Aug 1, 2021, 12:53 pm
Last edit by: Dr Jabadski
Note: If you don't have a qualifying investment account, or if your only investment account is an Access Investing account, there is no longer an Engagement Bonus in the first year of having the CashPlus Platinum account.
Recommended step-by-step guide if goal is MS AmEx Platinum card with bonus and effectively no annual fee as of 8/1/21:
- Open MS Access Investing account (to establish the MS relationship) using online application with $5,000.
- Wait a few days.
- Open Platinum CashPlus account (requires existing MS relationship), must be opened by phone or through an advisor, cannot be done online.
- Fund Platinum CashPlus account with $25K.
- Wait a few days.
- Confirm CashPlus account's Account Fee Status page shows “Morgan Stanley Investment Relationship = Yes”.
- Apply for MS AmEx Platinum Card via the link that shows up in the CashPlus account once it's open.
- $5,000 monthly deposit or Social Security deposit in any amount and $25,000 Average Daily Cash Balance in the Bank Deposit Program to avoid Platinum CashPlus Monthly Account Fee.
- Meet minimum spending requirement on the AmEx Platinum card, as of 8/1/21: $6,000 within 6 months to receive sign-up bonus.
- Confirm $695 Annual Engagement Bonus posts to Platinum CashPlus account approximately 6 weeks after credit card approval. (As of 8/1/21, considerable discussion as to whether the FIRST Annual Engagement Bonus is paid within first few months of credit card account opening or at about 1 year after credit card account opening.)
- $1,000+ yearly spending requirement on the AmEx Platinum card needed to avoid having to pay taxes on the Engagement Bonus. (This language was removed from the disclosure statement after the Engagement Bonus was increased to $695.)
- Enjoy the sign-up bonus and all other AmEx Plat perks, don’t eat or drink too much
.
Notes:
All accounts can be opened the same day, best to wait a few days between account openings/applications to ensure each successive account is fully integrated into MS systems to avoid problems.
Few or no reports of MS AmEx Platinum credit card applications being declined for people with Access Investing and Platinum CashPlus accounts, seems once that MS relationship has been established, credit card approval is almost automatic.
The credit card will count toward Chase’s 5/24.
Premier CashPlus not eligible for $695 Annual Engagement Bonus for the MS AmEx Platinum Card.
MS launched Access Investing in December 2017, launched CashPlus in January 2020.
… I’m uncertain as to the requirements and procedures for a thread to have a Wiki(post). As with the New Platinum Card: To-Do List thread, might this thread qualify for a Wiki? Okay mia, you’re on. (Disclaimer: I have never applied for any of these MS accounts ... but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once 
.)
.) - Open MS Access Investing account (to establish the MS relationship) using online application with $5,000.
- Wait a few days.
- Open Platinum CashPlus account (requires existing MS relationship), must be opened by phone or through an advisor, cannot be done online.
- Fund Platinum CashPlus account with $25K.
- Wait a few days.
- Confirm CashPlus account's Account Fee Status page shows “Morgan Stanley Investment Relationship = Yes”.
- Apply for MS AmEx Platinum Card via the link that shows up in the CashPlus account once it's open.
- $5,000 monthly deposit or Social Security deposit in any amount and $25,000 Average Daily Cash Balance in the Bank Deposit Program to avoid Platinum CashPlus Monthly Account Fee.
- Meet minimum spending requirement on the AmEx Platinum card, as of 8/1/21: $6,000 within 6 months to receive sign-up bonus.
- Confirm $695 Annual Engagement Bonus posts to Platinum CashPlus account approximately 6 weeks after credit card approval. (As of 8/1/21, considerable discussion as to whether the FIRST Annual Engagement Bonus is paid within first few months of credit card account opening or at about 1 year after credit card account opening.)
- Enjoy the sign-up bonus and all other AmEx Plat perks, don’t eat or drink too much
. Notes:
All accounts can be opened the same day, best to wait a few days between account openings/applications to ensure each successive account is fully integrated into MS systems to avoid problems.
Few or no reports of MS AmEx Platinum credit card applications being declined for people with Access Investing and Platinum CashPlus accounts, seems once that MS relationship has been established, credit card approval is almost automatic.
The credit card will count toward Chase’s 5/24.
Premier CashPlus not eligible for $695 Annual Engagement Bonus for the MS AmEx Platinum Card.
MS launched Access Investing in December 2017, launched CashPlus in January 2020.
Morgan Stanley American Express Platinum Card (2012 - 2021)
Jun 15, 2021, 3:24 pm
#466
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 2
Thank you all for the pointers. I was able to call in and open the Cash Plus Platinum Account. The Rep took my Access Investing Account Number and told that he will link both of them. I got an email confirming that my account has been opened and I should login to my Morgan Stanley Online Account. But when I login, I don't see the Cash Plus Account there. I am going to call in again and ask what's going on.
To all those who opened the account, Did it take a day or two for the Cash Plus account to show up on your account?
To all those who opened the account, Did it take a day or two for the Cash Plus account to show up on your account?
Jun 15, 2021, 4:24 pm
#467
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,792
Jun 16, 2021, 9:01 am
#468
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Washington DC
Programs: AA Nothing, Marriott Gold
Posts: 581
Jun 16, 2021, 9:09 am
#469
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 3
The term states bonus posts either the month after meeting fee avoidance criteria or after the 3-month grace period.
Jun 18, 2021, 8:18 am
#471
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
Programs: DL DM, AA ExPlt, Diamond HH, HY, BW, & Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 4,864
If the fee keeps increasing, this may be the go to card.
Jun 21, 2021, 11:06 am
#472
formerly willbbiddy
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 208
Search is terrible and I'm on mobile, bit are there any DPs on having access and MS Amex plat then opening the cash plus account? I've had both for over a year (2Afs I could have avoided)
If I open the cash plus will I get my 550 still or is there a certain order. In the future is the 550 on the same date or will it line up with my card AF?
Thanks 😊
If I open the cash plus will I get my 550 still or is there a certain order. In the future is the 550 on the same date or will it line up with my card AF?
Thanks 😊
Jun 21, 2021, 11:32 am
#473
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,255
Search is terrible and I'm on mobile, bit are there any DPs on having access and MS Amex plat then opening the cash plus account? I've had both for over a year (2Afs I could have avoided)
If I open the cash plus will I get my 550 still or is there a certain order. In the future is the 550 on the same date or will it line up with my card AF?
Thanks 😊
If I open the cash plus will I get my 550 still or is there a certain order. In the future is the 550 on the same date or will it line up with my card AF?
Thanks 😊
Jun 27, 2021, 12:45 pm
#474
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Proud resident of flyover country.....
Programs: MS AMEX PLAT- Marriott Titanium-HH G- UA Silver-JPM RC . DL-AA-BA
Posts: 3,892
Morgan Stanley MR sign up points bonus.
I held the Business Platinum AMEX since 2005 and about 3 years ago I applied for the personal card and cancelled the first card. I believe I received a points bonus when i applied for the personal card but I don't recall the amount. I have decided to go with the Morgan Stanley version primarily because of the annual engagement bonus to cover the fee and the free AU.
I have searched without much success to find out if I qualify for the Points bonus offer, I am going to get the card either way but the points bonus would be a nice extra value. I found one post here from someone who got the bonus only to get it pulled back later. The card agreement and T&C didn't address the issue that I could find.
Any recent experiences?
I have searched without much success to find out if I qualify for the Points bonus offer, I am going to get the card either way but the points bonus would be a nice extra value. I found one post here from someone who got the bonus only to get it pulled back later. The card agreement and T&C didn't address the issue that I could find.
Any recent experiences?
Jun 27, 2021, 1:41 pm
#475
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 587
I held the Business Platinum AMEX since 2005 and about 3 years ago I applied for the personal card and cancelled the first card. I believe I received a points bonus when i applied for the personal card but I don't recall the amount. I have decided to go with the Morgan Stanley version primarily because of the annual engagement bonus to cover the fee and the free AU.
I have searched without much success to find out if I qualify for the Points bonus offer, I am going to get the card either way but the points bonus would be a nice extra value. I found one post here from someone who got the bonus only to get it pulled back later. The card agreement and T&C didn't address the issue that I could find.
Any recent experiences?
I have searched without much success to find out if I qualify for the Points bonus offer, I am going to get the card either way but the points bonus would be a nice extra value. I found one post here from someone who got the bonus only to get it pulled back later. The card agreement and T&C didn't address the issue that I could find.
Any recent experiences?
Jun 27, 2021, 5:09 pm
#476
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: UA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 139
Whether you received a points bonus is immaterial. Merely holding a card product is enough to make you ineligible until Amex forgets you had it (7 years?). In this case, you’re good to go because vanilla personal plat and MS personal plat are different products.
Jun 27, 2021, 8:28 pm
#477
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Proud resident of flyover country.....
Programs: MS AMEX PLAT- Marriott Titanium-HH G- UA Silver-JPM RC . DL-AA-BA
Posts: 3,892
Jun 28, 2021, 2:32 pm
#478
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 9
I opened and funded my Access Investing account 6/27, funds didn't appear until today 6/28. I called to open a CashPlus and the guy said that need to wait until the funds clear in 3 days before I can open Cash Plus... I've seen others open it same day basically... Is the rep just wrong?
Jun 29, 2021, 8:51 am
#479
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 587
I opened and funded my Access Investing account 6/27, funds didn't appear until today 6/28. I called to open a CashPlus and the guy said that need to wait until the funds clear in 3 days before I can open Cash Plus... I've seen others open it same day basically... Is the rep just wrong?
Jul 1, 2021, 12:22 pm
#480
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Washington DC
Programs: AA Nothing, Marriott Gold
Posts: 581
Looks like MS increased their annual engagement bonus to the new, higher fee. Also new SUB is 100k with a 6month 10x on restaurants and small businesses. Not bad!