Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - OT: Amex extra points promotion in HK

Amex has a new promotion for overseas spending, on Amex HK cards. If you spend oversease between 1 - 17 April 2006, you will get an extra 2 Membership Rewards points for overseas spending. You need to pre-register for this promotion at +852 2277 1211.

So if you enrol in Triple-Plus, this would mean every HKD $2.40 = 1 Asia Mile

What's the limit on this?

Also can you tell me how AmEx defines "overseas"? If I have a transaction in HK$ but executed in, say, the UK does that count as an overseas transaction and earn double miles? (This used to be the case on CitiCX, but they changed the rules so that for double miles it had to be both overseas AND in a currency other than HK$.)

The note on my statement doesn't give any of these details. A question I also have is what happens if I spend on the 16th of April, but since it is an overseas transaction, it doesn't reach my statement until the 20th April. Will it be counted?

I don't think there is a limit though, or else it would state that.

By the way, you don't earn double miles, you earn an extra 2 Membership Rewards points per HKD equiv spending.

Called the number and left a voicemail. Amex called me back and when I tried to register, the rep said that I was not on the list and that it was a targetted promotion and the people receive a letter if they qualify.

Also, he also implied that the promotion was for amex credit cards and not charge cards (which is what I have)

That's interesting. Mine is a charge card (Gold).

Called the number and left a voicemail. Amex called me back and when I tried to register, the rep said that I was not on the list and that it was a targetted promotion and the people receive a letter if they qualify.

Also, he also implied that the promotion was for amex credit cards and not charge cards (which is what I have)


I also spoke with AMEX and the deal does not apply to Platinum cards (and black allegedly)

They stated that the point is to encourage those with low spending limits to use their card more so this deal is not available to prestige card members.

Well they probably targeted me based on my spending habit recently. For most of last year, I did a lot of overseas spending, with bills each month ranging from 80.000 to 120,000 each month.

Once I hit my triple-plus limit, I diverted my spending to a different card so for the past few months, I haven't had much put on my amex card.

I wonder if they also looked at the fact I bought some airfares on my Amex card, but didn't put any spending from those countries on my card?

I also spoke with AMEX and the deal does not apply to Platinum cards (and black allegedly)

They stated that the point is to encourage those with low spending limits to use their card more so this deal is not available to prestige card members.

no big loss. i've given up on my Amex Plat long ago. the DBS black amex card gives 1 mile per HKD 3 regardless of spending locale, doesnt require annual fee nor enrolment in triple plus, and the conversion fee is half of low tier amex's.

I believe the DBS points offer will expire as of 30 June 2006, and only applies to the first $50,000 of spending per statement.

I believe the DBS points offer will expire as of 30 June 2006, and only applies to the first $50,000 of spending per statement.

that is right. but just when i was beginnign to fret, standard chartered amex to the rescue ! also hkd 3 per mile, and add cash back at supermarkets ! :-: :-:

i'll admit they dont have the prestige of a bona fide amex charge card, but who doesnt want 25% more miles ??

Yes I think the Standard Chartered card only gives the bonus points on the first $120,000 of annual spending.

I stick with triple points. Better value for money I think.

What's the limit on this?
(This used to be the case on CitiCX, but they changed the rules so that for double miles it had to be both overseas AND in a currency other than HK$.)

Regarding the CX CITI card - what about internet purchases, eg, clicking in Hong Kong, buying from amazon and paying in US dollars? Will that be local or foreign?

no big loss. i've given up on my Amex Plat long ago.

Can anyone suggest a reason for having the Amex Platinum in Hong Kong when it offers so little? Especially when you have to pay an annual fee of HK$1600--or has anyone succeeded in getting Amex to waive this?

Got an offer to upgrade from Gold (where the annual fee is automatically waived if spend a minimal HK$24000 a year) to Platinum with a reduced annual fee for the first year of HK$800, which works out pretty well for the first year because you can also get a one time HK$1,000 rebate.

But what's the point of taking the card if I'd end up cancelling after the first year when the annual fee reverts to HK$1,600?--unless, in practice, its pretty easy to get Amex to waive it?

Can anyone suggest a reason for having the Amex Platinum in Hong Kong when it offers so little? Especially when you have to pay an annual fee of HK$1600--or has anyone succeeded in getting Amex to waive this?

Got an offer to upgrade from Gold (where the annual fee is automatically waived if spend a minimal HK$24000 a year) to Platinum with a reduced annual fee for the first year of HK$800, which works out pretty well for the first year because you can also get a one time HK$1,000 rebate.

But what's the point of taking the card if I'd end up cancelling after the first year when the annual fee reverts to HK$1,600?--unless, in practice, its pretty easy to get Amex to waive it?


You seem to have a good deal on your annual fee. I pay something like
HK 5,000.

I suspect dgittings might be referring to the Platinum Credit Card, rather than the charge card.

I suspect dgittings might be referring to the Platinum Credit Card, rather than the charge card.

Many thanks. You're right. I didn't realize the Platinum charge card was also issued in Hong Kong--especially as it's not listed on the Amex Hong Kong Web site.

Does the charge offer any useful benefits (e.g. hotel status, priority pass)?--the Plat. credit card certainly doesn't.

You might be looking for this:
http://www.americanexpress.com/hk/en/personal/Cards/benefits/pc_ben_amplatinuminfo.shtml

many thanks ... yes, that's it.

Many thanks. You're right. I didn't realize the Platinum charge card was also issued in Hong Kong--especially as it's not listed on the Amex Hong Kong Web site.

Does the charge offer any useful benefits (e.g. hotel status, priority pass)?--the Plat. credit card certainly doesn't.


You get prority pass which I haven't bothered applying for (free) as I make most lounges when I travel. Apparently the PP lounges are poor anyway.
Besides the PP you get the normal rubbish such as discounts at restaurants and shops that hold no interest. I only got the card for triple miles but it looks like this is available with the gold and no fee so think i'll downgrade next year unless anyone can give me some advice on reasons for staying.

I only got the card for triple miles but it looks like this is available with the gold and no fee so think i'll downgrade next year unless anyone can give me some advice on reasons for staying.

How about the free companion tickets (or, in a few cases, upgrades) on airlines like Emirates, Virgin if bought through Amex Platinum card service? Has anyone tried getting prices for these?--or are they as useless as the ones for the U.S. Platinum card, where the prices Amex quotes are so expensive that its cheaper to buy two discounted tickets elsewhere?

Really, Whats the different between a Plat Charge card and a Plat Credit card? I got green as it is cheap, can't see any thing different being a green to gold.

Really, Whats the different between a Plat Charge card and a Plat Credit card? I got green as it is cheap, can't see any thing different being a green to gold.
Go to www.americanexpress.com.hk and click on Benefits. You can read about each of the cards there. There definitely are different benefits on each of the cards.

One of the key differences between the Plat charge card and the Plat credit card, is that one is a charge card and one is a credit card. The credit card has a credit limit and allows you to roll forward balances from month to month and pay interest on that balance. The charge card is meant to be paid off each month.

Regarding the CX CITI card - what about internet purchases, eg, clicking in Hong Kong, buying from amazon and paying in US dollars? Will that be local or foreign?

definitely foreign

Regarding the CX CITI card - what about internet purchases, eg, clicking in Hong Kong, buying from amazon and paying in US dollars? Will that be local or foreign?That's foreign - I buy from Amazon UK online - the place of transaction is UK, and the currency is GBP, so double miles on the Platinum Select Preferred.

Is the insurance package on the Plat charge card same as the Gold ? That would be the only thing to tempt me to move from Gold to Plat...Average 1 or 2 misconnections a year and 1 bag delay a year - that's when the annual fee was definitely worth it...

(Tough to find a bottle of wine expensive enough sometimes when you have to spend those essential $$ :D )

On a somewhat OT note, see Citi upgraded the Plat CX Visa (Plat Select Prefered Fatang fatang biscuit barrel... ) to get access to the Plaza lounges at CLK. Not bad... Insurance better on Amex though.

They even upgraded the card itself so that the writing doesn't rub off. Sigh.