex member you will still be receiving the points. However, if you've cancelled one for less than 12 months then you're most likely out of luck.

If you haven't already signed up, it would be most appreciated if you could use my referral link:
http://amex.com.au/refer/evanslUDuf

Hmm. I am still mulling - trying to decide if it's worth the risk. I read somewhere else that you don't get the bonus if you apply for the same card that you cancelled less than 12 months ago... but if I understand you, mini2, if I've cancelled any of their cards less than 12 months ago, I can't apply for any new cards and get the bonus?

 

[nightelves]

Cerca which card you looking to apply for and which do you currently have atm?

 

[blueythecat]

Hmm. I am still mulling - trying to decide if it's worth the risk. I read somewhere else that you don't get the bonus if you apply for the same card that you cancelled less than 12 months ago... but if I understand you, mini2, if I've cancelled any of their cards less than 12 months ago, I can't apply for any new cards and get the bonus?

Hi Cerca - if you read back a page or two a couple of posters, myself included have covered our experience in this. There have been other threads on it too, that might be worth a read.

Very briefly, read back for more details, my experience is: Same kind of AMEX card closed less than 12 mths ago no good. For current account holders of different AMEX cards: moving up in the Ascent MR range, ie holding Edge applying for Charge all good; applying for a different product ie hold a Qantas card applying for a DJ's card (would presumably also apply for the Charge) all good.

Hope that helps.

 

[mini2]

Hmm. I am still mulling - trying to decide if it's worth the risk. I read somewhere else that you don't get the bonus if you apply for the same card that you cancelled less than 12 months ago... but if I understand you, mini2, if I've cancelled any of their cards less than 12 months ago, I can't apply for any new cards and get the bonus?

If you're re-applying for something you've cancelled within the 12 months period then you won't get the points. However, if it's a different product (say you're currently or previously held a Platinum Edge and now applying for a Platinum card) then you're fine.

 

[Cerca]

If you're re-applying for something you've cancelled within the 12 months period then you won't get the points. However, if it's a different product (say you're currently or previously held a Platinum Edge and now applying for a Platinum card) then you're fine.

Thanks guys. Previously had a Platinum Edge which I cancelled about 5 months ago. Now looking to get onto the Platinum Charge. As it's not the same product within 12 months, based on what I've read here, it should be good?

 

[blueythecat]

Thanks guys. Previously had a Platinum Edge which I cancelled about 5 months ago. Now looking to get onto the Platinum Charge. As it's not the same product within 12 months, based on what I've read here, it should be good?

Yep that is correct you should be absolutely fine. Good luck with your application!

 

[Cerca]

If you're re-applying for something you've cancelled within the 12 months period then you won't get the points. However, if it's a different product (say you're currently or previously held a Platinum Edge and now applying for a Platinum card) then you're fine.[/COLOR]

Yep that is correct you should be absolutely fine. Good luck with your application!

So here's what happened. I applied for the card last night using a referral link - immediate approval, no issues - this morning I rang up AMEX and asked them to confirm that the application was effective through the referral (confirmed yes) and asked to confirm bonus of 120,000 - operator went away for a short while, came back and told me that as I had only cancelled the Platinum Edge CC in Feb, no bonus for me. That seems at odds with what everyone is saying.

Not sure where this leaves me - and if I should just let the application go altogether? Is it possible that the points system would show the operators one thing and then act differently once the card is activated?

 

[blueythecat]

So here's what happened. I applied for the card last night using a referral link - immediate approval, no issues - this morning I rang up AMEX and asked them to confirm that the application was effective through the referral (confirmed yes) and asked to confirm bonus of 120,000 - operator went away for a short while, came back and told me that as I had only cancelled the Platinum Edge CC in Feb, no bonus for me. That seems at odds with what everyone is saying.

Not sure where this leaves me - and if I should just let the application go altogether? Is it possible that the points system would show the operators one thing and then act differently once the card is activated?

Hmmm, that is interesting, and I'm sorry to hear that! I probably wouldn't have rung AMEX, as what you are trying to do is clearly excluded by their T&C's (despite a large number of people, myself included, having no problems getting the points) and I wouldn't want to bring that to their attention. That aside though, I think I would let the application proceed, as you've got nothing to lose at this point - assuming AMEX are still offering pro-rata refunds in Oz - which I certainly believe they still are. Others may be able to correct me on this, or confirm.

If the points come through, then great, if they don't, call and cancel asking for an annual fee refund. You could always try negotiating for the points, but I wouldn't hold out much hope if they don't credit automatically. I would have used the reason that the bonus points didn't come through as expected, but they have probably logged your call about that on file already. Either way I think you'll get an annual fee refund if you need it - assuming you don't use the $300 travel credit etc.

Post back and let us know how you go. I'm sure others will be very interested. I'll be apply for another AMEX card this week, and I'll let the team know if the points don't post.