Dining credit in same calendar year if reapplying?

[points_worrier]

I had an amex platinum until Jan this year, when I downgraded to the gold credit card (first year free). Before I downgraded, I spent the £150 dining credit and £50 HN benefit.

I see there is a 100,000 MR upgrade offer to platinum for £10k spend. I wonder if anyone knows:
– If I apply to upgrade to platinum, would I be able to get the £150 dining credit on the new upgraded card in 2023? Or because I have previously spent it on a closed account would I not get it until 2024?

[Andrew J]

You probably would get a fresh batch of dining credits. But you won’t be eligible for the 100k signup bonus.

[points_worrier]

Andrew J wrote:

You probably would get a fresh batch of dining credits. But you won’t be eligible for the 100k signup bonus.

Its an upgrade, not a signup bonus – my reading is it would apply:
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-gb/benefits/upgrade/platinum/

[JDB]

@points_worrier The upgrade offer is subject to eligibility and approval which is something in Amex’s sole gift and you don’t get to find that out until after you commit to the upgrade and maybe get accepted but without the welcome bonus.

You are attempting to use the upgrade route to circumvent the two year rule; that may or may not prove successful.

It’s worth noting that the timing of awarding the initial 75K is potentially different for upgrades vs new applications by whether that applies in practice, nobody knows yet.

[points_worrier]

Thanks @JDB.

RE: timings, it seems you’re right:
– upgrade terms: “75,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points will be awarded shortly after the end of the six months” ie April 2024 at the earliest. Definitely after pro-rata refund ending.
– new applicant card terms “it can take up to one month for bonus points to be awarded to your Account” ie within 1 month of spending the target. So Dec 2023 or onwards, depending on timing of £10k spend. Potentially, within the pro-rata refund timing.

I was anticipating having to do the full 1 year at £650/year, so was calculating the cost for 1 full year. Hence wanting to know if I could use the £150 towards the end of 2023 and again in 2024 for value calculations.

[Joe G]

Surely if you are somehow eligible for a 75K “upgrade” bonus in the same calendar year (which would surprise me) after having last held the Platinum that’s still an amazing value proposition enough without having to worry if you get another set of dining credits on top?

[JDB]

points_worrier wrote:

Andrew J wrote:

You probably would get a fresh batch of dining credits. But you won’t be eligible for the 100k signup bonus.

Its an upgrade, not a signup bonus – my reading is it would apply:
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-gb/benefits/upgrade/platinum/

The upgrade offer is subject to eligibility and approval which is something in Amex’s sole gift and you don’t get to find that out until after you commit to the upgrade.

You are attempting to use the upgrade route to circumvent the two year rule; that may or may not prove successful.

It’s worth noting that the timing of awarding the initial 75K is potentially different for upgrades vs new applications by whether that applies in practice, nobody knows yet.