AMEX Platinum Edge - 15000 referral bonus points, or $149 annual fee?

Lkevmev12 on 03/11/2015 - 18:37

Hi guys,

I'm currently doing some research on the AMEX Platinum Edge card as I'd like to apply for it. Looking at Whirlpool, it appears that if you're a member of a professional association (CPA, CA, AMA, etc), you can get discounted annual fee for this card ($149pa instead of $195pa), as well as your first year annual fee credited back plus 10000 bonus points if you spend 5 times within 2 months of being approved.

I'm not a member of any professional associations but from a number of Whirlpool comments, some people in the same position as me were able to sign up using one of the links here, here, or here. I went through the sign up process using one of those links as a test, and it doesn't ask for a membership number as a mandatory question.

Of course, the other AMEX Plat Edge offer is the referral sign up bonus, where you get 15000 points but still need to pay the $195 annual fee.

I'm just wondering which would be the better deal - the 15000 referral sign up bonus, or the professional association sign up with first year free, subsequent annual fee of $149, but only 10000 bonus points?

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Comments

  • kev98 on 03/11/2015 - 18:42
    +1

    This is good deal (first year free): https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/198715

    • kevmev12 on 03/11/2015 - 18:58

      You gotta spend $200 to get the bonus points, which kinda offsets the first year annual fee free. And with the points you get for the $200 spend, you might as well just sign up for the referral bonus and spend at everywhere else instead of just Priceline. I would struggle to spend $200 at Priceline anyway.

      • kev98 on 03/11/2015 - 19:02
        +1

        I got the card, basically you get no sign up points, but you also don't get an annual fee for first year. Up to you if you would rather spend $195 on annual fee and get around that back in points or not. This is better deal imo

        Also, you don't need to spend $200 at priceline, you do however get 10 points per dollar so it worked out around 50% off with gift cards I bought with my points

        Finally, I can't comment on links you posted, but I imagine they could reject your application based on what you put as occupation and who your employer is

        • Hayesy22 on 06/11/2015 - 13:54

          I also took up this offer, I agree its the best deal going. Both deals will get you roughly 15000 points, and lets say you pay annual fees for both but the priceline deal gets you $200 worth stock and anyone who says they would struggle to spend $200 at price isn't trying hard enough or Id hate to think how bad their personal hygiene is.

          I then sold the flight on gumtree for $300 so I ended up in front 100 bucks.

    • OldBugger on 03/11/2015 - 21:33
      +1

      I always think this is one of the best deals of the year. Free return flight with no annual fee for first year. I'm surprised at the small number of votes.

    • kevmev12 on 06/11/2015 - 17:57

      I also ended up going for the Priceline deal as well; the risk of getting rejected based on what I put down as occupation and employer was playing on my mind so I took the lower-risk route.

      Turns out I needn't have worried - I applied for this at work and after clicking on the 'Submit' button, the window went blank for about 30 seconds, then came back saying my application has been approved. Then a minute later I got an SMS confirming that my application was approved and that I should receive my card within the next 5-7 days. It seems weird that I got approved so quickly, perhaps the approval process is all algorithms and programming. Even though my credit history is clean, I have above average salary, a mortgage, and three credit cards, surely they'd need more than a minute to check my financial status? I'm still sceptical until I receive the card.

      And being a single male living by myself, it would be difficult for me to spend $200 in Priceline!

  • Gotchas on 03/11/2015 - 19:56

    I won't get out of bed unless they pay me 50k points and no annual fee

    • robbyjones on 03/11/2015 - 20:34

      Yeah, righto, that was helpful.

  • bluedufflecoat on 03/11/2015 - 22:13

    I think normal fee is $195 and you're going to be able to get it, long term for $149? Assuming you hold on to the card, I would go with long term lower annual fee, over short term extra points. 5000 points in the "grey market" is worth $50.

  • melay0326 on 24/02/2016 - 18:42

    Has anyone booked the free flight? Cancel the card and the flight is honoured?

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