Amex PRG Approved-Have Questions

Anonymous · ‎05-02-2017

Hey guys.... approved for Amex PRG. I wanted a card to help with some travel benefits. I am going to be flying about 5-6 times this next year, and I currently don't have any travel reward cards. This one, tho not specifically for travel, will benefit my now with the upcoming travel and also when that is over be a nice card to have in the future.

I have some questions.

First.... it says one of the benefits is purchasing things on Amex Travel and you get double membership points. But you get triple if you buy directly on the airlines site. Why would I buy on Amex Travel? Am I missing something?

Second, I know it is a NPSL card, but do you not even get a estimate limit... or whatever you want to call it. How do I even know if I can get a purchase approved? Do I need to check online first before every purchase? This is odd. Lol.

Finally, seperate card question. Can I PC my BCE to Amex EDP? This way I can combine my MR Points.

Thx in advance.

Oh... for those who want them. DPs:
Current Amex account holder.
No HP yet. Assuming an EX is coming.
EX fico is 761. No baddies-20 INQs
0-1% Utilization
Income approx $100k

Anonymous · ‎05-02-2017

Sorry... 1 more.
Is there a way to get my Account number early? I want to add my card to my Auto-Pay accounts. Want to get a jump start on spending that $2k in 90 days.

Anonymous · ‎05-02-2017

@Anonymous wrote:
Hey guys.... approved for Amex PRG. I wanted a card to help with some travel benefits. I am going to be flying about 5-6 times this next year, and I currently don't have any travel reward cards. This one, tho not specifically for travel, will benefit my now with the upcoming travel and also when that is over be a nice card to have in the future.

I have some questions.

First.... it says one of the benefits is purchasing things on Amex Travel and you get double membership points. But you get triple if you buy directly on the airlines site. Why would I buy on Amex Travel? Am I missing something? - compare prices on Amex travel to other places and see how the prices compare. If they're close then getting the extra MR points would be worth it. Also if it's for a hotel stay and the hotel is one of the Fine Hotels and Resorts then there are benefits like guaranteed late checkout time and dining credits. It's just another venue for looking at travel options.

Second, I know it is a NPSL card, but do you not even get a estimate limit... or whatever you want to call it. How do I even know if I can get a purchase approved? Do I need to check online first before every purchase? This is odd. Lol. - It is the nature of Amex charge cards, no preset limit with a limit. You can look at the online option for checking to see if a purchase would be approved but even that is no guarantee that a charge will go thru. It does give you some idea of a maximum that they'll approve. In short, the longer you have the card and use it, then the amount you'll be approved for will rise

Finally, seperate card question. Can I PC my BCE to Amex EDP? This way I can combine my MR Points. - no you can not PC a cashback card to a MR earning card.

Thx in advance.

Oh... for those who want them. DPs:
Current Amex account holder.
No HP yet. Assuming an EX is coming.
EX fico is 761. No baddies-20 INQs
0-1% Utilization
Income approx $100k

Congrats on the approval.

Anonymous · ‎05-02-2017

Thanks Irish.
The limit thing is very ..... not cool.
Like my US Bank cash +'is a NPSL card but they give you a limit as a guaranteed amount you can spend but might let you go over.
So I tried the limit thing in $1k increments.... I was approved for $5k but not $6k. I'm guessing I have a $5000 safe zone maybe? Kind of a pain since I only carry one card with me usually... if it gets denied I'll feel dumb. (And hopefully hey take Apple Pay since I'll have my phone at least)

All in all tho I like the card benefits. It's one I have thought of since last December when I got my BCE.

Good to know on the PC-I didn't not realize that's. I thought you could PC any card to any card as long as it was credit to credit. Just asked cuz I thought there was a time frame on when you could pC.

Again; thx for the answers Irish.

Anonymous · ‎05-02-2017

First off, whatever you do, DO NOT use the Check Spending Power button online, that will most definitely trigger a Financial Review since AMEX looks at this as risky behavior. Next, you can't product change unlike cards like BCE and EDP, I've already asked before.

Also, best advice I can offer regarding the NPSL is to use the card just like you would any other card and don't even think about the limit. I personally make 2-5 payments per month before statement close to keep the balance low and they adore that responsible behavior. It really depends on your spending patterns which they monitor 24/7, just be careful.

AMEX Travel is weird, really the only difference is the fact that you can use Membership Rewards points towards the fare and earn some points back for the purchase. With the PRG, you do have access to The Hotel Collection which does give some reasonable benefits towards stays. No reason to really book flights on there though. Let me know if you have any other questions, I have the Platinum and PRG.

P.S. No way to get account number early.

Anonymous · ‎05-02-2017

I've used the 'Check Spending Power' a few times before and have never had any issue with Amex. It will give a clear picture of what they will approve you for, and does seem to fluctuate a little through time and use

Anonymous · ‎05-02-2017

@Anonymous wrote:
First off, whatever you do, DO NOT use the Check Spending Power button online, that will most definitely trigger a Financial Review since AMEX looks at this as risky behavior. Next, you can't product change unlike cards like BCE and EDP, I've already asked before.

Also, best advice I can offer regarding the NPSL is to use the card just like you would any other card and don't even think about the limit. I personally make 2-5 payments per month before statement close to keep the balance low and they adore that responsible behavior. It really depends on your spending patterns which they monitor 24/7, just be careful.

AMEX Travel is weird, really the only difference is the fact that you can use Membership Rewards points towards the fare and earn some points back for the purchase. With the PRG, you do have access to The Hotel Collection which does give some reasonable benefits towards stays. No reason to really book flights on there though. Let me know if you have any other questions, I have the Platinum and PRG.

P.S. No way to get account number early.

Completely untrue and as a community we need to stop spreading this and other myths about American Express and other creditors . Using the check spending button does not, and I will repeat, does not lead to a FR.

Blackswizz750 · ‎05-02-2017

I am am a new green card holder and used it card for most of April. I will pay the bill when it cuts after Sat. I put in a few approvals but heard they watch it like a hawk. I didnt charge more than 125 at a time to be cautious. I will have to get use to NPSL. Congrats on the Gold card and the travel bennies should help with the Annual fee.

Anonymous · ‎05-02-2017

@Blackswizz750 wrote:
I am am a new green card holder and used it card for most of April. I will pay the bill when it cuts after Sat. I put in a few approvals but heard they watch it like a hawk. I didnt charge more than 125 at a time to be cautious. I will have to get use to NPSL. Congrats on the Gold card and the travel bennies should help with the Annual fee.

As I said above, that's just not true. If it lead to a FR or any other AA, I and others would have been FRed a hundred times by now.

Blackswizz750 · ‎05-02-2017

@Anonymous wrote:
@Blackswizz750 wrote:
I am am a new green card holder and used it card for most of April. I will pay the bill when it cuts after Sat. I put in a few approvals but heard they watch it like a hawk. I didnt charge more than 125 at a time to be cautious. I will have to get use to NPSL. Congrats on the Gold card and the travel bennies should help with the Annual fee.
As I said above, that's just not true. If it lead to a FR or any other AA, I and others would have been FRed a hundred times by now.

gotcha, I did not mean to spread anything. I am getting used to Amex. Hopefully my card works out. I need to try out the travel stuff compared to hilton directly and my flights. I noticed they have been increasing in cost this year.