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.
@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.
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 
@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.
@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.
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. 
@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
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.
