Strategy to obtain US Amex

[pyusha]

I think in the US market, cardholders tend to go the downgrade-upgrade route when bonus points offers are on rather than cancelling it. They also get to keep the same card. On flyertalk I heard they get offered an upgrade from Hilton no annual fee to the Surpass with bonus points once or twice a year.

Or even a retention bonus. Per FlyerTalk, for personal Platinum, folks are being offered 40000 points for $2000 spend in 3 months (standard offer) or $550 credit. For Business Platinum $695 credit is essentially makes the card free. YMMV though

 

[PPS_SYD]

So something like get Platinum, then Green. Once you get the bonuses, cancel Green and downgrade Platinum to Green?

Yes that should be fine.

 

[joakgarp]

If using Wise to pay for Amex bills, what's the cheapest way to pay? Billpay or pay directly from Amex app with my Wise account linked?
Read there's a fee of about 7 usd from Wise if using Billpay?

 

[pyusha]

If using Wise to pay for Amex bills, what's the cheapest way to pay? Billpay or pay directly from Amex app with my Wise account linked?
Read there's a fee of about 7 usd from Wise if using Billpay?

I have been using direct bill pay from Amex app… no fees whatsoever

 

[DC3]

… or pay directly from Amex app with my Wise account linked? …

I have set up AutoPay in my Amex account. Amex then direct debits my Wise account (through Evolve Bank and Trust). No extra charges for AutoPay.

 

[mrsquare]

4x on Supermarkets is US only which makes Gold a one trick pony. Other benefits such as Uber cash and so on are also US specific.

Thanks that’s unfortunate. Could have been a pretty good card. Might just sign up for the fee free one then.

 

[http_x92]

Wise uses the interbank exchange rate (I.e the one on Google) plus a small fee (about 0.47% of the AUD amount transferred). I find Amex’s exchange rates pretty good when converting from AUD to USD.

 

[albyd]

Revolut is the best I’ve found so far. It’s spot on with the interbank rate with no spread during business days. They put a loading on weekends to protect themselves.

YMMV

 

[mrsquare]

Revolut is the best I’ve found so far. It’s spot on with the interbank rate with no spread during business days. They put a loading on weekends to protect themselves.

YMMV

Does Revolut have any fees?

 

[albyd]

There’s several tiers. The ‘free’ tier has a reasonably low FX threshold before they apply a spread. Link below to the current plans:

STANDARD - REV10 - AU | Revolut Australia

From everyday spending to long-term planning, our Standard account knows no borders. 30+ million people globally agree... why not join them?

revolut.com

I upgraded my plan to Premium after I found $9,000/month wasn't enough for me YMMV. I'm doing more than paying my US Amex off. They appear to have reduced the FX limits to try to encourage us onto the paid plans with "Metal" being the most generous with FX allowance (monthly fee is small if you transfer enough to make it worthwhile - unless you're spending overseas, not sure I'd get excited about the rewards scheme personally).

 

[neeyuese]

You can also top up Revolut fund using credit card like Dragon and earn some points to cover the fee lost.

 

[albyd]

Just be careful many cards treat this as a cash advance so it will attract instant interest and no points as it won’t be a purchase. Luckily some cards like Macquarie just block it. Other cards like Westpac let it through and I’ve had a nasty shock after re cash advance fees.

 

[neeyuese]

Just be careful many cards treat this as a cash advance so it will attract instant interest and no points as it won’t be a purchase. Luckily some cards like Macquarie just block it. Other cards like Westpac let it through and I’ve had a nasty shock after re cash advance fees.

you can test it with overpay the credit card first, for example credit limit $5000, you overpay it to $6000 , then top up no more than $1000 and see if you get points or not, no cash advance fee in this case.

 

[albyd]

you can test it with overpay the credit card first, for example credit limit $5000, you overpay it to $6000 , then top up no more than $1000 and see if you get points or not, no cash advance fee in this case.

Good idea

 

[desafinado74]

I have been using direct bill pay from Amex app… no fees whatsoever

Hi Pyusha, The AMEX app can be used to log into both the Australian and American cards isn't it ?

 

[sudoer]

Hi Pyusha, The AMEX app can be used to log into both the Australian and American cards isn't it ?

I'm also interested in what to expect with accessing my Aspire card when it arrives.

Do I need to create a new Amex login or will it integrate with my existing Amex AU login? And will it show up in the Amex AU app or do I need to download the Amex US app? (If so it looks like I'll need change my Gmail address temporarily or create a login for the US Play Store?)

 

[PPS_SYD]

The AmexAU app is only for Australian cards, you will need to download the US app for US cards. Also a separate login.

It’s a pain in the bum when they update the app cos logging out of app stores wipes the wallet clean and you then need to add each card back individually.

Would like to know if anybody knows of a simpler way.

 

[Daventry]

The AmexAU app is only for Australian cards, you will need to download the US app for US cards. Also a separate login.

It’s a pain in the bum when they update the app cos logging out of app stores wipes the wallet clean and you then need to add each card back individually.

Would like to know if anybody knows of a simpler way.

You need only a new US iTunes login, not a different iCloud login. The former won’t remove your cards when switching stores

 

[desafinado74]

The AmexAU app is only for Australian cards, you will need to download the US app for US cards. Also a separate login.

It’s a pain in the bum when they update the app cos logging out of app stores wipes the wallet clean and you then need to add each card back individually.

Would like to know if anybody knows of a simpler way.

Thanks for the reply Rohit. Do you need to use a VPN to download the US version ?

Otherwise if it is too troublesome, i will just login from the AMEX US website then.

 

[http_x92]

Confirmation of the 150k Hilton Honors bonus points from the Aspire added to the HH account. Was quite quick for me. Applied through GT and approved on Dec 3, received yesterday. No need to wait for the statement period to end. Still have an Amex AU card.