M² Episode 107: Amex Financial Reviews, Account Shutdowns and Continued Trip Planning
Added 2020-12-20 06:08:24 +0000 UTCWe sit down one day after Robert receives news of his American Express Financial Review to discuss all the hard decisions moving forward and more.
0:21 “Wave” (?) of Amex Financial Reviews
- Hearing of a half dozen or so people who concurrently got a FR from Amex
- You notice by either logging in and seeing red letters saying your spending privileges are suspending and/or concurrently get a call
- They ask you to submit a 4056T form authorizing Amex to review your 1040 presumably to review spend vs stated income
- Amex says it takes 5-7 business days, reports are 2-3 weeks lately
- Pretty scary, and thwarts 4x/7x spend (I should complain and request MRs as compensation if I survive! Ha ha.)
- I can still transfer out to Schwab and 1:1 air travel partners
10:39 Amex Set to No Longer Work w/PPK 1/4/2021
- What will change 1/5/21? (for better or worse)
- PPK doesn’t die, but becomes a Visa/MC/Discover option
15:16 Western Union Shutdown
- Got a “know your customer” email
- Responded honestly
- Got a response back a couple hours later saying I couldn’t send any more payments with them
- Also didn’t reliably earn 3x on AT&T Access More in last statement cycle :(
18:58 Bravo Update
- Complete malfunction on Sam’s P1, P2
- Danny reports iOS app works if you are blocked on android.
News
21:45 JetBlue Mosaic 2021 Changes
- Those with Mosaic set to expire 12/31/2020 will now expire 12/31/2021 (sounds like those who had status gifted to them and set to expire in 6/2021 will not be extended?)
- Companion flies free on cash tickets for flights booked and flow 1/1-5/2021 (have to call JetBlue to book)
- Complimentary space available same-day EvenMore Space upgrades (but not for others on itinerary)
- Easier to requalify through travel or spend
- Overall I went from unimpressed to intrigued to unimpressed. The good stuff is too front loaded, and there’s a catch
26:05 Hilton Diamond Members can Gift Gold Status
- Not that big a deal since Amex Platinum gets Hilton Gold
- Perception is that “everyone” has Amex Platinum but that’s not actually true
- Consider gifting it to a friend who’s not so into the game who might actually enjoy free breakfast at Hiltons?
28:14 [Targeted] AsiaMiles 10-15% Transfer Bonus
- Said to begin 12/28/2020
- Registration required
- On the AsiaMiles side, would be nice if Amex or Citi added a bonus on their end as well
- I seriously was considering a speculative transfer here to take some bank points off the table rather than cashing them out
- For me, a good way to book BOS/JFK to Japan in Business/First farther out than AA
29:10 Office Depot/Office Max Online: Fee Free VGCs w/Free Trackable Shipping (GC Galore)
- $500 denominations
- Max 10 per order
- Doesn’t code as office supplies since it’s processed by giftcardmall
- So don’t use Ink, but maybe try a BofA card that bonuses giftcardmall
- 7x PPK?
- Worth a shot through a portal?
- Liquidation challenge for sure
32:15 Chase to Offer Co-Branded Aeroplan Card (link, thanks tryon)
- Will become 1:1 UR transfer partner “Late 2021” (sheesh - that’s going to take a while)
- Unclear whether Amex might lose transferability
35:29 Saverocity Observation Deck Final Episode
- Can’t not mention this.
- Both Joe and Trevor have been very gracious with their time and talents over the years
- Wishing them both all the best in whatever new endeavors they move to next.
What We’ve Been Up To
37:29 Hilton NO AF (and 3-for-all referral DP) Application attempt
- Last show I said I wanted to try to apply for a No Annual Fee Hilton card, downgrade an aspire, and then attempt to upgrade it.
- Along the way Robert mentioned he has a live 3-for-all enabled Platinum referral link
- So--I went in on his referral link and applied for the No Annual Fee Hilton
- With 3 CC + a Delta card (4 total CC) I thought this would work out great
- Except… my wife was declined. She’s got high balances right now (could be that)
- Couldn’t let this go--flanked to my account and applied for a PLUM card with this link--instant approval. Now, will Robert’s P2 get 3-for-all access?
43:38 Portugal trip planning update:
- Really tough from the West coast--easier from the East coast.
- Big addition of the Azores into this trip plan now. Looking at 2 destinations.
- Serious talk of coach flights (Fly to BOS then onward to Azores) 5.5/5.5 hrs
- Would be piecing this together with something like Alaska and then Azores Air.
48:47 Robert Eying Santa Barabara
- Wine and other related ideas welcomed.
49:36 Lous of the Week - Western Union