American Express Discussion Area

eagle

The_Toff wrote:

I've just rung them and told them my card is damaged, so they're sending me a new one. Will be interesting to see the design of the Platinum credit card with a chip. It can't be any worse than the current design, which looks like it's been designed by a small child.

About to try the same here, though not entirely sure as a few people have reported having problems with AmEx chip and pin cards.

Anyway, I wonder how long it will be before they start asking more questions when they notice that an unusually higher number of customers start calling to report "damaged cards".

machaudry

We finally got call from Amex and Platinum charge card approved and on its way to me. Now, where could i find information on how to get upgrades using this card. Anyone like to share experience? Any forums where people talk about the kind of upgrades?

Frugal_Sharky

I have been using a Texaco 0.5% cashback credit card for 18 months now but have decided to take Martin's advice and use this as a backup to an Amex Platinum credit card. I applied for the Amex Platinum CC this morning. However, I'm a bit confused by point 5.1 of their terms and conditions which states:

"The total charge for credit is £71.12. This consists entirely of interest and is based on the sum of £1,500 being borrowed at the start of the agreement and being repaid in equal monthly instalments over the period of one year at the standard interest rate for purchases set out in condition 4.1, and does not take into account any promotional rate that we may apply".

I've tried to contact Amex customer services to clarify this point before signing and return the agreement but they are closed at weekends!

Can anybody shed any light on what this actually means? I thought I was applying for a credit card and not a loan...?

Thanks.

exel1966

Frugal_Sharky wrote:

I have been using a Texaco 0.5% cashback credit card for 18 months now but have decided to take Martin's advice and use this as a backup to an Amex Platinum credit card. I applied for the Amex Platinum CC this morning. However, I'm a bit confused by point 5.1 of their terms and conditions which states:

"The total charge for credit is £71.12. This consists entirely of interest and is based on the sum of £1,500 being borrowed at the start of the agreement and being repaid in equal monthly instalments over the period of one year at the standard interest rate for purchases set out in condition 4.1, and does not take into account any promotional rate that we may apply".

I've tried to contact Amex customer services to clarify this point before signing and return the agreement but they are closed at weekends!

Can anybody shed any light on what this actually means? I thought I was applying for a credit card and not a loan...?

Thanks.

The paragraph is basically stating that (speaking hyperthetically) if you spent £1500 (your credit limit) you would be charged £71.12 in interest if you decided to repay it in 12 equal payments within the year. If you paid prior to the 12 months obviously athe interest charge would be less. The £71.12 is determined by the APR currently being charged by AMEX.
It's common practice for many c/card companies to include this on the application form. Don't worry, they won't charge you anything if you clear your balance in full each month.

Frugal_Sharky

exel1966 wrote:

The paragraph is basically stating that (speaking hyperthetically) if you spent £1500 (your credit limit) you would be charged £71.12 in interest if you decided to repay it in 12 equal payments within the year. If you paid prior to the 12 months obviously athe interest charge would be less. The £71.12 is determined by the APR currently being charged by AMEX.
It's common practice for many c/card companies to include this on the application form. Don't worry, they won't charge you anything if you clear your balance in full each month.

Thanks for clarifying that exel1966. Just a shame Amex don't make it clear in their t's&c's that this is only an example... :mad:

tryingtosave_3

There was a post earlier about card benefits - someone replied that the Platinum Credit credit had none other than the cash back (i.e. the Platinum Charge Card offered extras.)

The Amex site seems to suggest that there are a whole sway of "Card Member" benefits for everyone ... at www.americanexpressofferzone.com . Is this the case, or are these offers actually only for those with charge cards, not credit cards? There are a few that interest me and I'm hopefully getting a card (credit) soon.

Just out of interest, what are the extra benefits from the Platinum Charge Card? I couldn't find anything interesting (or worth £175) on the Amex site ...

Thanks!

Frugal_Sharky

tryingtosave wrote:

There was a post earlier about card benefits - someone replied that the Platinum Credit credit had none other than the cash back (i.e. the Platinum Charge Card offered extras.)

The Amex site seems to suggest that there are a whole sway of "Card Member" benefits for everyone ... at www.americanexpressofferzone.com . Is this the case, or are these offers actually only for those with charge cards, not credit cards? There are a few that interest me and I'm hopefully getting a card (credit) soon.

Just out of interest, what are the extra benefits from the Platinum Charge Card? I couldn't find anything interesting (or worth £175) on the Amex site ...

Thanks!

According to the Frequently Asked Questions section accessed from the offers page http://www.americanexpressofferzone.com/selects/Faq.aspx#Q001 the offers are open to all American Express cards. :j

The benefits of the Platinum charge card are compared here alongside the Green card. I guess its upto the individual to decide if these benefits are worth the £275 annual card fee...

JollyNolly

I must be missing something about the Amex Blue card. Looking at this page it appears that you can get 15 months 0% with no BT fee. Why isn't it top of all the lists?

tryingtosave_3

Thanks Frugal.

Does anyone have a platinum charge card and find it useful? I sort of get the impression these things are only good if you're already spending a fortune, i.e. you'll get £100 off a £900 hotel room etc. Would be interested to know if the £275 is actually a money saving ...

Re. Amex Blue Charge BT - I think the BT offer is "lifetime at 3.99%"; the 0% for 15 months looks like it refers to purchases.

Quote from the page you link to:

Transfer Balances Fee-Free
Transfer balances from your higher-rate MasterCard®, Discover®, and Visa®: cards to your American Express®: Card account with no transaction fee! Then enjoy the low APR: Fixed rate of 3.99% for life of balance (until the balance is completely paid off), on Balance Transfer requests submitted with this application.
(link)

I'm not sure if there is a catch or why it's not top of the list - Martin's article on CC balance transfers mentions the Amex Platinum rate (as a "stable BT" option) but not the Blue card ... maybe it's a new offer - or there is a horrible catch!!

M_Thomson

The first link that tryingtosave posted, takes you to offers for American Express US cardholders, you have to change the country to get UK specific offers. The second link that Jolly Nolly and tryingtosave posted refers to the Amex Blue US card only NOT the UK one. These are the offers they get over there, not here.