Association AMEX cards

[avante]

Some professional associations such as CPA and ABA offer the Plat Charge for a reduced annual fee and the application form is accessible by the general public (unlike Engineers Australia which will require a login to access the form). Does anyone know if non-CPA members will be able to apply for a CPA-branded card? Nowhere in the form does it ask for a membership number.

 

[edy4eva]

FWIW yes it is possible to apply. Was an EA member many years back when I applied for mine (I think they still ask for a membership number though the field is not mandatory). At one of the events, we were encouraged to pitch the card to colleagues/friends as EA receives a kick back for every referral as well as a percentage on monthly spend. Apparently the revenue stream was significant.

I'd imagine things don't differ much for other associations.

 

[avante]

FWIW yes it is possible to apply. Was an EA member many years back when I applied for mine (I think they still ask for a membership number though the field is not mandatory). At one of the events, we were encouraged to pitch the card to colleagues/friends as EA receives a kick back for every referral as well as a percentage on monthly spend. Apparently the revenue stream was significant.

I'd imagine things don't differ much for other associations.

Cheers - thanks for the feedback. I've got an EA Plat Edge as well but can't recall if there was a field for a membership number. I'm no longer an EA member though as I have left the industry, so can't check. I should have thought about this before I applied for my Plat Charge - the $250 ongoing discount in annual fee is worth more than the additional 20,000 points through a referral!

 

[Chunny]

How'd you go?

 

[avante]

How'd you go?

Already hold the charge card but was just wondering if it's possible to switch to an association-branded version to get a lower annual fee (and avoid another credit enquiry!).

 

[M@rcoPolo]

Already hold the charge card but was just wondering if it's possible to switch to an association-branded version to get a lower annual fee (and avoid another credit enquiry!).

Same here - I called them and I was told I would need to re-apply for the association-branded version, I guess that also means another credit enquiry...