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Hey Guys,
I figured I would share an interesting story.
I currently have the Amex green card. About a month or so ago, I called Amex and told them I wanted to upgrade to the Platinum card. I know, the annual fee is hefty but this is the card I want. The rep said it was approved and that I would receive the new card in about 7-10 business days. I called Amex back the next day to confirm and they said they had nothing on file about an upgrade to the Platnium card!! So, I applied again. This time I got a denial letter in the mail, which said my utilization was too high, which it definitely was at the time. Another interesting factor that was stated in the letter was "unsatisfactory payment history with Amex." I was NEVER late with Amex so I called the # on the letter and spoke to the rep. After reviewing my history, she agreed with me that I have an excellent payment history. She said she removed that reason from the denial.
Since my accounts have just updated and my utilization is much lower (29%) I decided to apply for the upgrade online. Instant approval. Let's see if I get the card this time!!
Uncle Money
Personal: American Express Platinum - NPSL | American Express Blue Cash Preferred - $15,000 | Chase Sapphire Reserve - $38,500 | Chase Amazon Prime Visa - $7,200 | Chase Freedom - $500 | Barclaycard Arrival+ - $18,600 | PenFed Platinum Rewards - $25,000 | PenFed LOC - $10,000 | Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum Visa - $25,000 | Navy Federal Credit Union LOC - $10,000 | Citi Double Cash - $12,170 | Citizens Cash Back+ - $8,650 | Citizens LOC Overdraft - $8,000 | Discover - $10,000 | Capital One Quicksilver One - $3,600 | Capital One Platinum - $750 | Valero - $600 | Dell - $3,000 | Lowes Advantage - $30,000 | Macys Amex - $25,000 | The Home Depot - $7,500 | Tourneau - $15,000
Business: American Express Business Platinum Card - NPSL | American Express Plum Card - NPSL | American Express SimplyCash Plus - $10,000 | American Express Gold Card - NPSL | Bank of America Cash Rewards - $100,000 | Capital One Spark Business - $54,000 | Chase Business Preferred - $34,000 | Chase Business Ink - $15,000 | PNC Bank Cash Rewards Visa Signature - $19,000 | PNC LOC $100,000 | BP Business Solutions - $1,500 | KeyBank Mastercard - $6,000 | Staples More Account - $3,500
Did they make any hard pulls or only soft?
As far as I can tell, Amex doesn't hard pull on product upgrades.
UM
Personal: American Express Platinum - NPSL | American Express Blue Cash Preferred - $15,000 | Chase Sapphire Reserve - $38,500 | Chase Amazon Prime Visa - $7,200 | Chase Freedom - $500 | Barclaycard Arrival+ - $18,600 | PenFed Platinum Rewards - $25,000 | PenFed LOC - $10,000 | Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum Visa - $25,000 | Navy Federal Credit Union LOC - $10,000 | Citi Double Cash - $12,170 | Citizens Cash Back+ - $8,650 | Citizens LOC Overdraft - $8,000 | Discover - $10,000 | Capital One Quicksilver One - $3,600 | Capital One Platinum - $750 | Valero - $600 | Dell - $3,000 | Lowes Advantage - $30,000 | Macys Amex - $25,000 | The Home Depot - $7,500 | Tourneau - $15,000
Business: American Express Business Platinum Card - NPSL | American Express Plum Card - NPSL | American Express SimplyCash Plus - $10,000 | American Express Gold Card - NPSL | Bank of America Cash Rewards - $100,000 | Capital One Spark Business - $54,000 | Chase Business Preferred - $34,000 | Chase Business Ink - $15,000 | PNC Bank Cash Rewards Visa Signature - $19,000 | PNC LOC $100,000 | BP Business Solutions - $1,500 | KeyBank Mastercard - $6,000 | Staples More Account - $3,500
Hey, if you can make the $450 fee work for you, then go for it. I primarily fly UNITED which doesn't have lounges covered under the Platinum card. Actually, I'm allergic to all credit card fees......... I do have an AMEX BLUE CASH card which returns several hundred dollars to me yearly. I just don't see any value added in paying a fee for a card.........
Hey UM, congrats on your upgrade.
I was curious what specific perks you will best benefit from on the Platinum? Or if this was just "the card I want" situation?
I have the Gold Rewards Plus Card, which I sometimes wonder about paying that fee...but I sure do like Amex CS. Have had my card replaced twice, once for loss, once for fraud, and they overnight the card to you....so I had it in less than 24 hours each time.
But, I have actually considered downgrading to the Zync now that it is out. Going green isn't worth it since they chare $95 AF on it now.
I don't fly much these days...so the extra airline points don't really do me any good.
Anyway, was just curious.
txjohn
I’ve had the Platinum for about a year. I only got this card for the airport lounge access. I like the fact that you get access to American, Delta, and Continental lounges all for the price of $450. If you were to buy all 3 memberships individually from the airline itself it’d cost you $1,500 (they’re about $500 each)
If you travel frequently I recommend asking your employer if you can get approved for a $500 annual airport lounge pass. If they don’t purchase first class, try persuading the company on the airport lounges perk. If approved tell them you get a 3 for 1 deal on the AMEX Platinum.
In addition to the airport lounges, you get automatic gold status on Starwood preferred guest, gold status on Hertz car rental ($60 value), executive status with National car rental. You can see all the benefits at americanexpress.com/platinum There are two tabs, featured benefits, and see all benefits, you’ll get the gist
If I didn’t travel frequently I wouldn’t have this card, it’s all about the airport lounge access!
The one thing I really dislike is the membership rewards points you earn can’t be transferred to American AAdvantage Miles, so that part really stinks.
@Anonymous wrote:Hey UM, congrats on your upgrade.
I was curious what specific perks you will best benefit from on the Platinum? Or if this was just "the card I want" situation?
I have the Gold Rewards Plus Card, which I sometimes wonder about paying that fee...but I sure do like Amex CS. Have had my card replaced twice, once for loss, once for fraud, and they overnight the card to you....so I had it in less than 24 hours each time.
But, I have actually considered downgrading to the Zync now that it is out. Going green isn't worth it since they chare $95 AF on it now.
I don't fly much these days...so the extra airline points don't really do me any good.
Anyway, was just curious.
txjohn
Have the Platinum card now, the Af is due any month now and I'm thinking the same exact things!