Platinum Amex CC: 30000 MR Points on $1000 spend

[ioki]

i had applied for a plat card just prior to seeing this thread. the application is approved and the card is sitting on my desk no activated yet.

anyone know what is my chance to cancelling that one and re-apply for this in order to access the bonus points?

 

[Flashback]

Maybe worth calling and see if they'll let it apply to you ?

 

[benhadi]

i had applied for a plat card just prior to seeing this thread. the application is approved and the card is sitting on my desk no activated yet.

anyone know what is my chance to cancelling that one and re-apply for this in order to access the bonus points?

Same scenario for me. Have received the card but not activated it yet. Called them up about it after i saw this thread, BEFORE i received the card, but they told me it had been approved and sent out in the mail. I told them abt the online offer, said they'll see what they can do and call me back. But never got a call back.

 

[Shano]

Same scenario for me. Have received the card but not activated it yet. Called them up about it after i saw this thread, BEFORE i received the card, but they told me it had been approved and sent out in the mail. I told them abt the online offer, said they'll see what they can do and call me back. But never got a call back.

I rang AMEX the other day after reading this thread about canceling my Ultimate card and replacing with a Plat CC.

I asked if there were any sign-up promotions on at the moment and the reply was "none on the platinum credit card", so the call centers are not always up to date on current promotions.

 

[oz_mark]

But never got a call back.

Seems to be a lot of that going around.

 

[ioki]

yes.. exactly the situation i was afraid of being in.. given the run around by amex CS mob just so you'll activate the card.. *hmm*

 

[MicoPico]

Any tips in trying ask them to waive? Simply asking them to waive because I don't want to pay the fee? or I need to pretend I am cancelling?

In answering my own question...


I've just called AMEX's cancellation dept, saying that I am re-considering my card options now as my renewal is just around the corner. I said that I feel:

• the annual fee is high
• benefits are shrinking (1.5 -> 1.25 pts after Mar 09)
• competitive card options outside AMEX.

Without even asking, the AMEX guy said he can waive me annual fee, but still needs to pay for $36.

I am happy to save on the $192 and next question to myself is whether I should apply for the plat CC and get the 30k points.

 

[drcam]

Does upgrading from an existing American Express Card or having a pre-existing Amex card exclude you from this offer of 30000 MR points? That is, do I need to cancel my existing Amex card?

 

[JohnK]

Does upgrading from an existing American Express Card or having a pre-existing Amex card exclude you from this offer of 30000 MR points? That is, do I need to cancel my existing Amex card?

It shouldn't. Last year I applied for an Amex Qantas Premium card, received the bonus points on offer and kept my fee free Amex Gold card. I still have both Amex credit cards.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Nice Find..thanks.



OK...for those like me who already have a Rewards Maximiser Gold.

• Plat earns 1.5 where Max will drop to 1.25 after March (though after $100,000 this drops to 1)

.

On the Plat CC 1.5 points per dollar spent up to 100,000 p.a. with one point per dollar thereafter

On the Plat Charge Card you get 1.5 up to 200,000 p.a. with one point per dollar thereafter. The Charge card costs $900 pa but with extra benefits including lounge access. http://www.morethanjustacard.com.au/platinum/PlatinumFactSheet.pdf

 

[JohnK]

* Offer only available to new Card applicants who apply via this web page and are approved by 15 December 2008 and after the first $500 spend on their Platinum credit Card within 3 months of approval. Please allow 6-8 weeks after first $500 spend on this Card for the 30,000 Membership Rewards points to be credited to your account.

I will join up in early Dec to get in by Dec 15..but I will keep using my existong Maximiser till Dec 31.

It would appear that this offer has been extended to January 15, 2009. So we can still take advantage of the MYREWARDS promotion and this bonus offer.

Any tips in trying ask them to waive? Simply asking them to waive because I don't want to pay the fee? or I need to pretend I am cancelling?

I called Amex the other day and asked when the annual fee was due for the Amex Qantas Premium card and was told that the fee was $195 and was due with the January statement. I then mentioned how I was not happy with paying the fee and I was considering my options. The person on the phone said that Amex would more than likely waive the fee but to call back after it was charged and they credit it back to the account. No assurance given and if I want to cancel the option is there and who knows what the cancellation department may offer....

 

[JohnK]

I got a call from Amex the other day offering to upgrade my Gold card to the Platinum card but with no mention of the bonus points on offer.

There is no doubt that the offer for 30,000 bonus points sounds great but I had a hard time convincing myself that the $395 annual fee is a worthwhile investment. But then again if it saves $80 annual fee for MR and $263.70 for a SYD-BNE return flight during peak times like Easter and school holidays. This leaves $51.30 of the annual fee unaccounted for and assuming an annual spend of $20,000 generating an additional 10,000 MR points which should be worth at least $51.30 any way you look at it.

So in the end for me the $395 annual fee is more than justified. Just need to let go of the fee free Gold card. Is platinum a better colour than gold?

 

[Flashback]

I got a call from Amex the other day offering to upgrade my Gold card to the Platinum card but with no mention of the bonus points on offer.

There is no doubt that the offer for 30,000 bonus points sounds great but I had a hard time convincing myself that the $395 annual fee is a worthwhile investment. But then again if it saves $80 annual fee for MR and $263.70 for a SYD-BNE return flight during peak times like Easter and school holidays. This leaves $51.30 of the annual fee unaccounted for and assuming an annual spend of $20,000 generating an additional 10,000 MR points which should be worth at least $51.30 any way you look at it.

So in the end for me the $395 annual fee is more than justified. Just need to let go of the fee free Gold card. Is platinum a better colour than gold?

It's a coughpy greyish/silverish colour...

 

[straitman]

I got a call from Amex the other day offering to upgrade my Gold card to the Platinum card but with no mention of the bonus points on offer.

There is no doubt that the offer for 30,000 bonus points sounds great but I had a hard time convincing myself that the $395 annual fee is a worthwhile investment. But then again if it saves $80 annual fee for MR and $263.70 for a SYD-BNE return flight during peak times like Easter and school holidays. This leaves $51.30 of the annual fee unaccounted for and assuming an annual spend of $20,000 generating an additional 10,000 MR points which should be worth at least $51.30 any way you look at it.

So in the end for me the $395 annual fee is more than justified. Just need to let go of the fee free Gold card. Is platinum a better colour than gold?

JohnK,

You could try keeping both for while until you work out which is the best for you :!:

 

[JohnK]

You could try keeping both for while until you work out which is the best for you :!:

I get attached to things. The Amex Gold credit was one of my first credit cards and the first one I used for reward points. There is no reason to keep it and I should be able to just cancel it and transfer the outstanding balance to the Platinum card but need to ensure that I will receive the 30,000 sign on bonus for the Platinum card. I'll decide when I return from overseas after New Years....

 

[cardiology]

Are there any previous promotions around the Christmas period that gives you annual fee waive for the Platinum Card + bonus points (may be less than 30,000 of course)?
I have some vague memory that AMEX usually run free annual fee promotions around Christmas time.

Shall I wait? As the deadline is now end of Jan 2009.

 

[kbbedi]

I have a rewards Maximiser and i wanted to take the promotion for platinum card, 30000 points on the first $1000 spent. I have been told by Amex customer service that this promo is for new card members only. do they mean people who are absolutely brand new to Amex. i have never had a platinum card with Amex. Does that not qualify me for this promotion. please help.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Are there any previous promotions around the Christmas period that gives you annual fee waive for the Platinum Card + bonus points (may be less than 30,000 of course)?
I have some vague memory that AMEX usually run free annual fee promotions around Christmas time.

Shall I wait? As the deadline is now end of Jan 2009.

The last two years I have been looking I have not seen one.

I rang up once to see if I could get the fee waived on joing...but the most they would discount was $100 off.

As I get get the Max for free I have stuck with that as the free dom flight is not wortha lot to me.

However the soon to be 0.25 difference in the point earning rate may tip me over to the Plat.

 

[oz_mark]

Are there any previous promotions around the Christmas period that gives you annual fee waive for the Platinum Card + bonus points (may be less than 30,000 of course)?
I have some vague memory that AMEX usually run free annual fee promotions around Christmas time.

Shall I wait? As the deadline is now end of Jan 2009.

Not platinum, but this time last year there were such offers for the Ultimate card (one year free).

 

[JohnK]

I have a rewards Maximiser and i wanted to take the promotion for platinum card, 30000 points on the first $1000 spent. I have been told by Amex customer service that this promo is for new card members only. do they mean people who are absolutely brand new to Amex. i have never had a platinum card with Amex. Does that not qualify me for this promotion. please help.

Unless Amex have changed the terms and conditions then I would say you are eligible for this promotion as you do not already have an Amex Platinum credit card. "New card members only" would be the key phrase. If there is no mention about existing Amex customers excluded then all should be OK.