Amex PRG change to Amex Green or Gold

[elim]

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@Anonymous wrote:

So I called them and tried to get some sort of point offer or something and got nothing. I first went back and forth with some customer service rep that didn't really speak English and definitely didn't know why I was calling. Eventually, I had to ask for someone else (that actually spoke English) but that didn't help. This was the third time I spoke to an Amex CSR that didn't really speak English.

I guess I will try to change the card to a senior green in a month and hope that it will work. If it doesn't work, I may keep the card for another year and use the points for a flight and see if the card is more useful next year. I feel like I definitely can't keep the card forever just to have an old account in my file with the $195 AF. Just doesn't seem to be worth it in the long run.

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yeah, the outsourcing crap has to change.  i suppose when they have finally drained us of our money, we will be forced to actually do the work ourselves (and get paid for it)

just a quick question... if you don't travel, why have the card?  close the thing and stop apping for travel cards (and send me your MR's plz, lol). 

[Anonymous]

I guess I will call back and try it with the EO. I am assuming that the Executive office number in the backdoor number thread is the right one?

I applied for the PRG for the offer and knew that I would eventually downgrade it to Green or apply for the ED and close the charge card. However, Amex has raised the AF on all charge cards and they don't backdate new cards anymore so my original plan doesn't work anymore.

[PointLager]

They raised AF on charge cards?

I downgraded to senior green just before the PRG fee was hiked to $195. My senior green is $35 per year with $20 for extra cards. There is an additional fee if I want it collecting MR but since I have plat and EDP my green already collects MR. I ONLY use it for Amex offers and it pays for itself

[UncleB]

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@Anonymous wrote:

So I called them and tried to get some sort of point offer or something and got nothing. I first went back and forth with some customer service rep that didn't really speak English and definitely didn't know why I was calling. Eventually, I had to ask for someone else (that actually spoke English) but that didn't help. This was the third time I spoke to an Amex CSR that didn't really speak English.

I guess I will try to change the card to a senior green in a month and hope that it will work. If it doesn't work, I may keep the card for another year and use the points for a flight and see if the card is more useful next year. I feel like I definitely can't keep the card forever just to have an old account in my file with the $195 AF. Just doesn't seem to be worth it in the long run.

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Your experience was the same as many other folks who have tried to get a retention offer from Amex. 

You can always keep trying or go the EO route, but historically they tend to stand firm on their AF cards - most folks have reported being allowed to unceremoniously close their account when they threaten the CSR with an "or else", so make sure that's what you really want if you plan to try that. 

Also, as far as I know (from lurking over on the Amex Community site) the Senior card is no longer available for PC.  As with all things credit, this could have changed, and if it has please let us know since I would love to get a PC to a Senior card myself.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[Anonymous]

I will try to change to a senior card and report here whether or not it is still possible.

What will happen to my current MR points if I change to a senior card? Can I still transfer my MR points? And what are the benefits for the senior cards? I can't find any information on the Amex site. I'm assuming that there are differences between a senior green and a senior gold other than the color of the card.

[Anonymous]

I also wouldn't worry so much about "oldest card" stuff.   It will keep reporting for a long time.   If you really cannot profitably use the MR or flight credits because of lack of travel, I would just close.   While the Senior Green (if at all available which seems unlikely) costs less, is still a useless AF IMO.

What people tend not to think of is how to value FICO score points, e.g. how much is it worth paying to avoid say a 10 point score drop (or how much bonus counterbalances the score drop of a new acct/inq).    Paying an AF year after year for a useless-to-you  card to maybe prevent a slight drop years from now (when you don't know what your credit will llook like then, or even if the scoring system will be radically different) doesn't seem money well spent!

[UncleB]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I will try to change to a senior card and report here whether or not it is still possible.

What will happen to my current MR points if I change to a senior card? Can I still transfer my MR points? And what are the benefits for the senior cards? I can't find any information on the Amex site. I'm assuming that there are differences between a senior green and a senior gold other than the color of the card.

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If you have another MR-earning card the points will remain, if not you'll need to do something with them (transfer to a frequent flier program, etc.). 

I recall reading somewhere on here where Amex gives a short period for you to do something before they're forfeited (?), but honestly if I had a significant number of points and knew I was getting out of the program anyway I wouldn't wait (a CSR will be able to give you a precise answer).

If you dig deep enough, you can find the T&C's for the Senior cards, but basically the difference is the Senior version has the MR program stripped off (but inexplicably you can pay an additional fee to have it added back on).  Like others have mentioned, unless you have a distinct need for a charge card there are few reasons to consider the Senior card... the main reason in the past people PC'd to it was to retain their history.

If you decide to try for the PC, please do let us know the outcome!

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@Anonymous wrote:

I also wouldn't worry so much about "oldest card" stuff.   It will keep reporting for a long time.   If you really cannot profitably use the MR or flight credits because of lack of travel, I would just close.   While the Senior Green (if at all available which seems unlikely) costs less, is still a useless AF IMO.

What people tend not to think of is how to value FICO score points, e.g. how much is it worth paying to avoid say a 10 point score drop (or how much bonus counterbalances the score drop of a new acct/inq).    Paying an AF year after year for a useless-to-you  card to maybe prevent a slight drop years from now (when you don't know what your credit will llook like then, or even if the scoring system will be radically different) doesn't seem money well spent!

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+1

I agree with this, but for some folks it's a nostalgia thing... I know that doesn't make sense to many people, but it is what it is, and if the Senior card is an option for as little as $35 many people would have no problem paying it.

[PointLager]

Don't forget Amex offers. They can more than pay back the senior AF. I booked $100 in Amex offers on my green card without any other spend. And these were useful offers that are as cash like as you can get.

[Anonymous]

I know this thread is old but I wasn't able to change my card back when I started this thread because the account was too new.

I was finally able to call Amex today and find out what my options are. They are no longer offering the senior cards and I was told that it is impossible to switch to senior cards for existing card members. My only options are to downgrade to the green card or close the account. I know that closing an account does negatively impact your credit score but I don't really want to pay $95 a year to have a better credit score. How does it exactly impact your credit score when you close an account? Is it only the fact that the account won't age anymore lowering my AAoA?

[jsucool76]

The account will continue to age for up to 10 years. Since it is a charge card and has no reported credit limit, you have no real downsides to closing.