Platinum Charge - International Fees

[Ktan89]

Might be a dumb question but I'll never know if I don't ask.
I'm about to make a big purchase (engagement ring) and I want to buy it from someone in the USA (San Fran).
Any chance asking Amex to waive the 3% international fee once off? Haha
Has anyone ever tried?
I do have cards that won't charge int fees but I want to use my Plat card for the points and hopefully purchase protection?
It sucks they charge AUS PLAT card int. Fees but the US plat cars is 0 fees.

Any payment programs that can by pass this with a lower transaction fee? 3% is bloody high

 

[tlam]

I have never heard they waived fx fees before. Why don’t you use other visa or master cards that don’t charge fx fee like CBA Ultimate, BankWest if you don’t want to pay fx fee?

 

[albyd]

They won’t waive it. They will continue to price to the local market. As long as other premium cards are charging it, so will Amex.

Aside from getting one of the cards in @tlam’s post, is to get a US issued card if you don’t already have one, you have the time to do so and it makes sense for your circumstances.

 

[Ktan89]

Yeah I have an ANZ Travel card and Citibank card with 0 FX fees but want to generate amex points instead (better for me).

@albyd Care to share the easiest way to get an US issued card? I was looking at one of the threads last year but got way too complicated. Don't we need a social security number, etc?

 

[albyd]

Can Get a US card if you have a US address. Can apply using Amex Global Transfer Program as long as you've had your AU Amex for long enough and they can use your history with Amex AU to assess it. Won't need SSN - just your passport and a US address to receive mail. Agree, the thread is quite long now. That's effectively the gist of it.

I've got the US Green Charge - works for me. Consider which product works best for you and the on-going AF and earn rate for the categories you mostly spend on. You might be able to get a Sign up Bonus depending on the product you apply for. Get familiar with the bonus rules as they're different to AU. Also US MR is separate to AU MR - it's more valuable IMO - though also consider the exchange rate at approx $US0.71.

 

[Ktan89]

Can Get a US card if you have a US address. Can apply using Amex Global Transfer Program as long as you've had your AU Amex for long enough and they can use your history with Amex AU to assess it. Won't need SSN - just your passport and a US address to receive mail. Agree, the thread is quite long now. That's effectively the gist of it.

That seems prettt simple. I assume we don't get the bonus sign up offers right?
With the amex global transfer, does the original card (aus) stop working?


Now, does anyone have a US address for me to use? Haha

 

[albyd]

Have a look at the US site for more information on a US card which might be suitable:

American Express Credit Cards, Rewards & Banking

American Express offers world-class Charge and Credit Cards, Gift Cards, Rewards, Travel, Personal Savings, Business Services, Insurance and more.

www.americanexpress.com

Sign up Bonus (SUB) offers are once per product per "lifetime" - so theoretically, you can earn multiple SUB.
Best to use US address for someone you know or get a mail forwarding address eg with MyUS. Amex have flagged some services as "commercial" so those services will be picked up and rejected. Probably best to read the thread on AFF devoted to this as it has alot of good information:

Strategy to obtain US Amex

This will take time & patience, so either “Patience hurry up” or “Hurry up & wait”. This has not been tested & is a strategy that might work to obtain a US Amex Plat Business Charge Card with a USD$450 annual fee. The Australian version is quite a hefty annual fee in excess of AUD$1500...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Depending on the card you get, if its premium, it will be couried to your US address otherwise posted. If the service that you choose does not accept postal mail, then it will be rejected. There's a bit to it - best source of info on this is the specific thread.

You get to keep your AU card with Global Transfer (GT), they just use your AU Amex history to make a credit decision whereas you'd normally be an "unknown" in the US so wouldn't get accepted for a card without a credit file.

 

[andye]

No idea if thus is of any help, if it is available in Australia or even if you can make it work in your circumstances. UK site so need to bear that in mind for the commentary

Get 30,000 Membership Rewards points with the Amex International $/€ Cards

There are pros and cons for getting an American Express International Dollar or Euro Card. I take a look at what the card offers in benefits and costs.

www.headforpoints.com