topic Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories in Credit Card Applications

AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

olehammer — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 23:32:47 GMT

I've been increasingly frustrated trying to get my browser to kick out the 50k PRG offer. I'm assuming there are several of us unfortunate bonus seekers out there as well. We also know given the frequent succesful reports that it's still floating out there, no matter how elusive.

I'm surveying the MF collective in hopes of narrowing down potential strategies. Please use the black question form below if you've been succesful. If you can't provide all details just share what you do remember. Hopefully we'll get enough responses where we can identify some patterns.

Thanks in advance!

Method (Desktop/Mobile/Mailer):

AMEX Prequal (Y/N):

Browser used (Chrome/Firefox/IE/Safari):

Platform (Win/Mac/Android/iOS):

Incognito Mode (On/Off):

Cookies Cleared (Y/N):

#Attempts Before Success:

Time of Day:

Date:

Physical Location (State):

VPN Location (if used):

VPN Software:

First AMEX (Y/N):

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 02:23:35 GMT

I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it but a few weeks ago I signed up to receive Amex offers on their website. A few days ago I received an invitation by mail with an rsvp code for their PRG card with the 50k points after $2k spen the first three months. Try signing up, it might work.

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/tools/25330?linknav=us-CCSG-ProspectNav-SpecialOffers&entryEEP=true&inav=menu_cards_pc_chargecreditcard#!view-your-sign-offers

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

olehammer — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 13:43:08 GMT

Thanks @df6621. Good data point and recommendation! I too signed up under that link. Nothing received yet.

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 14:36:47 GMT

@olehammer wrote:
@Anonymous @Anonymous. Good data point and recommendation! I too signed up under that link. Nothing received yet.

Method (Desktop/Mobile/Mailer): DESKTOP

AMEX Prequal (Y/N): Y

Browser used (Chrome/Firefox/IE/Safari):CHROME

Platform (Win/Mac/Android/iOS): WINDOWS

Incognito Mode (On/Off): OFF

Cookies Cleared (Y/N):N

#Attempts Before Success: NONE it popped up on the prequal and was always available

Time of Day:

Date:12/17/15

Physical Location (State):GA

VPN Location (if used):

VPN Software:

First AMEX (Y/N): N

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 16:48:02 GMT

I had already used my 100k platinum and 50k prg as targeted offers but this worked for 25k everyday on 2.19 for me. I'm sure it will work for 50k prg offer too.

http://www.uscreditcardguide.com/how-to-use-vpn-to-get-amex-big-offers/

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 07:24:02 GMT

Had it just now. Incognito Chrome Windows Desktop from SF, Cali. Did not check prequal. Already used the offer last year. Did not clear cookies or cache. Did not see it in Firefox private browsing and don't see it on Android Chrome phone.

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

UncleB — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 13:12:46 GMT

My VPN provider is PIA (Private Internet Access) and if I connect through Israel, I can get the 50K offer for $1k purchases every time, in every browser. Since I'm an existing Amex card holder, I do use a private/incognito browser (I don't like clearing my cookies... it makes me have to re-verify when logging into my various banks).

I've tried pointing the VPN to other cities across the US as well as Canada and a couple in Europe, but so far Israel seems to be the only only site that dependably gives me the promotion.

There are reports that some folks have had verification issues with Amex when applying through a VPN, and I don't know if disconnecting the VPN before clicking through the offer would reduce the chances of this happening or not. Also, for someone already with an Amex account, the verification might not be as problematic since they already know all about you... YMMV.

Note: I use the VPN when accessing all of my credit card and bank accounts, and have never had a problem. Discover seems to be the most 'alert', since they regularly require me to get a code via either text message or email before letting me into my account, but nobody else seems to be bothered. FWIW, I did all my applications - including Amex - last year using the VPN pointed to a US city.

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

UncleB — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 14:53:17 GMT

I have an interesting new data point...

I just turned on my Amazon Fire tablet (the one they sale during the holidays for $35) and decided to try my luck there. Using the Firefox browser, I get the same offer I get on my laptop (25K MR points).

Just for 'giggles' I fired up the Silk browser, which I never use. I navigated to www.americanexpress.com, and on the very first try I got the 50k/$1k offer to come up... all using no VPN. Silk is the built-in browser provided with the Fire OS on Amazon tablets. (For the curious, my current internet is out of Atlanta.)

I don't know if this can be replicated, but it worked. I wonder if the device being 'new' could have anything to do with it... that's all I can think of since the device uses the same wifi as my laptop (at least when the laptop isn't on the VPN). I'm actually tempted to not try to get it again until I actually plan to use it. Ironically, my Moto G phone is also on the same wifi but all I get with it is the 25k offer (using the default Android Chrome browser).

I have no idea what is driving this, but it does seem the device might (?) have something to do with it... at least in my case.

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

mccallb — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:30:36 GMT

I just got the PRG 50K 1/k offer - is this a big deal, like should I do it? Or should I try later. I don't really have a huge need for it. lol

EDIT: Screw it i just went ahead and got the card. lol

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

olehammer — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 17:10:05 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
I have an interesting new data point...

I just turned on my Amazon Fire tablet (the one they sale during the holidays for $35) and decided to try my luck there. Using the Firefox browser, I get the same offer I get on my laptop (25K MR points).

Just for 'giggles' I fired up the Silk browser, which I never use. I navigated to www.americanexpress.com, and on the very first try I got the 50k/$1k offer to come up... all using no VPN. Silk is the built-in browser provided with the Fire OS on Amazon tablets. (For the curious, my current internet is out of Atlanta.)

I don't know if this can be replicated, but it worked. I wonder if the device being 'new' could have anything to do with it... that's all I can think of since the device uses the same wifi as my laptop (at least when the laptop isn't on the VPN). I'm actually tempted to not try to get it again until I actually plan to use it. Ironically, my Moto G phone is also on the same wifi but all I get with it is the 25k offer (using the default Android Chrome browser).

I have no idea what is driving this, but it does seem the device might (?) have something to do with it... at least in my case.

Great data point! We might have to recommend people to buy a Fire tablet. Totally worth it if you can get the offer

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

olehammer — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 17:12:13 GMT

@mccallb wrote:
I just got the PRG 50K 1/k offer - is this a big deal, like should I do it? Or should I try later. I don't really have a huge need for it. lol

EDIT: Screw it i just went ahead and got the card. lol

Haha! It's worth a minimum of $500 and an extra $200 if you use the airline credits in separate years before your AF kicks in. WIth transferring MR points to partners you can squeeze up to $1000 value out of it.

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

olehammer — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 17:47:03 GMT

I've got a data point as of this morning but might come back to haunt me. Per the Israel VPN comment i pulled up a free VPN (Spotflux) on my Mac. There were only 4 places I could point to (US East, US West, Germany and UK). I didn't get anything in US so I thought why not give Germany a shot? I got both the 50k PRG and $250 BCP offers on first try. That being said, both went right to 14 day review. EX may still have a fraud alert on my CR although I've asked them to remove. I'll update as i learn more.

Method (Desktop/Mobile/Mailer): Desktop

AMEX Prequal (Y/N): N

Browser used (Chrome/Firefox/IE/Safari): Chrome

Platform (Win/Mac/Android/iOS): Mac

Incognito Mode (On/Off): On

Cookies Cleared (Y/N): Y

#Attempts Before Success: 1

Time of Day: 6:00am CT

Date: 3/15

Physical Location (State): IL

VPN Location (if used): Frankfurt, Germany

VPN Software: Spotflux

First AMEX (Y/N): Y

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

willwar14 — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 18:49:21 GMT

i was just able to get it to show with a dallas vpn and in incognito mode on chrome.

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

mccallb — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 19:54:12 GMT

I also just love amex. What can I say.

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 15:53:14 GMT

Well I couldn't resist the PRG 50k after 2k spend offer I received by mail a few days ago (RSVP code). I applied online and got a message to call in. They just wanted to verify my info (probably due to me having another amex account that is just shy of a month old). Once info was verified the app was approved. Card is getting expedited shipping so I should have it within 2-3 days.

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

olehammer — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 14:27:54 GMT

@olehammer wrote:
I've got a data point as of this morning but might come back to haunt me. Per the Israel VPN comment i pulled up a free VPN (Spotflux) on my Mac. There were only 4 places I could point to (US East, US West, Germany and UK). I didn't get anything in US so I thought why not give Germany a shot? I got both the 50k PRG and $250 BCP offers on first try. That being said, both went right to 14 day review. EX may still have a fraud alert on my CR although I've asked them to remove. I'll update as i learn more.

Update!!! Just got the verification call from AMEX. Both PRG and BCP ($1000 initial) approved with a 729 EX. CS Rep stated that because the app required verification was the likely driver for the $1,000 initial limit. Said if I call when I receive the card they should be able to grant a CLI right away. I'll see how that all plays out!

Officially back in the garden, day 1!

Re: AMEX PRG 50k Points offer - Guide/Success Stories

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 20:56:47 GMT

Approved for the PRG on 3-16-16 as stated in my previous post. Card received today, 3-18-16. Super fast shipping. I did not ask for expedited shipping, the csr stated that it will be shipped next day air UPS.