Stacking the Dell Amex Credits PAID ME to Buy a New Television!

Wonder how to best use the Dell statement credits for either (or both) your The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express?

I bought a new television — and ended making money by splitting the transaction across both cards!

Here’s how I did it.

Dell Statement Credits for the Amex Platinum Cards

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express gives cardholders up to $400 in semi-annual if-used statement credits for eligible purchases made through Dell. Cardholders receive up to $200 in Dell purchase credit from January through June, and then up to another $200 from July through December. (Manual activation/enrollment required. This post originally ran when the Dell credit was $200 before being raised to $400 in October 2021.)

But when COVID-19 rudely disrupted everything and people started working from home, Amex increased the Dell credit by another $100. So I had $200 to spend from July until the end of the year.

Plus, the Amex Platinum added a $100 Dell statement credit Amex offer with a $100 minimum purchase. (Offer now expired.)

So folks who hold both Platinum cards essentially have $300 to enjoy. And that buys some fun at Dell!

But, Wait — There’s More!

Two more Amex Offers added to my Business Platinum card made things even sweeter.

First, there was this 10% statement credit Amex Offer. (Offer now expired.)

I also added another Amex Offer: one bonus point for each dollar spent at Dell. (Offer now expired.)

Nothing too exciting — but I’m never one to turn down bonus points!

Figuring Out What to Buy at Dell

I originally planned to purchase a projector to enjoy outdoor movies and socially-distanced football with my friends and family. But projectors don’t work well outside during the day because the sun generally drowns out the image. (At least, projectors within my budget.) Plus, you can usually score better projector prices on Amazon — especially with electronics Lightning Deals. Dell carries name-brand projectors — which are relatively expensive.

So that was out.

But then my wife said her dad wanted a new television for his home office/man cave. Bingo!

Being in good favor with one’s in-laws is always a good idea. So I happily offered to buy him a new TV.

I told him to visit Dell’s website and find something he wanted. He took a liking to this Samsung:

I told him he could buy a more expensive TV. But he’s a reasonably modest guy and liked that one.

Buying the TV and Splitting Payments

I first went to TopCashback and started my Dell shopping session there. TCb awards 4% on Dell purchases (when it works — more on that soon).

I found the TV, added it to my cart, and began the checkout process. The total — after shipping (free!), taxes (gross), and State Environmental Fee (mmkay), was $266.60.

I selected the Split Payment option.

Because the personal/consumer Platinum card’s statement credit is $100 when you spend at least $100, that’s the one I applied first.

(Notice the horrible points redemption available: 38,086 Membership Rewards for $266.60? Uh, no, thanks. That’s like burning at least $120 worth of points. )

I then added my Business Platinum card for the $166.60 balance before proceeding to the final checkout screen.

I pressed “Submit Order.” Then came the flood of Amex Offer confirmation emails!

Amex Statement Credits

Here’s how everything posted to my Amex account.

First, the personal/consumer Platinum card.

And here’s the Business Platinum card — with the two statement credits stacking!

I earned a total of 434 Membership Rewards points — 267 base points plus the bonus 167.

Total Costs

I ended up with $16.66 of an available statement credit on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express! So my grand total was -$16.66!

Another $33.40 in Dell statement credit remains available through December 31.

Plus, I earned the 434 Membership Rewards Points.

As for TopCashback, the purchase didn’t track and I had to submit a claim. I wish Rakuten had a better cashback offer for Dell that day — I think theirs was 2%. I much rather prefer going through them. If the TopCashback claim is successful, that’ll add another $10.66 to my earnings.

So if all goes correctly, I’ll end up making $27.32 — for buying my father-in-law a television.

— Chris

• To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link. Terms apply.
• To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link. Terms apply.