Timing of Joining Shangri-La Golden Circle

[bernardblack]

My wife and I will be travelling to Japan and Hong Kong next month, and have recently become Amex Platinum cardholders. It's possible I'll book a Shangri-La, particularly where included in Amex FH&R.

Is there any benefit to joining Golden Circle first (and possibly earning points for downloading the app), then requesting the status bump to Jade through Amex Plat? Or is it better to let Amex Plat request your account, then get the app? Or does it not matter?

Beyond this, it seems like you get the Silver status in KrisFlyer immediately when you link to Golden Circle, but that also starts the clock ticking on a status challenge to earn KrisFlyer Gold. Is that correct? Should I defer linking to KrisFlyer until I can hit the status challenge? Does the Golden Circle account need to be new when linked to KrisFlyer or can I keep both separate until I'm ready to maximise benefit from linking them?

 

[samh004]

Of the statuses I have applied for, this is the only one remaining, and I am getting very close to signing myself up just to nab the bonus points available before the end of February, but not sure if they will then combine my accounts when it finally comes through.

Already booked a Hotel Jen for later in the year as it was miles better value than any other chain!

Edit: Status came through at the beginning of March, probably a little over a month since applying.