Amex platinum question

[calgarychris]

Hi,

I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm considering a $1,200 credit card! A couple of questions however:

I understand I can transfer the bonus points - I need United, can they be transferred from Amex to SPG to United and if so, do I read the math that it's:

120,000 x 2 (to SPG) x 0.5 (United) = 120,000?

Second question, what are folks' experience with the posting of the bonus points?

Third, is the pro-rata refund simply the remaining months?

If I can do the above, I'll probably actually just keep the thing (at least Til renewal) but thought I'd ask!

Thanks

 

[andye]

I'm afraid it's 2 Amex MR to 1 SPG. I think you would get a 25% bonus per 20k SPG transferred but you would still only end up with 37.5 UA.
I seem to remember that UA is one of the worst SPG redemption partners. AA AS ANA BA JAL all likely to be better

 

[TomVexille]

And remember that it's a charge card, not a credit card.

 

[calgarychris]

I'm afraid it's 2 Amex MR to 1 SPG. I think you would get a 25% bonus per 20k SPG transferred but you would still only end up with 37.5 UA.
I seem to remember that UA is one of the worst SPG redemption partners. AA AS ANA BA JAL all likely to be better

Yeah, I realised that in the middle of the night. Damn damn damn! Oh well...unfortunately the location I'm going to is served only by Delta and United...

Thanks

 

[Jaian]

And remember that it's a charge card, not a credit card.

What exactly is the difference? I'm trying to read up on it, all I really get is that there doesn't seem to be a 'credit limit' per se, but I don't see the benefits, or why there is a differentiation? Sorry, bit of a noob to all this.

 

[TomVexille]

What exactly is the difference? I'm trying to read up on it, all I really get is that there doesn't seem to be a 'credit limit' per se, but I don't see the benefits, or why there is a differentiation? Sorry, bit of a noob to all this.

On a charge card, the entire balance must be paid each statement. With a credit card you can pay just the minimum and the issuer effectively lends you a line of credit if you don't pay the entire balance which you pay back with interest. The charge card doesn't have interest as you must pay the balance. In this case the Amex Plat card comes with a number of benefits from Amex, along with the lack of a credit limit.

 

[andye]

What exactly is the difference? I'm trying to read up on it, all I really get is that there doesn't seem to be a 'credit limit' per se, but I don't see the benefits, or why there is a differentiation? Sorry, bit of a noob to all this.

With a charge card, you must repay the balance each month. In theory there isn't a credit limit but in practice there may be

Of course if you are trying to get FF points, you need to repay a credit card each month to make it financially viable

You won't be offered a balance transfer offer on a charge card

With Amex you can have up to 2 credit cards and 1 charge card

 

[calgarychris]

With a charge card, you must repay the balance each month. In theory there isn't a credit limit but in practice there may be

Of course if you are trying to get FF points, you need to repay a credit card each month to make it financially viable

You won't be offered a balance transfer offer on a charge card

With Amex you can have up to 2 credit cards and 1 charge card

Really? So, would it be possible to have the plat charge, reserve as companion and the Edge? Given the reserve and edge would be free for me that would certainly be interesting....

 

[andye]

Really? So, would it be possible to have the plat charge, reserve as companion and the Edge? Given the reserve and edge would be free for me that would certainly be interesting....

That would be an acceptable combo.

Personally I would go for a Business Accelerator (or maybe Amex Velocity) over the Reserve as I find the Reserve duplicates the Charge in bonus categories

 

[M@rcoPolo]

unfortunately the location I'm going to is served only by Delta and United...

Thanks

Where are you going? You can redeem your AMEX points to 10 different airlines so perhaps you have other options to somewhere nearby and then it's just a matter to purchase a cheap (hopefully domestic) flight to your final destination...

 

[mlob]

I don't think this is typical but Amex have let me have a Charge, Reserve, Edge and Velocity Amex . Curious as to how both the Edge and Reserve would be free though as they do allow one extra card for free. I believe its one or the other. Not both free.

 

[calgarychris]

I don't think this is typical but Amex have let me have a Charge, Reserve, Edge and Velocity Amex . Curious as to how both the Edge and Reserve would be free though as they do allow one extra card for free. I believe its one or the other. Not both free.

Through my professional association I can get the charge for $950, which provides the reserve complimentary. Again through the association they have a free offer on the edge...I never considered both, but I suppose I could

 

[decs]

Through my professional association I can get the charge for $950, which provides the reserve complimentary. Again through the association they have a free offer on the edge...I never considered both, but I suppose I could

Care to share which PA? I'd be very interested in a free Edge as it appears the possibility of companion Edge to the Charge is now in the past, sadly...

 

[calgarychris]

Care to share which PA? I'd be very interested in a free Edge as it appears the possibility of companion Edge to the Charge is now in the past, sadly...

CPA Australia

 

[decs]

CPA Australia

I would be careful. You can only choose 1 offer; either the Platinum charge bonus points or the Platinum edge for free as both offers are restricted to new Amex card holders who haven't held an Amex issued card in the preceding 12 months. That is unless you phone Amex and can get them to bend the rules for you .

Ts&Cs excerpt from similar Engineers Australia offer for the Edge:
"4. Offer only available to new American Express Card applicants who are current Engineers Australia members, apply by 30 April 2016, are approved and spend five (5) times on their new Card in the first 2 months from date of Card Membership approval. Cash advances, balance transfers, charges for travellers cheques, fees and commissions are not eligible spend. Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any other Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 12 month period are ineligible for this offer."

 

[calgarychris]

Yep, you are absolutely correct. New users only. Good thing I didn't get too far down the path . Thanks