so ive had my amex green card for about 3mo now...ive charged roughly 6000 on it so far...paid off on time each month, etc. im looking to upgrade to platinum directly or thru the gold card. will they inform me when i am pre-approved for an upgrade, or do i have to pursue this. also, i have three good months of history and moderate spending (avg 2000/mo). when can i realistically expect to get an upgrade offer? now? in three more months (after 6mo of history)? reason im so curious is bc i plan on doing extensive intl travel in the spring and would really like to have an amex platinum on hand when i do...
I wouldn't expect AmEx to automatically offer an upgrade. At the time of your approval they most likely gave you the highest card for your situation. You will most likely have to wait at least a year to gain sufficient history with your current card to approach them for an upgrade. For example, my wife has had her "green" AmEx for over 11 years, and has not received an "invitation" to upgrade once. For me, I receive the offers daily for AmEx Gold, Platinum, Rewards, Blue, etc. But upon close analysis, there really is no benefit from AmEx that I do not get from other premium "credit cards". And I do not have to pay the steep annual fee. As to the travel issue, rest assured your card is just as good as a platinum version. There reallly aren't that many benefits to the "status" cards, it's mostly pschological.
Probably you should have to wait 6 months for it. but You can just call and ask about it. Maybe they will upgrade at your request. No many people would like to pay a $395 anual fee on a card these days. I wouldn't either.
LOL everyone and mother has a platium card these days. Hell my maid has a platium card so what is the status with it? Granteed my maid has a visa platium card but still a platium card in itself. Now as far as green card having the same benfits as a platium card i just guess you dont know the benfits you get from American Express. For starters if you travel and stay in upscale hotels like the four seasons there alone you can save the annual fee on your first stay. American Express has contracted rates with many upscale hotels that are much lower than any rate you can get direct from the hotel. Another benfit is free breakfest you get which in most upscale hotels alone is worth $30 bucks a day. Not saying a piece of bread and coffer is worth $30 bucks but that is what they charge for it and if you want it you have pay for it but if you charge your room to your American Express Platium card it free. Do I need to explain the spa benfits to you? they work more or less the same way. Then there is the Internaltion Airline program and the upgrade program. Again if you fly coach you not going to benfit from this either as the benfits only apply to first class and bussiness class tickets but if you use the benefit 1X it will pay your annual fee for atleast 5 years. Now again I dont think there is really any prestiage any more with Platium cards but if you are an upscale traveler the American Express Plaitum Charge card does offer some real benfits and savings compared to the $395 annual fee.
