That Went Well: Calling Amex and Asking for No Interest on a Big Purchase

I wrote a few weeks ago that my 2019 MacBook Pro was drastically slowing down, and I needed a new laptop ASAP. I applied for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card because its welcome promotion is pretty good and it currently offers 0% APR on purchases for the first 15 months of card membership.

I have the money to pay for a new MacBook Pro. But my photo editing work mainly comes from entertainment industry clients. Things aren’t great right now — and probably won’t get resolved for quite some time.

So, I’m trying to save money where I can — and paying off big purchases over time helps.

Chutzpah: Calling Amex and Asking for No Interest

I called America Express as a last-ditch effort.

I explained my situation to the friendly rep who answered my call. Then I went for the hard sell.

“So, because I’ve been an Amex customer for a while, I’m hoping you might consider giving me 0% APR for 15 months on this one purchase,” I said. “I’d like to use my Business Platinum card.” (Plus, if I’m going to make a business purchase, it’s probably better that I make it on a business card.)

Now, I know what you’re thinking:

• That’s not how credit cards work, moron. They want you to pay interest! That’s how they make money, dummy!
• They can’t make an exception for just a single purchase! 

Yes, both those points came to me before I made the call.

But you never know until you ask, right?

The rep gamely played along and said she’d check.

To no one’s surprise, a 0% APR wasn’t available. And their system isn’t set up to allow it for a specific charge.

Just as I thought, Well, that’s over, the Amex rep pulled a John Blutarsky.

“But there is another option,” she said.

She said my account showed an offer for the Blue Business Plus card. The card:

• has 0% APR on purchases made during the first 12 months
• earns 2X Membership Rewards points per dollar (on up to $50,000 per calendar year — then it’s 1X)

There also was a welcome offer: earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases within 12 months of being approved for card membership. What’s particularly interesting about that is the only welcome offer I could find — even on Amex’s website — is for the 0% APR. No mention of bonus points.

(Interestingly enough, that’s a card I’ve always had my eye on. I like the 2 points per dollar spent — which is better than what I earn on most of my Business Platinum card purchases.)

I told the rep thanks, but I’ve caught more than my limit of Amex cards. There’s no way in heck they’d approve me.

She said she understood — but if the offer is on my account, there’s probably a sporting chance I’d get approved.

So, I agreed to give it a shot — and was approved!

Pros and Cons of the Blue Business Plus

As I said, I appreciate earning 2X on all eligible purchases (until if/when I spend 50K during a calendar year.) I can make those even more valuable with the Business Platinum’s 35% Pay With Points rebate, too. The 0% APR for a year is very much appreciated, too.

And I’m grateful I was approved for another Amex card.

A couple of things for you to know: the card does enforce foreign transaction fees. Be careful — especially when placing orders online.

We always appreciate it when you use our affiliate links to apply for credit cards. It really does help keep the lights on and kids fed. However, if you’re interested in the card, call Amex. See if they’ll offer you some welcome promotion like they did for me.

Final Approach

Everyone was a winner when I asked Amex for a 0% APR. I knew the initial ask would be shot down faster than a duck or goose during hunting season in North Dakota. But we worked something out.

Amex put another card in my wallet.

And it was a card I’ve long wanted. Plus, it helped me comfortably afford a new laptop (on which I’m writing this post).