I've spent the last hour trying to do something with my dormant Blue account. Some facts: -I have a $19,800 line, opened since early 2000. No credit increases since it opened. Pre-approved today for a whopping $200 line increase (oh goody.) -Dad has a $10000 line, opened mid 2001. I am an AU. Pre-approved today for a $1000 line increase. Didn't accept either pre-appoved offer. -Dad's line got the 5.9% for life of balance BT offer. I did not. -Ideally, I want to convert Blue to Starwood, as I don't find much use for Blue MR points, and Blue now lacks best value garuntee. Barring that, I'd like to perhaps convert to Gold, then maybe something else after using the card for the first year with no fee promo. -It would also be nice to convert my MR points over to a more useful program. -I have a number of inquires on my reports now, and want to avoid more hard ones if at all possible, as I'm scooping up rental properties and need good FICO scores. I tried CSR, retention, and several other departmants. No one would allow me to convert Blue to Starwood. I got all kinds of excuses ("it's because of the smart chip"!), but no consistency. Has anyone had luck with this? Barring that, Gold, or something similar as a clean conversion, I'd keep the Blue if I could get the 5.9% offer, especailly if it came with the line increase feature. I'm not sure what the savviest way to proceed here might be.... Suggestions, pertinent experiences, etc. most appreciated!
Dave, I've heard on this board that Blue and the rest of AmEx credit products are on different AmEx databases, and that conversion between the two sets of products can't be done. You may want to apply for the Optima card that you want, and then call MORE to move all of your Blue line to that card, and then close the Blue. Of course, it generates an inquiry, but I don't know of any other way to get it done.
Re: Help w/ Amex Blue conv/BT strat By far, that's the most original I've heard LOL The truth is, Amex has 2 databases. One for Blue and Cash Rebate products, the other for Optima-type products. Because the 2 databases don't interact very well with each other, it is usually impossible to convert from a product that's on the first database, to a product that's on the second. And you certainly can't convert Blue to Gold. So here are your options: 1. Convert Blue to Cash Rebate, or 2. Apply for Starwood; If approved, great. If not, call MORE and ask them to transfer the entire credit line from the Blue account to the Starwood application and thus have it approved on the spot. Saar
Thanks for the reply marci Indeed. Saar did make that point in a thread a few months back (tried to do my search homework before posting here, lol.) That strikes me as a bizzare line--especially given the other weird lines I've heard on that subject. Even if it were true, all it would take would be one helpful supervisor to delete the blue record and recreate it as a starpoints record.
Re: Help w/ Amex Blue conv/BT strat It appears marci has posted the same, providing a shorter, better explanation than I have
Saar, thank you! You got 2 replies out before I could even respond. A few follow ups: -Is that the platinum cash rebate card, ALA costco that you refer to as another option from Blue? -I gather that you buy this database reason? Sure seems hard to swallow to me... -Any suggestions on getting the BT offer and/or line increase on this account? Cheers and thx again, Dave
Re: Help w/ Amex Blue conv/BT strat Yes. I do. A highly reliable source told me that <wink> Nope. These are targeted solicitations. I was once approved for no special BTs, then for 5.9%, then for 7.9%. Promotions change constantly. Saar
Re: Help w/ Amex Blue conv/BT strat Thanks Saar, I'll do the cash back card then. What do you suggest, calling CSR or one of the other lines first?
Re: Help w/ Amex Blue conv/BT strat Update: neither MORE nor any CSRs would convert me, and MCS says, only a Gold card, nothing else. The reason seems to be that only the Gold uses the same rewards program. I'd love to change this to a rewards cash card (Saar or anyone else in the know?) but I'm at a loss as to how.
Re: Help w/ Amex Blue conv/BT strat It has nothing to do with MORE. I'd give MCS another call. If it's really the Membership Rewards Options (MRO) program that keeps you from converting, you can call a MRO rep and ask to discontinue your MRO membership. Then call MCS again. Saar
Re: Help w/ Amex Blue conv/BT strat Thanks Saar. I bit the bullet last night and applied online for the Cash Rewawrds card. They approved me for a $2,000 line. I'll move almost all of the $20K Blue line to it, then use at all at 6 month no interest. Went through ebates to apply, which is good for another $15 for this card or Blue. If the inquiry is with Experian, as it's supposed to be per pbm's table, I won't worry about it. Eventually might just convert the Blue to a Gold if I can justify the benefits Saar, in the end your posts were VERY helpful in my decision between Cash and Starwood. Thank you! While you're right that Starwood is a great card, I don't think I'd use the benefits enough to justify it.
Re: Help w/ Amex Blue conv/BT strat Saar- would I be correct in assuming that Blue is on TSYS and the rest are on FDR (or vice versa) and that's why they don't play nice together? -mj
