This thread was a huge help as I navigated this process, so I wanted to try to give back by documenting my experience and adding my data points. In the end, it seems like my experience was pretty typical: a couple of dead ends and false starts, 75+ minutes on the phone with MS, 2 months start to finish, but in the end everything worked out. Hope this can help someone else down the line!
.- 01/13/2021
- Opened the Access Investing account online in the morning
- Wire transfer of $5,000.00+ hits the Access Investing account in the afternoon
- Tried to open the Platinum CashPlus account online but got the "Unfortunately, we are unable to open your CashPlus account online at this time." message
- Called 1-866-479-1844 in the late afternoon and got the CashPlus account set up in ~39 minutes
- 01/15/2021
- ACH transfer of $25,000.00+ hits the CashPlus account
- 01/19/2021
- Applied (and approved) for the MS AmEx Platinum online
- Was able to get the card number online immediately
- Requested an additional Platinum card (for no additional annual fee)
- 01/20/2021
- CashPlus debit card arrives
- AmEx card arrives
- 01/22/2021
- 01/26/2021
- Additional AmEx card arrives
- 01/31/2021
- First Access Investing statement is cut
- First CashPlus statement is cut
- 02/05/2021
- Annual fee of $550.00 posts to the AmEx account
- First AmEx statement is cut
- First monthly deposit of $5,000.00+ hits the CashPlus account
- 02/10/2021
- Used the Morgan Stanley Online Mailbox to send a message to [email protected] about the fact that my CashPlus account's Account Fee Status page was showing Morgan Stanley Investment Relationship = No
- Never received a response
- 02/16/2021
- Met the $1,000.00+ yearly spending requirement on the AmEx
- This is apparently needed to avoid having to pay taxes on the Engagement Bonus
- 02/20/2021
- Paid the AmEx's first statement's balance
- 02/23/2021
- Called 1-888-454-0555 about the fact that my CashPlus account's Account Fee Status page was showing Morgan Stanley Investment Relationship = No
- ~23 minutes later I was told that the accounts were now linked and that I should see that status change by the next morning
- 02/24/2021
- Account Fee Status page still showing Morgan Stanley Investment Relationship = No
- 02/26/2021
- Called 1-888-454-0555 about the fact that my CashPlus account's Account Fee Status page was still showing Morgan Stanley Investment Relationship = No
- ~14 minutes later I was told that the accounts were now linked (for real this time) and that I should see that status change by the next morning
- 02/27/2021
- Account Fee Status page now shows Morgan Stanley Investment Relationship = Yes
- 02/28/2021
- CashPlus monthly account fee grace period ends
- Second Access Investing statement is cut
- Second CashPlus statement is cut
- For the first time, a Consolidated Account Statement (for both the Access Investing & CashPlus accounts) is also cut
- 03/05/2021
- Second monthly deposit of $5,000.00+ hits the CashPlus account
- 03/08/2021
- Second AmEx statement is cut
- 03/12/2021
- Engagement Bonus of $550.00 hits the CashPlus account