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)
Feb 23, 2016, 7:53 pm
#106
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
https://www262.americanexpress.com/apply-card/MS/006/1
Basically, there are two Amex/Morgan cards:
1. It has similar category bonus to that of PRG but NO AF.
2. Is basically the Platinum card except +1 AU is free.
How do I get them? As far as I understand, I need to be a client with MS. Any cheapest way to do so? I would like to get both cards since (1) is potentially free MR generating card and (2) is basically a better Plat card for non-churners.
Basically, there are two Amex/Morgan cards:
1. It has similar category bonus to that of PRG but NO AF.
2. Is basically the Platinum card except +1 AU is free.
How do I get them? As far as I understand, I need to be a client with MS. Any cheapest way to do so? I would like to get both cards since (1) is potentially free MR generating card and (2) is basically a better Plat card for non-churners.
Morgan Stanley American Express Platinum Card
You may want to search this forum for more information. I noticed a few Moran Stanly threads with information.
Feb 23, 2016, 8:46 pm
#107
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 530
Thanks KENNECTED but it didn't help. I probably should have posted in that thread though.
most of the info there is dated. it sounds like college 529 is the way to go but it also sounds like it doesn't work for some states.
most of the info there is dated. it sounds like college 529 is the way to go but it also sounds like it doesn't work for some states.
Feb 23, 2016, 8:54 pm
#108
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 530
4. This reward is only available to the Basic Card Member on a Morgan Stanley Card from American
Express who has a “deposit eligible” Morgan Stanley brokerage account (an “Eligible Card Member”).
Additional Card Members and otherwise authorized third parties, including authorized account managers,
may not redeem Membership Rewards points for this reward. A “deposit eligible” Morgan Stanley
brokerage account is a Morgan Stanley brokerage account held in the Eligible Card Member’s name,
and excludes Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts, Charitable Remainder Unitrusts, Irrevocable Trusts,
Employer-Sponsored Accounts, Inherited IRAs, Salary RED/SEPs, 529 college savings plans, and Simple IRA
accounts. An Eligible Card Member may redeem a maximum of four million Membership Rewards points
every seven calendar days for this reward. Redeemed points will be immediately deducted by
http://www.morganstanleyfa.com/publi...%20stanley.pdf
so, 529 is a no go.
Express who has a “deposit eligible” Morgan Stanley brokerage account (an “Eligible Card Member”).
Additional Card Members and otherwise authorized third parties, including authorized account managers,
may not redeem Membership Rewards points for this reward. A “deposit eligible” Morgan Stanley
brokerage account is a Morgan Stanley brokerage account held in the Eligible Card Member’s name,
and excludes Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts, Charitable Remainder Unitrusts, Irrevocable Trusts,
Employer-Sponsored Accounts, Inherited IRAs, Salary RED/SEPs, 529 college savings plans, and Simple IRA
accounts. An Eligible Card Member may redeem a maximum of four million Membership Rewards points
every seven calendar days for this reward. Redeemed points will be immediately deducted by
http://www.morganstanleyfa.com/publi...%20stanley.pdf
so, 529 is a no go.
Feb 23, 2016, 11:42 pm
#109
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
Apr 18, 2016, 9:22 am
#110
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: Lifetime Levels in AA & Marriott
Posts: 162
Q on actual transfer of MR to Morgan Stanley Account...
Greetings all-
Would like to see a post from someone who has actually transferred MR points to a/their MS account. Specifically:
I'd like to move some MR points for the first time and cannot seem to make progress. Can't find anything online, and initial phone calls have me running in circles. To be fair, I've not tried all avenues yet (would like to do this myself online if possible).
Thanks.
Would like to see a post from someone who has actually transferred MR points to a/their MS account. Specifically:
- if you did this online, where is the link on AMEX website or MS clientserv website to perform this?
- If you didn't do it online, how did you do it?
I'd like to move some MR points for the first time and cannot seem to make progress. Can't find anything online, and initial phone calls have me running in circles. To be fair, I've not tried all avenues yet (would like to do this myself online if possible).
Thanks.
May 11, 2016, 5:26 am
#111
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
anyone have the link to sign up for the MS brokerage account?
Jun 26, 2016, 10:45 pm
#112
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,690
Curious if anyone applied recently without having a Morgan Stanley account. Were you able to get approved?
There was a data point from a year ago that resulted in a denial likely b/c of lack of MS account. Just wondering if anyone else tried more recently.
There was a data point from a year ago that resulted in a denial likely b/c of lack of MS account. Just wondering if anyone else tried more recently.
Jun 27, 2016, 12:06 am
#113
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
FWIW my understanding is that you do not need to maintain a MS account to keep this card.
Nov 14, 2016, 11:17 am
#116
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Programs: United Silver, Hyatt, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Amex Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 751
A new great benefit which started this past August, with having the MS Platinum Card while also having a RESERVED account with MS. They now will reimburse the $450 AF if you qualify in their Premier Cash Management program. Qualifying isn't that difficult if you use direct deposit with them. If you don't use DD, then you have to have a $50,000 minimum cash balances.
Nov 17, 2016, 7:42 am
#117
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
A new great benefit which started this past August, with having the MS Platinum Card while also having a RESERVED account with MS. They now will reimburse the $450 AF if you qualify in their Premier Cash Management program. Qualifying isn't that difficult if you use direct deposit with them. If you don't use DD, then you have to have a $50,000 minimum cash balances.
Nov 17, 2016, 7:47 am
#118
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Here, I think, but the asset requirement is different than mentioned in elg26's post:
http://www.morganstanley.com/what-we...ash-management
http://www.morganstanley.com/what-we...ash-management
1 To qualify for Reserved, a client’s household must have and maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in eligible assets and liabilities or have paid at least $10,000 in managed fees/commissions. For more information about qualifying for Reserved status, contact your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.
2 Only Basic Card Members holding the Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley who are members of Reserved households will receive an annual $450 Engagement Bonus from Morgan Stanley. The Basic Card Member is defined as the primary account holder.
2 Only Basic Card Members holding the Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley who are members of Reserved households will receive an annual $450 Engagement Bonus from Morgan Stanley. The Basic Card Member is defined as the primary account holder.
Nov 17, 2016, 7:50 am
#119
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
Ah okay, I was thinking it could be done with just direct deposit as elg stated. If the requirements you cite are true, non-starter for me.
Nov 17, 2016, 2:35 pm
#120
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Programs: United Silver, Hyatt, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Amex Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 751
Here, I think, but the asset requirement is different than mentioned in elg26's post:
http://www.morganstanley.com/what-we...ash-management
http://www.morganstanley.com/what-we...ash-management
