I <3 Amex

[AznAnarchy99]

I had the Platinum but wasn't using the benefits so I just dropped to the gold.

I hope you signed up for a new gold rather than do a product change otherwise you'd miss out on the sign up bonus.

 

[Spineshank]

I hope you signed up for a new gold rather than do a product change otherwise you'd miss out on the sign up bonus.

No I had dropped it down without signing up for a new one. I did it before I had to pay the annual fee for the Platinum.

 

[clamum]

Glad to hear all of this. I was aware of the Costco return policy and the Amex added benefit for warranty. I wanted to offer the following ...

The first flat panel TV that I had bought was a Vizio 42" LCD (pre-LED) from Costco for ~$1300. Some 8-9 months into ownership the video card went wild and psychedelic presentation was at hand. Asked Costco what the best approach was for handling this. They said I could return it for a full refund, or get the manufacture to replace it since it was less than a year old.

I snapped a picture, posted it on a forum, and then emailed Vizio with the link to the forum posting. They asked me, "It it wall mounted?" and I said, "No." While I was not home the wife received an appointed visit whereby someone came in and replaced the unit with a new one. All costs covered by Vizio.

WOW, was I impressed. A year later this second unit had all of its HDMI inputs fail, which made feeding 1080 content a bit limited. Costco didn't care that this wasn't the original unit and again said, "Bring it in for a full refund." They also said, "We don't track serial numbers--just product make/model and membership IDs and purchase dates."

Wow, I was impressed again when they handed me a $1300 Costco gift card, which I turned around an bought a 50" Vizio plasma for $900. I spent the remainder on a Canon HD camcorder. Since then I added a 50" Panasonic plasma and both plasma TVs are still running strong--well outside the two-years of Costco-Amex coverage.

I am buggered though to know how this will be handled since Amex and Costco are no longer friends. Again, the consumers lose.

Dang, that is impressive.

I've got a regular blue AMEX card. I've only had to deal with them once last summer when I got some goofy iTunes charge on the card (I own no Apple things and don't use any of their crap). They took it off without even a blink and sent me a new card with new number; I was happy. But it's good to know that they double manufacturers' warranty. I do like that my card earns cashback points for use at Amazon.

 

[Gunbuster]

Discover warranty servicer Broadspire: "Mr. Gunbuster,

Your claim has been sent for final approval. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for the arrival of your $493.99 claim payment (check)."

Woot! Just need to save that money and start deciding what 4K TV will be replacing my old granddaddy 4k Seiki 39"

Maybe we'll have some cheap Chinese 4K's that actually do 4:4:4 with low input lag in the beginning of next year...

 

[Brainonska511]

I've got a regular blue AMEX card. I've only had to deal with them once last summer when I got some goofy iTunes charge on the card (I own no Apple things and don't use any of their crap). They took it off without even a blink and sent me a new card with new number; I was happy. But it's good to know that they double manufacturers' warranty. I do like that my card earns cashback points for use at Amazon.

I never use the points on Amazon, the redemption rate is < $0.01/point: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/reward-program-reviews/american-express-membership-rewards/

I tend to just get a gift card to a place I would normally shop at with my points, as it is at least $0.01/point.

 

[clamum]

I never use the points on Amazon, the redemption rate is < $0.01/point: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/reward-program-reviews/american-express-membership-rewards/

I tend to just get a gift card to a place I would normally shop at with my points, as it is at least $0.01/point.

Hmmm, didn't realize that. I may do that instead; thanks for the heads up!

EDIT: Yeah you're getting about 30% less out of the points if you use them at Amazon. I just looked through their Retail and Entertainment categories and shop at none of those stores, though. And getting an AMEX gift card is an even worse use of points than Amazon.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Hmmm, didn't realize that. I may do that instead; thanks for the heads up!

Definitely. Before I got into the points game I used all my Citi Thank You Points at Amazon for well less than $0.01 per point :'(

 

[Svnla]

That's why I love my 2% cash back credit card. No limit, no restriction, nothing but cold hard cash back onto my checking account each month. A few hundreds dollars a month is not bad at all.


And 5% cash back from my AE card on groceries and gasoline but with a $50K cap per year.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

That's why I love my 2% cash back credit card. No limit, no restriction, nothing but cold hard cash back onto my checking account each month. A few hundreds dollars a month is not bad at all.


And 5% cash back from my AE card on groceries and gasoline but with a $50K cap per year.

Honestly points are only great if you're looking to travel. If not, then CB is the easier route.

 

[blackangst1]

Glad to hear all of this. I was aware of the Costco return policy and the Amex added benefit for warranty. I wanted to offer the following ...

The first flat panel TV that I had bought was a Vizio 42" LCD (pre-LED) from Costco for ~$1300. Some 8-9 months into ownership the video card went wild and psychedelic presentation was at hand. Asked Costco what the best approach was for handling this. They said I could return it for a full refund, or get the manufacture to replace it since it was less than a year old.

I snapped a picture, posted it on a forum, and then emailed Vizio with the link to the forum posting. They asked me, "It it wall mounted?" and I said, "No." While I was not home the wife received an appointed visit whereby someone came in and replaced the unit with a new one. All costs covered by Vizio.

WOW, was I impressed. A year later this second unit had all of its HDMI inputs fail, which made feeding 1080 content a bit limited. Costco didn't care that this wasn't the original unit and again said, "Bring it in for a full refund." They also said, "We don't track serial numbers--just product make/model and membership IDs and purchase dates."

Wow, I was impressed again when they handed me a $1300 Costco gift card, which I turned around an bought a 50" Vizio plasma for $900. I spent the remainder on a Canon HD camcorder. Since then I added a 50" Panasonic plasma and both plasma TVs are still running strong--well outside the two-years of Costco-Amex coverage.

I am buggered though to know how this will be handled since Amex and Costco are no longer friends. Again, the consumers lose.

Well, Costco's return policy/free 2nd year warranty and Amex's free 2nd year warranty are mutually exclusive. They'll both still exist after they part ways.

edit: oops already answered

 

[blackangst1]

Discover warranty servicer Broadspire: "Mr. Gunbuster,

Your claim has been sent for final approval. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for the arrival of your $493.99 claim payment (check)."

Woot! Just need to save that money and start deciding what 4K TV will be replacing my old granddaddy 4k Seiki 39"

Maybe we'll have some cheap Chinese 4K's that actually do 4:4:4 with low input lag in the beginning of next year...

Unless you do extensive computer work (NOT gaming) you dont need 4:4:4.

 

[zinfamous]

Amex is the best

 

[zCypher]

Except for where Amex is not accepted, then VISA and MC are best. And the extended warranty is something that is very common among all the major cards, so it's really nothing all too special, much less exclusive to Amex. Still a very nice thing to have though, obviously.

 

[trmiv]

I also love the other money back offers Amex has frequently. Spend $60 at amazon get $15 back. 10% back at Shutterfly. Spend $30 at Exxon/Mobil get $10 back. Spend $600 at Tuft and Needle get $100 back. Spend $150 at Undercover Tourist, get $30 back. Etc. Since my wife and I have two different card numbers we get to cash in on these deals twice. I've probably gotten $600 back in various deals between my two cards in the past few years.

 

[Svnla]

I also love the other money back offers Amex has frequently. Spend $60 at amazon get $15 back. 10% back at Shutterfly. Spend $30 at Exxon/Mobil get $10 back. Spend $600 at Tuft and Needle get $100 back. Spend $150 at Undercover Tourist, get $30 back. Etc. Since my wife and I have two different card numbers we get to cash in on these deals twice. I've probably gotten $600 back in various deals between my two cards in the past few years.

Yup, same here, received numerous cash back/account credited from AE. I surely do miss the $10 credit to purchase $10 or more from "small businesses Saturday". I did order a bunch of wings from Wingstop for $15 or less and get multiple $10 credit back from several AE cards. Sadly, AE is no longer offer that. <sad panda>

Don't forget $25 off $45 Sams Club by end of this year, $ back from purchasing at Best Buy, Regal Cinema, Hulu, JC Penny, Toys R Us, Newegg, Copeland, and other merchants.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Except for where Amex is not accepted, then VISA and MC are best. And the extended warranty is something that is very common among all the major cards, so it's really nothing all too special, much less exclusive to Amex. Still a very nice thing to have though, obviously.

This is true but Amex makes the process extremely easy.

The only thing I wish Amex had on their cards is travel delay protection. Chase has it up to $500 on most of their cards.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I just double-dipped on their Dunkin Donuts spend $10 get $5 back. Cheap dating the tire around my waist.

 

[deadlyapp]

This is true but Amex makes the process extremely easy.

The only thing I wish Amex had on their cards is travel delay protection. Chase has it up to $500 on most of their cards.

My citi card (of all cards) just put this in place up to $4000 per trip.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

My citi card (of all cards) just put this in place up to $4000 per trip.

$4000? Damn I hope I get delayed next trip. I'd be having some extravagant meals lmao.

 

[Craig234]

That's why I love my 2% cash back credit card... A few hundreds dollars a month is not bad at all.

A few hundred? Say $300? That's $15,000 spending a month...

And 5% cash back from my AE card on groceries and gasoline but with a $50K cap per year.

$50K spending on gas and groceries limits you?

 

[Svnla]

A few hundred? Say $300? That's $15,000 spending a month...



$50K spending on gas and groceries limits you?

1. Yes and more, this month I will get at least $400 cash back and I still have another week to spend. NOT for personal but business related expenses. I am not as rich as typical ATOTers/internet rich guys so no hookers and blow.

2. I mean the AE card only allows me to charge up to $50K per year to get the 5% cash back at groceries and gas. If I charge more than $50K a year, the cash back amount will go down to 1% after the threshold of $50K.

That's why I love my cash back credit cards. Points and miles are nice but cash is king.

 

[Elixer]

I am actually impressed with Amex.
I sent a payment, but for some reason, it didn't get applied on the date it should have.
A few days later, got a letter from them saying it was their fault, and they took off the interest charges, and on top of that, also gave a $40 credit--all without me asking for anything.

 

[JM Aggie08]

We recently got my wife on my Amex Gold card (newlyweds) and use it exclusively, barring a store not accepting it.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Logitech mouse started having clicking problems. Out of warranty with Logitech so I hit up Amex. Sent them in the invoice from Amazon and they just credit my account with the full original purchase price.

 

[allisolm]

Discover warranty servicer Broadspire: "Mr. Gunbuster,
Your claim has been sent for final approval. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for the arrival of your $493.99 claim payment (check)."

Good to know that it was easy for you. I have Discover and use it for that kind of purchase since they will add an extra year warranty if the original warranty is up to 36 months. Haven't ever had to make an extended warranty claim though.

I like my Wells Fargo Visa as it gives me free cell phone insurance up to $600 each occurrence, up to twice a year.