topic Re: Upgrade vs Apply in Credit Cards

Upgrade vs Apply

Necromancer — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:02:40 GMT

I currently have an AMEX Gold Rewards Plus card and see that it is eligible to be upgraded to AMEX Gold Premier. Which would be the better option, upgrade or apply for the new card?

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

JamesKnox — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:22:47 GMT

Well if you are eligible for an upgrade....what is making you question if applying is a better option??

If you were eligible for an upgrade from the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 5s ---- would you rather just go out and buy the iPhone 5s?

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

Kenny — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:24:39 GMT

Maybe he's asking what are the pros/cons of either.. which is better. Not everyone knows the answer to that.. I know I don't.. I've asked this question multiple times. Hope there is an answer here soon, Necromancer.. thanks for making the thread!

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:32:29 GMT

if you're thinking about applying to get the bonus, don't.... you will not be eligible because you already have the regular gold. I wouldn't see the point in paying AF for both cards, when you will only be using the Premier for better rewards.... my $0.02

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

Necromancer — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:39:55 GMT

That's what I was wondering, if I would be eligible for the bonus MR points by applying instead of just upgrading. Oh well. Thanks for the replys.

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 15:06:20 GMT

@Necromancer wrote:
That's what I was wondering, if I would be eligible for the bonus MR points by applying instead of just upgrading. Oh well. Thanks for the replys.

You might be able to, but you would have to do some of those clear cookies/use a different browser tricks, and there is no guarantee it would work.

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 15:07:25 GMT

I talked to their CSR and got it from them... YMMV....

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

09Lexie — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 18:15:13 GMT

How long have you had the Gold?

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

phoenix_one — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 18:21:57 GMT

To be sure, call the number on the back of your Card and ask.

That's what I did when I applied for the SPG. I had been approved for a TruEarnings card and was just granted a CLI with that card and I wanted to be sure that I qualify for the sign up bonus.

Did the application over the phone just to make sure I had the bonus.

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

myjourney — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 19:46:13 GMT

Upgrades are good however a signup bonus is great too and a upgrade won't get you that.

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

ezdoesit — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 21:19:38 GMT

@JamesKnox wrote:
Well if you are eligible for an upgrade....what is making you question if applying is a better option??
If you were eligible for an upgrade from the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 5s ---- would you rather just go out and buy the iPhone 5s?

That is not the same because in this scenario you are paying for the upgrade. WIth higher AF and no first year AF waiver plus losing out on 25k bonus providing your eligible for MR bonus.

So yes I would go out and buy a IPhone 5s because I am saving a least half the cost.

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

youngandcreditwrthy — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 00:02:33 GMT

If you haven't had the card 12+ months and the AF is higher on the Upgrade, you won't be allowed to upgrade it anyway due to the CARD Act.
The answer the Lexie's question is very important.

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

ezdoesit — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 01:51:33 GMT

@youngandcreditwrthy wrote:
If you haven't had the card 12+ months and the AF is higher on the Upgrade, you won't be allowed to upgrade it anyway due to the CARD Act.
The answer the Lexie's question is very important.

I just assumed he has had the card longer than 12+ months because they offered him the upgrade unless they don't always comply with the Card Act.

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

youngandcreditwrthy — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 02:01:14 GMT

Amex is known to make the "upgrade" button available, but then when you click, they say not eligible.
Happened with my BCE (had the upgrade to BCP button, but then wasn't eligible)
And with Delta Gold to Delta Platinum.
Those tricksters!
The OP should click it! Lol

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 11:22:51 GMT

@youngandcreditwrthy wrote:
Amex is known to make the "upgrade" button available, but then when you click, they say not eligible.
Happened with my BCE (had the upgrade to BCP button, but then wasn't eligible)
And with Delta Gold to Delta Platinum.
Those tricksters!
The OP should click it! Lol

NO! Haha. Amex's website is the portal to broken signup bonuses. If going the upgrade route, definitely call and confirm you would get the bonus, if not, apply. It sucks logging into your account and seeing 1,008 MR when you completed the spend to have 25,008 MR.

Re: Upgrade vs Apply

takeshi74 — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 13:09:20 GMT

@Necromancer wrote:
I currently have an AMEX Gold Rewards Plus card and see that it is eligible to be upgraded to AMEX Gold Premier. Which would be the better option, upgrade or apply for the new card?

Always make sure to qualify exactly what you mean by "better". One person's better isn't necessarily the next person's better.