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 29, 2019, 4:25 pm
#166
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
Well and it is one free and three more for $175. My wife, mom, mother-in-law and brother-in-law all carry the extra cards. TBH we had a mini-reunion at a Priority Pass lounge once and ate our way past the supplemental fee for the year.
Sep 25, 2019, 2:39 pm
#167
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
Does opening an access investing account still let people apply for the Morgan Stanley Platinum? Looking to signup for the free AU.
Oct 9, 2019, 3:15 am
#168
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 665
Can the co-branded MS Plat be product changed to a Gold?
And can a Gold be product changed to a MS Plat?
And can a Gold be product changed to a MS Plat?
Oct 9, 2019, 4:49 pm
#169
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
Nov 11, 2019, 6:20 am
#170
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,949
I am absolutely confused with this card, as is my MS broker. I have yet to apply for it, as I can't seem to figure out if the fee is waived for MS assets over $1M, or if you simply receive a $500 annual credit if you spend over $100K in a year. I also phoned AmEx, and they cited the $500 spending reimbursement, but had no knowledge of the fee waiver. Is there anything in writing out there from either AmEx or MS that clarifies the fee waiver, as I do meet eligibility requirements? I'm not so sure that I would be charging $100K to the card, as MR points are not that valuable to me.
Any assistance would be much appreciated.
Any assistance would be much appreciated.
Nov 11, 2019, 6:45 am
#171
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 698
I am absolutely confused with this card, as is my MS broker. I have yet to apply for it, as I can't seem to figure out if the fee is waived for MS assets over $1M, or if you simply receive a $500 annual credit if you spend over $100K in a year. I also phoned AmEx, and they cited the $500 spending reimbursement, but had no knowledge of the fee waiver. Is there anything in writing out there from either AmEx or MS that clarifies the fee waiver, as I do meet eligibility requirements? I'm not so sure that I would be charging $100K to the card, as MR points are not that valuable to me.
Any assistance would be much appreciated.
Any assistance would be much appreciated.
read the T&C before applying to confirm whats current
Nov 11, 2019, 4:40 pm
#172
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
I am absolutely confused with this card, as is my MS broker. I have yet to apply for it, as I can't seem to figure out if the fee is waived for MS assets over $1M, or if you simply receive a $500 annual credit if you spend over $100K in a year. I also phoned AmEx, and they cited the $500 spending reimbursement, but had no knowledge of the fee waiver. Is there anything in writing out there from either AmEx or MS that clarifies the fee waiver, as I do meet eligibility requirements? I'm not so sure that I would be charging $100K to the card, as MR points are not that valuable to me.
Any assistance would be much appreciated.
Any assistance would be much appreciated.
Nov 11, 2019, 4:52 pm
#173
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,949
I know that I do meet the Morgan Stanley investment asset requirement of $1M+, but my broker is unfamiliar with the Platinum card fee waiver. I spoke to Morgan Stanley customer care today, and they said that my broker should be very familiar with the procedure, and that I should bluntly tell him that I want the card and I want the fee waved, or I may ask to transfer my account to another Morgan Stanley office. That’s not my style, but my guess is that customer care knows something that I don’t know regarding how brokers deal with the AMEX card. My broker has managed my portfolio favorably over the years, so I’d like to maintain a good relationship.
Nov 11, 2019, 6:13 pm
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
I know that I do meet the Morgan Stanley investment asset requirement of $1M+, but my broker is unfamiliar with the Platinum card fee waiver. I spoke to Morgan Stanley customer care today, and they said that my broker should be very familiar with the procedure, and that I should bluntly tell him that I want the card and I want the fee waved, or I may ask to transfer my account to another Morgan Stanley office. That’s not my style, but my guess is that customer care knows something that I don’t know regarding how brokers deal with the AMEX card. My broker has managed my portfolio favorably over the years, so I’d like to maintain a good relationship.
Now his enrollment was a couple years ago so not sure if such benefit still exists in the same form. That is a different issue.
Also AMEX does not know how MS handles the annual fee. He called for retention this year and AMEX gave 50K pts without any requirement despite his fee had already be reimbursed by MS.
Yes, your broker or asset manager should know about the details. He should know the mechanism on how this is done. Customer Service is not the dept you deal with on this.
Last edited by Happy; Nov 11, 2019 at 6:18 pm
Nov 11, 2019, 6:25 pm
#175
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,949
I am not MS client but a friend is. Last year he mentioned about the need to enroll to a certain program - I believe it is called Premium Cash Management, else the fee would not be REIMBURSED. The fee is not "waived" per se, but being reimbursed by MS in the form of something called Engagement Bonus. Once he is enrolled, each year after he paid the fee, it was reimbursed by MS, automatically. He did say he wondered how many MS clients actually knew about such benefit existed.
Now his enrollment was a couple years ago so not sure if such benefit still exists in the same form. That is a different issue.
Also AMEX does not know how MS handles the annual fee. He called for retention this year and AMEX gave 50K pts without any requirement despite his fee had already be reimbursed by MS.
Yes, your broker or asset manager should know about the details. He should know the mechanism on how this is done. Customer Service is not the dept you deal with on this.
Now his enrollment was a couple years ago so not sure if such benefit still exists in the same form. That is a different issue.
Also AMEX does not know how MS handles the annual fee. He called for retention this year and AMEX gave 50K pts without any requirement despite his fee had already be reimbursed by MS.
Yes, your broker or asset manager should know about the details. He should know the mechanism on how this is done. Customer Service is not the dept you deal with on this.
Nov 13, 2019, 1:36 pm
#176
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 24
I have discovered (in a talk with MS Cash Management department) that the Premier Cash Management program (which is what provides the annual $550 "reimbursement" for the Amex Platinum Card) is going away in January.
The program which will replace it is called CashPlus and there will be 2 levels. A "Platinum" CashPlus Account will give the $550 rebate for the cost of the Amex Platinum Card. But, there are different requirements than PCM for establishing a CashPlus Account and for retaining it without having to pay a monthly fee ($45 for the Platinum CashPlus Account.)
Of course it's still possible to get an Amex Platinum Card (plus 1 additional free AU) by just having the required MS Account(s) and balances.
This is the online link to the CashPlus Disclosure Statement:
https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth...estatement.pdf
The program which will replace it is called CashPlus and there will be 2 levels. A "Platinum" CashPlus Account will give the $550 rebate for the cost of the Amex Platinum Card. But, there are different requirements than PCM for establishing a CashPlus Account and for retaining it without having to pay a monthly fee ($45 for the Platinum CashPlus Account.)
Of course it's still possible to get an Amex Platinum Card (plus 1 additional free AU) by just having the required MS Account(s) and balances.
This is the online link to the CashPlus Disclosure Statement:
https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth...estatement.pdf
Nov 20, 2019, 2:17 am
#177
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
I have discovered (in a talk with MS Cash Management department) that the Premier Cash Management program (which is what provides the annual $550 "reimbursement" for the Amex Platinum Card) is going away in January.
The program which will replace it is called CashPlus and there will be 2 levels. A "Platinum" CashPlus Account will give the $550 rebate for the cost of the Amex Platinum Card. But, there are different requirements than PCM for establishing a CashPlus Account and for retaining it without having to pay a monthly fee ($45 for the Platinum CashPlus Account.)
Of course it's still possible to get an Amex Platinum Card (plus 1 additional free AU) by just having the required MS Account(s) and balances.
This is the online link to the CashPlus Disclosure Statement:
https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth...estatement.pdf
The program which will replace it is called CashPlus and there will be 2 levels. A "Platinum" CashPlus Account will give the $550 rebate for the cost of the Amex Platinum Card. But, there are different requirements than PCM for establishing a CashPlus Account and for retaining it without having to pay a monthly fee ($45 for the Platinum CashPlus Account.)
Of course it's still possible to get an Amex Platinum Card (plus 1 additional free AU) by just having the required MS Account(s) and balances.
This is the online link to the CashPlus Disclosure Statement:
https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth...estatement.pdf
Nov 20, 2019, 4:55 am
#178
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
Nov 24, 2019, 8:21 pm
#179
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
I have discovered (in a talk with MS Cash Management department) that the Premier Cash Management program (which is what provides the annual $550 "reimbursement" for the Amex Platinum Card) is going away in January.
The program which will replace it is called CashPlus and there will be 2 levels. A "Platinum" CashPlus Account will give the $550 rebate for the cost of the Amex Platinum Card. But, there are different requirements than PCM for establishing a CashPlus Account and for retaining it without having to pay a monthly fee ($45 for the Platinum CashPlus Account.)
Of course it's still possible to get an Amex Platinum Card (plus 1 additional free AU) by just having the required MS Account(s) and balances.
This is the online link to the CashPlus Disclosure Statement:
https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth...estatement.pdf
The program which will replace it is called CashPlus and there will be 2 levels. A "Platinum" CashPlus Account will give the $550 rebate for the cost of the Amex Platinum Card. But, there are different requirements than PCM for establishing a CashPlus Account and for retaining it without having to pay a monthly fee ($45 for the Platinum CashPlus Account.)
Of course it's still possible to get an Amex Platinum Card (plus 1 additional free AU) by just having the required MS Account(s) and balances.
This is the online link to the CashPlus Disclosure Statement:
https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth...estatement.pdf
1) $550 rebate for assets over $1M (given at time of application, as well as annually to offset annual fee)
2) a $500 rebate at your anniversary for spending over $100K per year
I believe that #1 is what is changing Jan 2020 (with no changes to #2 ), but is this correct?
Jan 27, 2020, 8:02 pm
#180
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Kettle Class
Posts: 796
Morgan Stanley appears to have relaunched its Premier Cash Management Program as "CashPlus". Among the benefits for a Platinum CashPlus account is a $550 Platinum annual fee reimbursement and a debit card with price protection. The minimum requirements for a fee-free Platinum CashPlus account appear to be $25,000 deposit in the sweep fund (MGPXX, which appears to yield 1.25%) and a $5,000 monthly direct deposit. This appears to be a pretty compelling option and a strong competitor to other brokerages' cash management accounts.
https://www.morganstanley.com/what-w...ement/cashplus
Any one else considering this? I'd potentially consider moving my Fidelity Cash Management account to Morgan Stanley for a fee-free Amex Platinum and slightly (~0.15%) less in cash yields.
https://www.morganstanley.com/what-w...ement/cashplus
Any one else considering this? I'd potentially consider moving my Fidelity Cash Management account to Morgan Stanley for a fee-free Amex Platinum and slightly (~0.15%) less in cash yields.
Last edited by progapanda; Jan 27, 2020 at 8:23 pm