Amex Membership Rewards Points International Transfer for BA Avios

[scoobs214]

Evening everyone and Merry Christmas!
Would love some help from the amex/BA avios gurus please.
I
have 2 UK amex cards - the free Amex British Airways & the Amex Platinum.
My main priority is to collect avios and all is going well so far as I do use the above cards in Oz regularly even though I do get stung with the forex fee each time. I do try to do a lot of Ba Exec store shopping as well as book hotels via Avios store in GBP to gain more points and that also works well.

However I recently acquired the AU Amex Essential card and was told that I could possibly gain MR points via that and then once a year transfer them across to my UK MR account connected to my platinum card then onward to BAEC.
Has anyone ever done this from Au to Uk amex and if so was it easy enough? Im pretty sure you can only do it once a year.
And if so, is this the smart way to do it, or transfer to Marriot Bonvoy then BAEC or just continue using my UK cards and suffer the 3% fee? Which one would garner the most avios for my $$? I gather an exchange rate would kick in when I transferred MR points from AU to UK?

I know that's a lot to ask but be great to see what's the most efficient and beneficial way to earn avios while spending in AUD. Just to add to the mix, I have applied for the Aussie diners + world mc, but awaiting outcome of that still.
Thanks all much appreciated in advance!
Scoobs

 

[hossein_au]

I cannot answer your main question, but I can say this: for the love of god, stop using a card with foreign exchange fees to accrue frequent flyer points! Not the least of which for Avios!! I mean, how much value do you get from ANY point, and specifically from Avios, to justify the 3% charge? And (at least in Australia) I presume you ALSO pay a surcharge to use an AmEx? You'd be better off just buying those BA tickets...

 

[QF_Flyer]

I've done it the other way round (UK-AU), back when the Aussie MR to airline rate was 1:1 same as UK, which with the exchange rate worked out as a hugely profitable way to gain SQ Krisflyer miles.

The one per year you mention is correct (not sure if it's rolling year or calendar year, suspect the former), and it's an easy process, which only took a few days for me (I forget how long they told me it would take, but it was much quicker in the end). I haven't done it for a few years now. You have to call them up to do it, but they know what they're doing and it's a simple process.

The exchange rate would kick in, and it's the same as the currency rate (so right now you'd need ~1.8 Aussie MR to get 1 UK MR point, and vice versa) - with the current exchange rate, it works out favourably transferring them to the UK, because our MR rate here is 1:0.5 miles, whereas UK is 1:1, so until AUD goes over £1:$2 again, you'll work out slightly ahead. Similarly, until it goes over £1:$2, it's not worth transferring UK to AU right now (as 1x UK MR currently gets 1 mile, but transfers to ~1.8 AU MR, which would get you 0.9 miles). Again, in the old days this didn't matter, as our 1:1 rate was golden, but I digress.

If you really want to keep accruing BAEC Avios (not a terrible idea) then that's not a bad way to do it, I haven't run the numbers on whether that or Amex-Marriott-BAEC is the best option, but the Amex Aussie MR to Bonvoy rate is worse than the Amex UK MR to Bonvoy rate. I personally keep BA Avios on hand as their redemption rates on QF are often favourable to using QF points.

A few other points though - as hossein has said, don't keep using your UK Amex to earn airmiles - the forex fee more than wipes out what you gain, several times over. Do use them once per year, otherwise you'll be at risk of Amex terminating your account for inactivity. You can change your Amex UK addresses to your Aussie address, but do not do this with the BA cards, as they will stop transferring Avios to BAEC - no idea why, but I'm told any address outside the UK stops this, not to mention it wouldn't match your BAEC address (which can't be your Aussie address, due to some relic of the old BA/QF tie up years ago).

 

[blacksultan]

Transfers can be done once per calendar year .
I’m currently using the gold uk card - trying to qualify for my sign up bonus .

 

[scoobs214]

I cannot answer your main question, but I can say this: for the love of god, stop using a card with foreign exchange fees to accrue frequent flyer points! Not the least of which for Avios!! I mean, how much value do you get from ANY point, and specifically from Avios, to justify the 3% charge? And (at least in Australia) I presume you ALSO pay a surcharge to use an AmEx? You'd be better off just buying those BA tickets...

thanks @hossein_au for the advice, yeah I get what you're saying, will be a lot more mindful of that going forward. Appreciate the help

 

[scoobs214]

I've done it the other way round (UK-AU), back when the Aussie MR to airline rate was 1:1 same as UK, which with the exchange rate worked out as a hugely profitable way to gain SQ Krisflyer miles.

The one per year you mention is correct (not sure if it's rolling year or calendar year, suspect the former), and it's an easy process, which only took a few days for me (I forget how long they told me it would take, but it was much quicker in the end). I haven't done it for a few years now. You have to call them up to do it, but they know what they're doing and it's a simple process.

The exchange rate would kick in, and it's the same as the currency rate (so right now you'd need ~1.8 Aussie MR to get 1 UK MR point, and vice versa) - with the current exchange rate, it works out favourably transferring them to the UK, because our MR rate here is 1:0.5 miles, whereas UK is 1:1, so until AUD goes over £1:$2 again, you'll work out slightly ahead. Similarly, until it goes over £1:$2, it's not worth transferring UK to AU right now (as 1x UK MR currently gets 1 mile, but transfers to ~1.8 AU MR, which would get you 0.9 miles). Again, in the old days this didn't matter, as our 1:1 rate was golden, but I digress.

If you really want to keep accruing BAEC Avios (not a terrible idea) then that's not a bad way to do it, I haven't run the numbers on whether that or Amex-Marriott-BAEC is the best option, but the Amex Aussie MR to Bonvoy rate is worse than the Amex UK MR to Bonvoy rate. I personally keep BA Avios on hand as their redemption rates on QF are often favourable to using QF points.

A few other points though - as hossein has said, don't keep using your UK Amex to earn airmiles - the forex fee more than wipes out what you gain, several times over. Do use them once per year, otherwise you'll be at risk of Amex terminating your account for inactivity. You can change your Amex UK addresses to your Aussie address, but do not do this with the BA cards, as they will stop transferring Avios to BAEC - no idea why, but I'm told any address outside the UK stops this, not to mention it wouldn't match your BAEC address (which can't be your Aussie address, due to some relic of the old BA/QF tie up years ago).

thanks @guesswho2000 for the detailed write up. I
t all makes a lot more sense now and from what yourself and @hossein_au said about forex fee ill definitely give it a miss for anything other than GBP currency. Like I said, I do try to book hotels and travel via BA directly or UK websites so there's no forex fee but won't use it anymore for AUD purchases.
Using the Amex Essential here in Australia will be my go to card now and will transfer across yearly when the exchange rate is okay.
I like avios as I do fly BA a lot generally as divide time between Australia and UK (prior to covid of course and anticipating in the future) and trying to go for BAEC GGL eventually.
And you are right, BA avios redemption on QF metal in Australia is a lot less on the shorter routes.

When you request a transfer of points do you ring the country you're sending from or the one your'e sending to, to complete the transfer?

 

[scoobs214]

Transfers can be done once per calendar year .
I’m currently using the gold uk card - trying to qualify for my sign up bonus .

@blacksultan the gold rewards credit card? do you find it a good card overall so far?
and are you doing forex purchases to get the bonus? I noticed that it rewards you 2 MR points for forex purchases

 

[QF_Flyer]

thanks @guesswho2000 for the detailed write up. I
t all makes a lot more sense now and from what yourself and @hossein_au said about forex fee ill definitely give it a miss for anything other than GBP currency. Like I said, I do try to book hotels and travel via BA directly or UK websites so there's no forex fee but won't use it anymore for AUD purchases.
Using the Amex Essential here in Australia will be my go to card now and will transfer across yearly when the exchange rate is okay.
I like avios as I do fly BA a lot generally as divide time between Australia and UK (prior to covid of course and anticipating in the future) and trying to go for BAEC GGL eventually.
And you are right, BA avios redemption on QF metal in Australia is a lot less on the shorter routes.

When you request a transfer of points do you ring the country you're sending from or the one your'e sending to, to complete the transfer?

No worries! And for sure it's good to have one denominated in GBP still, I do the same and it's definitely handy have the GBP denominated card, they still have their uses!

Just a suggestion, depending on your spend profile of course and only you know what's best for your circumstances, but is the Essential card the best one you could be using? I know it's fee free, which is an attraction of course, but the Platinum Edge and Explorer cards are potentially net zero fee (after travel credit, if you can use it effectively) with a significantly better earn rate. Might be worth looking at if you are a high spender (Explorer is 2x MR/$1 on basically everything except Government, Platinum Edge is 1/$1 on most, but comes into its own if you spend a lot on petrol or Supermarkets (3/$1). Maybe worth looking at, if you haven't already.

Also, if supermarkets and petrol are high spend areas, don't overlook the David Jones Amex cards - the Black one specifically, $99 fee and 3/$1 (but no travel credit) - the big plus on these ones is that they don't count towards the "any personal card in the last 18 months" restriction on signup bonuses. So, you could take out the DJ Black, close your other ones, then wait 18 months and you're eligible for a SUB again, but still have an Amex in the meantime for the continued earning of MR points.

Anyway I've gone off on a tangent again, so as for your actual question - to request the transfer I called the customer service line for the sending country (so I called Amex UK to send to Australia). Had no dealings with Amex AU in relation to the transfer, the points just turned up and I redeemed them online as usual.

 

[blacksultan]

@blacksultan the gold rewards credit card? do you find it a good card overall so far?
and are you doing forex purchases to get the bonus? I noticed that it rewards you 2 MR points for forex purchases

Yes it’s not bad . I only do forex purchase as all my purchase are here in oz ! And yes it gives you double points on forex . Also u believe it has a double sign up bonus of 20 k points at the moment plus a bonus for adding a supplementary card .
I will send you my referral bonus so u get an even higher sign up bonus .
Let me know if u have any further queries .

 

[scoobs214]

Yes it’s not bad . I only do forex purchase as all my purchase are here in oz ! And yes it gives you double points on forex . Also u believe it has a double sign up bonus of 20 k points at the moment plus a bonus for adding a supplementary card .
I will send you my referral bonus so u get an even higher sign up bonus .
Let me know if u have any further queries .

Thanks @blacksultan , ill hold onto the referral as I may apply in the new year. I'm trying to smash out my spend requirements for the BAPP Amex 2-4-1 Avios voucher and very nearly there. If it expires I'll hit you up for a new one if I apply.
Merry Christmas!

 

[scoobs214]

No worries! And for sure it's good to have one denominated in GBP still, I do the same and it's definitely handy have the GBP denominated card, they still have their uses!

Just a suggestion, depending on your spend profile of course and only you know what's best for your circumstances, but is the Essential card the best one you could be using? I know it's fee free, which is an attraction of course, but the Platinum Edge and Explorer cards are potentially net zero fee (after travel credit, if you can use it effectively) with a significantly better earn rate. Might be worth looking at if you are a high spender (Explorer is 2x MR/$1 on basically everything except Government, Platinum Edge is 1/$1 on most, but comes into its own if you spend a lot on petrol or Supermarkets (3/$1). Maybe worth looking at, if you haven't already.

Also, if supermarkets and petrol are high spend areas, don't overlook the David Jones Amex cards - the Black one specifically, $99 fee and 3/$1 (but no travel credit) - the big plus on these ones is that they don't count towards the "any personal card in the last 18 months" restriction on signup bonuses. So, you could take out the DJ Black, close your other ones, then wait 18 months and you're eligible for a SUB again, but still have an Amex in the meantime for the continued earning of MR points.

Anyway I've gone off on a tangent again, so as for your actual question - to request the transfer I called the customer service line for the sending country (so I called Amex UK to send to Australia). Had no dealings with Amex AU in relation to the transfer, the points just turned up and I redeemed them online as usual.

@guesswho2000 Yes, a spare GBP card does definitely come in handy!

Your thoughts on the Platinum Edge and Explorer - yes, my plan would be to probably go for the Plat Edge in 4 months, but I went with the Essential card as I applied for the Plat Edge earlier this year and got knocked back. Thought best to be safe and it paid off and I was approved. I have been on and off with Amex AU over the years and so have just recently got back in.
As for as the Explorer - my base wage atm is 56k so rules that out.

And FYI on the Amex International Transfer - I was reading the T&Cs and I can confirm that one transfer per 12 months not yearly cycle. So if you transfer in May 2021 you can't do another until after May 2022.

Thanks for all your help and Merry Christmas!

 

[QF_Flyer]

@guesswho2000 Yes, a spare GBP card does definitely come in handy!

Your thoughts on the Platinum Edge and Explorer - yes, my plan would be to probably go for the Plat Edge in 4 months, but I went with the Essential card as I applied for the Plat Edge earlier this year and got knocked back. Thought best to be safe and it paid off and I was approved. I have been on and off with Amex AU over the years and so have just recently got back in.
As for as the Explorer - my base wage atm is 56k so rules that out.

And FYI on the Amex International Transfer - I was reading the T&Cs and I can confirm that one transfer per 12 months not yearly cycle. So if you transfer in May 2021 you can't do another until after May 2022.

Thanks for all your help and Merry Christmas!

Ah good, you've got a plan to maximise it anyway!

I thought that might be the case, but good to have it confirmed, cheers.

And no worries, Merry Christmas to you too, hope you have a good one!

 

[blacksultan]

Thanks @blacksultan , ill hold onto the referral as I may apply in the new year. I'm trying to smash out my spend requirements for the BAPP Amex 2-4-1 Avios voucher and very nearly there. If it expires I'll hit you up for a new one if I apply.
Merry Christmas!

No worries . Wishing you the same ! Let me know if and when you require the referral .