American Express Discussion Area

JohalaReewi

wrrllw wrote:

Have been an AMEX Blue user for years, thought I'd "upgrade" to an AMEX Platinum for extra money-back.


Not a slick experience, though:
- the application process required to PRINT OFF, sign and return a 30 PAGE application form/T&C document; made my home printer seat :mad:
- when card arrived, I tried to register for on-line services (to make it easy to pay off the balance on time; glitch in AMEX systems means I can't do this for 4/5 days yet
- tried to change the PIN I'd been sent to something more meaningful; glitch in AMEX systems stopped me from doing that too... "Try again in a week" was the hepful advice from AMEX help desk.

Not impressive service

In contrast, after a year with a blue, my platinum card application went through smoothly. OK, I had to print off a 30 page document and send it off but it was freepost and I got an acceptance letter less than a week later. A couple of days after that my card arrived and a PIN number (shock horror!!). Card activation worked fine and changed the PIN number at a Barclays ATM a couple of hours later. All done and dusted in just over a week.

Funny thing is, when I use the card, nobody asks for the pin - I still have to sign the slips.

JohalaReewi

M_Thomson wrote:

You cannot have more than one Charge and One Credit card at a time with Amex. So having a blue and a platinum credit card is not an option.

I have just done this. Applied for a platinum credit card while blue card still active. When the platinum card came through, both were active at the same time. I have since closed the blue and when I did, I was able to add the blue credit limit to the platinum card.

The_Toff

JohalaReewi wrote:

In contrast, after a year with a blue, my platinum card application went through smoothly. OK, I had to print off a 30 page document and send it off but it was freepost and I got an acceptance letter less than a week later. A couple of days after that my card arrived and a PIN number (shock horror!!). Card activation worked fine and changed the PIN number at a Barclays ATM a couple of hours later. All done and dusted in just over a week.

Funny thing is, when I use the card, nobody asks for the pin - I still have to sign the slips.

But Amex cards are not Chip and Pin, ie there's no chip in the card.

The pin you have is just for the ATM machines, and not for tapping into checkout tills.

JohalaReewi

This AMEX platinum card has a chip (or something that looks like a chip) so maybe they are now chip&pin ready ??

Edit:
Have double checked the paperwork that came with the card and it says "The Platinum Credit Card with Chip and PIN".

isasmurf

The_Toff wrote:

But Amex cards are not Chip and Pin, ie there's no chip in the card.

The pin you have is just for the ATM machines, and not for tapping into checkout tills.

I think you'll find there is a chip in the card... it's just that you (at least with the pre chip'n pin cards) will still have to sign even though it has a chip.

JPR

My replacement BA Amex of 3 days ago is now Chip n Pin.

lottie$_2

New Amex cards come as chip and pin - my OH got a card off my account a couple of weeks ago, and it is chip'n'pin, whereas mine is old style...

BrightonLad

Just been offered to upgrade my Blue to a Platinum with any BTs made within 6months getting just 4.9% for the life of the balance.

Sounds good i think.

But, I currently use my Amex for all purchases, that will have to stop as my payments will be applied to the BTs first.

It says in the small print a BT fee of the minimum of 2% or £40 may be charged. Will it or not? I applied for a Virgin card a few months back and the t&cs also said "may" charge, but they never did.

Will my limit be the same as the Blue, or different? Higher?

Has anybody else upgraded to get this rate on this card?

Shall I do it or not?

I currently have a balance on Virgin 0% card which ends in June 06.
The T&C of the amex say i need to apply by 31st december. If i do this then i could still transfer the balance to the amex platinum up to 6 months later, so just before the 0% rate on the Virgin card runs out, benefitting from max 0% on the Virgin.

JohalaReewi

It isn't quite an upgrade it is a brand new card with new card number, credit limit, etc. Once you have your platinum card, you can transfer the balance over from the blue card but you will have to ask customer services if this is a free transfer. Your platinum credit limit will be separate from the blue card, and if you close the blue card, you can have the credit limit added to your platinum limit. Or, you can BT to the platinum for the 4.9% LOB rate and keep the blue for purchases and cashback.

BrightonLad

So it won't automatically close the blue card by getting the platinum card?