Does anyone have a Platinum Edge card? At my wits end with AMEX!

[Febs]

Hi all,

I've just gotten off my 2nd call with AMEX and have done nothing but go around in circles. As always in these situations, I figure I'll probably get a more accurate answer here (sad state of affairs, really).

I'm very keen on an AMEX Platinum Edge card ($149/yr, 20,000 bonus points, free flight every year) but only if it allows transfer to SPG.

The card comes with Ascent Membership Rewards, and according to the T&C for Ascent, it does allow SPG transfers, but then I'm not sure if the "Ascent 3-2-1" that the Edge offers is considered a different program.

My first call with AMEX was "Yes, the Edge can definitely transfer points to SPG."

My second call was also a "yes", but I suspected they were just saying that to get me off the phone (both times, the staffmember clearly had no idea what Starwood Preferred Guest was, and I had to spell it out several times. "Starword?" "Starworld?" ) so I pressed further and asked what the transfer rate was. "Oh, probably 1:1"...hmm, I bet not. I asked her to check, and 10 minutes later she came back and said "Sorry, Edge doesn't allow transfers to SPG."

So. Confused.

Can anyone shed some light? If the card doesn't allow transfers to SPG, I won't take it up. Appreciate any help.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Keith009]

The Edge card simply offers a different MR points accrual structure, but you are still enrolled in the Ascent program like any other card that comes with Ascent membership. SPG is a Frequent Guest program partner of Ascent so I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to transfer points to SPG as a Platinum Edge card holder.

 

[Febs]

The Edge card simply offers a different MR points accrual structure, but you are still enrolled in the Ascent program like any other card that comes with Ascent membership. SPG is a Frequent Guest program partner of Ascent so I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to transfer points to SPG as a Platinum Edge card holder.

Exactly my thoughts, but it's hard to get a straight answer out of AMEX! I don't want to take up the card then find out it's actually not a partner.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Keith009]

Per AMEX's website:

Membership Rewards

If you are enrolled in Membership Rewards Ascent or Ascent Premium and are a member of Sheraton Preferred Guest program, you can transfer your Membership Rewards points to the Starwood Preferred Guest program.

The Edge card enrols you into Ascent.

It is quite poor that the AMEX call centre staff don't know the details of their own offerings, but I can't say I'm surprised...

 

[medhead]

Ok I just logged in and SPG is in the list of available partners for me to register for a transfer. The website advertising is pretty clear that it is MR ascent program. So I reckon you'll be fine.
Rate 1000:330. Which I believe is the standard.

Ohh and there are 10000 bonus points available if you buy frequent traveller travel insurance from Amex

 

[k3nnis]

Hi Guys,

Just a question. I am currently a AMEX card holder albeit just a blue amex credit card and enrolled into ascent. Can I "upgrade" my current card to this new amex platinum edge card and receive the 20000 bonus MR points? i.e. just have one card not having to keep my current blue card.

Thanks,
K.

 

[kamchatsky]

Hi Guys,

Just a question. I am currently a AMEX card holder albeit just a blue amex credit card and enrolled into ascent. Can I "upgrade" my current card to this new amex platinum edge card and receive the 20000 bonus MR points? i.e. just have one card not having to keep my current blue card.

Thanks,
K.

The condition says:


"Offer only available to new Platinum Edge Basic Credit Card members who apply, are approved by 01 March 2011 and spend $500 in the first 2 months of Card membership. Please allow 8 to 10 weeks after the $500 spend benchmark has been met for the 20,000 Membership Rewards points to be awarded to the Card member's account."

So I guess yes, given you do not already have Platinum edge basic credit card ...

 

[serfty]

...

Ohh and there are 10000 bonus points available if you buy frequent traveller travel insurance from Amex

Yep, but it costs $493 per year - that's $170 more then I pay with TID.

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks for the info. I think I will go for this credit card. Seems like a good deal.

The condition says:


"Offer only available to new Platinum Edge Basic Credit Card members who apply, are approved by 01 March 2011 and spend $500 in the first 2 months of Card membership. Please allow 8 to 10 weeks after the $500 spend benchmark has been met for the 20,000 Membership Rewards points to be awarded to the Card member's account."

So I guess yes, given you do not already have Platinum edge basic credit card ...

 

[medhead]

Yep, but it costs $493 per year - that's $170 more then I pay with TID.

Yeah, didn't think it was a good deal. I got a bit excited when I saw that a 2 week policy to Europe was only $100. Bit disappointed when I realised an annual was required

 

[Febs]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. I rang a different number, explained my frustration and was told that SPG is definitely a partner.

..but then I called back Westpac to cancel my Earth Plat and they finally (third time lucky) agreed to waive the fee completely, again. So I think I'll stick with that for another year.

Re: travel insurance - for anyone who works for a big corporate, it's worth seeing if they allow use for personal travel. I pay $132/trip, which covers myself and my fiancée, pretty much anywhere, for up to 6 months. I've claimed lost sunnies, lost cameras and damaged suitcases on it before and they're brilliant to deal with.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Alanslegal]

Just a question. I am currently a AMEX card holder albeit just a blue amex credit card and enrolled into ascent. Can I "upgrade" my current card to this new amex platinum edge card and receive the 20000 bonus MR points? i.e. just have one card not having to keep my current blue card.

I had a Platinum Card which was recently automatically rolled over into the Reserve Card, and then when the Edge Card was announced, I applied for the Edge card and have now rolled into that.

Anyway I received a call from the Platinum Concierge two days ago, welcoming to the program bla bla bla and I queried about the 20K points, and she told me as I have spent the required amount, I will receive my points in December That looks in-line with the 'allow 6-8 weeks' for the bonus points to be credited.

By the way, I still see SPG as a redemption/transfer partner, so all is good from the MR to SPG front.

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks for the info. I will probably apply for this next week.

Also when I transfer from a blue amex card to the edge plat will my frequent flyer partner details all be retained in the membership rewards ascent program or do I have to readd them? I know th epoints won't transfer but what about the partner info etc?

Thanks,
K.

 

[AdMEL]

Thanks for the info. I will probably apply for this next week.

Also when I transfer from a blue amex card to the edge plat will my frequent flyer partner details all be retained in the membership rewards ascent program or do I have to readd them? I know th epoints won't transfer but what about the partner info etc?

Thanks,
K.

Since you're transferring to Edge from an existing card, you can call Amex and get them to e-mail, fax or post you an abbreviated application form, rather than having to fill out the standard application.

 

[medhead]

Since you're transferring to Edge from an existing card, you can call Amex and get them to e-mail, fax or post you an abbreviated application form, rather than having to fill out the standard application.

Just be careful because I don't think you'll qualify for the bonus points if doing a transfer from another card. Pretty sure it was quoted earlier and you need to be a new customer. Hence a new application is required.

 

[k3nnis]

Hi,

So what should I do to make sure I get the 20000 bonus points?

Just apply for this new card as if I don't have an AMEX card already? i.e. don't mention I am a member at the moment? And then after application just cancel my other amex card?

Thanks,
K.

 

[medhead]

Hi,

So what should I do to make sure I get the 20000 bonus points?

Just apply for this new card as if I don't have an AMEX card already? i.e. don't mention I am a member at the moment? And then after application just cancel my other amex card?

Thanks,
K.

I'm not sure. When I applied I told than about my existing card but didn't take the option to transfer my existing card to the new card. So i have 2 cards and I'm in a waiting game to see if I get the points. Rereading the quoted condition it says "new platinum edge" customers. Hopefully someone with more experience will post.

 

[Alanslegal]

Just be careful because I don't think you'll qualify for the bonus points if doing a transfer from another card. Pretty sure it was quoted earlier and you need to be a new customer. Hence a new application is required.

This is different to what I was told even though I am an existing customer transferring from Reserve to Edge.

I did specifically query that I moved from R to E and would I be eligible for the 20K points, and the PC agent said 'yes, for your account the bonus should be posted in December"

Anyway, weird how we get agents advising different things, which is something I expect from say .... Citibank :shock:

 

[k3nnis]

Hi,

Thanks for this info. How did you do the transfer from Reserve to Edge? Did you do it over the phone? Or snailmail or online?

Cheers,
K.

This is different to what I was told even though I am an existing customer transferring from Reserve to Edge.

I did specifically query that I moved from R to E and would I be eligible for the 20K points, and the PC agent said 'yes, for your account the bonus should be posted in December"

Anyway, weird how we get agents advising different things, which is something I expect from say .... Citibank :shock:

 

[Keith009]

Hi,

Thanks for this info. How did you do the transfer from Reserve to Edge? Did you do it over the phone? Or snailmail or online?

Cheers,
K.

I enquired about transferring over the phone but was advised that I was required to fill in another application form.