American Express Discussion Area

donal_f

I have had similiar experiences to some above. I called to clarify and my 3 month period started about 2 or 3 weeks before I received the card! Also - the cashback you see on your statement is confusing (its twice the amount spent rather than 5 times). Its hard to complain too much though when I've only taken out the card with the intention of only using it during the 5% cashback period!

browsingid

SalsaDanca wrote: »

Hi,

I will be making a purchase of just under £4,000 at the end of next month (a season ticket for my commute to London). I recently applied for an American Express platinum moneyback card, with the intention of earning 5% cashback on the purchase.

The card arrived today, and it has a credit limit of £3,000. I realise that I've been lucky compared to some of the other people on this thread, but what's the best strategy for getting the credit limit increased to £4,000? Should I call them before I activate the card, or should I activate the card and start using it? I have a reasonable income and a good credit history, but I have got quite a lot of unused available credit on other cards.

Thanks,

Rob

Dunno if this will help, but you could consider calling them up and asking if they will approve a short term increase to £4k to cover that one purchase. Alternatively you could load £1k onto the card upfront and then make the purchase (assuming your objective is points collection).

I recently booked some flights using my BA Amex, the travel agent seems to have put some kind of hold on my card for much more than the actual price of the tickets, making it look like I was over my limit. I called Amex and they suggested that the 'hold' would fall off within a certain amount of time (and it has now) and that they would be happy to extend my credit limit for a short time to put my mind at ease regarding exceeding the limit. Bit of a weird situation as I wasn't really exceeding my limit, but Amex were quick to suggest a temporary increase.

saad_awal

I have a BA AmEx with a decent credit limit. Was wondering if anyone has had any offers for BT recently?

I received a letter for 0% until 1-11-08. I am not sure this is good enough.

billion25

Hi there...I was going to apply for a new cashabck card this week, but then I read about this new AMEX card on the weekend called Blue Sky. The article says it offers 1.25% cashback that you can use against travel purchases? That sounds like a good deal...does anyone have any experience with this card?

thanks...

RichyRich

billion25 wrote: »

Hi there...I was going to apply for a new cashabck card this week, but then I read about this new AMEX card on the weekend called Blue Sky. The article says it offers 1.25% cashback that you can use against travel purchases? That sounds like a good deal...does anyone have any experience with this card?

thanks...

Hmm.... 1.25% on travel purchases vs. 5% on all purchases

I know which I'd choose.

2confuzed_2

thelawman wrote: »

I recently applied and the acknowledgement email has the following number for the new accounts dept: 0800 587 3724. I was rejected and appealed, and they were very helpful when I called them.

Thanks again for that tip with the 0800 587 3724 number. At the time, this number certainly did not appear on the AMEX website list of useful numbers. anyway, I tried it and got through to a very helpful lad who explained clearly how to get around the reported problems with the online application (AMEX insisting on less than correct address & not accepting bank account details). So I did as he suggested and the end result is that the application was accepted and we (wife and I) now have received a nice shiny new platinum cash back card each with a very generous credit limit. The next step is to have cards validated by phone - not on line - and at that point EDIT the details submitted on line relating to correct postal address and correct bank account from which payments are to be made. Then everything will be in order.:j

billion25

RichyRich wrote: »

Hmm.... 1.25% on travel purchases vs. 5% on all purchases

I know which I'd choose.

The 5% is only for 3 months isn't it? I don't want to be watching the calendar and hopping from card to card.

The new card gives 1.25% on all purchases, but the redemption is against travel purchases...it's not as clear cut as you think...

mustafachapati

Can anyone tell me roughly how long it takes for an amex platinum to come through? Want to book my hols with it in 2 - 3 weeks if possible. Thanks

Lavendyr

Mine took about 2 weeks to arrive, then another day or two for the PIN.

ralabaf

Applied for my Amex Plat Cashback card a week last Sunday. Card arrived last Friday. PIN arrived (from the US?) this Monday.

Amex telephoned yesterday to tell me it was all on its way and was surprised to hear I had them already and had already activated on-line which was dead easy. The polite chap I spoke with explained the 5% for 3 month deal and that the payment of the cash back wouldn't be until month 13, so perhaps they've had some complaints and are trying to let people know before they activate the cards.

He asked me how much my average monthly spend would be (about £300) and whether I usually pay the whole lot off in one go (I try to). Said my limit was set at £2,900 to reflect my monthly spend and salary. He asked if I was planning any big purchases in the near future and I said I was planning to book a holiday for about £2000 in a month or so. He even wished me an enjoyable time.

He asked if I wanted to pay off by direct debit and I said I didn't yet because of the big holiday spend.

Altogether he was the politest person I've come across from a call centre.

So far I'm a big fan of Amex - must use it soon