Question about Amex business cards

[PaterFamilias]

I applied for the Amex gold business card. Anyone know how long it takes for the 25k bonus points to post after you've spent the $1k (I spent that today.) Can I expect that in my next (first) statement, or does it take a few months to process?

Also, anyone have any experience with the no-fee Amex business cashback card (https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/int/ca/en/smallbusiness/ourcards/allcards/americanexpress®businesscard/allthedetails_pr.do?vgnextoid=26c03b7b7fbd9110VgnV CM200000d0faad94RCRD)? I'm thinking I might downgrade to this card next year once the "first-year-free" period on the gold card ends.

[bilibulu]

I applied for the Amex gold business card. Anyone know how long it takes for the 25k bonus points to post after you've spent the $1k (I spent that today.) Can I expect that in my next (first) statement, or does it take a few months to process?


Right away after the statement when you reached $1K spending.

[angel_wing0]

I applied for the Amex gold business card. Anyone know how long it takes for the 25k bonus points to post after you've spent the $1k (I spent that today.) Can I expect that in my next (first) statement, or does it take a few months to process?

Also, anyone have any experience with the no-fee Amex business cashback card (https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/int/ca/en/smallbusiness/ourcards/allcards/americanexpress®businesscard/allthedetails_pr.do?vgnextoid=26c03b7b7fbd9110VgnV CM200000d0faad94RCRD)? I'm thinking I might downgrade to this card next year once the "first-year-free" period on the gold card ends.

Should be your first statement, that's when most cc calculate your casbback/pt...

good idea about that. I never knew that. Now i dont have to cancel the card :D

[tkyoshi]

AMEX seems to be on top of points here, the 25,000 for me showed up within 2 days of hitting $1000.

[mtlguyca]

Can you even downgrade? no need to reapply? that would be great!

[tmo72]

Also, anyone have any experience with the no-fee Amex business cashback card (https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/int/ca/en/smallbusiness/ourcards/allcards/americanexpress®businesscard/allthedetails_pr.do?vgnextoid=26c03b7b7fbd9110VgnV CM200000d0faad94RCRD)? I'm thinking I might downgrade to this card next year once the "first-year-free" period on the gold card ends.

That's a credit card, so they might not allow you to switch from a charge card to that without reapplying.

[angel_wing0]

Can you even downgrade? no need to reapply? that would be great!

dont see why not, especially from one that has an annual fee to one that does not have an annual fee...

[tkyoshi]

No downgrade. AMEX only allows changes within the same product type. So you only other option is the Business Platinum :D.

The same is true for AMEX Credit Cards, AirMiles ---> Airmiles Platinum is ok, but Costco Platinum --> Airmiles is NOT possible.

A new application is required to switch product types.

[angel_wing0]

No downgrade. AMEX only allows changes within the same product type. So you only other option is the Business Platinum :D.

The same is true for AMEX Credit Cards, AirMiles ---> Airmiles Platinum is ok, but Costco Platinum --> Airmiles is NOT possible.

A new application is required to switch product types.

From your example, wont it be possible to change the airmiles plat to just plain airmiles? The plain amex biz card should be a charge card and the same product type of the amex biz gold.

...or is the plain amex biz NOT a charge card? :eek:

[tkyoshi]

From your example, wont it be possible to change the airmiles plat to just plain airmiles? The plain amex biz card should be a charge card and the same product type of the amex biz gold.

...or is the plain amex biz NOT a charge card? :eek:

Yes you can go Airmiles Platinum to Vanilla as it's from the same family, so you can move up to Platinum and Down to Vanilla freely.

The plain AMEX Business card is a Credit Card. You can also get a good idea from the design. Notice how all the Aeroplan Family cards look similar, same with AirMiles and the Business Gold/Platinum Charge cards. The basic Business Credit Card has a totally different design. Another key indication is the Rewards Program.

Product Type means exactly that, not whether it's Charge/Credit (that is Card Type).

Another Example:
Charge Card: Aeroplan --> Aeroplan Gold OR Aeroplan Platinum (and in Reverse) = OK

Charge Card: Aeroplan Platinum ---> AMEX Platinum = NO!

It sucks but that's the way AMEX rolls, understandably I'm sure it's to prevent dilution of the product. Meaning apparently the Costco Platinum has more relaxed credit requirements. This is to prevent people from signing up for the Costco platinum then converting to a "higher" card.

[tng11]

(snip)
It sucks but that's the way AMEX rolls, understandably I'm sure it's to prevent dilution of the product. Meaning apparently the Costco Platinum has more relaxed credit requirements. This is to prevent people from signing up for the Costco platinum then converting to a "higher" card.

Pretty accurate assessment there. AMEX charge cards are supposedly on a "higher level" than your typical credit card. AMEX is one issuer that actually does adhere to its income requirement. The vanilla charge card has a minimum income of $35K while the Costco has $15K. Not to mention the charge cards supposedly have tighter credit requirements (although this is counter intuitive as they don't let you carry a balance).