topic Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes in Credit Cards

Amex Conversions and Product Changes

andyaycw — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:03:58 GMT

What are the general rules/limitations for doing a PC with Amex? I currently have the Amex Clear but wanted to do a PC to the Blue Cash Everyday card.

I searched other threads (like this one) and it sounds like the general consensus is that the Clear is not eligible to PC to anything. However, I really don't want to submit a new app for the BCE.

If I get the BCE I won't be using the Clear, so I just don't want to have another card sockdrawered.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

tntexans72 — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:57:06 GMT

@andyaycw wrote:
What are the general rules/limitations for doing a PC with Amex? I currently have the Amex Clear but wanted to do a PC to the Blue Cash Everyday card.

I searched other threads (like this one) and it sounds like the general consensus is that the Clear is not eligible to PC to anything. However, I really don't want to submit a new app for the BCE.

If I get the BCE I won't be using the Clear, so I just don't want to have another card sockdrawered.

The rule is you have to have the card for 13 months to do a PC. I too have read that ppl say you can't PC the Clear card. I would log into Amex and send them a secure message asking them what PC options do you have with the Clear card. Only way to know for sure imo. GL.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

steve23111 — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:50:14 GMT

From my experience there should be no problem moving from Clear to Blue Cash Everyday. Blue Cash Preferred carries an annual fee and there are plenty of posts here indicating AMEX will not move you from a non-AF to an AF card within the first year. I had my Clear for less than 6 months and inquired about a move to BCE and was told by customer service that it would be no problem to do the conversion. I didn't do it, but it was nice to know it was an option.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

Walt_K — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:34:05 GMT

@tntexans72 wrote:
@andyaycw wrote:
What are the general rules/limitations for doing a PC with Amex? I currently have the Amex Clear but wanted to do a PC to the Blue Cash Everyday card.

I searched other threads (like this one) and it sounds like the general consensus is that the Clear is not eligible to PC to anything. However, I really don't want to submit a new app for the BCE.

If I get the BCE I won't be using the Clear, so I just don't want to have another card sockdrawered.

The rule is you have to have the card for 13 months to do a PC. I too have read that ppl say you can't PC the Clear card. I would log into Amex and send them a secure message asking them what PC options do you have with the Clear card. Only way to know for sure imo. GL.

Is it always 13 months, or only if an increase in fees is involved?

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:37:08 GMT

@Walt_K wrote:
@tntexans72 wrote:
@andyaycw wrote:
What are the general rules/limitations for doing a PC with Amex? I currently have the Amex Clear but wanted to do a PC to the Blue Cash Everyday card.

I searched other threads (like this one) and it sounds like the general consensus is that the Clear is not eligible to PC to anything. However, I really don't want to submit a new app for the BCE.

If I get the BCE I won't be using the Clear, so I just don't want to have another card sockdrawered.

The rule is you have to have the card for 13 months to do a PC. I too have read that ppl say you can't PC the Clear card. I would log into Amex and send them a secure message asking them what PC options do you have with the Clear card. Only way to know for sure imo. GL.

Is it always 13 months, or only if an increase in fees is involved?

The Card Act prevents a bank from increasing your fees during the first year, so PCs from no annual fee cards to annual fee cards, or higher annual fee cards are not allowed. This would prevent anyone from PCing from a no annual fee card to Blue Cash Preferred in the first year.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:54:57 GMT

true,, i tried going from amex blue to the amex bcp,,, they said apply in 6 months and then if i wanted close the blue card

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:59:13 GMT

I've inquired many times over the years about PCing my Clear and each time I get an answer that it cannot be product changed. So I just shifted the credit line from it to my Amex Blue Cash.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

andyaycw — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:12:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I've inquired many times over the years about PCing my Clear and each time I get an answer that it cannot be product changed. So I just shifted the credit line from it to my Amex Blue Cash.

I've had my Amex since 2007. It was originally a Blue Sky and then eventually I decided to PC to a Clear. I guess somewhere along the way they changed their internal policies not allowing a Clear to PC back to anything Blue?

I'm still waiting for a response from the Amex secure email, but if I can't PC, then it would seem my only option would be to do a new app for the BCE, shift the credit line, and then close the Clear?

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:57:49 GMT

@andyaycw wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I've inquired many times over the years about PCing my Clear and each time I get an answer that it cannot be product changed. So I just shifted the credit line from it to my Amex Blue Cash.
I've had my Amex since 2007. It was originally a Blue Sky and then eventually I decided to PC to a Clear. I guess somewhere along the way they changed their internal policies not allowing a Clear to PC back to anything Blue?

I'm still waiting for a response from the Amex secure email, but if I can't PC, then it would seem my only option would be to do a new app for the BCE, shift the credit line, and then close the Clear?

Why would you close the Clear card? From my observations, Amex won't close credit accounts that inactive when you have another card that is active.

There seems to be no benefit to closing the account, but you would see some very minor harm -- potentially reduced AAoA when it stops reporting in 10 years, and a slight reduction in total available revolving credit (since I don't think you can transfer 100% of your credit limi to the new card).

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

steve23111 — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:57:17 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Why would you close the Clear card? From my observations, Amex won't close credit accounts that inactive when you have another card that is active.

There seems to be no benefit to closing the account, but you would see some very minor harm -- potentially reduced AAoA when it stops reporting in 10 years, and a slight reduction in total available revolving credit (since I don't think you can transfer 100% of your credit limi to the new card).

I agree. I see little sense in getting rid of the Clear. Since there is no AF, seems a decent card to keep around.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

andyaycw — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@andyaycw wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I've inquired many times over the years about PCing my Clear and each time I get an answer that it cannot be product changed. So I just shifted the credit line from it to my Amex Blue Cash.
I've had my Amex since 2007. It was originally a Blue Sky and then eventually I decided to PC to a Clear. I guess somewhere along the way they changed their internal policies not allowing a Clear to PC back to anything Blue?

I'm still waiting for a response from the Amex secure email, but if I can't PC, then it would seem my only option would be to do a new app for the BCE, shift the credit line, and then close the Clear?
Why would you close the Clear card? From my observations, Amex won't close credit accounts that inactive when you have another card that is active.

There seems to be no benefit to closing the account, but you would see some very minor harm -- potentially reduced AAoA when it stops reporting in 10 years, and a slight reduction in total available revolving credit (since I don't think you can transfer 100% of your credit limi to the new card).

I just don't want to deal with a card that I won't be using. Plus I already have more than enough available credit and I don't want to raise a red flag in Amex's system with another new app and more credit.

Strange as it may sound, I'm just not interested in getting any more credit right now. I've got over $75k over 7 cards, 1 of which is the Clear which has a $20k limit. I just wanted to keep it as clean as possible - same card, no additional credit, no new accounts having to report on my credit, no sockdrawered cards to deal with, etc.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

andyaycw — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:05:29 GMT

@steve23111 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

Why would you close the Clear card? From my observations, Amex won't close credit accounts that inactive when you have another card that is active.

There seems to be no benefit to closing the account, but you would see some very minor harm -- potentially reduced AAoA when it stops reporting in 10 years, and a slight reduction in total available revolving credit (since I don't think you can transfer 100% of your credit limi to the new card).

I agree. I see little sense in getting rid of the Clear. Since there is no AF, seems a decent card to keep around.

The rewards for the Clear and BCE are essentially the same. 1% on all purchases except the BCE has 2% on gas and 3% at supermarkets. I have the Penfed gas card so I wouldn't be using it for gas. I personally would see no sense in carrying two cards with the same company that essentially offer the same rewards. Am I missing something?

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:20:37 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@andyaycw wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I've inquired many times over the years about PCing my Clear and each time I get an answer that it cannot be product changed. So I just shifted the credit line from it to my Amex Blue Cash.
I've had my Amex since 2007. It was originally a Blue Sky and then eventually I decided to PC to a Clear. I guess somewhere along the way they changed their internal policies not allowing a Clear to PC back to anything Blue?

I'm still waiting for a response from the Amex secure email, but if I can't PC, then it would seem my only option would be to do a new app for the BCE, shift the credit line, and then close the Clear?
Why would you close the Clear card? From my observations, Amex won't close credit accounts that inactive when you have another card that is active.

There seems to be no benefit to closing the account, but you would see some very minor harm -- potentially reduced AAoA when it stops reporting in 10 years, and a slight reduction in total available revolving credit (since I don't think you can transfer 100% of your credit limi to the new card).

Amex will backdate the new account, so even if the card disappear, the OP still has an account that is the same as the old one. Am I correct?

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:12:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@andyaycw wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I've inquired many times over the years about PCing my Clear and each time I get an answer that it cannot be product changed. So I just shifted the credit line from it to my Amex Blue Cash.
I've had my Amex since 2007. It was originally a Blue Sky and then eventually I decided to PC to a Clear. I guess somewhere along the way they changed their internal policies not allowing a Clear to PC back to anything Blue?

I'm still waiting for a response from the Amex secure email, but if I can't PC, then it would seem my only option would be to do a new app for the BCE, shift the credit line, and then close the Clear?
Why would you close the Clear card? From my observations, Amex won't close credit accounts that inactive when you have another card that is active.

There seems to be no benefit to closing the account, but you would see some very minor harm -- potentially reduced AAoA when it stops reporting in 10 years, and a slight reduction in total available revolving credit (since I don't think you can transfer 100% of your credit limi to the new card).
Amex will backdate the new account, so even if the card disappear, the OP still has an account that is the same as the old one. Am I correct?

True, but the only way OP can possibly gain from closing the account is if his AAoA will be greater than 14 years, once the closed Clear card drops off 10 years from now. If he keeps the card open, his AAoA will be higher later on, and he will have slightly more available credit to lower his overall utilization.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

andyaycw — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:17:17 GMT

Well, it is confirmed. The Clear is not eligible to PC to any other product. I wonder why that is? Amex is telling me if I want anything else I have to submit a fresh app for it. Bummer.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

tntexans72 — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:46:04 GMT

@andyaycw wrote:
Well, it is confirmed. The Clear is not eligible to PC to any other product. I wonder why that is? Amex is telling me if I want anything else I have to submit a fresh app for it. Bummer.

Sorry to hear...the Clear card for some reason can never be PC into any other products they have. If you are looking to obtain another Amex, the great thing is...you will be able to get the signup bonus when you app. To PC from one product to another, you won't get the bonus unless Amex sent you an invitation code.

In any event, I wouldn't close the Clear card until you open up another account with Amex. Than shift the CL over to the new card than close the Clear card. Just in case Amex doesn't give you $20K of CL on the new card to start off....just my .02 but GL.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

clocktick — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 06:07:39 GMT

Wow, that is a bummer. I want to close my Clear too but only after transferring part of the CL. Are you interested at all in apping for the BCE?

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

andyaycw — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:04:28 GMT

Really the only thing that interests me about the BCE is the 3% cash back for groceries, and I'm not sure that alone justifies applying for a whole new card. I may just stick with my Clear.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:23:13 GMT

@andyaycw wrote:
Really the only thing that interests me about the BCE is the 3% cash back for groceries, and I'm not sure that alone justifies applying for a whole new card. I may just stick with my Clear.

If you decide to go for BCE, I'd wait until January. Then the new card with be backdated to 1/2007, instead of 12/2007 -- the 11 additional months of age may come in handy.

Re: Amex Conversions and Product Changes

steve23111 — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:48:56 GMT

@andyaycw wrote:
Really the only thing that interests me about the BCE is the 3% cash back for groceries, and I'm not sure that alone justifies applying for a whole new card. I may just stick with my Clear.

For me it was a no-brainer -- I'll explain in a second -- but I did download all of my Clear transactions year-to-date out of the American Express web site, assigned the appropriate category, and did the cash back comparison between Clear, BCE, and BCP. Clear works out to around $175/year in cash back, while BCE was around $400 and BCP was closer to $500 even after the $75 annual fee. It's just my spending habits. I eat lunch just about every day at 7-Eleven next door (let's not talk about what the hot dogs are doing to my health!) and since they sell gas the transaction counts as a gas station purchase, even if I am only buying food. My PayPal MC treats it the same way.

My PayPal MC does have a better rate on restaurant purchases than Clear, BCE, or BCP, however, I can easily get the 6% rate for a lot of that by purchasing gift cards from Kroger. I usually don't like gift cards -- at least from a gifting perspective -- but in this case I can pick up a gift card for Subway, McDonald's, TGI Friday's, etc. from Kroger when I do my regular shopping, earn the 6% rate on that since it's coming from a grocery store, and earn fuel discounts from Kroger while I'm at it ($0.10 per gallon for every $25 or $50 in gift card purchases, depending on the time of year).

It's a good workaround since almost every major grocery store has third-party gift cards for sale and those would be treated like any other AMEX grocery store purchase. Hooray for free money!