re: Credit Card Rewards and Points Discussion

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Any active Military do not have to pay annual fees for credit cards

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That's pretty cool. I did not know that.

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If you travel enough you would pay that without blinking an eye (making that kind of money).

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It definitely makes my eyes blink

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That's the only criteria I've ever known. And if you're spending that much, they should throw the card at you.

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My understanding is that you have to spend that in consecutive years so that it isnt a one time purchase that put you way over the top

ETA: But like I said I am no where near that kind of spending

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Is this right? Delta Sky Club membership is $695?

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Yes... thats why I pay the $450 for the Delta Reserve Amex

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Just looked and that has some great benefits if you fly Delta exclusively.

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I flew nothing but Delta last year and looks like it will be the case this year. When it's no longer the case I will go with the regular Amex platinum for without a doubt

Longtime lurker of the money board but I had to finally join to chime in on this nonsense. This post will be long.

I have been an AMEX member since the beginning of 2011. It has been the single best decision I've probably made in the past 5 years. I'm 29 so that flare should probably be tempered.

2011-2012 I had the Gold Premier Rewards. I funneled every expense I could through that card. My total personal spend for 2012 brought me over 100,000 points for the year because of the multipliers. Along with the 25K Bonus and 15K spend bonus, I haven't paid for my last 4 domestic flights. I'm going to Las Vegas and NYC in the next couple months. All free.

I decided to upgrade to the Platinum last year and it was an awesome decision. I am not "wealthy" but I have a good credit score. I'm just single and travel. I do make a low six figure income but my spend is exasperated because my lack of obligations.

Couple Points about the Platinum:

1. It pays for itself 5 times over if you travel 3-4 times a year. I've probably sat and drank more free booze in Delta and Centurion (Las Vegas) lounges than I care to admit.

2. They reimburse you $200 a year for baggage fees and drinks (in my case). It just rolled over on Jan 1 so my limit is reset.

3. I'm upgraded at every hotel I visit- mostly starwood locations or those booked through AMEX. I've booked through AMEX Fine Hotels quite a few times. You're treated like royalty relative to just a plain customer. MGM Grand upgraded me to the Penthouse Suite last year when I had only booked Tower Suite. Maybe that's just good luck.

4. Not everyone can get the card. Generally, from what the rep told me, the only way you can upgrade is if you meet a spend threshold but there's no minimum spend if that makes sense. Targeted offers are different, I have no experience with that. Just upgrading.

It's not just you decide to pay $450 and they give it to you. That's a bunch of bullshite. Generally people that say that were either turned down or they got on through someone else's credit. It's still viewed as one of the top 2-3 most prestigious domestic cards in the U.S. without being tied to some Brokerage Firm.

5. Concierge has done more shite for me than I care to admit. I sat in Jim Beam box last year in Yankees Stadium because I called up concierge. When I go to a new city, I get them to send me an event guide. I tell them what I like and they filter everything into a report. No more playing Google. Any restaurant I want to go to, I'm never locked out. Even those last minute ones in NOLA that used to make me wait a hour.

6. I've never used Global Access but apparently it's reimbursed. Also, you get companion tickets if you book international business. I've never used them but I will soon as some family will be relocating oversees.

Basically, the $450 is pretty much nothing considering I was paying $175 for Rewards Gold with none of the associated benefits.

Someone mentioned Delta Reserve earlier. That's garbage and I'd throw that away. You're only getting access to Delta lounges for the same fee and not the same level of benefits of the Platinum.

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heard rumors you need an annual income of over $1MM and significant spending amounts of $250k. Plus the fees are ridiculous at $5,000 just to join the club and then $2,500/yr. That's insane to me.

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I know one guy in Shreveport that is a legit millionaire that carries the Platinum over the Centurion because there are no additional benefits besides personal concierge. He is the type that owns his own jet.

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What did someone say that set you off? I don't recall anyone talking about the quote above (although I think it's overstated). Nobody said everyone can get the card. I think it's understood on this board that a decent credit score is required as well as a decent income etc. But it really isn't too difficult to get an AMEX Platinum. Have a decent job and a 700-ish credit score and voila.

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Nobody set me off. I just read plenty of boards like Reddit and Nerd Wallet. Every time people with 600ish credit scores claim they received an offer or were approved. Or it's some Capital One rewards card they just hand out. It's not true.

I was turned down the first time and my credit profile was excellent.

I didn't mean to come off as heated. I been waiting 2 days for these people to approve my handle so I could post. It kind of came out convoluted out of excitement.

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an you expand on point 6? Did i read that if you book business class overseas you get a +1 essentially

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There are some flights you book through AMEX Trael that are designated companion tickets. You pay full price for 1 Ticket and you get another for free.

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Did anyone address the OPs issue of having both the gold/platinum open? If I upgraded to platinum would it "cancel" my gold? Not sure I want to pay for both.

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You only get this if you managed to apply separately twice and not upgrade. Technically he has 2 accounts and will be paying for 2 Fees- which is ridiculous as he will be carrying two balances.

If he upgraded, like I did, my Gold Premier still works but does not accrue points like he used to. It has the same power as the Platinum card. Though you wont get any benefits.

I use it as a backup or second card if the GF to go the store. Never give that bitch the Platinum.

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Amex sent me an offer for the platinum card (I'm a gold card holder now) so I'm assuming I would get approved.

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Depends. Is it an Open account? They send those to anybody associated with a small business. Usually the personal offers are not a promise of approval, only the offer code.

Ya my gold auto-renewed 12/15/13, I'm guessing it would make the most sense to upgrade to platnium next DEC and avoid paying my gold fee and just pay the platinum.

Of course they will