Strategy to obtain US Amex

[djchuckles]

I got a 10k points for $2k on a supp gold card. Does that $2k count to my overall $6k SUB spend?

 

[thedamon]

I've been able to use Equifax.com to check credit score using a VPN forever, now whichever VPN location in the US I use on NordVPN gives me a "please give us a call" message. Really annoying. Anyone know a workaround?

 

[Franko Costa]

I've been able to use Equifax.com to check credit score using a VPN forever, now whichever VPN location in the US I use on NordVPN gives me a "please give us a call" message. Really annoying. Anyone know a workaround?

You can't use equifax with a vpn. I have called up and the first thing they ask is "are you using a VPN?" Turn it off and it will work

 

[levelnine]

I got a 10k points for $2k on a supp gold card. Does that $2k count to my overall $6k SUB spend?

If you are within the minimum spend requirement time frame for your SUB, yes.

 

[djchuckles]

If you are within the minimum spend requirement time frame for your SUB, yes.

Thanks - and yes- took the supp card out a few weeks into my 6 months

 

[Voele]

Tried to redeem hilton GCs at the Hilton in Queenstown yesterday. Spent quite a bit of time with the duty manager trying to figure out how to redeem them, but he/we couldnt figure it out. Anyone that has been successful redeeming these and any idea what the staff did to get them to work?

 

[djchuckles]

With AUD weakening and predictions it will go lower, what are people doing to limit losses on US cards? Transferring money now ahead of spending?

 

[GDale]

Tried to redeem hilton GCs at the Hilton in Queenstown yesterday. Spent quite a bit of time with the duty manager trying to figure out how to redeem them, but he/we couldnt figure it out. Anyone that has been successful redeeming these and any idea what the staff did to get them to work?

It's been a long time since I've used one, but if I recall correctly those gift cards are issued by amex and should be processed as a regular card transaction at check out. It gets a bit complex for non-US properties because it's hard to figure out just how much should be charged in the local currency to use up the USD amount - I think invevitably you'd be left with some change on each card.

Separately, there have long been reports that acceptance of the cards outside of the US is patchy, and no one knows exactly why they're being declined - so it could just be that too.

 

[Voele]

It's been a long time since I've used one, but if I recall correctly those gift cards are issued by amex and should be processed as a regular card transaction at check out. It gets a bit complex for non-US properties because it's hard to figure out just how much should be charged in the local currency to use up the USD amount - I think invevitably you'd be left with some change on each card.

Separately, there have long been reports that acceptance of the cards outside of the US is patchy, and no one knows exactly why they're being declined - so it could just be that too.

I see. Thats exactly what we tried. Looks like their payment processor didnt accept it. I guess I'll save them up until I find a property where I can use them.

 

[Tiki]

With AUD weakening and predictions it will go lower, what are people doing to limit losses on US cards? Transferring money now ahead of spending?

Also need to consider how expensive minimum spends will be in AUD. This game was much easier back in the good old days when minimum spends were max $3000 USD which was about $3600-3800 AUD. Now a typical $5000 USD spend is $8000 AUD!

 

[djchuckles]

Also need to consider how expensive minimum spends will be in AUD. This game was much easier back in the good old days when minimum spends were max $3000 USD which was about $3600-3800 AUD. Now a typical $5000 USD spend is $8000 AUD!

Indeed. 4x per $ used to be closer to 3x per AU$. Now it’s more like 2.4x. With the better transfer rates to airlines it’s still ahead of cards like AU Plat charge by a country mile but certainly diminishing

 

[Franko Costa]

How much does everyone churn here? Do people track their points? I think I sold more than I've used this year just due to more churning

Looking forward to 2025

 

[djchuckles]

How much does everyone churn here? Do people track their points? I think I sold more than I've used this year just due to more churning

Looking forward to 2025

I track my points with AwardWallet mainly