Express Cash Fees With Platinum Card
I've searched on FT but the information I've found is inconsistent.
SO signed up her Platinum card for AMEX Express Cash which is linked to our checking account so that there will be no foreign transaction fee for taking cash from Paris ATMs. (Our bank charges 3%). However the Agreement that came with the PIN states that there is a fee of max[$5, 3% of transaction], plus 2.7% foreign currency conversion fee. It also states that there is a fee of only 1% for buying travelers checks which is waived for Platinum cards. She will contact AMEX to confirm, but what are the actual fees for transactions at ATMs in France? Thanks in advance. |
If you are just linking to your checking account, why would you even bother with getting AMEX involved in the middle of the transaction? I travel overseas to about 40 countries/year. I always just use my Bank of America or Chase debit card at foreign ATMs. No need for AMEX to be involved. Many banks, like Bank of America, have relationships with foreign banks. So if you use B of A you can withdraw cash at any BNB Paribas atm without a fee to do so. Even if your bank has no relationship like that, putting AMEX in the middle gains you nothing but a higher cost/greater fees.
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Originally Posted by andrewpartyman
(Post 18005378)
If you are just linking to your checking account, why would you even bother with getting AMEX involved in the middle of the transaction? I travel overseas to about 40 countries/year. I always just use my Bank of America or Chase debit card at foreign ATMs. No need for AMEX to be involved. Many banks, like Bank of America, have relationships with foreign banks. So if you use B of A you can withdraw cash at any BNB Paribas atm without a fee to do so. Even if your bank has no relationship like that, putting AMEX in the middle gains you nothing but a higher cost/greater fees.
So as it turns out I don't need the Express Cash feature. |
Originally Posted by andrewpartyman
(Post 18005378)
Even if your bank has no relationship like that, putting AMEX in the middle gains you nothing but a higher cost/greater fees.
If you use Amex Platinum, the only charge is the 1% Express Cash fee, since as of March of 2011, the forex fee went to 0% for Platinum. Since the transactions hit your checking account as an ACH transaction and not an ATM withdrawal, your checking account bank won't charge you anything for the transaction. So, unless you can make foreign withdrawals using your ATM card for less than 1% total (forex fee + network ATM fee), then using the Platinum card overseas for cash will be cheaper. |
Originally Posted by Steve M
(Post 18007946)
If you use Amex Platinum, the only charge is the 1% Express Cash fee, since as of March of 2011, the forex fee went to 0% for Platinum. Since the transactions hit your checking account as an ACH transaction and not an ATM withdrawal, your checking account bank won't charge you anything for the transaction. So, unless you can make foreign withdrawals using your ATM card for less than 1% total (forex fee + network ATM fee), then using the Platinum card overseas for cash will be cheaper.
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Originally Posted by TheCount2
(Post 18002645)
... Agreement that came with the PIN states that there is a fee of max[$5, 3% of transaction]...
Originally Posted by Steve M
(Post 18007946)
If you use Amex Platinum, the only charge is the 1% Express Cash fee...
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Originally Posted by TheCount2
(Post 18002645)
However the Agreement that came with the PIN states that there is a fee of max[$5, 3% of transaction], plus 2.7% foreign currency conversion fee.
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Originally Posted by Steve M
(Post 18008007)
There was a 2.7% forex fee prior to March 2011. Is there a print date on the collateral that came with the PIN that's prior to 3/11? Also, what I stated about the 1% Express Cash fee is what it is for Centurion - Platinum may be different and you should verify this before using it. Even at 3% with a $5 max, it can be a good deal if you make large withdrawal: US$1000 equivalent would be a 0.5% fee, assuming you can find a machine that will dispense that much in a single transaction. That's another side benefit of Express Cash: its withdrawal limit is set by Amex, not your bank, and is in addition to whatever your bank gives you on your regular ATM card.
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Originally Posted by andrewpartyman
(Post 18005378)
So if you use B of A you can withdraw cash at any BNB Paribas atm without a fee to do so. Even if your bank has no relationship like that, putting AMEX in the middle gains you nothing but a higher cost/greater fees.
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Look into a Schwab checking account.
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Originally Posted by mzkaiser:18010169
Originally Posted by andrewpartyman
(Post 18005378)
So if you use B of A you can withdraw cash at any BNB Paribas atm without a fee to do so. Even if your bank has no relationship like that, putting AMEX in the middle gains you nothing but a higher cost/greater fees.
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Originally Posted by TheCount2
(Post 18012298)
The BofA CSR I spoke to said there were no forex fees for the withdrawal. I'll double check.
Here is the wikipedia link to the atm alliance. It is a handy reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_ATM_Alliance And BNP has an iphone app in case you need to find an ATM (all in French) of course. Thanks. |
Originally Posted by PWMFlyer19
(Post 18012409)
I used my BofA at BNP in Paris in January and had no fees (forex, usage or otherwise).
Here is the wikipedia link to the atm alliance. It is a handy reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_ATM_Alliance And BNP has an iphone app in case you need to find an ATM (all in French) of course. Thanks. The International ATM usage fee is $5.00. This fee is assessed for each withdrawal, transfer or balance inquiry performed at a non-Bank of America ATM or non-Global ATM Alliance bank located in a foreign country. In addition to the ATM usage fee, Bank of America assesses an international transaction fee for Check Card transactions in foreign currency or in U.S. dollars with foreign merchants in the amount of 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction and 1% for all ATM transactions processed in foreign currency. The fee is assessed as a separate transaction fee on the posting date of the purchase or withdrawal. |
Using Bank of America at BNP only saves you the foreign ATM withdraw fee (from both BA and BNP). You still pay the 1% forex fee, unless it does not apply to your account at all, in which case using BNP is irrelevant.
Originally Posted by PWMFlyer19
(Post 18012409)
I used my BofA at BNP in Paris in January and had no fees (forex, usage or otherwise).
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I do have a Premier card. Thanks
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Checked the mail today, got a letter saying my Platinum card "Now eligible for cash access".
It goes on to say that I can use my card at any ATM and am able to withdraw cash off my Platinum Charge Card. I could see this REALLY handy for emergency situations, especially when traveling, forgetting wallet (I could care less about leaving wallet at home, no matter what I always have my amex card with me), etc... I just didn't think people were allowed to pull cash off their charge accounts... |
Originally Posted by Zhariak
(Post 21920965)
Checked the mail today, got a letter saying my Platinum card "Now eligible for cash access".
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Originally Posted by Zhariak
(Post 21920965)
I just didn't think people were allowed to pull cash off their charge accounts...
This benefit is implemented differently in other countries, and the cash is actually added to the American Express balance. |
Originally Posted by mia
(Post 21922579)
The way this "benefit" is implemented in the USA is that the funds are withdrawn directly from your linked bank account. In effect, you are able to use your American Express charge card as an ATM card. The withdrawal is slower than if you use a real ATM card issued by your bank, but you pay American Express a fee for accessing your own money.
This benefit is implemented differently in other countries, and the cash is actually added to the American Express balance. Hmmm, interesting. I actually don't have my accounts linked (I really try to have none of my accounts linked). I didn't apply for anything either. This piece of mail just says: "You are now eligable for cash access." and just proceeds to tell me: "Cash access is granted for the card account shown above", I can use my Amex wherever Interac is accepted, and then just stuff about my PIN. Very crisp clean letter (the whole 8.5 x 11 page is very empty). |
Originally Posted by Zhariak
(Post 21922696)
This piece of mail just says:
"You are now eligable for cash access." and just proceeds to tell me: "Cash access is granted for the card account shown above", I can use my Amex wherever Interac is accepted, and then just stuff about my PIN. Very crisp clean letter (the whole 8.5 x 11 page is very empty). |
Originally Posted by Vasco
(Post 21923595)
...fee is $2.75 per withdrawal and the interest charges kick in immediately.
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Originally Posted by mia
(Post 21924236)
This indicates that the program has changed. Previously there was no interest because the funds were debited from the cardholder's checking account.
And again, my confusion is that the fee and interst I indicated above apply to Amex credit cards. So it functions like a cash advance with any other card. However, the letter recieved this week pertains to an Amex charge card. |
Originally Posted by Zhariak
(Post 21922696)
This piece of mail just says:
"You are now eligable for cash access." and just proceeds to tell me: "Cash access is granted for the card account shown above", I can use my Amex wherever Interac is accepted, and then just stuff about my PIN. |
Although Amex Canada has been less than straight forward with me on how this works (they keep pointing me to a terms and conditions document which does not exist,) I have at least been able to confirm that the fee is 3% of the amount withdrawn. Whether interest is charged on top of that remains unknown.
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