I love credit cards so much!

[SouthFayetteFan]

SouthFayetteFan's Take on the AMEX "Announcement" Yesterday:

Ok - so I've looked at this issue a little further today and wanted to give my take based on reading the info on DoC and comments on Reddit.

1) DoC's headline is: Amex Updates Terms to Exclude Peer Payments, Cash Equivalents, & Amex GC from Earning Points with further clarification on "Cash equivalents" defined as Visa/MC/Amex gift cards and perhaps bill payment services (DoC's words...not AMEX)
2) As you read the text of his post...it is clear this is referring to earning points not signup bonuses. Now of course these same rules ALSO apply to signup bonuses...BUT what I'm saying is these rules have applied to signup bonuses FOR A LONG TIME...He even points out that they previously updated this wording on signup bonuses in previous posts.
3) These statements against peer 2 peer, cash equivalents, gift cards, etc. have appeared in the signup bonus language at least since July 2017. For those interested here's some additional reading from DoC:
- October 2017 https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amex...mporarily-suspend-earning-membership-rewards/
- July 2017 https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amex-updates-terms-penalize-gaming-signup-bonus-system/

So my takeaway is...

• While yes, this is AMEX continuing to fight those "gaming" the system, I would not necessarily be alarmed at this change relative to signup bonuses on things like the SPG Business or other cards. This wording is NOT new relative to signup bonuses.
• This should be a much larger concern for those doing MS (Manufactured Spend) activities on any AMEX card which I know many of us here are not MSers.
• Plastiq has remained a viable way to earn signup bonuses despite the negative wording changes in July and October...could it change in the future, sure, but for now it seems safe
• Purchasing Visa GCs or Mastercard GCs is clearly a risk and should be avoided on AMEX cards. If you must purchase one, I'd probably NOT include it in my min spend calculation
• Third Party Gift Cards (i.e. Disney GCs purchased at Target) and store gift cards (i.e. Home Depot GCs purchased at Home Depot) should never become a focus of this energy as they are closed-loop and too much of a "normal consumer" behavior. I'd be absolutely shocked if that started to be scrutinized.

Interested to hear anybody else's take (agree, disagree, etc.)!

 

[WardFam]

DH has the SPG business card on the way and I am thinking about applying for it also. Can I apply using the same EIN (we are co-owners) but under my name and still recieve the bonus?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

DH has the SPG business card on the way and I am thinking about applying for it also. Can I apply using the same EIN (we are co-owners) but under my name and still recieve the bonus?

It appears that generally YES you should be eligible as AMEX looks to the SSN for bonus eligibility (not EIN). HOWEVER, If I were in your position I'd probably apply as a Sole Prop and use your SSN in both spots to be absolutely safe (if you feel comfortable doing so).

If you do this, I assume you're going to have him refer you to earn some extra points too correct? Just making sure you don't miss that step

 

[platamama]

Random UR question. We have the Alaska card (BoA) and it comes with an annual companion pass that can be used with paid fare. My understanding is that tickets purchased through the UR portal look appear as paid fares to the airlines (and even earn miles), but would booking through that portal mean I couldn't use that companion fare? Or is there a way to do it and I just can't figure it out because I've never used URs? Just trying to do some thinking ahead about card strategy.

Anything I've ever read about the Alaska companion pass talks about booking through the Alaska website to apply your companion pass, because the electronic code is attached to your Mileage Plan account which you need to log into in order to use the pass. You could always pay for it with your UR card, and then reimburse yourself with a statement credit. Or get another credit card with a signup bonus so it counts toward MSR.

 

[kayteekt]

Is this normal? Applied for the SPG biz on 3/2. It said approved. Got an email from them that day but didn't read it then.

Opened it up and read today. Email says, we received your application...we're reviewing, we'll let you know type thing.

Is that normal? This got me thinking, on our personal SPG's they gave us the CC number right away. This made me wonder if something is wrong and I wasn't instantly approved.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Is this normal? Applied for the SPG biz on 3/2. It said approved. Got an email from them that day but didn't read it then.

Opened it up and read today. Email says, we received your application...we're reviewing, we'll let you know type thing.

Is that normal? This got me thinking, on our personal SPG's they gave us the CC number right away. This made me wonder if something is wrong and I wasn't instantly approved.

Yes, very normal.

What's your status say here?
https://www262.americanexpress.com/eaol/welcome.do

 

[FredtheDuck]

Anything I've ever read about the Alaska companion pass talks about booking through the Alaska website to apply your companion pass, because the electronic code is attached to your Mileage Plan account which you need to log into in order to use the pass. You could always pay for it with your UR card, and then reimburse yourself with a statement credit. Or get another credit card with a signup bonus so it counts toward MSR.

Totally didn't think about reimbursing via statement credit... thanks! Appreciate the help.

 

[peel]

Did anyone else receive this offer on their CSR-

As an added benefit this year, Chase invites you to enjoy complimentary Gold Status at Shell through the Fuel Rewards® loyalty program through December 31, 2018.* With Gold Status you'll save at least 5¢ per gallon (up to 20 gallons) on every fill-up at Shell stations this year.

I got the offer for my CFU, signed up. The fine print did not seem to indicate that I need to use that card, getting 5% this quarter from my CF.
Have not tried yet but at the pump the other day (before I got the offer) it looked like I could get the Fuel Rewards discount plus my Stop and Shop grocery points. If I can use both discounts plus the 5% CF that is a pretty sweet deal until the end of March when the CF 5% is over.

I initially ignored it because I buy Shell Gift Cards at the grocery store on the Amex BCP for 6% cash back, or on the Freedom during quarters where I can buy them for 5x UR somewhere, and pair the GCs with my Stop & Shop points. But now that @scard192 says I might be able to double dip the Fuel Rewards with the S&S points I'll be looking into this further. Thanks!

 

[kayteekt]

Yes, very normal.

What's your status say here?
https://www262.americanexpress.com/eaol/welcome.do

Checked with that link. Approved. Thanks!

Hoping the card comes quickly like the personal SPG's do. I need to buy some Disney tix within a week.

 

[kayteekt]

While I'm thinking about Amex SPG.
I have a personal, DH has a personal and I just got approved for Biz.

My AF should hit this month on my personal this month. Unless they offer a great retention I should cancel. As far as timing, do I need to wait until the AF hits and then call in? Or do I cancel before?

ETA, this would be my 2nd year ann. on card.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Checked with that link. Approved. Thanks!

Hoping the card comes quickly like the personal SPG's do. I need to buy some Disney tix within a week.

Have you been able to add that card to your AMEX login yet? If so you may be able to go to Account Services, then click Order a Replacement Card for Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Cards and they might give you a tracking number of some sort for your card. YMMV as this method has been hit or miss for me...

EDIT: I'm not saying to order a replacement - just click there as it typically might give shipping information for your current pending card shipment.

While I'm thinking about Amex SPG.
I have a personal, DH has a personal and I just got approved for Biz.

My AF should hit this month on my personal this month. Unless they offer a great retention I should cancel. As far as timing, do I need to wait until the AF hits and then call in? Or do I cancel before?

ETA, this would be my 2nd year ann. on card.

With AMEX it may be best to let the fee hit first, sometimes they won't offer a retention until the fee has posted. I've seen mixed reports on this as well - good luck! I'm right behind you cancelling my SPG personal next month if no good retention

 

[kayteekt]

Have you been able to add that card to your AMEX login yet?

Oh geez, I'm full of questions today, sorry. I haven't set up a login yet. Due to the Amex offers, is it ok to have the same login for all? I wasn't sure how I would make a login yet anyway, since I don't have the card or card#.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Oh geez, I'm full of questions today, sorry. I haven't set up a login yet. Due to the Amex offers, is it ok to have the same login for all? I wasn't sure how I would make a login yet anyway, since I don't have the card or card#.

I have all my AMEX cards on one login - but I rarely use AMEX offers (others may have a differing opinion).

Regarding a login, AMEX is so YMMV with how they do things. Sometimes after applying they prompt you setup your login. Sometimes they'll send you an email saying you're approved which will allow you to setup a login. Sometimes you have to wait until the card arrives... It's strange to me, but various things happen with them after an approval and I'm not sure why, haha!

 

[peel]

Oh geez, I'm full of questions today, sorry. I haven't set up a login yet. Due to the Amex offers, is it ok to have the same login for all? I wasn't sure how I would make a login yet anyway, since I don't have the card or card#.

You can have them under the same login, just log into the same account on different browsers simultaneously to sign up for Amex offers. Otherwise, if you have the same offer on multiple cards, it will disappear once you accept it on one. But if you have the pages loaded up already, you'll be able to utilize the same offer on all the cards you have it on.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Agree @SouthFayetteFan .

I also think this is a good time to remind everyone that most of us potentially violate Amex's terms and conditions WITH EVERY SINGLE AMEX CARD. Did you ever sign up for a card just for the bonus? You gamer you! According to those T&C's in place since at least JULY Amex pretty much asserts they can see the future because if they think you intend to commit gaming they can cancel. They don't even need evidence folks, if they want you out you're out. (And what does "gaming" mean? anything they want, this is determined at their sole discretion. Signing up for a credit card just for the bonus sounds like a perfect example of gaming the system.)

The actual question here is will the computer flag Plastiq, etc. now? We can only hope someone with Plastiq or other borderline payments hits the spend in the next 3 weeks on the new offer to be the DP you all want/need. The offer has an expiry date of 3/28 so you can wait a few weeks to see if these fears come to fruition. The bonuses post fast on this card, mine posted within a few days of meeting of the spend. And I funded bank accounts. Do I regret that? Not in this moment, I panicked last week when I contacted amex about matching my bonus and freaked myself out about having eyes on my account at my own request, but it hasn't bitten me in the rear as of this minute (or anyone else as far as spg cards go to my knowledge actually, @SouthFayetteFan is a bit of a churning historian so I defer to the elder- do you recall any DPs of spg cards have points refused or revoked? This practice is so much more common with MR, both refused and revoked and on Delta where they are refused but that tends to be related to offers not attaching properly from what I've seen, any Delta miles revoked?) Fwiw, I had 2 cards with better offers suddenly fall into my lap that required legit spending when I had just started meeting the spend on my spg card so what I did was not my intention when I got the card but I did it and my bonus posted exactly as expected.

Basically, if you've already signed up don't panic. If you haven't signed up and are worried stay on the fence, you don't need to jump right now, you have until the end of the month to make this decision.

 

[Albort]

While I'm thinking about Amex SPG.
I have a personal, DH has a personal and I just got approved for Biz.

My AF should hit this month on my personal this month. Unless they offer a great retention I should cancel. As far as timing, do I need to wait until the AF hits and then call in? Or do I cancel before?

ETA, this would be my 2nd year ann. on card.

There is a targeted offer that seems to target people with AFs coming up. mine comes up in April, i got a spend $5000 for 5000 points.
It seems like a lot of ppl get no retention offers until after the AF posts. if ur lucky, they may give u a 10k offer no strings attached! the other one is $1k spendings 7500 points.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

@SouthFayetteFan is a bit of a churning historian so I defer to the elder- do you recall any DPs of spg cards have points refused or revoked?

First, thanks for your insightful post

So I know with Chase, once points transfer to a partner (i.e. Southwest, Marriott) they won't take them back. I've had Chase Southwest CC statements sit negative for 11 months due to a return and they'll just wait until you earn more to offset the negative. I always wonder what would happen if I closed an account with a negative balance but I'd never want to upset the Chase gods. With American Express it seems to also be the case that they won't "take partner points back" but I have less evidence of it. I personally keep all of my SPG points in my Marriott account because I feel they are "safer" there - but I think that's just absolutely paranoia on my part and has no logical reasoning behind it. American Express did add wording where SPG points could take UP TO 12 weeks to post to your account, and that wording to me suggests that they want to add time in to review it on their end BECAUSE once they transfer, they can't get them back. However my SPG points on the recent 35k offer from back in the fall posted immediately once I hit the spend amount, definitely no waiting period.

Obviously with MRs it's a whole different ballgame, they freeze them, claw them back, put you in the negative...all kinds of crazy stuff (I have never had any of those issues myself though).

EDIT: Thanks for reminding me that I've violated AMEX T&Cs 20+ times

 

[elgerber]

I personally keep all of my SPG points in my Marriott account because I feel they are "safer" there - but I think that's just absolutely paranoia on my part and has no logical reasoning behind it. American Express did add wording where SPG points could take UP TO 12 weeks to post to your account, and that wording to me suggests that they want to add time in to review it on their end BECAUSE once they transfer, they can't get them back. However my SPG points on the recent 35k offer from back in the fall posted immediately once I hit the spend amount, definitely no waiting period.

This is me also, as soon as my dh gets his points from his MS (his bonus points already posted, the following day, just waiting for his statement to close to get the $5000 from the spend) both his SPG and mine, will be moved to my Marriott account. That way they are all in one place, and I know AMEX can't take them back, if for some reason they ever tried.
Won't be able to do that with the Delta miles though.

 

[Judique]

There is a targeted offer that seems to target people with AFs coming up. mine comes up in April, i got a spend $5000 for 5000 points.
It seems like a lot of ppl get no retention offers until after the AF posts. if ur lucky, they may give u a 10k offer no strings attached! the other one is $1k spendings 7500 points.

I'm not the lucky recipient of a targeted offer so far. Checked my account this morning and nothing on it but the annual fee of $95. I'm going to call in and talk to them about canceling, but I've got to use my Chewy offer first and pay for it! (25 off 75). I usually only spend $100-$200 a month on this card, mostly because I've been chasing bonuses or helping my daughter with spend on her bonuses.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

This is me also, as soon as my dh gets his points from his MS (his bonus points already posted, the following day, just waiting for his statement to close to get the $5000 from the spend) both his SPG and mine, will be moved to my Marriott account. That way they are all in one place, and I know AMEX can't take them back, if for some reason they ever tried.
Won't be able to do that with the Delta miles though.

Just a nit-picky comment - might want to use Min. Spend or the abbreviation MSR when referencing the Minimum Spend Requirement as MS is commonly understand as Manufactured Spend in churning lingo