Please help me!
I need to pay $5000 by Monday for the kids’ braces. I put off paying so I can app for a new card
since I need the card immediately I want to app for an Amex. I’m going to support DH through my Platinum card. Do you guys suggest I do the elevated BBP? I’m thinking either that or a Gold card. I like Gold for its earning, but would also appreciate a no fee card. This will be DH’s first Amex.
Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated!!
I know they expedite the Platinums and high annual fee cards (~$400+) but not sure if they expedite low or $0 AF cards.
,
Are you counting on an instant number? I think that doesn’t always work? Also can you pay without the physical card (is it paid online)?
If you apply for a plat today (personal or biz), likely you’ll get it on Friday.
Well
I just need to # to pay over the phone. Will they give me the number immediately like they did with my Platinum card?
ETA: they take Amex
They should for a platinum, I can't answer for Gold. They didn't offer it for BBP for me (well DH). Referring DH to plat is probably the best bet (unless someone can confirm gold can be expedited or offers instant number).
And as
@wanderlust7 said, the instant number glitches out a lot.
@IFlossU,
I agree with
@bernina and
@wanderlust7. The only card I'd bet on you receiving in hand by next Monday is a Platinum, Business Platinum, or Hilton Aspire (and maybe the Bonvoy Brilliant). These super premium cards are automatically expedited. Amex does not typically expedite its lower AF cards, including the Gold or BBP. You could call in to see if they'd expedite these cards, but a frontline csr agent is unlikely to be able to do this for you and you may need to escalate it to their manager who might.
Don't count on getting an instant number. It's very YMMV and as mentioned, sometimes it glitches out. Just looking back at my recent applications, I had the option to get my instant card number on a Schwab Plat, Green and Aspire, but did not get the option on a Biz Green or Biz Gold.
As for Gold vs. BBP (or some sort of Platinum), keep in mind the long game. If you get P2 involved in Amex, you two can make out
really well cross-supporting each other to new Amex cards. But P2 needs a good card with a high support bonus from which to support you. (Amex occasionally runs limited time promotions that bump up support bonuses from certain cards. Each MR-earning card maxes out at 55k MR support points earned per calendar year, regardless of the bonus per support.) Since Amex SUBs are generally once per lifetime, you don't want to waste a signup using a support link from a card that earns only a 5k or 10k MR bonus. The Gold has only a 10k MR/support bonus. AFAIK, this has never gone up since Amex started its universal support program. The BBP earns 10k-15k MR per support click. The BBP earns 15k MR/support currently. The personal Platinum earns 15k MR/support (and IIRC it has gone up to 20k MR/support), and the Biz Platinums earn 15k-20k MR/support. While the Gold's earning categories are better (4x MR supermarkets up to $25k and restaurants) than the BBP (2x MR on everything up to $50k), keep in mind the Gold has a $250 AF you need to negate either by finding value in the $120 ($10/month) "dining" credits and $100 airline credit or in the additional MR points you'll earn vs. the BBP's 2x MR on a $0 AF. Unless you really intend to hit the Gold's bonus categories hard, I think the BBP has more upside with no AF and higher supportability.
Another thing to consider is the personal Gold and Platinums will add a card to P2's 5/24 count (vs. the BBP being a business card that doesn't count). If P2's count is low, it doesn't really matter and it may be a good time to pick up the Gold, because it's generally considered to be a keeper card, so P2 may as well pick it up early in the game and let it age off 24 months sooner than later.
One more thing, the BBP comes with a 0% APR for the first year if you need a little float.
Calling right now.
Haven't spent that much after MSR, so not surprised. Plan to try one more time, but will probably take it just to keep Amex happy.
