Anyone else here still waiting to get their card? I've faxed in a ton of documents only to be told they needed me to give them my permanent US Address, which I swear (though I could be wrong) I have provided at least twice via fax.
Anyone else here still waiting to get their card? I've faxed in a ton of documents only to be told they needed me to give them my permanent US Address, which I swear (though I could be wrong) I have provided at least twice via fax.
Are you based in the states? I don't think you can apply for this card if not you're based in HK... Congrats to your SL status btw. And it took about 3 weeks for my application and about 5 weeks for my family.
Last edited by theclubsq; Aug 26, 08 at 9:30 pm.
Reason: typo
Jamoldo, I have heard that if there is some problem with the fax they may be able to take a scanned copy by email if you can do it that way. A couple of friends have had different experiences--some sailed through very quickly and others were told that their documents were too dark or too light to read clearly. So they scanned and emailed instead.
(I'm of course assuming you're working in Hong Kong and have the other proofs like income...otherwise I doubt they'll take you)
MKE, I had the whole "too dark" thing happen to me too and they've received all of my other faxed documents, like income proof, bank account stuff, addresses etc long ago.
Programs: CXDM, SQ Gold, SPG, HHonors and Shangri-La
Posts: 398
The irony is, if you ever make a purchase with your new CX Amex card and is required to fax in a copy of the front & back of your card then you are well and truely buggered. The color of this new card isn't the most photocopier friendly... Try it and you'll see what I mean.
Just a few days over 2 months after my application, followed by numerous phone calls, e-mails and faxes, I recieved my card via courier yesterday (thanks to a nice agent lady on the phone).
Does anyone have both an Amex Platinum and Amex Cathay Pacific Elite Credit card, issued in Hong Kong, and have some foreign exchange transactions for comparison?
It seems to me that the FX conversion rate to HKD for the CX Elite card is much higher than that for the Amex Platinum. Most of my transactions lately have been in AUD and EUR.
I use www.oanda.com to check the historical FX rates, and compare to those used on my credit cards. The Amex Plat comes very close to the credit card rates (which are indicated as Interbank Rate + 2%). However, the conversion rates for the CX Elite card is even a few % higher than that. I have compared 5 or 6 transactions for October, and this seems to be the case.
I haven't compared the two Amex cards, but I did check the Amex Cathay Co-brand (grey one) against my Citi Premier Miles from GBP to HKD and found the exchange rates & charges to be pretty much the same.
I have both Amex Platinum and Amex/CX Elite card and use both overseas for different reasons but have not noticed any major differences in exchange rates when used around the same time. OF course the AUD conversion from two months ago compared to now is vastly different.
Does anyone have both an Amex Platinum and Amex Cathay Pacific Elite Credit card, issued in Hong Kong, and have some foreign exchange transactions for comparison?
I am quite sure AMEX HK uses the same system for both cards as they are in the same level (Platinum). You can give them a call if in doubt and they should be able to get you a satisfying answer based on your situation.
Slightly OT, I have been using AMEX-CX Elite and SCB-AMEX card... Anyone have an idea about the foreign transaction rate IN REALITY? I talked to SCB rep and the rep told me it's the FX rate+2 charged by AMEX+some rate charged by SCB. Anyone have proof?
Does anyone have both an Amex Platinum and Amex Cathay Pacific Elite Credit card, issued in Hong Kong, and have some foreign exchange transactions for comparison?
Oct. 13, charged CAD$114.22 at AVIS using AMEX Platium.
Recevied bill with HKD$785.52
ER: 1:6.8773
On Oanda.com: it was 6.6243
Approx. difference: 3.7%
Oct. 15, charged USD$267.81 at AVIS using AMEX Platium.
Received bill with HKD$2120.31
ER: 1:7.9172
On Oanda.com: it was 7.7617
Approx. difference: 2%
Oct. 15, charged USD$355.01 at Embassy Suite using AMEX CX Elite
Received bill with HKD$2806.60
ER: 1:7.9057
On Oanda.com: it was 7.7617
Approx. difference: 1.9%
Yes, but the transaction date is not the date on which the currency conversion takes place. The oanda CAD/HKD rate for Oct 14 was 6.6546, and for Oct 15 it was 6.7798. If your Oct 13 transaction was posted on Oct 15 then the difference between the oanda rate and the Amex rate was only 1.4%.
Unfortunately, with the volatility of currency markets these days then even the time of day that the posting takes place can make a major difference.
Yes, you’re absolutely correct. The bill only showed my transaction date, not the process date.
By the way, I find the AMEX CX Elite alone may not be the best card to earn miles. I think in using combinations of both AMEX Platinum (or other AMEX credit / charge card) and CX cards can get you flying faster.
AMEX has this thing called Turbo Program, which gives you twice the points up to certain amount per year. The program is only HK$240 / year but free for Platinum and Centurion card. With Turbo Program, I get twice the points every year for up to HKD$160,000 spent. That's HKD$6/mile which is less than the CX Elite card at $8/mile (local).
AMEX has this thing called Turbo Program, which gives you twice the points up to certain amount per year...That's HKD$6/mile which is less than the CX Elite card at $8/mile (local).
Why not use make the most of it with SCB AMEX card? That's $3/mile for $120,000 spending cap...
AMEX Plat is only good when spending on 10X rewards program. P.S. anyone has a clue on how to get the AMEX Plat for free?
Programs: CX DM, LH SEN, AA PLT, Starwood PLT, Marriott PLT, Hyatt DIAM, Amex Centurion
Posts: 1,879
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbite
AMEX has this thing called Turbo Program, which gives you twice the points up to certain amount per year. The program is only HK$240 / year but free for Platinum and Centurion card. With Turbo Program, I get twice the points every year for up to HKD$160,000 spent. That's HKD$6/mile which is less than the CX Elite card at $8/mile (local).
For Centurion it's actually still "Triple Plus" instead of Turbo, if I remember right. so it's 3x points (HKD 4 / 1 mile) for up to HKD 312,000 a year.
And, Standard Chartered Visa Infinite also gives unlimited HKD 6 = 1 mile for all spendings - including online bill payment, octopus AAVS, etc (which many other cards excluded from bonus points or even basic point earning).
And I use DBS Plat for local dining as it gives HKD 4 = 1 mile as well (besides overseas spending also at the same rate + 90-day repayment period I think).
