Any options in UK for boosting XPs?
Jul 24, 2019, 4:45 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,619
I think you might need to have quite a bit of spare cash floating around if you follow through with this option. Just the bureaucratic fiddle of setting up a bank account in a different country is enough to put me off big time, never mind the 60XPs. And you have to watch that they don't think it is a speculative account, otherwise you're likely to get refused. Good luck with it all and do post back about how it goes.
Jul 25, 2019, 4:05 pm
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EDI
Programs: FB Plat, BA Bronze, Hotels.com
Posts: 400
I think you might need to have quite a bit of spare cash floating around if you follow through with this option. Just the bureaucratic fiddle of setting up a bank account in a different country is enough to put me off big time, never mind the 60XPs. And you have to watch that they don't think it is a speculative account, otherwise you're likely to get refused. Good luck with it all and do post back about how it goes.
1. When are XPs awarded? Are they awarded immediately, after minimum spend or at end of the first year?
2. How long to I need a Dutch bank account for before applying? And do I need one on an ongoing basis?
I can easily spend on a EUR account most months and achieve minimum spent requirements. And I can justify the relevant level (probably Gold initially) based on benefits. Howvee I've no desire to pay a standing/recurring charge each month to have a bank account In NL if it's needed in long term.
Jul 25, 2019, 5:53 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: BA BAEC Gold (oW Emerald), AF/KLM FB Plat (ST E+), *Alliance Nada
Posts: 299
So far, the only Dutch bank that allows you to have a checking account and benefit from a Dutch IBAN is bunq, and the cost is 7,99€ per month.
It is therefore up to you to decide whether 7,99€ x 12 + 600€ = 695,88€ (at minima) is a good value for 60XP.
Cheers,
-vinnyc
Last edited by vinnyc; Jul 25, 2019 at 6:16 pm
Jul 26, 2019, 8:32 am
#34
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
Programs: Marriott titanium, KL/AF FB Ulti
Posts: 644
No restriction from what I heard. Someone I know opened her bunq account two days before applying for the Amex AF-KLM Plat card. And for the second question, Yes, you need to maintain a Dutch bank account with a Dutch IBAN from which all your monthly expenses on the card are withdrawn. You can change with another Dutch bank account but it has to be Dutch.
Jul 26, 2019, 10:14 am
#35
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,118
No need to maintain a Dutch bank account. They only use it to verify if you actually have a Dutch account. But for monthly payments you can choose between the automatic authorized withdrawal option from a Dutch bank account, as you're mentioning, or just pay from any bank account you wish after receiving your monthly statement.
The fact that the statement shows their bank account number tells something : you can transfer money to them.
The best is to talk to them. They are game for business and will be straightforward in their answers (quite Dutch
). You only need to tell them : I want a Dutch Amex FB. I can open a Dutch bank account. How long do I need to keep it and what are the other ways of paying?