Strategy to obtain US Amex

[djchuckles]

For paying with points see the 2nd screenshot - at present you'll need to redwme at 1c/pt, but then they'll automatically increase to 1.5c/pt for purchases made at Go Pass - hopefully is going to be automatic in the future. When I looked at rates through their provider for a couple of hotels they looked pretty much the same as the hotel itself. A lot show as non-refundable, but if you click on show more then refundable rates show up, it's just a bit slow (and as I say yet to see what happens re triggering the travel spend credit).

Unrelated to this provider change the travel earnings rate did reduce recently but hotels, car rentals and flights are still 5x, it's all other travel (trains is the one I mainly noticed) that have been cut to 2x.

Interesting if so - I was disappoitned when i saw only 1c. The terms and conditions actually now say 1.25c. But i've just redeemed points for a test booking so will see if they adjust. (At the moment they took 29k points for a $290 credit)

How did you find this out?

As for 5x - correct - but many are failing to pay 5x - eg Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic, all Accor hotels. They fall under an excluded MCC!

 

[metaphase]

It's select hotels, car rentals and flights, lots of data points of them not paying 5x anymore and there is no disclosure on what the select services are.

Interesting, I've not had any not give me 5x yet. Do you have any links where the DPs are discussed? I've found this card isn't discussed that much online!

How did you find this out?

There was a vague email from HSBC about it that I ignored, saw it then when I logged in and went to spend more for my $400 annual travel credit.

 

[GerrardGerrard]

Interesting, I've not had any not give me 5x yet. Do you have any links where the DPs are discussed? I've found this card isn't discussed that much online!

There was a vague email from HSBC about it that I ignored, saw it then when I logged in and went to spend more for my $400 annual travel credit.

Is the elite a good addition to the world premier credit card in your opinion? As you say not much is discussed online. What would you say the best benefits are to you personally?

 

[metaphase]

Is the elite a good addition to the world premier credit card in your opinion? As you say not much is discussed online. What would you say the best benefits are to you personally?

I don't have the World Premier - I think the main benefit of it is the dining/fuel category? (I've got an EV so wouldn't use the latter).

For me the main benefits of the Elite are - full Priority Pass (including restaurant credits, unlike Amex Plat) for me + 2 guests; $120 Global Entry credit (every 4.5y), $400 travel credits (at least previously very easy!), decent ongoing earnings rate - if able to cash out at 1.5 cents per point via the travel portal then on supported travel categories it's ~7.5% cashback, ~3% on restaurants/other travel, ~1.5% for default (still better than many cards). I also use the monthly $10 rideshare credit for Uber (or buying Uber gift card). So overall I still find it pretty decent return for the fee.

 

[GerrardGerrard]

I don't have the World Premier - I think the main benefit of it is the dining/fuel category? (I've got an EV so wouldn't use the latter).

For me the main benefits of the Elite are - full Priority Pass (including restaurant credits, unlike Amex Plat) for me + 2 guests; $120 Global Entry credit (every 4.5y), $400 travel credits (at least previously very easy!), decent ongoing earnings rate - if able to cash out at 1.5 cents per point via the travel portal then on supported travel categories it's ~7.5% cashback, ~3% on restaurants/other travel, ~1.5% for default (still better than many cards). I also use the monthly $10 rideshare credit for Uber (or buying Uber gift card). So overall I still find it pretty decent return for the fee.

Thanks sounds pretty good. What's your total current setup if you don't mind me asking? Do you have any other US cards?

 

[metaphase]

Thanks sounds pretty good. What's your total current setup if you don't mind me asking? Do you have any other US cards?

Amex Hilton Aspire and Amex Hilton (the latter was for the SUB and to link ITIN although wish I'd got it now as they're offering a free night cert too!!)

 

[GerrardGerrard]

Amex Hilton Aspire and Amex Hilton (the latter was for the SUB and to link ITIN although wish I'd got it now as they're offering a free night cert too!!)

I'm deciding which AMEX to go for at the moment. Also trying to get my ITIN I went down the Amazon KDP route but got this email stating I don't meet the criteria.is it because the earnings take time to hit the account? It's been around 1 month since I purchased my own ebook

 

[DAC1]

I'm deciding which AMEX to go for at the moment. Also trying to get my ITIN I went down the Amazon KDP route but got this email stating I don't meet the criteria.is it because the earnings take time to hit the account? It's been around 1 month since I purchased my own ebook

Look through this thread. Plenty of datapoints (like gambling earnings).