Originally Posted by
kaka
unless i'm mistaken for USD you do get sth around 0.5% for T/T over wholesale rate. (Since you have a bank account you won't do cash transfer straightaway anyway)
Bit more for banknotes I reckon - banknote spread is more appropriate because the alternative to credit card for traveller is banknote. Unless you have a local account you can't use the T/T rate.
Originally Posted by
kaka
bring your girlfriend there and it would solve the problem!
btw, how did you get $2.78/mile for HSBC? dont you get a rewardcash on 250 spending normally? (ie $250/15AM, so $250/225AM now)
She's on a welcome offer right now. But still I'm picking up all our tabs.
You're right the earn rate is $1.11/mile now. I'm still distracted by a call from Mum on Friday telling me she's been told by Times Square LC a 6X promo is in effect and she's about to buy a 9K coat (incorrect: a 15X is in effect, but I'm too busy to go to Times Square anyway).
Actually now that you mentioned it there's a sizeable advantage to redeeming Asia Miles for this:
Say: Max out offer $20,000 ($10,000 per month)
Miles: 20,000/250x15x15 = 18,000. Fees to redeem: $300. Net worth of rebate assuming $0.1/mile: 1,800 - 300 = $1,500
Alternative: Redeem Octpus Reward$ at $0.4 per $100 or $1,200
Advantage: $300
But LC won't hold a discount coat and impatient Hongkie matriarch isn't gonna wait even if the advantage is $3,000
Originally Posted by
kaka
oh btw, i've looked at the rate i've gotten off AMEX, DBS AMEX and SCB Visa for my May spendings in GBP and EUR, and i've gotten this: AMEX & DBS AMEX: ~4% surcharge. SCB Visa: 2-3%.
AE in GBP always tends to come out a bit weird - remember pocat's rant in hongkongcard.com
http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...ow.php?id=2644
(Update 14 Jul) but I've little reason for complaint about AE's performance in Euros - 0.18% discount to HKAB + 6X + ease of mind it won't be DCCed
http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...hp?id=3939&p=2