Supplementary Cards - general overview.

[Winston1]

Hi.
i am hoping to get an overall understanding of how supplementary cards work. With particular emphasis on Amex cards. I have a platinum edge and have been thinking about getting extra cards to take advantage of better points earning potential (restaurants etc) and also to double dip on statement credits.
My current understanding is that supplementary cards are intended for family. Is this correct?
also, does applying for extra cards impact on one's credit score?
So many questions!
Thanks in advance.

 

[Formal Hall]

Supplementary cards are not exclusively for family, you could get one for a friend or employee, but keep in mind you are 100% liable for any spending they make on the card. You also have to provide identity and address details for the supplementaries, so you cannot get one for your cat unfortunately. They also have to be over 18.
The supplementary cards do not impact on your credit score of the primary or supplementary card holder, so as you've identified they are a great way to double dip on promo credits. Keep in mind that you will be managing the account so will have to sign up each card for each promo on the amexnetwork website - clicking 'add to card' in online services only add the offer to the card of the primary card holder.
Finally, your supplementary card holder can still apply for Amex cards in their own right, so if they earn the required income you can get multiple sign up bonuses in the one family.
Hope this is helpful.

 

[Winston1]

Supplementary cards are not exclusively for family, you could get one for a friend or employee, but keep in mind you are 100% liable for any spending they make on the card. You also have to provide identity and address details for the supplementaries, so you cannot get one for your cat unfortunately. They also have to be over 18.
The supplementary cards do not impact on your credit score of the primary or supplementary card holder, so as you've identified they are a great way to double dip on promo credits. Keep in mind that you will be managing the account so will have to sign up each card for each promo on the amexnetwork website - clicking 'add to card' in online services only add the offer to the card of the primary card holder.
Finally, your supplementary card holder can still apply for Amex cards in their own right, so if they earn the required income you can get multiple sign up bonuses in the one family.
Hope this is helpful.

Thats great. Thanks.

So so I presume some people get cards for 'family and friends' and then just keep those cards themselves in order to maximise statement credits etc?

 

[Formal Hall]

Yes, I suspect so, although you would still need the approval of friends and family in the first place in case you need to prove identity via utility bulls, bank statements etc.

 

[Winston1]

Yes, I suspect so, although you would still need the approval of friends and family in the first place in case you need to prove identity via utility bulls, bank statements etc.

Interesting. I wonder how many supplementary cards each family member is allowed? The different cards have different points earning abilities, so could I potentially have a supp Qantas AND a supp velocity card issued to my partner?
- if I can only have one supp card issued to my partner it's going to be difficult to get a few cards as I suspect most friends would be reluctant to agree to have a Amex cards made up in their name. As an outsider with no knowledge of the system I can imagine it seeming a little dodgy...

 

[Formal Hall]

Yes, you could have a supp Qantas and a supp velocity card issued to your partner; the number of free supps varies with each card but most Amex cards allow more free supps.
If getting supps for your partner isn't enough, are there any extended family you could get cards for, grandparents for instance?

 

[Mars2atk]

Could someone confirm if I could apply for a Platinum Edge card as a supplementary card to a Platinum Velocity? Or would I have to apply for the Platinum Edge as a separate card?

I'm looking to maximise my points and after getting the Platinum Velocity for the 110k points, I'd really like to get the Edge, the 3:1 points earn from Woolies/Coles would be awesome since MR to Velocity is 1:1.

 

[Cynicor]

Could someone confirm if I could apply for a Platinum Edge card as a supplementary card to a Platinum Velocity? Or would I have to apply for the Platinum Edge as a separate card?

I'm looking to maximise my points and after getting the Platinum Velocity for the 110k points, I'd really like to get the Edge, the 3:1 points earn from Woolies/Coles would be awesome since MR to Velocity is 1:1.

You most definitely cannot. A supplementary card is the same card/account. Getting an edge is something you may have seen referenced with the Platinum Charge Amex, which is a charge card and not a credit card (little difference nowadays, but technically true). They offer a credit card as a "companion" card, and then you can get supplementary cards of both of these.

So- no.
You need to apply for another credit card. Amex will allow 2 credit and 1 charge per person maximum, with unlimited* sups (may be charges for supp cards).

 

[Mars2atk]

Thanks for clearing that up. The website is a little misleading and unclear when you go to apply for a supplementary card. It basically lets you apply for any of the cards, but I suspected as much as you'd said.

Was worth a shot though. I might see if Amex will downgrade my Platinum Velocity to the Edge once my 110k points transfer over on the excuse they changed the complimentary flight destinations (PER-SYD) after I applied.

 

[jackthomas]

Just an FYI:
Current promotion for Platinum Edge primary card holders. 3,000 bonus points just for signing up a supplementary cardholder. Only eligible on the first supp card by 1st May ( I think thats the date)

Being in the mid twenties I've got no partner or kids to give the card too, so just signed up my mum despite her already holding a few AMEX's.

 

[SponsorSFC]

Thanks for the heads up.

Before I do this where did you see this offer?

I just wanted to check the T&Cs.

 

[jackthomas]

Was originally told about it on the phone with the plat line, but applied online after seeing it again here: https://www.americanexpress.com/axp...ry-cards/platinum-edge-credit-card/index.html

 

[SponsorSFC]

Great thanks

 

[Plutonus]

Was originally told about it on the phone with the plat line, but applied online after seeing it again here: https://www.americanexpress.com/axp...ry-cards/platinum-edge-credit-card/index.html

Interesting, thanks. Seems to be 3,000 bonus for most of the personal cards. Those with a charge and free credit card could get 6,000.

 

[SOPOOR]

I was waiting for the 5k supp card bonus to come back up, ive been calling up amex every now and again for different purposes,everytime I get

asked if I want to add cards, however today, they offered me 3000 points for 1 supp card
so if there are people waiting for it, now might be a good chance to get 1

she offered me to get the bonus on my other amex card, but it didnt go through because either its 1 per account or 1 had already 4,


Happy Supp carding everyone

 

[NoName]

I was waiting for the 5k supp card bonus to come back up, ive been calling up amex every now and again for different purposes,everytime I get

asked if I want to add cards, however today, they offered me 3000 points for 1 supp card
so if there are people waiting for it, now might be a good chance to get 1

she offered me to get the bonus on my other amex card, but it didnt go through because either its 1 per account or 1 had already 4,


Happy Supp carding everyone

I rang and asked specifically about this this morning. Promotion is 3k pts for opening a supplementary card. Runs for the month of May. Took out one for my Explorer card and will do the same for my QF Ultimate Card and Mrs NoNames's Ultimate Card later.

 

[blueythecat]

I rang and asked specifically about this this morning. Promotion is 3k pts for opening a supplementary card. Runs for the month of May. Took out one for my Explorer card and will do the same for my QF Ultimate Card and Mrs NoNames's Ultimate Card later.

Thanks for the heads up SOPOOR and NoName, I might grab a couple of extras next week.

 

[djchuckles]

Can the app be done online and still get the 3k points? Hate phoning up!

 

[tizey]

Can it be done to get a supn primary cardholders name? Like an A/C card.. so I have one for personal World, one for business transactions?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Can it be done to get a supn primary cardholders name? Like an A/C card.. so I have one for personal World, one for business transactions?

Yes. But not to earn the 3000 Points.