M² Episode 107: Amex Financial Reviews, Account Shutdowns and Continued Trip Planning (Patreon)

We sit down one day after Robert receives news of his American Express Financial Review to discuss all the hard decisions moving forward and more. 

0:21 “Wave” (?) of Amex Financial Reviews

• Hearing of a half dozen or so people who concurrently got a FR from Amex
• You notice by either logging in and seeing red letters saying your spending privileges are suspending and/or concurrently get a call
• They ask you to submit a 4056T form authorizing Amex to review your 1040 presumably to review spend vs stated income
• Amex says it takes 5-7 business days, reports are 2-3 weeks lately
• Pretty scary, and thwarts 4x/7x spend (I should complain and request MRs as compensation if I survive! Ha ha.)
• I can still transfer out to Schwab and 1:1 air travel partners

10:39 Amex Set to No Longer Work w/PPK 1/4/2021

• What will change 1/5/21? (for better or worse)
• PPK doesn’t die, but becomes a Visa/MC/Discover option

15:16 Western Union Shutdown

• Got a “know your customer” email
• Responded honestly
• Got a response back a couple hours later saying I couldn’t send any more payments with them
• Also didn’t reliably earn 3x on AT&T Access More in last statement cycle :(

18:58 Bravo Update

• Complete malfunction on Sam’s P1, P2
• Danny reports iOS app works if you are blocked on android.

News

21:45 JetBlue Mosaic 2021 Changes

• Those with Mosaic set to expire 12/31/2020 will now expire 12/31/2021 (sounds like those who had status gifted to them and set to expire in 6/2021 will not be extended?)
• Companion flies free on cash tickets for flights booked and flow 1/1-5/2021 (have to call JetBlue to book)
• Complimentary space available same-day EvenMore Space upgrades (but not for others on itinerary)
• Easier to requalify through travel or spend
• Overall I went from unimpressed to intrigued to unimpressed. The good stuff is too front loaded, and there’s a catch

26:05 Hilton Diamond Members can Gift Gold Status

• Not that big a deal since Amex Platinum gets Hilton Gold
• Perception is that “everyone” has Amex Platinum but that’s not actually true
• Consider gifting it to a friend who’s not so into the game who might actually enjoy free breakfast at Hiltons?

28:14 [Targeted] AsiaMiles 10-15% Transfer Bonus

• Said to begin 12/28/2020
• Registration required
• On the AsiaMiles side, would be nice if Amex or Citi added a bonus on their end as well
• I seriously was considering a speculative transfer here to take some bank points off the table rather than cashing them out
• For me, a good way to book BOS/JFK to Japan in Business/First farther out than AA

29:10 Office Depot/Office Max Online: Fee Free VGCs w/Free Trackable Shipping (GC Galore)

• $500 denominations
• Max 10 per order
• Doesn’t code as office supplies since it’s processed by giftcardmall
• So don’t use Ink, but maybe try a BofA card that bonuses giftcardmall
• 7x PPK?
• Worth a shot through a portal?
• Liquidation challenge for sure

32:15 Chase to Offer Co-Branded Aeroplan Card (link, thanks tryon)

• Will become 1:1 UR transfer partner “Late 2021” (sheesh - that’s going to take a while)
• Unclear whether Amex might lose transferability

35:29 Saverocity Observation Deck Final Episode

• Can’t not mention this.
• Both Joe and Trevor have been very gracious with their time and talents over the years
• Wishing them both all the best in whatever new endeavors they move to next.

What We’ve Been Up To

37:29 Hilton NO AF (and 3-for-all referral DP) Application attempt

• Last show I said I wanted to try to apply for a No Annual Fee Hilton card, downgrade an aspire, and then attempt to upgrade it.
• Along the way Robert mentioned he has a live 3-for-all enabled Platinum referral link
• So--I went in on his referral link and applied for the No Annual Fee Hilton
• With 3 CC + a Delta card (4 total CC) I thought this would work out great
• Except… my wife was declined. She’s got high balances right now (could be that)
• Couldn’t let this go--flanked to my account and applied for a PLUM card with this link--instant approval.  Now, will Robert’s P2 get 3-for-all access?

43:38 Portugal trip planning update:

• Really tough from the West coast--easier from the East coast.
• Big addition of the Azores into this trip plan now.  Looking at 2 destinations.
• Serious talk of coach flights (Fly to BOS then onward to Azores) 5.5/5.5 hrs
  • Would be piecing this together with something like Alaska and then Azores Air.

48:47 Robert Eying Santa Barabara

• Wine and other related ideas welcomed.

49:36  Lous of the Week - Western Union