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)
Jul 31, 2013, 3:53 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York, London, Sydney
Programs: United GS/2MM, DL*P, VS*G, AA*EXP, Avis CHM, Hertz Platinum, Sixt*D, HH*D, HGP*P, Starwood*P
Posts: 9,847
Aug 1, 2013, 10:44 pm
#49
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 605
MS brokerage account is no longer available. You need to either be part of Wealth Management or have an Active Assets Account. Both have net worth requirements.
Aug 3, 2013, 9:39 am
#50
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG 100k
Posts: 3,756
Applied for MS card for my wife last weekend; the signup did not ask for MS account # (we have a joint MS account) - just had a box to check confirming qualifying MS account.
Did not get instant approval - msg said decision in 2 weeks. Card arrived 2 days after I applied.
Seems like a great addition for churning - alternate personal, biz and MS cards without any tight timing on when you last had the card.
Did not get instant approval - msg said decision in 2 weeks. Card arrived 2 days after I applied.
Seems like a great addition for churning - alternate personal, biz and MS cards without any tight timing on when you last had the card.
Aug 3, 2013, 9:43 am
#51
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG 100k
Posts: 3,756
MS also manages accounts for clients of investment advisors, such as Fisher. Fisher's minimum is $500k (invested, not net worth)
Last edited by dgwright99; Aug 3, 2013 at 10:00 am
Aug 30, 2013, 8:17 am
#54
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BOS/PVD/BDL
Programs: PC Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold,HHonors Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite
Posts: 726
I have a Morgan Stanley Amex Plat card and my advisor said that says that I can convert my Amex Points into cash that is deposited into my brokerage account. Here is the Conversion ratios
1,000 $10
2,500 $25
5,000 $50
10,000 $100
25,000 $250
50,000 $500
100,000 $1,000
250,000 $2,500
1,000 $10
2,500 $25
5,000 $50
10,000 $100
25,000 $250
50,000 $500
100,000 $1,000
250,000 $2,500
Aug 30, 2013, 8:36 am
#55
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Sep 4, 2013, 4:45 pm
#57
Used to be hamajicky
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: ATL
Posts: 790
My mom's MS financial adviser calls her up today and wants her to open a Plat card. Says that the funds will be withdrawn from her MS investment account at the end of every month to pay the plat card bill.
I have the morgan stanley plat card but I have to send in a payment every month--anyone heard of the arrangement where the funds are auto withdrawn from your investment account ?
I have the morgan stanley plat card but I have to send in a payment every month--anyone heard of the arrangement where the funds are auto withdrawn from your investment account ?
Sep 4, 2013, 6:33 pm
#58
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,689
The float on your money is cut big time as they autopay your account.
Sep 6, 2013, 11:26 am
#59
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: Yes.
Posts: 516
App'd for the card after adding my name to wife's MS account. Called app status line to verify they had MS account number. 2 days later denied. Reason: I was ineligible for offer. Called recon line with MS account again. Now have to wait up to 4 days to find out. Either way I think it's a second hard pull? Fortunately, app'd for the spg biz on same day as plat, so first pull is not for naught.
Sep 9, 2013, 9:18 am
#60
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 241
App'd for the card after adding my name to wife's MS account. Called app status line to verify they had MS account number. 2 days later denied. Reason: I was ineligible for offer. Called recon line with MS account again. Now have to wait up to 4 days to find out. Either way I think it's a second hard pull? Fortunately, app'd for the spg biz on same day as plat, so first pull is not for naught.
If that doesn't work, why not just have your wife apply and have her add you as an authorized user given that the second card is free?