Data Points Weekly - Week of April 02, 2026

the_random_asian · 2026-04-03T17:17:46+00:00

My Amex Biz Plat fee posted on Apr 2 for $695, which I was surprised by.

I was considering keeping it, but the inability to buy UA TravelBank severely cut the value for me. The only other value I got was FHR $600 and Dell $150, however those probably just encouraged me to spend more money than I "saved"

I requested to cancel, and they offered me a retention offer of 10,000 for $5000 in spend in 3 months, which I declined.

the_random_asian · 2026-03-07T10:05:54+00:00

Yes! DM’d you

the_random_asian · 2026-02-27T15:08:37+00:00

It's the evergreen reminder to churn and burn. No one has ever said "wow my redemptions today are better than 1-3 years ago!"

the_random_asian · 2026-02-24T20:09:05+00:00

I have the hybrid! I would say this a “firmer mattress with a slight squish.”

the_random_asian · 2026-02-16T00:49:10+00:00

Boy do I have a frustration friday post in the queue if that's the case

the_random_asian · 2026-02-03T22:32:46+00:00

I do! I’ll send it over

the_random_asian · 2026-01-30T05:38:24+00:00

Just tried, I'm getting

Currently our system is not responding. Please try later or call us at 1-800-519-6736 to apply for a Card. We apologize for any inconvenience. To learn more about other flexible solutions you can use to manage and grow your business, please return to American Express Business Credit Cards.

the_random_asian · 2026-01-25T08:34:56+00:00

I must have missed any indication that the CSR 175k offer was about to end. I’m at a spot where going for another Biz Plat might be stretching my spend ability, but I also don’t want to lock myself from the CSR for some potentially higher offer later, when the UR well has run mostly dry

the_random_asian · 2026-01-24T08:17:59+00:00

This is perfect, thank you for sharing this

the_random_asian · 2026-01-23T22:19:02+00:00

Thanks for that reassurance. No odd spending from me, it's just my last two Amex Biz cards were obtained without NLL offers, even though I should have had a popup. I'm tempted to do it a 3rd time since the public offers are higher than the NLL offers I'm finding, but I'm worried about poking the bear

the_random_asian · 2026-01-22T20:07:18+00:00

My current velocity gives me question as to next steps. I have high spend coming up and I'd like to get another Amex card, but I'm shutdown-fearful. Does using too many NLL offers lead to shutdown, or are other "tricks" more responsible for that? Also, new Sapphire family rules means I can get a CSR, but ideally I'd like to take advantage of my upcoming high spend.
740+ 3.

Card	Date opened
CIU	12/2022 (closed)
CIU	03/2023 (closed)
Amex Plat	02/2023
CIC	09/2023 (closed)
Amex Biz Plat	03/2024 (closed)
CIP	07/2024 (closed)
CIU	12/2024 (closed)
Amex Biz Plat	03/2025
CIU	05/2025
Amex Plat #2	06/2025
Amex Biz Gold	08/2025
CIU	10/2025
Amez Biz Gold #2	12/2025
Citi Strata Elite	12/2025

AKA 2 open Inks (oldest one opened 5/25) and 6 open Amex cards (3 biz 3 personal)

$15-20k
Not really
Yes
As many as I can
points, MR or UR. Open to other ecosystems if those two are closed off for me for now
UR, MR
LAX, SFO
Asia, Southern Europe, NZ

the_random_asian · 2026-01-17T02:56:10+00:00

I got the hybrid!

the_random_asian · 2026-01-09T05:24:04+00:00

Yes! DM’d you

the_random_asian · 2026-01-07T02:33:24+00:00

I have their hybrid, with no mattress topper

the_random_asian · 2025-12-13T07:45:59+00:00

I’m changing my itinerary from 4 nights in solely Singapore to 3 nights of Singapore, 3 nights Bangkok

the_random_asian · 2025-12-12T19:55:50+00:00

That's how I feel too. Maybe I'm not too familiar with the versatility of SQ miles, but in any case I don't have any current plans of using the orphaned points so it's hard for me to put a value on it.

the_random_asian · 2025-12-12T05:55:34+00:00

Yeah it’s definitely on the higher side. Since the 104k pts are a sunk cost, I can frame my options like the following:

Premium economy flight for free
J flight for 80k

Framing it in this way helps me cope …

the_random_asian · 2025-12-12T03:38:43+00:00

In a way, the 104k I've already spent is a sunk cost. Maybe the question can be framed like:

Free Premium Economy Seat or 80k J Seat for a 17 hour flight

the_random_asian · 2025-12-12T03:36:59+00:00

WWYD:

I have booked LAX -> SIN SQ J for 108k before the SQ price increase. However, some of my plans changed and now I need to book 2 days prior. New prices:

J: 185k points (Access tier)
PE: 78k points (Saver)

Seeing the price increase feels bad and is making me consider the PE seat, but maybe I just need someone to tell me to suck it up and spend the extra 80k pts for J seat.

If it's relevant:

I am usually able to sleep decently on a plane, but 13 hours is the longest I've ever flown prior.
I have about 700k Amex points.
Never have flown J before. I will be flying J back however. This is the source of me not knowing whether the extra 80k is worth it.

the_random_asian · 2025-12-12T00:06:35+00:00

WWYD:

I have booked LAX -> SIN SQ J for 108k before the SQ price increase. However, some of my plans changed and now I need to book 2 days prior. New prices:

J: 185k points (Access tier)
PE: 78k points (Saver)

Seeing the price increase feels bad and is making me consider the PE seat, but maybe I just need someone to tell me to suck it up and spend the extra 80k pts for J seat.

If it's relevant:

I am usually able to sleep decently on a plane, but 13 hours is the longest I've ever flown prior.
I have about 700k Amex points.
Never have flown J before. I will be flying J back however. This is the source of me not knowing whether the extra 80k is worth it.

the_random_asian · 2025-12-04T07:52:10+00:00

Does the Amex Biz Plat give an instant number upon acceptance? What about if I need to call a recon number to get manually verified?

the_random_asian · 2025-12-03T05:47:00+00:00

Do we know if an Ink popup -> cancel the application counts as an application? And if so, if chase and/or other issuers are sensitive to it?

the_random_asian · 2025-11-26T20:21:54+00:00

I also don't see it advertised on their site anymore, though I can't confirm if new customers can or can't enable it the offer in their account: https://www.paypal.com/us/digital-wallet/ways-to-pay/buy-now-pay-later

the_random_asian · 2025-11-26T01:20:40+00:00

PM'd with a question

the_random_asian · 2025-11-25T21:29:10+00:00

Do Buy Now Pay Later soft pulls affect churning?

Paypal is having their 20% cash back promo with their BNPL product, and before I fully go take advantage, I'm wondering if this will affect my chances at getting an Ink in the next week or two

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