American Express Discussion Area

Laxe

Kavanne wrote: »

Laxe, so you need to have a normal amex CC for at least 6 mnths before applying for a charge card? That's good to know, thanks!

No no...I need to wait 6 months because I recently got their CC. I'm sure you can apply for the charge card straight off if you have enough credit and meet their criterea...

It's just I wanted to use their 'platinum' travel service to book my next holiday but the credit card service and charge card service are two completelydifferent things...you don't get free upgrades with the credit card travel service.

I think this 6 month period is an Amex thing they have before they let you alter your account drastically (i.e. change your limit) or apply for another card. I'd consider it a 'probation period' really since my mate has also confirmed this mysterious 6 month waiting period after new activations.

Kavanne

Hmm, I think this might work in my favour, as I never leave a balance on my nectar amex, surely once I've been running it for 6 months they'd rather I have the green card and they would at least get £60 a year out of me as it's clear I never leave a balance on my card long enough to pay interest!

ultramagnetic_commuter

I signed up for the Amex card for the cashback offer and hoped to use it for all purchases. As previously posted, big supermarkets, garages etc take Amex but many don't. Even people like Paypal charge a fee if you buy something in GBP. It just isn't a practical card to have for everyday use.

I'll use it for the year where I can, get the cashback and close it. It will have been worth it as I bought my train season ticket and a computer in the first 3 months so that's £200 cashback already.

rich_kim

We applied for an American Express Nectar card when they had their 5000 bonus points offer on. Loving it so far.

We do all our everyday spending on it, but only as long as we definitely have enough money in our current account to cover it. After each time we've used the card we transfer the money we've spent on the card from our current account into a savings account and let it sit there until the AMEX statement is due, then pay it off in full. That way we maximise the amount of nectar points we get each month plus earn interest on our savings.
Then we use our nectar points to get money off our weekly shop.

Although we probably aren't saving that much money, it feels like we are! Great!!!!!:T

Kavanne

Nice one rich, kim. I am almost at the end of my 3 month period so I am preparing for the battle to actually GET the 5000 points!!

Scottydoggy

I have had my card now for only a few weeks and paid for a holiday on it. Amex were very helpful and allocated my 5000 points immediately, however, I wish the same could be said about Nectar who seem to be delaying allocation of points. They also are not replying to my email, annoying!

Kavanne

Scottydoggy wrote: »

I have had my card now for only a few weeks and paid for a holiday on it. Amex were very helpful and allocated my 5000 points immediately, however, I wish the same could be said about Nectar who seem to be delaying allocation of points. They also are not replying to my email, annoying!

Ooh I might call then I have bought way more than £200 of stuff on the card... but heard some other posts where people are told they must wait til the end of the 3 months to get the points.. I'm not sure whether to wait or to try now... What do others think?

EDIT: Pulled my finger out and called them. They said the points should automatically have been credited after I spent £200 and she has logged a concern to get those onto my account on my next statement V helpful

chartreuse_2

emeraldbugle wrote: »

How does it show on your statement? It says 'your statement can get a little confusing, so to help clear the air - For every £1 spent within the first 3 months, your eligible spend will appear doubled on your statement'

So, on my first statement I spent £1010, it shows as 2020 in the moneyback eligible spend. How does that equate to 5%?

I've been puzzling over this as well. I noticed the same thing on my statement and, franlky, it doesn't clear anything, just creates confusion where previously there was none. Anybody got any idea what it's about?

I tend to get suspicious when a bank effectively says "Aww, you're so silly and confused but because we love you we're going to make some changes without explaining why, but it'll be better for you, honest!" And why use a phrase like "So to help clear the air" on a statement, unless you're trying to pull a fast one?

treb1971

ultramagnetic_commuter wrote: »

Even people like Paypal charge a fee if you buy something in GBP. It just isn't a practical card to have for everyday use.

Are you sure that's a charge, and not a refund? I've noticed that every time I use Paypal with Amex, I get a small credit. Don't know why...

And for every day use, I have Amex & Visa - so if they don't take Amex, I use the Visa.

belfastgirl23

chartreuse wrote: »

I've been puzzling over this as well. I noticed the same thing on my statement and, franlky, it doesn't clear anything, just creates confusion where previously there was none. Anybody got any idea what it's about?

I tend to get suspicious when a bank effectively says "Aww, you're so silly and confused but because we love you we're going to make some changes without explaining why, but it'll be better for you, honest!" And why use a phrase like "So to help clear the air" on a statement, unless you're trying to pull a fast one?

Yet another person trying to make some sense of this - I have a current eligible spend of £11k (have had it since Jan) anyone have any idea how much this might be worth in cashback? Or even able to tell me do you just map this straight across (4000@5% then 3500@0.5% etc)?