American Express Membership Rewards - Should I take the 7500 points for a Financial Consultation?

As many of you know, the current offer for Platinum cardholders is 7500 points. I am very tempted to schedule a consultation as that would give me 30,000 "free" points (15k for sign up, 7.5k as a CS gesture, and 7.5k from the consultation). That in itself makes the $395 fee a very good deal as I have used some of the other benefits as well.

Here's the problem: I genuinely don't want to waste the FA's time. I am very happy with my current advisor at another (better) brokerage and I would not switch my account. I know these folks work on commission and don't get paid for meeting with me. Then again, it's close to the summer-time and that's a traditionally slow period of the year in the brokerage business.

If you were genuinely not going to move your account, would you take the consultation in exchange for the points?

15k for signup for consultation or new signup bonus card? Sure take the points its consultation not a mandtory signup. Your being compensated for your time. :p

15k for signup for consultation or new signup bonus card? Sure take the points its consultation not a mandtory signup. Your being compensated for your time. :p

Yes, I agree, it is compensation for my time in exchange for hearing how the Amex FA could possibly improve my portfolio, etc. They do that in order to entice me (and other customers) to sign up. There is no obligation, of course.

In many cases, I would take the points without question. But here, I'm talking about taking up the time of someone whose livelihood is based on commission: is it right for me to take up their time knowing full well that I won't use their service?

Maybe I'm only feeling this way because I almost feel bad for "cheating" on my (wonderful) current FA.

Go for it. IMO it's like taking a timeshare presentation to get a cheap hotel rate or other bennies. The guys doing this kind of work know that 98% of people they see have no intention of doing business with them. Where they earn their pay is in convincing some proportion of them (small though it may be) to change their minds.

If AmEx wants to offer you the points to sit through a consultation, then don't feel the least bit guilty about taking them up on their offer.

I signed up for that deal too ... only my deal comes with only 5000 MR points after the free session.

I'll update you after my session to let you know how pushy they are or are not.