Amex Plat GT from Aus to Spain - worth it?

[pegasus37]

Hello All,

Been using Amex Plat for the last 2 years. Renewal this year happened on 1st August and have already claimed the travel credit. In Sep unexpectedly I have accepted a transfer to Spain from Australia with my company - and will be moving there end of October. Have reduced my MRs by booking reward tickets for this year and next - now have around 25k MR points.

1) Is it worth it to do a global transfer of my Amex Plat from Aus to Spain?
2) When should I start discussions of a global transfer and/or shut down of card? After relocating to Spain or before?
3) Is any negotiation possible to get a better offer on global transfer?
4) Will that mean I get a pro-rata refund of my annual fees on Australia and/or a fee reduction for Spain if I do a GT?

 

[Viridis]

Interesting question actually

Given I’ve only been able to consider the site using a Google translate of the page, it doesn’t look that flash if im honest.. €780 pa on the face of it and the benefits are pretty specific (you have to like golf for example).

It’s about the same price as the Australian card which does seem to offer fairly universal benefits when compared to other jurisdictions (the US especially but also Europe).

I’d actually like a Euro currency card if I’m honest (I’d swap out of the US one of I could) but can’t really figure a way to get one or a jurisdiction to choose

The main issue with sticking to your Australian card is the 3% forex fees

I also wasn’t able to figure out what the redemption choices were for your rewards and at what rate. That’s a consideration

1. Up to you but a local currency card for a longer term stay would be beneficial. Maybe see what HSBC, Santander etc offer and keep the Aussie Plat for the benefits. The redemption rates are soon to be pretty rubbish anyway and there’s no bonus for spending abroad (unlike QF cards or CommBank etc)

2. Definitely before imo

3. Nothing to negotiate that I’m aware off

4. I believe not any more.

Enjoy your time in Spain. Fabulous place. Loved Barcelona when I was there

 

[sudoer]

Look at a US Amex GT.

0% forex, better benefits & earn rate.

 

[Viridis]

Look at a US Amex GT.

0% forex, better benefits & earn rate.

I don’t mean to be a pedant, but, you know …. I’m going to be

It’s not really 0%, more like 1% when the exchange rate fudge is taken into account. Certainly better than the Australian one though

I have the CommBank Ultimate which, I think, is a genuine 0% card

Yes, unlike AUD, I guess the US card would work well if you’re spending (and earning) EUR

I wasn’t able to look at what the Spanish Platinum would earn but if we assume it’s the same as the UK (1:1) then I guess €1 spend would get 1.2(ish) US reward points

So probably good advice

The benefits are a bit US specific though (with the exception of the new hotel & streaming credits I guess. I don’t travel to the US much - (mainly Asia & Europe) so the US security and airline fee credits don’t do much for me, nor the Uber & Resy stuff). But it still breaks even

 

[lilkid28]

I don’t mean to be a pedant, but, you know …. I’m going to be

It’s not really 0%, more like 1% when the exchange rate fudge is taken into account. Certainly better than the Australian one though

I have the CommBank Ultimate which, I think, is a genuine 0% card

Yes, unlike AUD, I guess the US card would work well if you’re spending (and earning) EUR

I wasn’t able to look at what the Spanish Platinum would earn but if we assume it’s the same as the UK (1:1) then I guess €1 spend would get 1.2(ish) US reward points

So probably good advice

The benefits are a bit US specific though (with the exception of the new hotel & streaming credits I guess. I don’t travel to the US much - (mainly Asia & Europe) so the US security and airline fee credits don’t do much for me, nor the Uber & Resy stuff). But it still breaks even

But sometimes you win when exchange rate is in your favour.

 

[306]

I also wasn’t able to figure out what the redemption choices were for your rewards and at what rate. That’s a consideration

earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every euro you spend.

https://www.americanexpress.com/es-es/rewards/membership-rewards/travel/airlines?currenttravelproducttype=Travel&intlink=ES-MR-es_1c_Airline_Transfer

Can't find forex rate

 

[Traveler999]

one of the loyalty lobby writers has a spanish plat card and wrote about it vs the local Revolut card recently. He likes the revolut

Amex vs. Revolut: The Battle for the Digital Traveler’s Wallet is ON!

My American Express Platinum has been my go-to travel card for the last 14 years, but for the first time a new player is catching my attention: Revolut Ultra is suddenly making me think it twice.

loyaltylobby.com