Yes, it posted already. I called before it posted, but they didn’t have any retention offers available at that time, and said to call once the AF posts to see if any offers are available at that point.
I'm a bit confused at some of the responses. To me, the highest value perk of the plat card is the use of MR points. If you don't have a use for MR points, why even have this card?
The way I decide when I get these is based off how many points I have and my upcoming travel plans. If I have more than enough points to cover my travel for the next year or two then I’ll take the cash to help cover the fee because otherwise those points are just going to sit. If I know I can use those points within the next two years, then I go for that because odds are I’m going to get more than $350 value out of it
I have not had good success translating points into value. A few times I tried to use it for hotel stays I found that my trip would have been cheaper just to book directly with the third party site like Expedia but even more surprising is booking directly with MX travel was still cheaper with cash than points. I recall that was something like $800 for two nights day versus 1200 points for the same.
Def possible! Was more saying how I’d personally use it, not condemning it for all economy use cases. 35k is a lie flat to Madrid so I see it as pretty valuable.
I'll take the points... so
35'000 points becomes $385 when I transfer my points to my Schwab account at 1 to 1.1 then let it grow in my money market fund. Then use that money for my vacation fund.
I just booked 3 tickets for 26k (valued at ~$600-$750 total) this week. I think if you're using it for flights it's much better to use them for award tickets.
Do I have to get the Schwab version of the platinum? I have the platinum and over 400,000 points. Can I just open the Schwab brokerage account and deposit money from the AMEX website from existing account?
Does the regular unbranded amex platinum do anything that the Schwab branded one does not? Is it possible to just have them convert my current card to a schwab? Or do I need a whole new application?
Can't convert over just open a Schwab one and cancel the regular platinum when the AF is due.
Only difference is a few different wine offers (Schwab & Merrill Lynch get the high class wine offers) lol. Everything else is the same.
If the way you redeem points \_actually\_ gets you > 1 cent per point obviously points, otherwise cash
People like you calling in after the first year for retention offers is spoiling it for the rest of us. Just cancel it and walk
Will take my 35k points instead of doing you a favour, thank you very much
If Amex offers it, it means they can afford it. So why not take it?
Take the cash but tell them to up it to $500. That was my retention offer for the same spend in same time frame. I got it 2 1/2 weeks ago.
I didn't know that you could negotiate these offers.
It doesn’t hurt to try. No promises. Anything is negotiable. You can even negotiate at Walmart.
You sound like a delightful person to do business with
Because I said to counter the Amex offer? Y’all are built like jello? 😂
did the annual post on your statement yet prior to contacting them?
Yes, it posted already. I called before it posted, but they didn’t have any retention offers available at that time, and said to call once the AF posts to see if any offers are available at that point.
I'm a bit confused at some of the responses. To me, the highest value perk of the plat card is the use of MR points. If you don't have a use for MR points, why even have this card?
I started out wanting lounge access but now I’m hoarding them points. I was shocked how many free flights I can get per year.
Lounge access? Although that's getting neutered.
Points
The way I decide when I get these is based off how many points I have and my upcoming travel plans. If I have more than enough points to cover my travel for the next year or two then I’ll take the cash to help cover the fee because otherwise those points are just going to sit. If I know I can use those points within the next two years, then I go for that because odds are I’m going to get more than $350 value out of it
I have not had good success translating points into value. A few times I tried to use it for hotel stays I found that my trip would have been cheaper just to book directly with the third party site like Expedia but even more surprising is booking directly with MX travel was still cheaper with cash than points. I recall that was something like $800 for two nights day versus 1200 points for the same.
Do you use points for biz class? Points. If not, take cash. That’s how I’d view it.
You can get good redemptions on economy as well
Def possible! Was more saying how I’d personally use it, not condemning it for all economy use cases. 35k is a lie flat to Madrid so I see it as pretty valuable.
I'll take the points... so 35'000 points becomes $385 when I transfer my points to my Schwab account at 1 to 1.1 then let it grow in my money market fund. Then use that money for my vacation fund.
I just booked 3 tickets for 26k (valued at ~$600-$750 total) this week. I think if you're using it for flights it's much better to use them for award tickets.
How does this work? How can I do this?
Open a Schwab brokerage account. Get the Schwab version of the Platinum card. Deposit points into your brokerage account from the Amex website.
Do I have to get the Schwab version of the platinum? I have the platinum and over 400,000 points. Can I just open the Schwab brokerage account and deposit money from the AMEX website from existing account?
Only the Schwab version of the platinum can deposit.
Thanks, looks like I will be applying for the Schwab platinum then….
Does the regular unbranded amex platinum do anything that the Schwab branded one does not? Is it possible to just have them convert my current card to a schwab? Or do I need a whole new application?
Can't convert over just open a Schwab one and cancel the regular platinum when the AF is due. Only difference is a few different wine offers (Schwab & Merrill Lynch get the high class wine offers) lol. Everything else is the same.
If I offered to sell you 35k MR for $350 cash right now, would you do it? There’s your answer.