Strategy to obtain US Amex

[djchuckles]

After doing the maths and I wanted to share as well as get some feedback.

The USA Platinum earns 1 MR point per USD and the AUS Platinum earns 2.25 MR points per AUD, the FX rate (presume AUD/USD $0.63) and point conversions make the AUS Platinum is the clear winner. Am I overlooking something here?

[...]

Example of a purchase in Australia for AUD $1,720

View attachment 437739

[...]

Example of a purchase in the USA for USD $6,800 in the popular State of California:

View attachment 437740

[...]

Airline and hotel transfer partners are also largely similar...

View attachment 437741

[...]

If there's nothing wrong w/ my maths, why so much interest in obtaining a US AmEx?

Assuming you are transferring AU MR points to US MR. You’re over complicating it

2.25 pts per dollar in any currency will always beat 1 pts per dollar. Because what you gain/lose in the diffference between USD and AUD you also gain/lose when you transfer AU to USD for your points

 

[Castle]

Your maths are right @Castle, the choice of card is the real question as the real interest here is something like the US Amex Gold that can earn 4 US MRs per USD, along with all the many signup bonuses (SUBs) you can accumulate.

Also essentially all those airline transfer partners are 1:1 transfers in US MRs, so much more valuable even when transferring over your AU MRs after conversion.

Appreciate it mate.

I'll have to look into the point conversion rate(s) from AUS to USA... the now 11,000+ posts and now 595 pages is daunting, however.

 

[djchuckles]

Appreciate it mate.

I'll have to look into the point conversion rate(s) from AUS to USA... the now 11,000+ posts and now 595 pages is daunting, however.

Points convert at the USD/AUD exchange rate.

But you are right to note that most partners in US are 1:1 and 2:1 here.

Personally I will send all the AU MR points I can earn over to US. But you can only do that once a year.

Outside of SUB spend, I’ll use the card that has the highest points multiplier for the purchase I’m making (regardless of country)

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Appreciate it mate.

I'll have to look into the point conversion rate(s) from AUS to USA... the now 11,000+ posts and now 595 pages is daunting, however.

There is a post where I've done some calculations and it suits the use case of most people.

 

[Castle]

There is a post where I've done some calculations and it suits the use case of most people.

Thanks mate, I'll look for it.
Cheers.

 

[DC3]

If there's nothing wrong w/ my maths, why so much interest in obtaining a US AmEx?

My main US cards are the Hilton Aspire and the Green charge. The advantages of these cards is as posted upthread.

The Platinum Charge would not be my pick, anyway, but we all have different reasons for the cards that we choose.

And welcome to AFF.

 

[DC3]

Assuming you are transferring AU MR points to US MR. You’re over complicating it

 

[http_x92]

YMMV but US hotel CCs may be of benefit to you if you stay at Hilton or Marriott chains frequently. Either the instant Diamond status with Hilton Aspire or Elite Night credits + status with Marriott cards.

 

[hill]

Speaking of transferring points from AU AMEX, has anyone tried to transfer MR points from AMEX AU Business plantium to US AMEX? Is it the same process as personal MR cards?

 

[georgie23]

Speaking of transferring points from AU AMEX, has anyone tried to transfer MR points from AMEX AU Business plantium to US AMEX? Is it the same process as personal MR cards?

Not done personally but believe others have done it with no issue. You could always get Amex AU to move your business points to personal and then transfer I believe
I think I I have done that but been a while since I had an AU Buiness Amex

 

[albyd]

don't they just all pool to your "personal" account? That's what my US Amex does. They all pool to the same account esp. since the Amex business cards are personal rather than company liability. What's the case with AU AMEX?

 

[georgie23]

Not the same as US - from memory (and been a while) one of my points was in aspire and the other was in another name scheme - but just transferred them over when closed business account

 

[lunne]

Thanks @maverick1 and @COC, as I'm not in a rush, I've asked them to ship to AU with USPS.

Datapoint re. shipping: it took exactly 7 days to receive a card sent with USPS 1st class mail from the US to AU. Not bad!

 

[Tiki]

Chase Sapphire Preferred is now at 100k UR SUB for those who don't have it and are under 5/24. I can provide a referral if you DM me, also posted in referral thread.

 

[georgie23]

Chase Sapphire Preferred is now at 100k UR SUB for those who don't have it and are under 5/24. I can provide a referral if you DM me, also posted in referral thread.

Thanks Tiki - I didnt know we had a referral thread?

 

[Tiki]

Well this is annoying! The referral link is only for 60k bonus. It may update overnight, I will keep checking.

Referral thread is here, just hasn't been used in awhile.

B

Thread 'US Amex Referral'

Aug 21, 2020

If you already have an Aussie Amex and need more sign up bonus points or would just like access to the excellent US Amex card offerings you could look at applying for a US Amex through Global Transfer.

There are various card types and except for the free cards all cards have no forex charges so can be used in OZ or elsewhere at no cost!

Another benefit of having a US AMEx MR card is you can transfer your MR points from OZ and benefit from the arbitrage.


If you have a friend or relative in the US you can use their address or a mail forwarding service.

Unlike Oz you can receive sign up...

• blacksultan
• Replies: 85
• Forum: Referral Offers

• 

 

[QF029]

Well this is annoying! The referral link is only for 60k bonus. It may update overnight, I will keep checking.

Referral thread is here, just hasn't been used in awhile.

B

Thread 'US Amex Referral'

Aug 21, 2020

If you already have an Aussie Amex and need more sign up bonus points or would just like access to the excellent US Amex card offerings you could look at applying for a US Amex through Global Transfer.

There are various card types and except for the free cards all cards have no forex charges so can be used in OZ or elsewhere at no cost!

Another benefit of having a US AMEx MR card is you can transfer your MR points from OZ and benefit from the arbitrage.


If you have a friend or relative in the US you can use their address or a mail forwarding service.

Unlike Oz you can receive sign up...

• blacksultan
• Replies: 85
• Forum: Referral Offers

• 

I noticed that also. I figure I'll give it a day or so and hopefully it updates.

 

[prozac]

Is Chase Sapphire Preferred the card to start on with Chase or is there a lesser card to begin with?

 

[djchuckles]

Is Chase Sapphire Preferred the card to start on with Chase or is there a lesser card to begin with?

It seems to be the (pun intended) preferred personal card. My plan is to start with an Ink Business card (as I’m already at 4/24) and then get the CSP subsequently.

 

[nthd_nthd]

It seems to be the (pun intended) preferred personal card. My plan is to start with an Ink Business card (as I’m already at 4/24) and then get the CSP subsequently.

I wanted to do that too but kept getting rejected for Biz cards regardless of what Ink I applied.