Getting your hands on The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley isn't as simple as applying for a regular Amex Platinum. This card is a specialized offering, reserved for those who have a significant relationship with Morgan Stanley. But don't worry, if you're interested in the exclusive perks and the potential to offset that hefty annual fee, you've come to the right place!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, from understanding the eligibility criteria to navigating the application. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Do You Qualify? Unlocking the Door to Morgan Stanley
Before you even think about applying for the Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum, the absolute first hurdle is establishing a qualifying relationship with Morgan Stanley. This isn't a card you can simply apply for off the street.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Core Requirement
The Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum card is, as its name suggests, exclusive to Morgan Stanley clients. This means you need to have an eligible investment account with the firm. Without this, your application simply won't be considered.
Sub-heading: What Kind of Morgan Stanley Account Qualifies?
While Morgan Stanley doesn't publicly list every single qualifying account type, the most common and widely recognized path is through their Morgan Stanley CashPlus Account, particularly the Platinum CashPlus Account.
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Morgan Stanley CashPlus Account: This is a cash management account that offers features like unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide, no foreign transaction fees, and no cash advance fees with the Morgan Stanley Debit Card.
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Platinum CashPlus Account: This tier of the CashPlus account is typically what enables eligibility for the Amex Platinum. To qualify for the Platinum CashPlus Account, you generally need to meet specific deposit and balance criteria:
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$5,000 in total monthly deposits AND $25,000 in average daily cash balance in the Bank Deposit Program.
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You also need an existing eligible Morgan Stanley Investment Account and Morgan Stanley Online enrollment.
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Other eligible investment accounts may include:
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Discretionary/non-discretionary advisory accounts or programs through Morgan Stanley's Advisory Program.
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Self-directed brokerage accounts.
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Active Assets Account (AAA accounts).
Important Note: It's crucial to confirm the specific eligibility requirements with a Morgan Stanley financial advisor or through their official channels, as these criteria can sometimes be subject to change.
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| How Do You Get A Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum Card |
Step 2: Establishing Your Morgan Stanley Relationship: A Step-by-Step Approach
If you don't already have a qualifying Morgan Stanley account, this is where the real work begins.
Sub-heading: Option A: Opening a Morgan Stanley CashPlus Account
This is often the most direct route.
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Research and Understand: Begin by thoroughly researching the Morgan Stanley CashPlus account, specifically the Platinum CashPlus tier. Understand all the features, benefits, and, most importantly, the eligibility requirements for maintaining the account and its associated perks.
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Contact a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor: While some aspects can be initiated online, it's highly recommended to contact a Morgan Stanley financial advisor. They can guide you through the process, answer your specific questions, and help ensure you meet the necessary criteria. You can find a financial advisor through the Morgan Stanley website.
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Open an Eligible Investment Account: As mentioned, the CashPlus account typically requires an existing eligible Morgan Stanley Investment Account. Your financial advisor will help you set this up. This could be a brokerage account, a managed account, or another type of investment vehicle.
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Fund Your Accounts: Once your accounts are open, you'll need to fund them to meet the minimum balance and deposit requirements for the Platinum CashPlus Account. This is a critical step, as failing to maintain these balances could jeopardize your eligibility for the Amex Platinum card.
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Enroll in Morgan Stanley Online: Ensure you are fully enrolled and actively using Morgan Stanley Online services, as this is another prerequisite for the CashPlus account.
Sub-heading: Option B: Leveraging Existing Morgan Stanley Investments
If you already have a substantial investment relationship with Morgan Stanley, consult your financial advisor. They can confirm if your current account types qualify or if any adjustments need to be made to make you eligible for the Amex Platinum.
Step 3: The Application Itself: Applying for the Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum
Once your Morgan Stanley account is established and meets the eligibility criteria, you can proceed with the credit card application.
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Sub-heading: How to Access the Application
The application for the Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum Card is not typically found on the public American Express website or through general credit card comparison sites. It's usually offered directly through Morgan Stanley or American Express in conjunction with your Morgan Stanley relationship.
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Through Your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor: This is often the easiest and most recommended path. Your financial advisor will likely have direct access to the application or can provide you with a unique link to apply. They can also assist you with any questions during the application process.
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Morgan Stanley Online Portal: After establishing your eligible Morgan Stanley account, you might find an invitation or a direct link to apply for the card within your Morgan Stanley Online portal or through communications from Morgan Stanley.
Sub-heading: Information You'll Need for the Application
Like any credit card application, you'll need to provide standard personal and financial information, including:
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Personal details: Name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number.
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Contact information: Phone number, email address.
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Employment information: Employer name, occupation, income.
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Financial information: Annual income, source of income, and possibly details about your assets held with Morgan Stanley.
Key Consideration: American Express will perform a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily impact your credit score. Ensure your credit profile is strong before applying.
Step 4: Waiting for Approval and Activation
After submitting your application, there will be a waiting period while American Express reviews your information and verifies your Morgan Stanley relationship.
Sub-heading: What to Expect During the Waiting Period
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Application Status: You may be able to check the status of your application online through the American Express website.
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Potential for Further Information: American Express or Morgan Stanley might reach out if they require additional documentation or clarification regarding your application or account details. Be prepared to provide this promptly.
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Approval or Denial: You will eventually receive a decision. If approved, congratulations! If denied, you can inquire about the reasons for denial and consider if you can address them before reapplying.
Sub-heading: Activating Your Card
Once approved, your Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum card will be mailed to you. Upon receipt, you'll need to activate it, typically through the American Express website or by calling the number on the card.
Step 5: Maximizing the Benefits: The Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum Experience
The Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum card comes with a suite of premium benefits, many of which are similar to the standard Amex Platinum, but with a unique and highly valuable addition for Morgan Stanley clients.
Sub-heading: Core Amex Platinum Benefits (Generally Included)
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Travel Credits: Enjoy statement credits for airline incidental fees, Uber Cash, and potentially hotel credits for prepaid bookings through Amex Travel.
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Lounge Access: Unparalleled access to a vast network of airport lounges, including The Centurion Lounge, Priority Pass lounges (with enrollment), Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta), and more.
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Hotel Elite Status: Complimentary Gold Elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).
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Digital Entertainment Credits: Credits for eligible streaming and digital subscriptions.
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Retail Credits: Statement credits for purchases at select retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue.
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Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Reimbursement for application fees.
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Premium Travel Protections: Robust travel insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, and more.
Sub-heading: The Exclusive Morgan Stanley Benefit: The Annual Engagement Bonus
This is the game-changer for Morgan Stanley clients. If you are a Platinum CashPlus client, you can receive a significant Annual Engagement Bonus (currently $695, though this is subject to change by American Express and Morgan Stanley). This bonus effectively offsets the entire annual fee of the Platinum Card, making it an incredibly valuable proposition for eligible Morgan Stanley clients.
Strategy Tip: To truly maximize the value of this card, it's essential to actively utilize the various statement credits and lounge access benefits, in addition to qualifying for the annual engagement bonus. Keep track of enrollment requirements for various benefits, as many require activation.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions with quick answers to further guide you on your journey to obtaining the Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum card:
How to open a Morgan Stanley CashPlus account? You can open a Morgan Stanley CashPlus account by contacting a Morgan Stanley financial advisor who will guide you through the process, which often involves also setting up an eligible investment account.
How to qualify for the Platinum CashPlus account for the Amex Platinum? To qualify, you generally need to maintain $5,000 in total monthly deposits AND $25,000 in average daily cash balance in the Bank Deposit Program, along with an existing eligible Morgan Stanley Investment Account and online enrollment.
How to find a Morgan Stanley financial advisor? You can find a Morgan Stanley financial advisor through the "Find an Advisor" tool on the official Morgan Stanley website.
How to apply for the Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum card once eligible? The application is typically provided directly through your Morgan Stanley financial advisor or may be accessible within your Morgan Stanley Online portal once you meet the eligibility criteria.
How to get the $695 annual fee offset for the Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum? Eligible Platinum CashPlus clients receive an Annual Engagement Bonus (currently $695) which effectively offsets the annual fee. This bonus is a key benefit of having the card in conjunction with the Platinum CashPlus account.
How to utilize the travel credits on the Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum? Travel credits like airline incidental fee credits and Uber Cash typically require enrollment or adding your card to specific platforms (e.g., Uber app), and then making qualifying purchases.
How to access airport lounges with the Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum? Show your Platinum Card and a valid ID at participating lounges like The Centurion Lounge, Priority Pass (with enrollment), Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta), and more.
How to ensure my Morgan Stanley account remains eligible for the Amex Platinum? Continuously meet the minimum balance and deposit requirements for your qualifying Morgan Stanley account (e.g., Platinum CashPlus Account) as outlined by Morgan Stanley.
How to understand all the benefits of the Morgan Stanley Amex Platinum? Refer to the official American Express website for the Morgan Stanley Platinum Card, or consult your financial advisor for a detailed breakdown of all current benefits and their terms.
How to contact American Express customer service for the Morgan Stanley Platinum Card? You can find the customer service number on the back of your card or by logging into your American Express online account.
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