Yet another Vanilla Platinum to CS Platinum question/thread.

[Budoka]

Hi all. First, let me say that I did do a search before posting and although there are a number of threads concerning this subject they were all quite dated. Also, there is one question, in particular, I didn't see addressed in any of the previous threads.

So my question. When holding a Vanilla Platinum card and then applying for and receiving a CS Platinum...I am guessing that the CS Platinum number will be different than the Vanilla? I guess what I am asking is if the cards are "linked" in any way? I am concerned about the recurring charges on my current card. I would have to go change all of the payment methods to the CS Plat card number right?

Also are there any new data points on some of the other questions asked previously?

I just paid the second annual fee on my Vanilla and of course, the fee went up. I am not interested in having two Platinum cards. I also don't want to spook AMEX so is the previously recommended procedure of applying first for the CS within the first 30 days of AF hitting, then if approved canceling the Vanilla still the way to go? Also, would the new card still be a Soft Pull?

I have been with AMEX for 35 years so I can't imagine that they would think I am churning...which I am not. But, the current 100,000 Bonus on the CS definitely plays a part in my decision to product change. Also, the ability to cash out points into my Schwab account is better for me nowadays.

Thanks

[FinStar]

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@Budoka wrote:

Hi all. First, let me say that I did do a search before posting and although there are a number of threads concerning this subject they were all quite dated. Also, there is one question, in particular, I didn't see addressed in any of the previous threads.

So my question. When holding a Vanilla Platinum card and then applying for and receiving a CS Platinum...I am guessing that the CS Platinum number will be different than the Vanilla? I guess what I am asking is if the cards are "linked" in any way? I am concerned about the recurring charges on my current card. I would have to go change all of the payment methods to the CS Plat card number right?

Also are there any new data points on some of the other questions asked previously?

I just paid the second annual fee on my Vanilla and of course, the fee went up. I am not interested in having two Platinum cards. I also don't want to spook AMEX so is the previously recommended procedure of applying first for the CS within the first 30 days of AF hitting, then if approved canceling the Vanilla still the way to go? Also, would the new card still be a Soft Pull?

I have been with AMEX for 35 years so I can't imagine that they would think I am churning...which I am not. But, the current 100,000 Bonus on the CS definitely plays a part in my decision to product change. Also, the ability to cash out points into my Schwab account is better for me nowadays.

Thanks

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These questions are very helpful as it provides the community with more up-to-date DPs.

So, the account numbers will be different. I know that when I had the Ameriprise and the vanilla-nilla versions, they differed, but that's been a while back. If you have recurring charges on your current Platinum card, you'll need to provide the merchant/vendor with the new number, CID and expiration date of the new card to continue any type of recurring subscriptions.

If approved, the CS Platinum will be linked to your primary American Express profile. You can also view a high level summary of your account on the CS portal once you provide one-click access to it.

Since you already paid the AF, you should be ok with applying for the CS version. For the most part, it's usually SP for the majority of existing cardholders. But, there is always the off-chance that a HP can still happen. Just something to keep in mind.

As far as MRs [cash out] valuation for CS, keep in mind that the rate is no longer 1.25 cpp. That changed as of September 2021. It is now 1.1 cpp.

[TheFIGuy]

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@FinStar wrote:

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@Budoka wrote:

Hi all. First, let me say that I did do a search before posting and although there are a number of threads concerning this subject they were all quite dated. Also, there is one question, in particular, I didn't see addressed in any of the previous threads.

So my question. When holding a Vanilla Platinum card and then applying for and receiving a CS Platinum...I am guessing that the CS Platinum number will be different than the Vanilla? I guess what I am asking is if the cards are "linked" in any way? I am concerned about the recurring charges on my current card. I would have to go change all of the payment methods to the CS Plat card number right?

Also are there any new data points on some of the other questions asked previously?

I just paid the second annual fee on my Vanilla and of course, the fee went up. I am not interested in having two Platinum cards. I also don't want to spook AMEX so is the previously recommended procedure of applying first for the CS within the first 30 days of AF hitting, then if approved canceling the Vanilla still the way to go? Also, would the new card still be a Soft Pull?

I have been with AMEX for 35 years so I can't imagine that they would think I am churning...which I am not. But, the current 100,000 Bonus on the CS definitely plays a part in my decision to product change. Also, the ability to cash out points into my Schwab account is better for me nowadays.

Thanks

---

These questions are very helpful as it provides the community with more up-to-date DPs.

So, the account numbers will be different. I know that when I had the Ameriprise and the vanilla-nilla versions, they differed, but that's been a while back. If you have recurring charges on your current Platinum card, you'll need to provide the merchant/vendor with the new number, CID and expiration date of the new card to continue any type of recurring subscriptions.

If approved, the CS Platinum will be linked to your primary American Express profile. You can also view a high level summary of your account on the CS portal once you provide one-click access to it.

Since you already paid the AF, you should be ok with applying for the CS version. For the most part, it's usually SP for the majority of existing cardholders. But, there is always the off-chance that a HP can still happen. Just something to keep in mind.

As far as MRs [cash out] valuation for CS, keep in mind that the rate is no longer 1.25 cpp. That changed as of September 2021. It is now 1.1 cpp.

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Couldn't have said it better myself! I had both once upon a time, now only CS Platinum, and those are all 100% accurate points.

[Budoka]

Thanks for the feedback.

If I am approved for the CS and cancel or product change my current Vanilla Platinum is the Annual Fee I just paid applied to the new card, reimbursed, or I would just have to write it off?

I already have a Gold Card and not sure I see any advantage to PCing to a Green Card so ideally would like to cancel.

Thanks.

[FinStar]

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@Budoka wrote:

Thanks for the feedback.

If I am approved for the CS and cancel or product change my current Vanilla Platinum is the Annual Fee I just paid applied to the new card, reimbursed, or I would just have to write it off?

I already have a Gold Card and not sure I see any advantage to PCing to a Green Card so ideally would like to cancel.

Thanks.

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When did the AF post to your Platinum card and when did you pay it?

[Budoka]

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@FinStar wrote:

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@Budoka wrote:

Thanks for the feedback.

If I am approved for the CS and cancel or product change my current Vanilla Platinum is the Annual Fee I just paid applied to the new card, reimbursed, or I would just have to write it off?

I already have a Gold Card and not sure I see any advantage to PCing to a Green Card so ideally would like to cancel.

Thanks.

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When did the AF post to your Platinum card and when did you pay it?

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It just posted this billing cycle and I PIF once it did. The statement closes on the 20th though.

[FinStar]

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@Budoka wrote:

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@FinStar wrote:

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@Budoka wrote:

Thanks for the feedback.

If I am approved for the CS and cancel or product change my current Vanilla Platinum is the Annual Fee I just paid applied to the new card, reimbursed, or I would just have to write it off?

I already have a Gold Card and not sure I see any advantage to PCing to a Green Card so ideally would like to cancel.

Thanks.

---

When did the AF post to your Platinum card and when did you pay it?

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It just posted this billing cycle and I PIF once it did. The statement closes on the 20th though.

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Ok, then go ahead and apply for CS first, once that's confirmed/approved and receive card on hand, then you can then cancel the vanilla version. As long as you cancel within 30 days from the AF posting to the account, you should be able to receive the AF refund. The reason for the order of things is to ensure you're eligible for the CS Platinum SUB (i.e. no pop-up).

[Budoka]

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@FinStar wrote:

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@Budoka wrote:

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@FinStar wrote:

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@Budoka wrote:

Thanks for the feedback.

If I am approved for the CS and cancel or product change my current Vanilla Platinum is the Annual Fee I just paid applied to the new card, reimbursed, or I would just have to write it off?

I already have a Gold Card and not sure I see any advantage to PCing to a Green Card so ideally would like to cancel.

Thanks.

---

When did the AF post to your Platinum card and when did you pay it?

---

It just posted this billing cycle and I PIF once it did. The statement closes on the 20th though.

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Ok, then go ahead and apply for CS first, once that's confirmed/approved and receive card on hand, then you can then cancel the vanilla version. As long as you cancel within 30 days from the AF posting to the account, you should be able to receive the AF refund. The reason for the order of things is to ensure you're eligible for the CS Platinum SUB (i.e. no pop-up).

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Thanks. I'll report back once it is all sorted.