Use Amex [UK] to buy travel money?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2
Use Amex [UK] to buy travel money?
Hi all,
So last year head for points posted this useful post on how amex dont treat currency purchases made on their site as a cash advance.
The amex/avios site are currently offering a 500 mile bonus for all exchanges over Ł700. So in theory I could exchange Ł2000 and get $3,260. But then get 2000 avios, 500 avios bonus and if I pay using my BA premium amex card I'd get another 2000 avios.
So my question is simple, does this still work? Or should I just avoid the risk and buy using my debit card and still get 2,500 avios?
Ta
So last year head for points posted this useful post on how amex dont treat currency purchases made on their site as a cash advance.
The amex/avios site are currently offering a 500 mile bonus for all exchanges over Ł700. So in theory I could exchange Ł2000 and get $3,260. But then get 2000 avios, 500 avios bonus and if I pay using my BA premium amex card I'd get another 2000 avios.
So my question is simple, does this still work? Or should I just avoid the risk and buy using my debit card and still get 2,500 avios?
Ta
#2
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,151
Still works
However, you may be able to get a better rate, see the HeadForPoints post on this topic from this week for the latest situation!
However, you may be able to get a better rate, see the HeadForPoints post on this topic from this week for the latest situation!
#3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
Yesterday, I posted the following as part of a posting on a BA thread....
The other deal is 500 bonus Avios when you buy Ł700 or more of foreign currency via their travelmoneynow link (which is american express currency under a different name).
Ł700 gets you €856 or $1145, for which you will get 1200 avios in total (1 per Ł, 500 bonus)
However if you go to the americanexpress service directly, and not via the BA links you'll find:-
Ł693 gets you €856 or $1145
Those 1200 avios are costing Ł7. I guess @ 0.58p per avios it is a decent enough deal, without the bonus, it would be a 1p per Avios, which wouldn't be great by any means.
Ł700 gets you €856 or $1145, for which you will get 1200 avios in total (1 per Ł, 500 bonus)
However if you go to the americanexpress service directly, and not via the BA links you'll find:-
Ł693 gets you €856 or $1145
Those 1200 avios are costing Ł7. I guess @ 0.58p per avios it is a decent enough deal, without the bonus, it would be a 1p per Avios, which wouldn't be great by any means.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Sheffield, UK
Programs: BA, Emirates, IHG, Accor, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 637
Be wary of your cash advance limit on the BA card. I tried to use the wife's BA PP and cash limit was Ł400, tried to use my BA Amex and cash limit was Ł250 (I think)....Amex wouldn't increase this on either card. Ended up using my Amex Gold.
Also managed to bag it when it was 500 bonus Avios on Ł500.
Also managed to bag it when it was 500 bonus Avios on Ł500.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
Be wary of your cash advance limit on the BA card. I tried to use the wife's BA PP and cash limit was Ł400, tried to use my BA Amex and cash limit was Ł250 (I think)....Amex wouldn't increase this on either card. Ended up using my Amex Gold.
Also managed to bag it when it was 500 bonus Avios on Ł500.
Also managed to bag it when it was 500 bonus Avios on Ł500.
The amex currency website FAQ states "American Express Cardmembers must have the Express Cash or Cash Advance facility activated prior to commencing the transaction."
I have never activated anything like the above. It is possible that if you activate the above, it WILL be treated as a cash advance.
As always YMMV.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Sheffield, UK
Programs: BA, Emirates, IHG, Accor, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 637
The one time I order currency (actually Ł TC) on an amex card from amex, it wasn't treated as a cash advance.
The amex currency website FAQ states "American Express Cardmembers must have the Express Cash or Cash Advance facility activated prior to commencing the transaction."
I have never activated anything like the above. It is possible that if you activate the above, it WILL be treated as a cash advance.
As always YMMV.
The amex currency website FAQ states "American Express Cardmembers must have the Express Cash or Cash Advance facility activated prior to commencing the transaction."
I have never activated anything like the above. It is possible that if you activate the above, it WILL be treated as a cash advance.
As always YMMV.
#8
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
#10
#11
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London
Posts: 158
#12
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
Things change, rules not being enforced, sometimes start to be enforced with no warning.
Gold card T&C have always said they don't pay MRs for travellers cheques. Good to get an up-to-date confirmation from wadewadewade that Amex is still not following their own T&C.
http://www.americanexpress.com/uk/co...-and-benefits/
Membership Rewards points are not earned on Cash Advances, American Express Travellers Cheque purchases, Foreign Exchange, Fees and Interest Charges for Returned Payments, Finance Charges, Late Payment and Referral Charges, Fees/charges including joining, annual and Membership Rewards fees. See Card Terms and Conditions for full details.
#14