Amex Downgrade options

bondsandloan · ‎05-01-2022

Hi everyone, Just got off the call with Amex and I have the new Amex Plat AF hitting on 1st July.

Is it possible for me to apply today and get the SuB for the Amex gold in the next 2 months (with the spend) and then downgrade the Amex plat to the Gold in July? Or is it not possible to have to have 2 Amex golds at the same time?

And is this kind of behavior likely to bring out the RAT?

FinStar · ‎05-01-2022

@bondsandloan wrote:
Hi everyone, Just got off the call with Amex and I have the new Amex Plat AF hitting on 1st July.

Is it possible for me to apply today and get the SuB for the Amex gold in the next 2 months (with the spend) and then downgrade the Amex plat to the Gold in July? Or is it not possible to have to have 2 Amex golds at the same time?

And is this kind of behavior likely to bring out the RAT?

How long have you had the Platinum? Is this your first year with that card?

You can apply today for Gold if you want. Once your Platinum AF posts to the account, you can entertain whether a retention offer is available, and if no incentives or offers are available, you can downgrade to Gold or Green.

Do you have any other American Express accounts or is Platinum your only one at the moment?

wasCB14 · ‎05-01-2022

I downgraded a Platinum to Gold in November but it still gives me $15 a month in Uber credits ($35 in Dec). Not sure if that's a typical experience. But if it happens to you it may make a second Gold worthwhile (instead of being superfluous).

The GrubHub credits might be a nuisance to track separately.

Personal spend: Amex Gold, Amex Schwab Plat., BofA PR+CCR(x2), Costco
Business use: Amex Bus. Plat., BBP, Lowes Amex AU, CFU AU
Perks: Delta Plat., United Explorer, IHG49, Hyatt, "Old SPG"
Mostly SD: Freedom Flex, Freedom, Arrival
Upgrade/Downgrade games: ED, BCE
SUB chasing: AA Platinum Select

bondsandloan · ‎05-01-2022

@FinStar wrote:
@bondsandloan wrote:
Hi everyone, Just got off the call with Amex and I have the new Amex Plat AF hitting on 1st July.

Is it possible for me to apply today and get the SuB for the Amex gold in the next 2 months (with the spend) and then downgrade the Amex plat to the Gold in July? Or is it not possible to have to have 2 Amex golds at the same time?

And is this kind of behavior likely to bring out the RAT?
How long have you had the Platinum? Is this your first year with that card?

You can apply today for Gold if you want. Once your Platinum AF posts to the account, you can entertain whether a retention offer is available, and if no incentives or offers are available, you can downgrade to Gold or Green.

Do you have any other American Express accounts or is Platinum your only one at the moment?

Yes first year with the Amex Plat. At the 10 month mark. The only Amex for now. Had the Amex SPG few years back for 24 months.

So if I apply now for the Amex Gold & then potentially downgrade the Plat to the Gold after the AF hits, it means its possible to have 2 Gold cards at the same time?

FinStar · ‎05-01-2022

@bondsandloan wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
@bondsandloan wrote:
Hi everyone, Just got off the call with Amex and I have the new Amex Plat AF hitting on 1st July.

Is it possible for me to apply today and get the SuB for the Amex gold in the next 2 months (with the spend) and then downgrade the Amex plat to the Gold in July? Or is it not possible to have to have 2 Amex golds at the same time?

And is this kind of behavior likely to bring out the RAT?
How long have you had the Platinum? Is this your first year with that card?

You can apply today for Gold if you want. Once your Platinum AF posts to the account, you can entertain whether a retention offer is available, and if no incentives or offers are available, you can downgrade to Gold or Green.

Do you have any other American Express accounts or is Platinum your only one at the moment?
Yes first year with the Amex Plat. At the 10 month mark. The only Amex for now. Had the Amex SPG few years back for 24 months.

So if I apply now for the Amex Gold & then potentially downgrade the Plat to the Gold after the AF hits, it means its possible to have 2 Gold cards at the same time?

Yes, one can have 2 (or multiple) Gold Cards (even other charge card flavors). Just keep in mind that since this is your 1st year anniversary on Platinum, one never knows when accounts/patterns may come under scrutiny if AENB detects any potential churning behaviors. So, if you plan on downgrading Platinum to Gold, be sure you continue to use it as well.

Citylights18 · ‎05-01-2022

I would want to know exactly when that AF is going to be paid. Even though I did a product change in the month of August to gold at one point they still consider my renewal month as May with the AF due mid June.

AMEX Green I liked the best. I felt like I was getting my AF back with that one from shop small parking/transit discounts. It also had a Lounge buddy credit to offset some of that AF. My account though is only 2 years and bringing down my average account length so not sure if its worth keeping open.

bondsandloan · ‎05-01-2022

@Citylights18 wrote:
I would want to know exactly when that AF is going to be paid. Even though I did a product change in the month of August to gold at one point they still consider my renewal month as May with the AF due mid June.

My application date was 30th June 2021, a day before the AF increase. So I believe the AF will come due in the next (13th) statement cut which I believe will be 26th of July 2022 at the higher $695 rate.

OmarGB9 · ‎05-01-2022

@Citylights18 wrote:
I would want to know exactly when that AF is going to be paid. Even though I did a product change in the month of August to gold at one point they still consider my renewal month as May with the AF due mid June.

AMEX Green I liked the best. I felt like I was getting my AF back with that one from shop small parking/transit discounts. It also had a Lounge buddy credit to offset some of that AF. My account though is only 2 years and bringing down my average account length so not sure if its worth keeping open.

Closing it wouldn't help fix that. Once a card has been opened, it'll continue to factor into your age metrics for as long as it's showing on your reports.

Last App: 1/10/2023
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Citylights18 · ‎05-01-2022

@OmarGB9 wrote:
@Citylights18 wrote:
I would want to know exactly when that AF is going to be paid. Even though I did a product change in the month of August to gold at one point they still consider my renewal month as May with the AF due mid June.

AMEX Green I liked the best. I felt like I was getting my AF back with that one from shop small parking/transit discounts. It also had a Lounge buddy credit to offset some of that AF. My account though is only 2 years and bringing down my average account length so not sure if its worth keeping open.
Closing it wouldn't help fix that. Once a card has been opened, it'll continue to factor into your age metrics for as long as it's showing on your reports.

If that is the case I'm never getting another personal card again.

Citylights18 · ‎05-02-2022

@bondsandloan wrote:
@Citylights18 wrote:
I would want to know exactly when that AF is going to be paid. Even though I did a product change in the month of August to gold at one point they still consider my renewal month as May with the AF due mid June.

My application date was 30th June 2021, a day before the AF increase. So I believe the AF will come due in the next (13th) statement cut which I believe will be 26th of July 2022 at the higher $695 rate.

My date was 30th May 30th and the CSR said the AF would cut on June 13th, to be paid for by July 9th.

I would clarify with customer service as they would love to catch you napping.