Global Card Relationship (fka Global Transfers) experiences
Jul 29, 2018, 5:15 am
#392
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 261
So how straightforward was a global transfer to Germany?
Did you have to do any of this Post ident stuff that German companies seem to love, and visit a post office with lots of documentation?
Did you have to do any of this Post ident stuff that German companies seem to love, and visit a post office with lots of documentation?
Jul 29, 2018, 5:30 am
#393
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
It was so easy I don't even remember it. I think I called Amex UK who sent me a form from Amex DE. I filled this out using my existing Amex information, my German address, and a few weeks later I had the account set up.
Jul 29, 2018, 7:56 am
#394
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 261
Cool, thanks!
And any particular differences between the cards? I’m guessing that Apple Pay won’t work with the DE one?
And any particular differences between the cards? I’m guessing that Apple Pay won’t work with the DE one?
Jul 29, 2018, 8:15 am
#395
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I think overall the MR transfers are a bit weaker, but that’s not a big deal to me. The rest is pretty much the same. I get loads of offers emailed to me. Insurance is very good, which is the principal reason I hold the card. If you can read German I can email you the user guide.
Aug 1, 2018, 1:12 pm
#396
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 261
I called Amex UK and they said the process was to apply for a DE card online, but to answer yes to being an existing card holder and put my UK card number in when requested.
After doing this, I had to then do a Post Ident verification with the post office to verify my ID, but have not received anything from American Express confirming that the application is being processed.
Will see how the process goes.
After doing this, I had to then do a Post Ident verification with the post office to verify my ID, but have not received anything from American Express confirming that the application is being processed.
Will see how the process goes.
Aug 1, 2018, 5:41 pm
#398
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bregenz, Austria
Programs: AA, BAEC, Alaska, Flying Blue, United, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 2,950
I generally agree that the German rewards credit card market is pretty dire.
I have Amex and the DKB Hilton card, which I think are about the best options there are.
I have Amex and the DKB Hilton card, which I think are about the best options there are.
Aug 2, 2018, 3:57 am
#399
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 261
There is also the Lufthansa miles and More card, which if you already hold status with Lufthansa looks okay.
Other then this and Amex, it’s a totally dire market. But then most of the people in front of me in shopping queues at places like Rewe and Galleria Kaufhof are still paying with cash. People are so cash-centric here, even Rewards might not tempt them.
Aug 2, 2018, 3:58 am
#400
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
One thing to keep in mind with the German Amex card is that you cannot pay through the Amex app, you have to transfer from your bank to Amex DB account. Another (big) shortcoming if you need this for expense purposes is that you cannot export your statement as an Excel file.
Aug 2, 2018, 4:07 am
#401
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 261
I find the Amex/LH lounge thing curious; it’s only a specific business and senator lounge in the non-schengan departure area at Frankfurt (can’t speak about Munich as used the airport) from what I can remember, and even that seems to have upset LH status holders greatly.
Aug 2, 2018, 4:10 am
#402
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 261
One thing to keep in mind with the German Amex card is that you cannot pay through the Amex app, you have to transfer from your bank to Amex DB account. Another (big) shortcoming if you need this for expense purposes is that you cannot export your statement as an Excel file.
I haven’t received anything to tell me that my application has been submitted following on from the Post Ident video call. At least when you submit a UK application you either get instant decision on screen or else a message that it’s being looked in to - I just got redirected to Post Ident for proof of identity instead.
Aug 2, 2018, 4:21 am
#403
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Virtually none.
I just looked back in my emails...I applied on Day 1, on Day 3 I received the following email:
On Day 13, I received the following email:
I just looked back in my emails...I applied on Day 1, on Day 3 I received the following email:
Dear LondonElite,
We have received your request to transfer your existing United Kingdom American Express Card to a German Platinum American Express Card.
We thank you for your interest in our products and services and look forward to welcoming you as a German card member soon.
In order to process your application we would like to ask you to complete the following steps; please:
• print/save and study carefully the product specifications as well as our insurance terms and conditions which you find enclosed.
• print the document „Bestätigung & Ident“ which you also find enclosed.
• sign the document at the bottom of the first page and note that the supplementary applicant (if requested) also has to sign these Terms & Conditions.
• use the Ident-Verification-Form together with your valid passport or ID card and have it validated in a German Post Office or your local bank branch.
• return the signed Terms & Conditions and the validated Ident-Verification-Form to
American Express Services Europe Limited
Zweigniederlassung Frankfurt am Main
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 112
60486 Frankfurt
Fax Number: 0049 (0) 69 9797 2230
Upon receipt of the above mentioned documents we will process and finalise your card application. Thank you very much for your help. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Yours sincerely,
Global Transfers Germany
American Express Services Europe Limited
Zweigniederlassung Frankfurt am Main
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 112, 60486 Frankfurt
Tel.: +49 (0) 69 9797 1000
Fax: +49 (0) 69 9797 2230
We have received your request to transfer your existing United Kingdom American Express Card to a German Platinum American Express Card.
We thank you for your interest in our products and services and look forward to welcoming you as a German card member soon.
In order to process your application we would like to ask you to complete the following steps; please:
• print/save and study carefully the product specifications as well as our insurance terms and conditions which you find enclosed.
• print the document „Bestätigung & Ident“ which you also find enclosed.
• sign the document at the bottom of the first page and note that the supplementary applicant (if requested) also has to sign these Terms & Conditions.
• use the Ident-Verification-Form together with your valid passport or ID card and have it validated in a German Post Office or your local bank branch.
• return the signed Terms & Conditions and the validated Ident-Verification-Form to
American Express Services Europe Limited
Zweigniederlassung Frankfurt am Main
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 112
60486 Frankfurt
Fax Number: 0049 (0) 69 9797 2230
Upon receipt of the above mentioned documents we will process and finalise your card application. Thank you very much for your help. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Yours sincerely,
Global Transfers Germany
American Express Services Europe Limited
Zweigniederlassung Frankfurt am Main
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 112, 60486 Frankfurt
Tel.: +49 (0) 69 9797 1000
Fax: +49 (0) 69 9797 2230
Sehr geehrter Platinum Card Inhaber,
wir freuen uns, Ihnen Ihre Platinum Card zu bestätigen. Sie erhalten diese in den nächsten Tagen per Post.
So schnell ist Ihre Karte einsatzbereit:1.Sie erhalten Ihre Karte und die dazugehörige PIN* separat per Post, sofern Sie diese bei der Online-Kartenbeantragung nicht bereits selbst ausgewählt haben.2.Aktivieren Sie Ihre Platinum Card einfach online oder unter +49 69 9797-3030 (Option „Card Services“ auswählen).3.Anschließend können Sie bargeldlos bezahlen, Membership Rewards® Punkte sammeln und alle Kartenleistungen nutzen.
Wir wünschen Ihnen viel Freude mit Ihrer Platinum Card.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Ihr American Express® Kundenservice
wir freuen uns, Ihnen Ihre Platinum Card zu bestätigen. Sie erhalten diese in den nächsten Tagen per Post.
So schnell ist Ihre Karte einsatzbereit:1.Sie erhalten Ihre Karte und die dazugehörige PIN* separat per Post, sofern Sie diese bei der Online-Kartenbeantragung nicht bereits selbst ausgewählt haben.2.Aktivieren Sie Ihre Platinum Card einfach online oder unter +49 69 9797-3030 (Option „Card Services“ auswählen).3.Anschließend können Sie bargeldlos bezahlen, Membership Rewards® Punkte sammeln und alle Kartenleistungen nutzen.
Wir wünschen Ihnen viel Freude mit Ihrer Platinum Card.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Ihr American Express® Kundenservice
Aug 2, 2018, 4:34 am
#404
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 261
I had to do Post Ident in order to actually complete the application. Did you have to do Post Ident twice as part of a Global Transfer, or wasn’t it part of the initial application process?
Aug 2, 2018, 4:46 am
#405
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452