topic Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!) in Credit Cards

Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:24:48 GMT

Well, I've been back in the states for a while unlike what the title says.

I believe some of you forum members will remember me being stranded in Prague with two of my credit cards either F/R'ed or Frozen (Chase freedom and AMEX)

With the help of the United States Embassy, I was able to go back home safely. As soon as I landed in LaGuardia, I called both of my credit card companies for explanations

on my situation. Both of them told me a similar story about Prague being the fraud heaven for credit card uses. Chase gladly reactivated my card to use it again, but AMEX

gave me a surprising answer, which was like, "In order to ensure the maximum safety.. blah blah blah and for your traveling uses, I suggest you either upgrade to Gold and Platinum."

I was hesitant for a moment, but I passively asked the C/R person to check my eligibility for Platinum =P Few moments later, He told me with a positive voice tone telling me that I have been approved for the upgrade that comes with a waiver of first year annual fee, which is $450 dollars..

Well.. I am back home and I would gladly take an advantage of one benefit that AMEX Platinum offers for spring break.. A free companion ticket for my trip overseas.. (Does anyone know if this is for one time only or can be repetitive?)

Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:28:59 GMT

Welcome back! I'm glad you didn't have to go through an FR. I'm thinking about upgrading toba platinium card myself!

Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

Ron1 — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:31:13 GMT

Welcome back. I think Amex waive Platinum AF deal is for you only. I don't get that from Amex. It is a good card to have if you travel a lot.

Ron.

Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:38:44 GMT

Never heard of a waiver for platinum. Did you spend a lot on the other Amex you have?

Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:40:47 GMT

Annual fee is waived for the first year only

I quite spend a lot on my other charge (GREEN) card.. I usually book or pay everything with the card.

Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

Ron1 — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:42:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Annual fee is waived for the first year only

I quite spend a lot on my other charge (GREEN) card.. I usually book or pay everything with the card.

I think they waive AF for your trouble.

Ron.

Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:43:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Annual fee is waived for the first year only

I quite spend a lot on my other charge (GREEN) card.. I usually book or pay everything with the card.

I mean for any year ive never heard of it being waived. There was an offer when you apply through ameriprise that the af is free but theres no MR points. Perhaps your offer was similar? Thats cool though that they waive the fee. Get $200 worth of gift cards or other airline expenses on top of that and you have made a small profit.

Edit: +1 on waiving your fee for the trouble.

Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:44:34 GMT

That's quite a good deal with the Platinum, first I've heard of anyone getting the annual fee waived for it.

Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:34:16 GMT

Welcome back! Glad to see that you made it back safe and sound. I'm especially happy to hear that you got a free (for first year) upgrade on your Amex instead of getting hit with a FR. Congrats!

Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

LS2982 — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:36:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Well, I've been back in the states for a while unlike what the title says.

I believe some of you forum members will remember me being stranded in Prague with two of my credit cards either F/R'ed or Frozen (Chase freedom and AMEX)

With the help of the United States Embassy, I was able to go back home safely. As soon as I landed in LaGuardia, I called both of my credit card companies for explanations

on my situation. Both of them told me a similar story about Prague being the fraud heaven for credit card uses. Chase gladly reactivated my card to use it again, but AMEX

gave me a surprising answer, which was like, "In order to ensure the maximum safety.. blah blah blah and for your traveling uses, I suggest you either upgrade to Gold and Platinum."

I was hesitant for a moment, but I passively asked the C/R person to check my eligibility for Platinum =P Few moments later, He told me with a positive voice tone telling me that I have been approved for the upgrade that comes with a waiver of first year annual fee, which is $450 dollars..

Well.. I am back home and I would gladly take an advantage of one benefit that AMEX Platinum offers for spring break.. A free companion ticket for my trip overseas.. (Does anyone know if this is for one time only or can be repetitive?)

Congrats on the platinum upgrade!!!

Re: Back to USA from Prague (Finally!)

bichonmom — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:34:05 GMT

Glad you made it home safely!

Congrats on the Plat! Interesting that they said that the gold or plat is "safer" when traveling overseas. It's nice of them of waive the AF. Next year if you don't want to pay the $450, you could always PC to a gold. Of course you'll probably love the plat perks.