Pro rata $$ refund - my experience with Velocity Plat / Plat Charge

[adelee]

Hi all

A recent call to AMEX confirmed that I needed to cancel an existing AMEX card in order for my Explorer card application to be approved. As a current holder of the Platinum Charge, Velocity Platinum and also the Platinum Edge, and nearing my referral and points cap on the first two cards, I decided it was time to do some culling.

I enquired about the possibility of a pro-rata refund for my cards, and was very happy to be offered:

• $295 (from initial $349 fee) for Velocity Platinum (card opened June 2016, no lounge access used, free flight unused)
• $800 (from initial $1200 fee) for Platinum Charge card (card opened April 2016, $300 travel credit unused, Priority Pass unused, all elite hotel / car status benefits obtained)

(I will hang on to the Platinum Edge, which is only a couple of weeks old).

Just thought I would let everyone know, as if you're not really using the benefits for these cards, it may be worth cancelling early!

Cheers.

 

[nightelves]

D you know if they're going to be giving you points for the Explorer card?

 

[adelee]

D you know if they're going to be giving you points for the Explorer card?

No idea (and didn't want to ask, as by all accounts, customer service just quote from the T & Cs when asked). My application is still pending due to holding too many cards. There are some comments in other threads from other existing card holders who have recently obtained the card, so hopefully we will hear soon.

 

[peanutz]

Hi all

A recent call to AMEX confirmed that I needed to cancel an existing AMEX card in order for my Explorer card application to be approved. As a current holder of the Platinum Charge, Velocity Platinum and also the Platinum Edge, and nearing my referral and points cap on the first two cards, I decided it was time to do some culling.

I enquired about the possibility of a pro-rata refund for my cards, and was very happy to be offered:

• $295 (from initial $349 fee) for Velocity Platinum (card opened June 2016, no lounge access used, free flight unused)
• $800 (from initial $1200 fee) for Platinum Charge card (card opened April 2016, $300 travel credit unused, Priority Pass unused, all elite hotel / car status benefits obtained)

(I will hang on to the Platinum Edge, which is only a couple of weeks old).

Just thought I would let everyone know, as if you're not really using the benefits for these cards, it may be worth cancelling early!

Cheers.

So you will waste $400 on the Platinum card and spend $395 for the Explorer? Do you get to keep 120,000 sign up points?

 

[adelee]

So you will waste $400 on the Platinum card and spend $395 for the Explorer? Do you get to keep 120,000 sign up points?

Yes, the 120,000 points, plus a few referral bonuses have all been transferred to my airline programs of choice. For ca 200,000 points plus elite hotel sign ups (including Accor Advantange Platinum with free hotel night), I was happy to spend $400 (wasn't wanting to risk the refund amount by spending the $300 travel credit once I found out I could get the pro-rata refund. Likewise, I think the $295 refund for the Velocity Platinum was a great deal - many other people seem to flog off the flights to someone else via a classified for approx $250, but I couldn't be bothered.

Will see how I go with the Explorer, but have some travel coming up, so will probably use the $400 travel credit (and will be happy to pay the $395 annual fee to do so).

 

[Cynicor]

The Amex limit is not 3 cards but is 1 charge and 2 credit IIRC, so your only option is cancelling the Virgin card (if I'm correct).

 

[adelee]

The Amex limit is not 3 cards but is 1 charge and 2 credit IIRC, so your only option is cancelling the Virgin card (if I'm correct).

Yep, as mentioned I also cancelled the Virgin card and received a $295 refund from original $349 annual fee.

 

[Cynicor]

Yep, as mentioned I also cancelled the Virgin card and received a $295 refund from original $349 annual fee.

Ah ok. I think you never explicitly metnioned that you'd cancelled anything and I presumed you were assessing the options.