Amex Platinum Master Thread

[YudiG]

To sign up:

Consumer: http://www.dansdeals.com/go/Platinum5/

Business: http://www.dansdeals.com/go/BusinessPlat5/

If I apply now and get approved will I have to pay an annual fee for 2010 and 2011 or just for 2011?

Lastly ( if I got approved today for a AMEX SPG should I wait to apply for PLAT at all?

Thanks so much!

[Dan]

What type of $500 gift card is the 50k MR points good for? One for a retailer (e.g. Macy's) or more like a prepaid credit card one?

Also, if I apply now and get approved will I have to pay an annual fee for 2010 and 2011 or just for 2011?

Lastly ( if I got approved today for a AMEX SPG should I wait to apply for PLAT at all?

Thanks so much!

It's only good for store GCs, but 50K MR is worth more than $500 as miles.  I'll be happy to take 'em.

Annual fee is once every 12 months, nothing to do with the calendar.  You'll get a refund (full or prorated) if you cancel within the 12 months.

I sometimes apply for 5 cards in a day...no biggie.

[YudiG]

Thanks Dan! I very much appreciate all your help...you've saved me big $$$ over the years and given tons of great tips - you rock!

I got approved!

[Dan]

I got approved!

Congrats!
Now you can even sell slots for additional cardholders...

[YudiG]

But how do I prevent them racking up charges and running off?

[jong]

But how do I prevent them racking up charges and running off?

make sure they are reputable people.. start with friends. I personally didnt add an addtl cardholder

[Chaikel]

But how do I prevent them racking up charges and running off?

You can cancel the cards after you request them

[YudiG]

Thanks for the help

have there been any reports of issues of people being denied entry to lounges bc of canceled cards?

[Chaikel]

Thanks for the help

have there been any reports of issues of people being denied entry to lounges bc of canceled cards?

Nope. Thats the beauty of it. Ppl pay $50-100and get lounge access for 4 years

[YudiG]

Can I cancel just the additional cards but maintain the primary?

[Dan]

Can I cancel just the additional cards but maintain the primary?

Yes.

[YudiG]

On the PLAT, if you purchase a business class ticket from AMEX you get one free companion one. Do both passengers have to travel the same dates?

If yes, can you just change the dates on one and pay the change fee (utilizing the statement credit of course )?

Are tickets generally more expensive from Amex as opposed to buying it from a travel agent?

[gozalim]

i just had a "additional user" application (amex plat-applied online) canceled due to "no SSN" supposidely because of a new law from june that is slowly being implemented.
anyone else run into this?

[Cholentfresser]

I believe u can call them and do it without an ssn.
if they still ask for it, tell them u don't have it with u now, that should do it, because really they don't care about the ssn of additionals bc the bill always goes to the primary.

[gozalim]

I believe u can call them and do it without an ssn.
if they still ask for it, tell them u don't have it with u now, that should do it, because really they don't care about the ssn of additionals bc the bill always goes to the primary.

when icalled he said the problem was SSN and i should call back with it. (i suspect his problem was something else...)

[Cholentfresser]

hmmm...what else can the problem be?
even if its something to do with a lot of numbers in a dif. question on the application, why would they blame it on the ssn?

[Devorah]

hmmm...what else can the problem be?
even if its something to do with a lot of numbers in a dif. question on the application, why would they blame it on the ssn?

Evidently they need some sort of ID.  I asked re adding a user who doesn't have a ssn and she said i can use a foreign passport.

[MES]

Just thought I'd give an update for anyone who's interested.
Got approved for the amex platinum on Nov. 17th spent a 1000$ right after I got it. Got my 25$ small business credit on Dec. 3rd. Payed the the 450$ annual fee before it was due on dec 13th. 50,000 points posted yesterday Dec. 18th. Called today to cancel and got the whole $450 refunded and I still have more than a month to pay off my debt on the card. Thanks for the deal Dan.
(I'm not sure if anyone cares out there, but they did instruct me to cut up the card, and regardless of weather or not you feel you have to listen, I asked my shayla to a few people and was told it was pashut that it's assur to use it for lounges after it's canceled, so I think I'll be cutting it up anyways. Did anyone hear different from a reputable Rav who understood the shayla properly?)

[Dan]

Just thought I'd give an update for anyone who's interested.
Got approved for the amex platinum on Nov. 17th spent a 1000$ right after I got it. Got my 25$ small business credit on Dec. 3rd. Payed the the 450$ annual fee before it was due on dec 13th. 50,000 points posted yesterday Dec. 18th. Called today to cancel and got the whole $450 refunded and I still have more than a month to pay off my debt on the card. Thanks for the deal Dan.
(I'm not sure if anyone cares out there, but they did instruct me to cut up the card, and regardless of weather or not you feel you have to listen, I asked my shayla to a few people and was told it was pashut that it's assur to use it for lounges after it's canceled, so I think I'll be cutting it up anyways. Did anyone hear different from a reputable Rav who understood the shayla properly?)

IIRC Steve2 asked a Rav who said that if you show them your wallet with cards in it and ask if any of these work to get into the lounge and if they point out that the Plat card gets you in then it's OK.

I may be misremembering the exact details though.

Either way, congrats on the free miles! Please post a comment on the main site about it on the AMEX Plat post.

[mancunian]

whatdya mean? it says on the back that its property of amex - col mah sheamar lecha baal habayis asei!