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)
Apr 5, 2017, 6:21 pm
#136
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
Does Amex actually check if the applicant has a Morgan Stanley account and then cancel the card if he/she does not?
May 20, 2017, 12:08 pm
#137
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,946
I'm a little confused.
I have a retirement account with Morgan Stanley, and meet the $1M requirement; however, what other requirement must me met in order to receive the annual fee reimbursement for the AmEx Platinum card?
I read through the posts, and saw mention of also being required to have a Reserved account. I looked at that link, and read that this consists of having a cash account with two transactions per month. Is this accurate? I'm really not interested in having $50K in cash sit idle--nor having to jump through additional hoops.
Any insight would be appreciated, as I really don't want to bother my broker over this.
I have a retirement account with Morgan Stanley, and meet the $1M requirement; however, what other requirement must me met in order to receive the annual fee reimbursement for the AmEx Platinum card?
I read through the posts, and saw mention of also being required to have a Reserved account. I looked at that link, and read that this consists of having a cash account with two transactions per month. Is this accurate? I'm really not interested in having $50K in cash sit idle--nor having to jump through additional hoops.
Any insight would be appreciated, as I really don't want to bother my broker over this.
May 21, 2017, 9:29 pm
#138
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Nebraska
Programs: Marriott Ambassador/LTT AA PLT
Posts: 89
I'm a little confused.
I have a retirement account with Morgan Stanley, and meet the $1M requirement; however, what other requirement must me met in order to receive the annual fee reimbursement for the AmEx Platinum card?
I read through the posts, and saw mention of also being required to have a Reserved account. I looked at that link, and read that this consists of having a cash account with two transactions per month. Is this accurate? I'm really not interested in having $50K in cash sit idle--nor having to jump through additional hoops.
Any insight would be appreciated, as I really don't want to bother my broker over this.
I have a retirement account with Morgan Stanley, and meet the $1M requirement; however, what other requirement must me met in order to receive the annual fee reimbursement for the AmEx Platinum card?
I read through the posts, and saw mention of also being required to have a Reserved account. I looked at that link, and read that this consists of having a cash account with two transactions per month. Is this accurate? I'm really not interested in having $50K in cash sit idle--nor having to jump through additional hoops.
Any insight would be appreciated, as I really don't want to bother my broker over this.
May 21, 2017, 10:46 pm
#139
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
May 21, 2017, 11:14 pm
#140
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: California USA
Posts: 652
I'm a little confused.
I have a retirement account with Morgan Stanley, and meet the $1M requirement; however, what other requirement must me met in order to receive the annual fee reimbursement for the AmEx Platinum card?
I read through the posts, and saw mention of also being required to have a Reserved account. I looked at that link, and read that this consists of having a cash account with two transactions per month. Is this accurate? I'm really not interested in having $50K in cash sit idle--nor having to jump through additional hoops.
Any insight would be appreciated, as I really don't want to bother my broker over this.
I have a retirement account with Morgan Stanley, and meet the $1M requirement; however, what other requirement must me met in order to receive the annual fee reimbursement for the AmEx Platinum card?
I read through the posts, and saw mention of also being required to have a Reserved account. I looked at that link, and read that this consists of having a cash account with two transactions per month. Is this accurate? I'm really not interested in having $50K in cash sit idle--nor having to jump through additional hoops.
Any insight would be appreciated, as I really don't want to bother my broker over this.
May 22, 2017, 7:11 am
#141
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,946
Thank you for taking the time to clarify the requirements for me. 
May 22, 2017, 12:30 pm
#143
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: California USA
Posts: 652
It's kind of confusing, but you need to have an Active Asset Account (AAA) and first qualify for Premier Cash Management before that $1M kicks into effect for you to be a Reserve. Keep $50k in the AAA and do 1 bill pay or 1 debit card transaction or 1 credit card transaction, etc (meet two of these) and repeat for 3 months, then you will be qualified on the first day of the fourth month.
Feb 13, 2018, 2:17 pm
#144
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Cupertino, CA - AA:PLT 2MM; Marriott:Plt; Hilton:Slv
Posts: 562
Long story short...they do check, just may take a while.
Feb 22, 2018, 1:28 pm
#145
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
Just happened to me. I used to use MS, but moved everything over somewhere else to consolidate in 2016. I finally got an email this month saying that they will be closing my account in 60 days. I was kind of surprised that they didn't even offer to change to a regular Platinum card (and therefore keep a customer). I was actually going to close at renewal this year though so no loss, and I opened up a PRG to keep my rewards account active, and just got the 25,000 bonus so really not a big deal. Just curious why they would not push to keep me in a more expensive product.
Long story short...they do check, just may take a while.
Long story short...they do check, just may take a while.
Feb 22, 2018, 1:56 pm
#146
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: DL Plat
Posts: 352
Just happened to me. I used to use MS, but moved everything over somewhere else to consolidate in 2016. I finally got an email this month saying that they will be closing my account in 60 days. I was kind of surprised that they didn't even offer to change to a regular Platinum card (and therefore keep a customer). I was actually going to close at renewal this year though so no loss, and I opened up a PRG to keep my rewards account active, and just got the 25,000 bonus so really not a big deal. Just curious why they would not push to keep me in a more expensive product.
Long story short...they do check, just may take a while.
Long story short...they do check, just may take a while.
Aug 23, 2018, 7:38 pm
#147
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Blog articles from April 2018 explain how to become a Morgan Stanley client with as little as $5,000 in an investment account:
https://windbagmiles.com/2018/03/14/...amex-platinum/
https://windbagmiles.com/2018/04/23/...tinum-for-now/
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/getti...-stanley-card/
Primary difference between Morgan Stanley and standard product is one free additional Platinum card.
https://windbagmiles.com/2018/03/14/...amex-platinum/
https://windbagmiles.com/2018/04/23/...tinum-for-now/
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/getti...-stanley-card/
Primary difference between Morgan Stanley and standard product is one free additional Platinum card.
Aug 28, 2018, 2:48 pm
#148
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Programs: United Silver, Hyatt, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Amex Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 751
Blog articles from April 2018 explain how to become a Morgan Stanley client with as little as $5,000 in an investment account:
https://windbagmiles.com/2018/03/14/...amex-platinum/
https://windbagmiles.com/2018/04/23/...tinum-for-now/
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/getti...-stanley-card/
Primary difference between Morgan Stanley and standard product is one free additional Platinum card.
https://windbagmiles.com/2018/03/14/...amex-platinum/
https://windbagmiles.com/2018/04/23/...tinum-for-now/
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/getti...-stanley-card/
Primary difference between Morgan Stanley and standard product is one free additional Platinum card.
Apr 2, 2019, 7:19 am
#149
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM, JPMorgan Reserve, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP
Posts: 159
Amex Platinum / Morgan Stanley Welcome Offer
I would like to receive some feedback on what you guys feel about what happened to me.
I have had the regular Platinum Card in the past and received a welcome offer. However last year I was advised through Morgan Stanley that I would be eligible for the their version of the Amex card.
I called at the time Amex and asked them if I qualify for the offer, and I was told yes, because the MS Plat is a different product. Now last week (10 month later) the Welcome Bonus Points were removed from my account and I talked to a rep and they confirmed the reason is that I wasn't eligible for this MS bonus point offer as I received on the in the past.
I was under the impression that different Plat Products would qualify.
I have had the regular Platinum Card in the past and received a welcome offer. However last year I was advised through Morgan Stanley that I would be eligible for the their version of the Amex card.
I called at the time Amex and asked them if I qualify for the offer, and I was told yes, because the MS Plat is a different product. Now last week (10 month later) the Welcome Bonus Points were removed from my account and I talked to a rep and they confirmed the reason is that I wasn't eligible for this MS bonus point offer as I received on the in the past.
I was under the impression that different Plat Products would qualify.
Apr 2, 2019, 7:35 am
#150
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
What you were told does not much matter. Do the written terms of the offer disqualify previous Platinum Card holders?