American Express Membership Rewards - AMEX CHECK CASHING AN ABOMINATION IN DELHI

I was recently in a bind on a business trip to Delhi, India, where I needed to get a few thousand dollars cash (in local currency) right away.

I was AMAZED to learn that in the capital of a country with nearly 1 BILLION people, the AMEX office to do this is only open until 2pm daily. No ifs, ands, or buts!

THIS IS TERRIBLE! I was amazed that there was nothing AMEX would do to help me, and I was leaving back for the US the very next day.

Certainly makes me question the value of Amex for support when overseas. Amex should be embarassed at the poor service. The incident made me sick to my stomach. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING.

First in Class

It really varies by country/local customs. In the middle east, the check cashing facility ends at 12PM I believe. In most Asian countries it's 4PM, at their offices only (usually downtown).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by meFIRST:
It really varies by country/local customs. In the middle east, the check cashing facility ends at 12PM I believe. In most Asian countries it's 4PM, at their offices only (usually downtown).</font>

This certainly is true. In general, I think the notion of generous operating hours, evening hours, and weekend hours for business of all sorts are much more generous in the US than in most other countries. For example, the notion of a 24/7 supermarket, discount store, or home improvement store is unheard of in other countries, but is commonplace in many areas of the US.

I vaguely remember when I was little that banks in the US stuck to "banker's hours," which generally were 9am to 3pm, Monday - Friday. These days, most banks are open to 5 or 6pm, and most are open at least a half day on Saturday. Some branches, such as mini-branches in supermarkets, are open 7 days a week. Try finding that in most other countries.

I have used AMEX in Bombay , India and they are open till 6 PM and that was back in 1993 .

also to add India is one of those coutries where cash is king. Large % of transaction happens in cash ( rupees ) ..

[This message has been edited by debo_nair (edited 12-16-2002).]

[This message has been edited by DelrayChris (edited 12-17-2002).]

There are AmEx banking facilities in Delhi open until 5 or 6pm, but not the particular desk that provides the check cashing facility. So I could speak to a live Amex person, but he couldn't help me unless I had opened an Indian account.

The point on the 2pm cutoff isn't that I wanted to conduct normal banking outside of the norms for that society...its that I needed help, and Amex was of no use in that situation.

My first experience with AMEX in Delhi was in 1980, and it hasn't changed much. Even if you're there when they open, they are incredibly slow. Fortunately I have friends who own a business and they either cashed my checks or went to their bank with me and bypassed most of the hassle.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by First in Class:
There are AmEx banking facilities in Delhi open until 5 or 6pm, but not the particular desk that provides the check cashing facility. So I could speak to a live Amex person, but he couldn't help me unless I had opened an Indian account.

The point on the 2pm cutoff isn't that I wanted to conduct normal banking outside of the norms for that society...its that I needed help, and Amex was of no use in that situation.</font>

Couldn´t you just use an ATM machine with your Amex card? In an emergency I would not worry about the 4% fee.

No, Piet, the Indian AmEx offices would continually encourage me to do that. So I'd call the US offices (mine is a US card in USD), and they told me I needed to set up my bank account from which the funds are withdrawn.

I said fine, but then I was told there was a 1+ day wait on processing approval to make it all active. So again, no help.

To be clear, my AmEx card doesn't allow cash withdrawn against my account--only that I can hook up a checking account and use the AmEx card which serves as a pass-through to get cash.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by First in Class:
So I'd call the US offices (mine is a US card in USD), and they told me I needed to set up my bank account from which the funds are withdrawn.

I said fine, but then I was told there was a 1+ day wait on processing approval to make it all active. So again, no help.

To be clear, my AmEx card doesn't allow cash withdrawn against my account--only that I can hook up a checking account and use the AmEx card which serves as a pass-through to get cash.</font>

That's the way that US-issued Amex charge cards have worked for at least 15 years. It's certainly not the Indian office's fault that you were not aware of this. BTW, Amex credit cards (Optima et al) have a more traditional cash advance scheme, whereby advances get added to the account balance, accrue a high interest rate from day one, etc.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by First in Class:
No, Piet, the Indian AmEx offices would continually encourage me to do that. So I'd call the US offices (mine is a US card in USD), and they told me I needed to set up my bank account from which the funds are withdrawn.

I said fine, but then I was told there was a 1+ day wait on processing approval to make it all active. So again, no help.

To be clear, my AmEx card doesn't allow cash withdrawn against my account--only that I can hook up a checking account and use the AmEx card which serves as a pass-through to get cash.

</font>

I didn´t know the us Amex Card is so much more complicated than my german card.
When I needed the ATM access the first time
I did not even have a PIN Number set up.
So I called Amex on an 800 number while I was already standing in front of the ATM.
I could choose my favourite PIN Number on the phone and they suggested to wait a quarter of an hour until the number would be known to the ATM. Actually I could not wait and got my money successfully 3 Minutes later. Sounds much easier.


[This message has been edited by piet (edited 12-18-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Steve M:
That's the way that US-issued Amex charge cards have worked for at least 15 years. It's certainly not the Indian office's fault that you were not aware of this. </font>

Steve M, thanks for the valuable primer. Had you not told me it wasn't the Indian office's fault, I surely would have placed all the blame right on the Indian office's bank teller I happened to speak with because he was on shift at that time. You saved the day!



[This message has been edited by First in Class (edited 12-19-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by First in Class:
Steve M, thanks for the valuable primer. Had you not told me it wasn't the Indian office's fault, I surely would have placed all the blame right on the Indian office's bank teller I happened to speak with because he was on shift at that time. You saved the day!</font>

I'm glad to be of service. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Although you may not have enjoyed my post, I can tell from yours that we have at least one thing in common: appreciation of sarcasm. Your comment on my post is well taken.

I am also suprised, since much of Amex' phone CSRs seem to be based in India.

Seriously, it's always wise to check hours before you rely on them in a foreign country.