Existing American Express gold credit cardholders will pay an annual fee of $195 if their renewal date is before April 1st, 2019. The American Express Gold Upgrade F.A.Q page clearly states:
If you are a current Gold Card Member, your new annual fee will be effective on your anniversary date, on or after April 1, 2019. You will be notified in 2019 regarding your personal renewal date.
If your renewal is after April 1st, 2019 then you will pay the new fee of $250 on renewal. Some people are also being told that if it’s their first year of being a card member then they will pay $195 at renewal regardless of when their renewal is (assuming they signed up before October 4th, 2018).
I applied for the Gold on 10/4 and got the 50,000 point signup bonus. Definitely not complaining but I was charged the old annual fee. Any other new applicants who were charged $195 as well?
Here is my comparison of CSR with Amex Gold
CSR Amex Gold
net AF $150 $150
Dining credit priority pass $120/year
Dining 3X 4X
Travel 3X for any travel 3X in airline site or Amex.com
Groceries 1X 4X
CSR has 100/4=$25 for global entry and better trip insurance.
So for both you pay the same AF=$150 but which one is more worth for you?
I have not tried both, i am just crunching the numbers. But for those who have CSR or PRG, which one is better?
I chatted with Amex CSR yesterday, asked if I change my plastic card to a new metal one will the fee change. He said my fee for the next year will be $195 and amex will start charging the $250 fee on April 2020 cycles (whatever that means). I have this card since August 28th.
Confirmed with an AMEX representative. I have the card since August 7, 2018.
She said all the cards acquired between 4/1/18-10/3/18 will be charged the increased $250 annual fee at the 2020 renewal.
That is exactly what CSR told me. But the FAQ says the fee will be increased to 250 after Apr. 2019.
Wonder if it would be possible to “double dip” so to speak here. First year renewals at $195 if these rumors pan out. And get a retention bonus! That would be awesome!
I want a hat tip 🙁
I feel like you would have a solid argument to make to maintain the $195 fee for an additional year based on the terms of the card agreement. However when you request a new metal card, it specifically states you will receive a new card agreement and there is mention of a “product change” (even if it’s already a forced PC). Anyway I don’t have any knowledge or experience with this but suspect the new card agreement would make it more difficult to argue that you didn’t knowingly agree to the new fee.
DP I applied evening 10/2 – UPS just delivered the card (old Plastic) ;(
It came with a printed Cardmember agreement with date of Application. On it on the Fees table : Annual Membership Fee : $0 for the first year, then $195.
Now IIRC they have to give you 45 days if they change the terms and you haven’t broken the agreement in someway or some term.
IIRC it can be almost impossible to PC from a card from example a No A/F or lower AF to a higher one the first year (not sure if it is because of the initial Card member agreement) i.e. CSP to CSR with Chase.
So I’m not sure if it the edge of the cliff or the railing around the cliff they are observing with the CARD ACTthis . I think it may matter less with a neutered CFPB (BCFP) but not necessarily small claims court (but not even worth the time under $1K), With the CFPB I read over the violations and fines and it too some pretty egregious violations and the highest fines from what I read over more a wrist slap to them.
Nonetheless the Jan 2019 LE Rose card may be a carrot to entice people into a new card agreement – and I would be curious if more than the higher AF terms were changed with this new agreement.
The courts look at active acceptance versus passive tacit agreement ( they e-mail or send by mail new T&C with your bill) less impacting when you clicked on an new card agreement. – but this is not legal advice and I’m not an attorney.
So I imagine that come next AF the people who signed up in the weeks/months to the new card – will be accommodated – esp if they put organic spend on it and not just sock drawer it.
This is a great card for Organic spend as well as MS’ng with Grocery (after you’ve meet MSR without MS). Personally 2X Gas is nice but a wash as 4X CB at Costco with lower prices to start, and a new PHEV that after three months we still have not had to buy gas yet.
Am I missing something? Other than needing/wanting a charge card what is the purpose in having a Gold more than 1 year?
Erm, have you seen the new rewards structure, what’s all over the news?
This may not be right. I confirmed with amex and they told me I will be charged 195 for the second year. The new annual fee will increase to 250 in 2020 if you signed this card in 2018 (but before today). BTW, I applied for this card on 4/18/2018.
hot damn. definitely keeping this card for 2019
I don’t see how they can do $250 in the first year for people who signed up at $195, actually. It was in the terms of the app.
I don’t either, just approved Tues night. Have screen shots and pdf of terms, It would be a “legit” reason to close account or PC – you never know now a days.
I guess, I’ll cross that bridge if it comes up.