topic Re: DW's First Amex Offers in Credit Card Applications

DW's First Amex Offers

brewcrew87 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:12:02 GMT

Wow... so my DW finally got a pre-approval offer from Amex.. Platinum with 100,000 bonus points for $3,000 in purchases in 3 months... But that annual fee. Is it worth it? Can we downgrade the card to a lower AF card after a year pretty easily? I never really have done anything with Amex points... What can I reasonably expect to use 100,000 points for?

Note.. her scores are right around 700 with 3 baddies (all medical) - 2 being unpaid.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:16:14 GMT

Very much worth it!!!!

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

CreditCuriosity — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:19:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Very much worth it!!!!

+1 that is the holy grail Amex offer that everyone wants and very few get

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

Littlewing745 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:23:40 GMT

@uecker4life wrote:
Wow... so my DW finally got a pre-approval offer from Amex.. Platinum with 100,000 bonus points for $3,000 in purchases in 3 months... But that annual fee. Is it worth it? Can we downgrade the card to a lower AF card after a year pretty easily? I never really have done anything with Amex points... What can I reasonably expect to use 100,000 points for?

Note.. her scores are right around 700 with 3 baddies (all medical) - 2 being unpaid.

I may end up being the only person who says this, but...I'm not sure it's worth it, becasue it's completely dependent on your needs. The real question is opportunity cost, right? If you think you'd want this card down the line - even 2-3 years from now - then sure. App now while the getting is good. If not? Eh...that's the equivalent (if I'm not mistaken) of about $1k in travel, and perhaps more if you book through Amex Travel. It's quite a bit, but yes...the $450 AF cuts into it pretty hard. It's probably a case-by-case basis. Were it me? Oh yeah...I'd be all over it, because that's as many MR points as you're *ever* going to see as a bonus.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

brewcrew87 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:20:21 GMT

Also an offer for the PRG... Spend $1,000 in 3 months for 50,000 bonus points. AF waived first year... Might have her go that route. We have a few other spend requirements to meet and that $450 AF really turns me off. Ha

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

Littlewing745 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:25:04 GMT

@uecker4life wrote:
Also an offer for the PRG... Spend $1,000 in 3 months for 50,000 bonus points. AF waived first year... Might have her go that route. We have a few other spend requirements to meet and that $450 AF really turns me off. Ha

Yep, that's what prompted my response above. I got the PRG on that exact deal, which is pretty freaking sweet. Comparatively...I dunno. I think I made out a bit better, frankly. Lower spend, lower AF.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:23:15 GMT

@uecker4life wrote:
Also an offer for the PRG... Spend $1,000 in 3 months for 50,000 bonus points. AF waived first year... Might have her go that route. We have a few other spend requirements to meet and that $450 AF really turns me off. Ha

You do know that even after deducting the annual fee from how much the Amex. Platinum 100k offer, you are still making out like a bandit the first year right? But the decision is absolutely up to you.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

brewcrew87 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:28:22 GMT

Yeah I know... We just don't really travel much. Maybe once a year to Florida from Wisconsin to see the parents. I'll run it by her. It's her credit haha.

Beyond the first year, we really wouldn't have much of a use for the Platinum. We aren't big spenders. We do well for ourselves in the midwest, but we usually only put about $2,000 in spend a month on CCs, and maybe two trips at most a year (Florida as I said earlier and maybe one other trip for just us).

Again - while I have an Amex Blue... the redemptions suck so it is SD. Anyone have any advice on using the points for the most value if we end up taking the offer? Overall I enjoy the simplicity of cash back cards. Can't really mess anything up by redeeming them poorly.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

myjourney — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:37:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@uecker4life wrote:
Also an offer for the PRG... Spend $1,000 in 3 months for 50,000 bonus points. AF waived first year... Might have her go that route. We have a few other spend requirements to meet and that $450 AF really turns me off. Ha
You do know that even after deducting the annual fee from how much the Amex. Platinum 100k offer, you are still making out like a bandit the first year right? But the decision is absolutely up to you.

+1 I would be all over this even if I only traveled once this year

+ Airport Lounge privileges

$450 AF- $200 airline credit - $250 AF now

Global entry

Bonus at min face value is 1k but has potential to be a whole lot more in value

Therefore I say this offer has a +/ of $1000-1200 value

Amex send me that offer

Heck don't even send me the offer just send me the card I accept the terms ....Lol

As someone stated above this is the holy grail that only comes once a year and everyone wants it

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

JB09 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 05:22:20 GMT

This^^

I really enjoy the benefits of my card even with flying only a few times per year. It offers more than enough value to pay for its annual fee which to me is only $200 per year after the airline credit is taken into account. If you ever fly into an airport with a Centurion Lounge, that's a $100 value if two people enter as it is $50/pp if you don't hold a platinum card. The Centurion Lounges are amazing as all food and beverages are included with entry. This includes acoholic beverages and the food has always been delicious in my experience, there is even a spa to book 15 minute appointments for a quick pick me up. Also, the Fine Hotels and Resorts program is legit.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 01:34:56 GMT

Just curious : is that a $250.00 credit on any airlines, any seat, any time, once a year OR is it like the way some CC's do miles where there's all these black out restrictions and so much BS to deal with that using the miles is nearly impossible ?? Is it simply a $250.00 credit, any time, any airlines, any seat, once a year ?? If it is, I regret going PRG. That AF turned me off, but if it truly is a really good $250.00 credit, I might have to upgrade next year. Thanks.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

JB09 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 01:43:13 GMT

The credit doesn't apply to ticket purchases, it is intended for seat upgrades, inflight purchases, bagage fees, etc. However, many people have found that you can purchase either gift cards or contribute to your travel fund/gift registry and be reimbursed as well. There are several threads over at FlyerTalk about this practice and depending on what airline you use you may see different results. I know several people who have had good luck with United and AA.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 02:05:24 GMT

I usually fly first class whenever possible, and it doesn't break the bank. I fly Delta & United almost exclusively. How exactly do you use this once a year $250.00 credit ?? When you book the airfare and book first class do you receive some sort of statement credit ?? Thanks. I'll have to check this out at Flyer talk.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

JB09 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 02:26:55 GMT

When I've used it in the past it usually shows up as a statement credit within 5-7 days of my transaction. It's always been automatic.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 05:01:09 GMT

JB, perfect that's what I wanted to know. That's awesome. Now I'm kicking myself for not going Plat. I definitely would've used that for certain. I guess there's next year. I just finished picking up 3 new Amex cards, so a fourth is probably not in my best interest right now, especially since they HP'd me for each one, three total 😢😢.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

JB09 — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 05:27:22 GMT

Drew, glad I could help! Don't kick yourself too hard. Put some spend on those cards and PIF, you might get sent the offer for 100k signup bonus. I wish I would have held out but I wanted the card for the benefits and "settled" for 50k sign up, then I recieved a prequalified offer with 100k sign up bonus for one of my businesses. Needless to say, I went ahead and signed up, but will most likely PC the business card in January 2016 before the annual fee kicks in.

Re: DW's First Amex Offers

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 01:41:13 GMT

Today I got an email with the PRG offer that the OP got. I would go for the Platinum, not sure about the PRG. I wonder if the OP's DW's offer was email or something else.