1. Bankers/Credit analyst tell me, just got to word your approach in a witty way, and theyll either give you a exact number or a range (if its a range, you can get them to narrow it down to a 5-10 point range with right wording

2.I wish had an amex history, been with my first amex (gold charge card) for 2-3 months and I dont think im worried about income requirement, only what score are they looking for, what does the numerous "new accounts added to my credit report" have an effect on, obviously it reduces my avg age of cards but thats a small factor, but how concerned should I be about this?

Lastly I untentionally kept my equifax score intact, as when I did a recent credit increase, and then next week applied for chase marriot cc, they denied me on that basis (30min+ of drilling credit specialist confirmed this as credit report + income was good standing), so I'm anxious to keep EQ score in good standing for 5 more months to get the marriot card. But once again, equifax wont show my transunion hits, but what will the impact be from numerous accounts that are going to added (about 9) to my credit report... should I just be dismissal about my chances and run my equifax score to the ground as well?
i think theres a diff between soft/hard check, when I get preapproved offers from my other banks, its a soft check or no check at all, doesnt matter as the requirements they're looking from soft check are much lower (e.g. im not in recent bankruptcy) compared to hard check where they're more pedantic and stringent about the details

that said I guess i think I should maybe wait next year when I could take advantage of self referral bonus and see whetherr theyve added any new features to plat card

Yup, used it a couple of times, though there is a time limit to the Amex access, IIRC 3 hours. It's particularly useful if you arrive at the terminal before your airline's check-in counters open and you've not been able to use the Airport Express check-in at Central or Kowloon.

Back in the early days of the internet I was heading to England and wanted to get the phone number of the AOL dialup for the UK (and London in particular). The cs rep with a heavy southern US accent had problems identifying where London or England was.

The matter was discussed and answered.

Any more anecdotes on whether or not a free guest is allowed at the HKG Arrivals lounge?

i just applied for AMEX platinum today and instantly approved. the card will be sent to me within 7 to 10 days. on the welcome web page, i am asked to create a new user's name and a password to register for online service. but i've already got my user's name and password for my gold card. how can i link them together? do i have to call them to link after i receive my card? thank you.

Very simple. When your new card arrives, and you're ready to activate it online, you'll be given the chance at that time to register it with your current existing Amex.c login, the one that that you already have setup for your current Gold card.

After reading here that Aeroplan redemption flights are not covered by the AMEX medical coverage I was just curious about an upcoming trip I have with YYZ-FRA on an AE redemption but I have several paid intra-Europe flights on this trip including an immediate connection from FRA all paid with my AMEX Plat. Do these flights activate the coverage?

>> Aeroplan redemption flights are not covered by the AMEX medical coverage

Out-of-province emergency medical insurance coverage does not require using your AMEX card to pay for the trip. i.e. you are covered every time you leave your province of residence, even if you walk across the Rainbow Bridge, or go on a trip paid for by cash.

Are you referring to the non-card form of medical insurance? I would assume Crampedin13A was referring to the card-coverage version.

And if this is the case, if the incident occurred after boarding one of those revenue flights purchased with the Amex card, or before boarding the return award flight, then the basic card medical coverage should apply.

You are covered for out-of-province medical for up to 15 days, regardless of how you paid the trip or mode of transport but subject to some exclusions as stated in the Policy, e.g., you must be younger than 65 years old and covered by a Canadian provincial health plan, etc. Read the Policy for details. A weekend driving trip to the U.S. for shopping is covered for medical.

However, you will not be covered for travel interruption type coverages, e.g., flight delay, baggage, etc. while flying on Aeroplan redemption flights. For revenue flights - if you fully paid those flights with your Amex Plat., you are covered when flying those flights. The best is to get a CIBC or TD Aeroplan Visa to pay when flying on a combination of Aeroplan redemption and revenue tickets. AFAIK CIBC and TD Aeroplan Visa are the only two credit cards that cover you with trip interruption type benefits when flying on both Aeroplan redemption and revenue tickets.

If you have paid the scam charges on the redemption ticket with an Amex Plat, I suggest that you consider a non-medical travel insurance package to cover those Aeroplan redemption flights.

I just received a letter from CIBC that some of the benefits of my CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite are being enhanced with effect from late July. I mean a real enhancement, not Air Canada/Aeroplan type of "enhancement".

Yes one guest allowed.

I got the Amex Plat before the fee increased 2 years ago, kept it until now (I even paid the 699$ for the first time this year), and I am not sure if I should keep it indefinitely...
Marco Polo gold was a big benefit and until it was gone we never saw anything new to replace it. Nothing new with hotel benefit... US Plat got Hilton gold last year but nothing for Canadians.
It looks like Amex forgot to work on some new benefits to keep the card attractive...

Cancel, wait 3-6 months, re-apply
The "realistic way" of coming out ahead? ha

1. Agreed that the discontinuation of CX MPC Gold/OW Sapphire status is a great deterrent to renew the card. I wish that they would "downgrade" (to MPC Silver/OW Ruby) rather than eliminating it altogether!
2. Starwood Gold status is good. I have stayed at the Sheraton several times and was upgraded every time.
3. Club Carlson Gold is useless. Individual hotel is allowed to opt out. Stayed at a Radisson in London UK and was denied any benefit. Wrote to CC and was simply told that some properties might not participate. I should check before booking! It's my fault!!
4. Accor Platinum - will find out in a few weeks. Booked a Novotel.
5. Hertz - very competitive rate and I like the 4-hour auto extension at no charge.
6. Insurance - was good but now superseded by CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Privilege.

Overall, the Amex Plat offers reasonably good perks but I am no longer so sure at $699-200=499 that it's still worth it without the OW Sapphire status.