What are /r/amex's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

There's a version of the Amex Platinum for Charles Schwab, (CS) clients.

One of the benefits of this version was/is the higher cash out rate for MR points: 1.25 cents per MR vs 0.6 cents for the regular platinum.

The rate was supposed to be reduced to 1.1 cents / MR yesterday but it seems like it is still 1.25x but we don't know how long it will remain like that.

I was really glad to see these rolled out to the app - apparently the prior one on the app was lifted from here (they did not contact him, but a few of us spotted it and thought it looked familiar with a color overlay): https://dribbble.com/shots/473466-Trio-Electric-and-Aqua-wallpaper

Gyms seem to be the worst offenders at continuing to charge their clients after cancelling a membership. For that reason, they are one of the few cases where I use a Privacy.com burner cards so I can cancel the card at any time. For pretty much everything else I use AMEX.

One way LAX -> LAS $26 on Sunday Mar 15. If it's actually open, anyone wanna meet up at the lounge?

I've only used the guarantee once but it was a great process for me. I booked a hotel to Paris for 6 nights, and immediately went and found a cheaper rate on hotels.com. I took a screenshot of the lower rate and sent it to Amex travel. Within 3 business days they had matched the rate and refunded the difference to my platinum. So all in all, they matched the lowest rate I could find and I still got the 5x points through Amex travel.

​

Hope this helps, good luck!

This would count as manufactured spending, which AMEX cracked down on back in ~January. I very highly doubt your idea would work. Also --

American Express: >Q: What is an eligible purchase?
A: Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, purchases of traveler’s checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents.

And --
> Revolut:
Q: What card can I use to top up?
A: You can top-up your Revolut account with a debit or credit card. We currently support MasterCard or Visa Credit cards to top-up. Please note, credit card top-ups will be recognised as a normal card transaction, not a cash advance. Unfortunately, some Maestro, pre-paid debit cards and American Express are not supported.

I'm on the last day of the 30-day beginner series (thanks to the Amex benefit) and I like it a lot so far. I certainly prefer Calm over Waking Up.

And since everyone else is adding the link, here you go: https://www.calm.com/americanexpress

I used it! The 30 days of meditation for beginners was good, i forgot the narrator but he was good. Since I finished that in June...haven't used it since, maybe just once or twice. I may go back to another 30 days at the start of the next year. I will definitely cancel it when the free trial is done. You really have nothing to lose in trying it out for sleep! give it a shot! if not the stories from celebrities, they also have calming music that I actually enjoyed more than the meditations.

A quick google got me here https://www.calm.com/americanexpress

Schwab Appreciation Bonus

Receive a $100 Card statement credit if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $250,000 or receive a $200 Card statement credit if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $1,000,000, when measured following Card account approval and annually thereafter.

https://www.schwab.com/credit-cards

I really like the changes (although the "offers" thrown in with charges like on the old app have to go). However, when I was logging in, the background felt really familiar...turns out, it was the wallpaper I used on an iPad almost six years ago and got from here: https://dribbble.com/shots/473466-Trio-Electric-and-Aqua-wallpaper

Desaturate, blue filter, another blue layer that's slightly opaque, boom. The triangles and pattern line up exactly. I guess Amex didn't ask the original designer either, as this was noticed when it rolled out to the international versions of the app, too.

Not sure how I feel about that, but like I said, otherwise the app is really nice. If only they could get some design consistency on the different sections of the web site. ;-)

You can open the checking account which comes with a brokerage account or you can open the brokerage account by itself -- no fees for either: https://www.schwab.com/pricing

If you like to open bank accounts for bonuses then skip the checking since they'll manually review your Chex report after opening -- they've shut down all Schwab accounts for some people 1-2 weeks later for opening too many bank accounts (not sure what the exact cut off is for them)

You can apply promos on the web, but yeah, you do have to apply them at https://www.ubereats.com/feed?mod=promos ("Promotions" in the sidebar), either by selecting one of the ones that shows up or by entering a promo code.

If you’re willing to use ProtonVPN (free) and connect to Japan then search for a domestic US itinerary, you can see a 70k + $400 (or 90k + $200) statement credit offer. I got this info from the comments section on a Doctor of Credit post.

In case anyone needs any ideas, I just price matched a Seagate 4TB hard drive (https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/seagate-expansion-portable-4tb-external-hard-drive-desktop-hdd-usb-30-for-pc-laptop-stea4000400/apd/a8652177/storage-drives-media) for $97 using AMZN (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B017KE8OG0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_NyckFb30XTM2R)

For you an other future people here's a $5 one on amazon that looks similar to ops https://smile.amazon.com/Pocket-Minimalist-Wallet-leather-Blocking/dp/B07TZBP3ZB/ref=sr_1_5?fst=as%3Aoff&qid=1578226784&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011%2Cp_36%3A-500&rnid=2661611011&rps=1&s=apparel&sr=1-5&th=1

Here's the keyboard!

For those of you who got X% up to $50, the yellow switches are something like $113 if you want to get close to that $100 mark.

I use these sheet protectors, you can buy a pack of 30 for 7 dollars on Amazon, and a standard three ring binder as my “sock drawer” for cards that I don’t need/want to carry in my wallet.

back in the day we had to use blue book (https://www.amazon.com/American-Express-Travel-Guide-Taiwan/dp/0130287628) when traveling to figure out which places take amex so we wouldn't be turned away (or carry cash)

Sure, but there's no Resy logo.

The Charles Schwab Platinum also shows the new design, but there's a Schwab logo on it. https://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/investing/accounts_products/credit_cards

There's a Schwab Platinum, separate from the vanilla Platinum, with different benefits and counting as a separate card for purposes of a SUB.

There is not a separate Resy Platinum. It's a vanilla Platinum that Resy is helping promote via a special SUB.

https://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/investing/accounts_products/credit_cards

See the sections under 'Schwab appreciation bonus'

As far as why I am taking the time to look at this. I am planning to buy a house in just over a year so I won't able to apply for a bunch of cards without looking like a credit risk. Otherwise all of the above would be a valid consideration. I supposed I can just look to optimize with business cards, but that is another thread.

Their checking account is offered through their own, fully licensed bank. From the fine print:

>Its banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank, SSB (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides deposit and lending services and products.

Schwab has their own cards. The investor card is pretty meh. It's $200 for a sign up so that isn't bad.

There is also the schwab platinum. It's good if you build up a lot of assets in schwab. retirement accounts for example.

https://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/investing/accounts_products/credit_cards

Amex does offer virtual credit card numbers through "Amex Go" however, I believe that is only a solution available on their corporate/business cards. I have a few personal Amex cards and would love to have access to such a feature, particularly if you can still receive MR points.

Privacy.com is a good solution for virtual credit cards if that is your need. It actually issues a prepaid Mastercard which allows you to use any alias name/address you like, and the cards can be locked to a merchant or "burned" at any time. Works great for trial subscriptions.

Hello Friend Download TrustCloud Application & Start Mining Free BTC, ETH, BNB, LTC, XMR and Use My Refer Code To Earn $30 Instantly ( TC5248 )

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trustcloud.app

That Goyard's ai-ight ... but have you seen the Chelmon Slim Wallet?

$6.99 on Amazon. Had it for years ... Still holdin' up strong!

https://www.amazon.com/Chelmon-Wallet-Pocket-Minimalist-Secure/dp/B076D3LRWS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1V3PXJ7LK2VMX&keywords=slim+wallet+Chelmon&qid=1640912163&sprefix=slim+wallet+chelmon%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1

I also have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.

$6.99 on Amazon ... Still holding up strong!

https://www.amazon.com/Chelmon-Wallet-Pocket-Minimalist-Secure/dp/B076D3LRWS/ref=sr\_1\_1?crid=1V3PXJ7LK2VMX&keywords=slim+wallet+Chelmon&qid=1640912163&sprefix=slim+wallet+chelmon%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1

This one. TRAVANDO Mens Slim Wallet with Money Clip AUSTIN RFID Blocking Bifold Credit Card Holder for Men with Gift Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FPVR858/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RGJNPF8ZK5C2C6PBX9J5?psc=1

Yeah, with the Schwab Platinum. https://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/nn/m/platinum_card.html

You’ll need a brokerage account with Charles Schwab to get it. It’s free, but with a hard inquiry on your credit. It won’t really affect you as it does for credit applications.

If you open a checking account you’ll get a brokerage account, too (it’s technically the other way around: you’re opening a brokerage account and getting a free checking account with it). https://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/banking_lending/checking_account

All of this is completely free, like I said above.

If you apply for the Schwab and get approved, you’ll be able to cash out your points for a cool $23,671.20 (counting your pending points) pre-tax. This will count as income (they’ll send you a 1099).

1. Open a Schwab One Investing Account at https://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/investing/accounts_products/accounts/accounts-b.html online or go to any Schwab branch to open offline (of course, with your government-issued ID). You need to make an initial deposit of at least $1000 to be able to open the account.
2. If you opened online, wait till account application is approved. Schwab may call you or email you to verify your identity.
3. After approval, login on Schwab website and search "credit card" in their product list. Click the link of Amex Plat Schwab there and you will be able to do credit card application as usual.

Prices are pretty cheap right now, they dropped really low a few days ago, but you can still get LAX to LHR for under $350. I'm staying for only 3 days, but hell, 2 day trips are as low as $243 right now. Like, that's purely for being able to honestly say, "I've been to London", since you're spending only an afternoon there.

I think I found it. Looks like it's called the "Rakuten Cash Back Button". This article on Rakuten links to the various versions.

I normally avoid invasive extensions like this, but damn... I might have to install this.

I wasn't able to see it on the app, but when I log in via the website and go to the Amex Offers & Benefits portion of my homepage I see it. If you can't see it there here is the link that it takes me to when I select redeem.

I think you have to treat ever situation different. For example, when I travel to Asia, I always stay at Hiltons because I feel the "Gold Member" benefits are much better than the US. In Thailand, they are also much cheaper than a stay in the US or Europe. In that case, I always book directly with the Hilton website.

This summer I am road tripping around Alaska and I book with my platinum. The hotels aren't as many chains and more "stand alone" options. In this case, it makes sense to book with the platinum instead of directly with the place. I also check multiple sites and weigh out the options. I once found, on hotels.com, that the price of a hotel was $16 less a night than the platinum card. I was staying 10 nights, so that was a good chunk of savings. I decided to forgo the 5X points for the savings of right now as I thought it was more value.

Easy. I have significant rental car/rideshare and hotel expenses (and aside from a Hilton Aspire and a Hotels.com card I don't carry other hotel credit cards, and AMEX Green earns better on hotel stays than the Hotels.com card).

For me, a Green/Gold combo will produce more AMEX MR than Gold/Platinum. even in plague times, and more so in normal times. I also don't value Centurion lounges/etc. enough to make up $400.

I see the value of the Green, but other than the SUB, there's no way I'd reach the AF in its value afterwards. I rarely fly and have a Venture card for hotels (10x at hotels.com for now), never taken a cruise and rented a car 3x in my life. Uber/Lyft maybe 4-5x a year total. For a lot of people, it seems like a great card. Just doesnt fit my needs at the moment.

I've had it for several months and it has been great!

My takeaways:

• Synchrony's website isn't great, but as long as you setup autopay, you shouldn't have any issues. It even texts me whenever there's a transaction on my card.
• Earning 3 extra MR points on Rakuten purchases is awesome (recently got 7,000 MR points for a $700 transaction on Hotels.com)
• Earning 1 MR point everywhere else is also awesome - I use this card at places that don't accept AMEX.
• MR points are deposited into my account quarterly. Haven't had any issues - they are always deposited on the day that Rakuten says they will be.
• They gave me a $6,500 credit limit , don't think that info will be useful to you though since credit limit is determined by a multitude of factors unique to the individual.

Nope. With the Green, you earn 3x in general even thru third-party websites like Orbitz & Hotels.com. It's basically like CSR & Citi Pres/Prem. Still not worth the $150 imo if you don't use Clear & LB. I only got it for the SUB.

Tip: You can buy hotels.com gift cards at most grocery stores and get 4MR w the Gold on most hotels without a chain specific relationship.

The Green is fine by itself, but if you have another premium card and especially a premium card + BBP it kind of falls apart because you are at 1MR max benefit and the credit values drop off.

So is 2 MR on hotels vs the Gold worth giving up the 4MR on dining and 4MR on groceries? I don't think so for most people.

FYI, I can buy hotels.com gift cards at a grocery store with 4MR on the Gold so that specific use doesn't add value.

Plat and Green work pretty well together. If you are someone that finds a lot of value with the Plat card, you probably travel very frequently, so the Green card's Clear credit would be something you would fully value bringing the annual fee down significantly.

Then being able to get 3x back on all other travel related purchases where you can use 3rd party sites or directly with hotels. So you can easily use Rakuten plus something like Hotels.com rewards program and rack in huge rewards.

You really don't have to use the green card for restaurants to get value. So Gold card is still good for that.

IMO, a hotel card at $95 gives better value than the Green. You can either choose lounge access with Hilton or a free night with Marriott. (I realize the Marriott card isn't Amex, but since Amex transfers to Marriott having a Visa is actually a plus).

If you don't care about status pretty much every grocery store seems to sell hotels.com or Airbnb gift cards which means 4x on Gold.

You could also use the Gold card to buy Hotels.com giftcards at the supermarket for 4x.

An alternative, if you also have a CSR, is to use the free Gold status from Platinum to stack the boosted earnings in the Hilton and BonVoy programs with 3x at Chase.

Yes, and you can also leverage the Chase Sapphire Reserve as an international dining card that also lets you get 3x URs and the Gold earnings boost at Hilton/Marriott at the same time. (If you book through AmEx portal for 5x, you can't get your native loyalty program points.)

The only question is how far to go with it. If he won't use Uber or the Saks credit, he might be better off using his Gold card to buy Hotels.com, and, ironically, Delta giftcards at the grocery store.

Thank god. Thank you for sharing. I asked a similar question about this regarding that freakin’ little chat bubble disappearing getting weird and silly answers.

So yeah, it looks like a security issue, maybe you’re right about that. I thought it was me being in Ukraine: not really the EU. Try using a VPN with the U.S. (sometimes the Netherlands works) and that should get that biometric login / Face ID / live chat bubble back until you turn it off.

You can use a free one: ProtonVPN.

I called in about this but they gave me these answers:

1) It was permanently removed in the latest update 2) It will be fixed in 24 hrs.

Been more than a month without it.

It’s weird because I remember everything being fine around April.

I have this one in a different color, great wallet, incredibly durable and slim. https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/product/tumi-nassau-slim-leather-card-case-12493051.html

My version that’s currently unavailable: Tumi Men's Monaco Slim Card Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFG4X94/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3YJZAX8STEF5X6MNS1QJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Pick up I Will Teach You To Be Rich for $8. It’s a practical, no-nonsense introductory personal finance book that walks you through how to make your money work for you.

Everyone I’ve recommended the book to who’s read it has come back and thanked me.

https://www.amazon.com/Will-Teach-You-Rich-Second-ebook/dp/B07GNXPP4P

NordVPN was up for 50%, then 60%, then 50% this week. Not sure if it’s still there, but helpful for if you’re going to be overseas or for other things that you may need to do such as circumventing device fingerprinting ;)

They also have 68% off + 3 months free: ;gclid=Cj0KCQiA2uH-BRCCARIsAEeef3nBlATIgTi4zRRfAH8sP3zuvyrp7tg9tJSv1I2GInlWVIsSRF_cT44aAjrVEALw_wcB

For all that talk about how Saks is overpriced and whatnot, I just got my order a few knives that I paid $30 each for, plus 15% Rakuten cash back and another Amex Offer that was giving me bonus points. The knife is $60 on Amazon.

Try this: I used NordVPN to connect to a foreign country VPN server (South American countries work well) then use incognito mode in Chrome to go to homepage and see what offers are presented. Try multiple countries too if you aren’t seeing anything above the 60k SUB. Eventually, after 5-6 different proxies and countries I was able to get a 75k SUB with both vanilla platinum and Gold!

Another?

GOD?

D@MNED?

WALLET POST?!?!?

Dear Tom Ford PR people:

We get it ... You sell great wallets. Drop the price down from $380 to something the average person can afford, and you won't need to troll Reddit to raise awareness.

To answer your question: Chelmon black RFD Slim wallet for $8 on Amazon. Holds more than the TF wallet, looks better and lasts longer .... for THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO DOLLARS LESS!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXTZ31S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Levi's minimalist, rfid, front pocket wallet, with the Amex prominently sitting in the outer back pocket - Amazon

Another ...

KOT.

D@MN.

WALLET POST?!?!?

Dear Tom Ford PR people:

We get it ... You sell great wallets. Drop the price down from $380 to something the average person can afford, and you won't need to troll Reddit to raise awareness.

To answer your question: Chelmon black RFD Slim wallet for $8 on Amazon. Holds more than the TF wallet, looks better and lasts longer .... for THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO DOLLARS LESS!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXTZ31S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this one for $7 on Amazon and its the best wallet I've ever owned. I know its not a fancy designer brand, but it is functional and fits all of my needs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076D3LRWS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I haven’t had problems with any other cards... I use this wallet: https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Wallet-Magnetic-Minimalist-Blocking/dp/B01IMS4GEM?keywords=Wallet+slim+Mr+Wallet&qid=1540592581&sr=8-3-spons&ref=sr_1_3_sspa&psc=1