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)
Mar 7, 2012, 10:35 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: California USA
Posts: 652
Morgan Stanley American Express Platinum Card (2012 - 2021)
Mar 7, 2012, 12:26 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
You must have a Smith Barney account; the only difference I see compared to the regular Amex Plat is that you get a free additional card.
Mar 7, 2012, 3:22 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: HA, DL, UA, PC Gold, A/club Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Pl
Posts: 1,461
the lesser card..seems pretty decent..especially as a way to extend your membership rewards points...although the bonus aint that hot
Mar 7, 2012, 6:17 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 110
apparently it is new: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-...08-711248.html
Last edited by drsaith; Mar 8, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Mar 8, 2012, 6:53 am
#5
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Receive an Anniversary Spend Award10 of $500 from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney each year you spend $100,000 on your Card by your anniversary date
Receive an Anniversary Spend Award4 of $100 from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney each year you spend $25,000 on your Card by your anniversary date
Mar 8, 2012, 7:09 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Disney World
Programs: Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 321
Mar 8, 2012, 9:53 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 256
1 Spp card free, that a great deal.
Mar 8, 2012, 9:58 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 413
Maybe they have some leverage with getting a Centurion invite as an investment bank / broker behind the card
Mar 9, 2012, 12:18 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Disney World
Programs: Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 321
My company has an account with Morgan Stanley. Even though I am the managing partner, technically the account is not in my name. If I read the terms and conditions, it seems I don't qualify. Has anyone else had success getting this card even though they don't technically meet the T&C?
Mar 9, 2012, 1:00 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,206
My company has an account with Morgan Stanley. Even though I am the managing partner, technically the account is not in my name. If I read the terms and conditions, it seems I don't qualify. Has anyone else had success getting this card even though they don't technically meet the T&C?
Mar 13, 2012, 11:53 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 177
Applied and approved. Process is only via 800 number and speaking with a live agent. Big benefit here is the 50K MR points with only $1,000 spend over three months and a free companion card. Once this arrives, I'm ditching my regular Amex Platinum.
Mar 13, 2012, 12:28 pm
#13
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Mar 13, 2012, 6:12 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 332
