AmEx Product Upgrade question

[frugalQ]

Hi Everyone,

I just logged into my AmEx account to review my charges.  Apparently, AmEx is in the process of changing their website.   So, I was playing around in there and under the 'view my offers' section there's an area that lists the Gold PR Gold and Platinum charge cards and says upgrade now. 

Do you know if it is a hard pull?  Do you think they would offer me the chance to upgrade if I was not eligible?  For reference, I just got the Green Card back in April, and was told then that i would be eligible for upgrade in 13 months

I have not had the chance to call AmEx as I am sitting at work in a training workshop   I plan to call after work, but i wanted ot see if anyone else has run across this.

Tax in advance for all responses!

[pizzadude]

I believe that it would not be a hard pull for a product change.    In terms of being elligible, if they let you do it now that is great, but I have always heard that you have to wait 13 months...

[frugalQ]

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@pizzadude wrote:

I believe that it would not be a hard pull for a product change.    In terms of being elligible, if they let you do it now that is great, but I have always heard that you have to wait 13 months...

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I was told by an account rep when I applied that I would be eligible for upgrade after 13 months.  I am just curious as upgrading popped up as an option for me.  Maybe that option is standard when you check status while logged in, and when you click the 'apply' button it will say if you are eligible or not.

I will contact them this afternoon, ask about it,  and post their response on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Yeah I never fully understood AMEX PC/Upgrade policy.  I thought it was 13 months with Zync to other charge cards.  For some reason, I thought you could PC within charge cards whenever aside from Zync.  I would definitely call and verify etc.  Might also want to see if you are eligible for any bonus MR points for upgrading to higher AF.

[hedgeclipper2]

Can one upgrade from the Hilton HHonors card to the Surpass card without the 13 month minimum?  I don't need it this year, but maybe next year when my Gold status will downgrade to Silver.

[Anonymous]

"Upgrading" or "downgrading" an Amex charge card does not result in a hard pull, atleast it never has for me and I've done several product changes.  As for the 13 months, yes you will have to wait 13 months to "upgrade" to a card with a higher annual fee, even though the offer is available on the website.  I do know this from experience.  It's because credit card companies can't raise fees on an account now until after 12 statements have cut; Amex has interpreted this to include customer-initiated requests to product change to a higher annual fee card.  

[RyVision]

I was recently told on the phone by a new account specialist who took my app for Blue that I'd have to wait over 12 months (ie: 13) to change to BCP but it would not require a pull, that they actually wouldn't even look at my report at all to do the change.  I don't know how certain that is, other than the person sounded experienced.

[frugalQ]

I called Amex and the analyst told me that I was indeed eligible for a product upgrade....and it's treated like a PC.

I am not sue how I became eligible since I just got the card in April. I'm wondering if it's because I have a Corp Green card since 2004, and they backdated my personal card to that year.

The analyst told me that I was eligible for the offer of 15K MR points if I spent $30K in one calendar year...yes, $30K.

I didn't PC yet because I'm wondering if there will be a better sign up offer down the road. Its funny....I have been kicking myself for not applying g for the PR Gold in the beginning. Now that I have the opportunity to get it, I'm deciding to wait for a better offer. LOL

[OhioCPA]

I thought the Credit Card Act only applied to credit cards, not charge cards. Thus, a PC from a Green to a Gold would not fall under the Act. Since I first got my Green and Gold cards the option to PC to the Platinum or Gold PR has appeared on my online account.  I know my due date on my Gold card changed when I accepted the extended payment option. I assumed this was a result of the card now falling under the Act since it was now more like a credit card.

[frugalQ]

It may not apply to charge cards, but I was told by the analyst who took my original application that I could upgrade after 13 months.

I didn't want to ask about the 13 month rule for fear that they would rescind the offer (I'm paranoid, I know). However, later, I will call them back to ask about it.