Nov 29, 2013, 8:45 pm
Last edit by: sxc
This 2014 and prior thread is now closed. Please continue discussion here: Best Credit card conversion rate to Asiamiles (HK) - 2015
Best credit card conversion rate to Asiamiles (HK) - 2014 and prior
Feb 28, 2012, 3:02 pm
#91
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
SCB AE expiry date
Received my new SCB AE, as my old one expires next month
But just noticed the expiry date is only up to 03/13 - does this mean SCB's gonna shut down the SCB AE for good?
But just noticed the expiry date is only up to 03/13 - does this mean SCB's gonna shut down the SCB AE for good?
Feb 28, 2012, 10:29 pm
#92
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Status check
Hi
Just want to get a status check as to my current state of play and if there is anything I could change.
Day to day I use the following cards:
- Local spend: DBS Amex or where Amex not accepted SCB VI
- Overseas spend: SCB Amex or where Amex is not accepted Fubon Plat.
Looking at the first page, I think I have enough coverage, however am thinking about doing the following things:
- AAVS: set up with my SCB VI (or should I apply for Bankcomm Diamond Dual Currency Card). I see there is a welcome offer for the Unionpay, is that the same as the Dual Currency (FYI tried clicking on the link but it didn't work).
- Supermarket: Get Citibank Rewards Plat (I presently have Citi Premiermiles, but that is going to be churned, got a letter from them saying if I don't use the card by the end of April they will cancel the card. Also, would I be able to obtain the welcome offer).
- Mobile phone bill by autopay: Citibank Rewards Plat (would that also apply to my HKBN broadband)
- Other bill payments: If over HK$300 and on the weekend on my Fubon Plat.
Also on an aside, been reading on the Amex Plat charge card and free travel insurance. Just want to check is that for everyone or just the main card holder (i.e. would want it to cover the missus as well). I know its invite only, but curious, how much does it cost per year?
Just want to get a status check as to my current state of play and if there is anything I could change.
Day to day I use the following cards:
- Local spend: DBS Amex or where Amex not accepted SCB VI
- Overseas spend: SCB Amex or where Amex is not accepted Fubon Plat.
Looking at the first page, I think I have enough coverage, however am thinking about doing the following things:
- AAVS: set up with my SCB VI (or should I apply for Bankcomm Diamond Dual Currency Card). I see there is a welcome offer for the Unionpay, is that the same as the Dual Currency (FYI tried clicking on the link but it didn't work).
- Supermarket: Get Citibank Rewards Plat (I presently have Citi Premiermiles, but that is going to be churned, got a letter from them saying if I don't use the card by the end of April they will cancel the card. Also, would I be able to obtain the welcome offer).
- Mobile phone bill by autopay: Citibank Rewards Plat (would that also apply to my HKBN broadband)
- Other bill payments: If over HK$300 and on the weekend on my Fubon Plat.
Also on an aside, been reading on the Amex Plat charge card and free travel insurance. Just want to check is that for everyone or just the main card holder (i.e. would want it to cover the missus as well). I know its invite only, but curious, how much does it cost per year?
Feb 28, 2012, 10:38 pm
#93
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
hi theworld
Local spend to DBS OK
Overseas spend to SCB AE OK
AAVS to Bankcomm Diamond if you have it or SCB VI otherwise OK
Supermarket, mobile and HKBN to Citibank Rewards OK
Other bill to Fubon Plat OK
Your combos are almost optimal. Sure you don't want a card for dining?
Plat Charge covers spouse
$5,500 a year less $1,000 in supermarket coupons if you charge ard $200K/year to it.
Bankcomm Diamond Dual Currency == Bankcomm Unionpay. kaka pls update welcome offer link http://www.asiamiles.com/am/en/earn/...0007d21c39RCRD
Local spend to DBS OK
Overseas spend to SCB AE OK
AAVS to Bankcomm Diamond if you have it or SCB VI otherwise OK
Supermarket, mobile and HKBN to Citibank Rewards OK
Other bill to Fubon Plat OK
Your combos are almost optimal. Sure you don't want a card for dining?
Plat Charge covers spouse
$5,500 a year less $1,000 in supermarket coupons if you charge ard $200K/year to it.
Bankcomm Diamond Dual Currency == Bankcomm Unionpay. kaka pls update welcome offer link http://www.asiamiles.com/am/en/earn/...0007d21c39RCRD
Feb 28, 2012, 10:59 pm
#94
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
hi theworld
Local spend to DBS OK
Overseas spend to SCB AE OK
AAVS to Bankcomm Diamond if you have it or SCB VI otherwise OK
Supermarket, mobile and HKBN to Citibank Rewards OK
Other bill to Fubon Plat OK
Your combos are almost optimal. Sure you don't want a card for dining?
Plat Charge covers spouse
$5,500 a year less $1,000 in supermarket coupons if you charge ard $200K/year to it.
Bankcomm Diamond Dual Currency == Bankcomm Unionpay. kaka pls update welcome offer link http://www.asiamiles.com/am/en/earn/...0007d21c39RCRD
Local spend to DBS OK
Overseas spend to SCB AE OK
AAVS to Bankcomm Diamond if you have it or SCB VI otherwise OK
Supermarket, mobile and HKBN to Citibank Rewards OK
Other bill to Fubon Plat OK
Your combos are almost optimal. Sure you don't want a card for dining?
Plat Charge covers spouse
$5,500 a year less $1,000 in supermarket coupons if you charge ard $200K/year to it.
Bankcomm Diamond Dual Currency == Bankcomm Unionpay. kaka pls update welcome offer link http://www.asiamiles.com/am/en/earn/...0007d21c39RCRD
Presently don't have Bankcomm, worth getting? Would also be applying for Citibank Rewards Plat.
I think Amex Plat isn't really worth it for me.
As for dining, from the list I think the Shacomm is probably the best. In reality I don't want to get and carry another card just for dining. Most places take my DBS Amex as it is.
Oh, edit to add, I've got about HK$30k in Salaries tax to pay in April. Would I be able to use the Fubon for that?
Feb 28, 2012, 11:09 pm
#95
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
Bankcomm - depends how much Octopus you use. Is it really worth getting a card for that? I have 15K Octopus recharges a year and the difference between Bankcomm and SCB PB VI is only 500 miles. But if you also have China spending, then the card's great.
Dining - fine. I don't have a Citibank Rewards either cos I don't do the shopping.
$xxK - lucky you.
Fubon tax payment - you may use it. No fees but no points or rebates either.
Dining - fine. I don't have a Citibank Rewards either cos I don't do the shopping.
$xxK - lucky you.
Fubon tax payment - you may use it. No fees but no points or rebates either.
Last edited by percysmith; Feb 28, 2012 at 11:22 pm
Feb 28, 2012, 11:20 pm
#96
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Bankcomm - depends how much Octopus you use. Is it really worth getting a card for that? I have 15K Octopus recharges a year and the difference between Bankcomm and SCB PB VI is only 500 miles. But if you also have China spending, then the card's great.
Dining - fine. I don't have a Citibank Rewards either cos I don't do the shopping.
$30K - lucky you.
Fubon tax payment - you may use it. No fees but no points or rebates either.
Dining - fine. I don't have a Citibank Rewards either cos I don't do the shopping.
$30K - lucky you.
Fubon tax payment - you may use it. No fees but no points or rebates either.
$30k is just the 25%, I've already paid off 75%! If I'm getting nothing from using a CC (apart from delaying actual payment by a month) then don't really see the need in using a cc.
Thanks again!
I guess in that case I should just get a Citibank Rewards card for my shopping and certain bill spend and then for the rest of my bills make sure I pay them on the weekend with Fubon.
Feb 28, 2012, 11:22 pm
#97
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
Feb 29, 2012, 9:29 am
#98
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SQ QPP1, HYATT DIA, SPG GOLD, HH GOLD, IHG GOLD
Posts: 656
It's indeed quite odd for them to issue a new card that just has 1 year of validity.
Feb 29, 2012, 9:34 am
#99
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SQ QPP1, HYATT DIA, SPG GOLD, HH GOLD, IHG GOLD
Posts: 656
Thanks mate, you are a star.
Presently don't have Bankcomm, worth getting? Would also be applying for Citibank Rewards Plat.
I think Amex Plat isn't really worth it for me.
As for dining, from the list I think the Shacomm is probably the best. In reality I don't want to get and carry another card just for dining. Most places take my DBS Amex as it is.
Oh, edit to add, I've got about HK$30k in Salaries tax to pay in April. Would I be able to use the Fubon for that?
Presently don't have Bankcomm, worth getting? Would also be applying for Citibank Rewards Plat.
I think Amex Plat isn't really worth it for me.
As for dining, from the list I think the Shacomm is probably the best. In reality I don't want to get and carry another card just for dining. Most places take my DBS Amex as it is.
Oh, edit to add, I've got about HK$30k in Salaries tax to pay in April. Would I be able to use the Fubon for that?
For me, the ShaComm card is just for dining (again, AE may not be that well accepted in dining outlets in HKG).
As for taxes, I already prepay mine in January using ShaComm card and had gotten the bonus pts for it too this month.
Feb 29, 2012, 9:49 am
#100
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
We spend a bucketload at HK Sanitarium outpatient these few months but they take AE and CUP. Too bad there isn't any promo going for either hospital spending specifically or spending target in general (e.g. 3X).
Feb 29, 2012, 7:13 pm
#101
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Diamond, BA Gold, *A Silver, Accor Diamond
Posts: 345
DBS Amex
Perhaps slightly OT but since it stops me using one of the better cards for local spending, worth asking. Every card I have works fine wherever I want to use them (as long as they're accepted there)...except for the DBS Amex card. It's been going on for quite a while and I'm on my 5th replacement card from them (and they're about to send me the 6th) but in recent weeks it's been rejected at car hire places in London and Florida, restaurants and bars in Hong Kong (after which I changed the card yet again), and yesterday at a cinema box office in Hong Kong as the first transaction on the new (and newly-activated the day before) card. It also got rejected for an American Airlines transaction in Tokyo even though DBS sent me the usual message telling me that a transaction had taken place on my card; it hadn't and AA made me use a regular Amex to get the transaction completed (I made DBS credit me with the foregone Asia Miles under threat of just chopping up the card forever but I'd honestly rather earn them by using their card rather than by it being rejected). My wife's card works fine 99.9% of the time but even she was panicked by a phone call from DBS about her card having failed to buy some urgent Air Canada tickets earlier that day (which we assumed had been completed satisfactorily at the time), and she rushed home only to discover the eticket sitting in her inbox and AC wondering why she was worried when she called them to find out what was going on.
I never reach my credit limit with them, always pay the bill on time by Autopay (about $70k a month), every other card I carry in the same wallet works fine, my wife's card works fine, DBS assure me that there is nothing wrong with the account at all - and yet I'm reluctant to even take my DBS card out of my wallet for fear of embarrassment when it's turned down yet again. So I certainly miss out on miles-earning opportunities with DBS. DBS' explanations range from "it wasn't declined but the merchant swiped the card wrong" (several times - and then swiped my wife's card correctly?) to "it wasn't declined but the merchant needed to ask for additional approvals" (despite DBS telling me that the transaction was approved). Their card is never at fault in their view:-) And yet each of these transactions has the same effect as the card being declined - no Asia Miles for me, embarrassment, irritation and time wasted.
Does anyone else have this problem with DBS or am I just unlucky with them? If they didn't offer the best AM-earning opportunities locally I'd give it up but I feel the need to persevere :-)
I never reach my credit limit with them, always pay the bill on time by Autopay (about $70k a month), every other card I carry in the same wallet works fine, my wife's card works fine, DBS assure me that there is nothing wrong with the account at all - and yet I'm reluctant to even take my DBS card out of my wallet for fear of embarrassment when it's turned down yet again. So I certainly miss out on miles-earning opportunities with DBS. DBS' explanations range from "it wasn't declined but the merchant swiped the card wrong" (several times - and then swiped my wife's card correctly?) to "it wasn't declined but the merchant needed to ask for additional approvals" (despite DBS telling me that the transaction was approved). Their card is never at fault in their view:-) And yet each of these transactions has the same effect as the card being declined - no Asia Miles for me, embarrassment, irritation and time wasted.
Does anyone else have this problem with DBS or am I just unlucky with them? If they didn't offer the best AM-earning opportunities locally I'd give it up but I feel the need to persevere :-)
Feb 29, 2012, 7:33 pm
#102
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Perhaps slightly OT but since it stops me using one of the better cards for local spending, worth asking. Every card I have works fine wherever I want to use them (as long as they're accepted there)...except for the DBS Amex card. It's been going on for quite a while and I'm on my 5th replacement card from them (and they're about to send me the 6th) but in recent weeks it's been rejected at car hire places in London and Florida, restaurants and bars in Hong Kong (after which I changed the card yet again), and yesterday at a cinema box office in Hong Kong as the first transaction on the new (and newly-activated the day before) card. It also got rejected for an American Airlines transaction in Tokyo even though DBS sent me the usual message telling me that a transaction had taken place on my card; it hadn't and AA made me use a regular Amex to get the transaction completed (I made DBS credit me with the foregone Asia Miles under threat of just chopping up the card forever but I'd honestly rather earn them by using their card rather than by it being rejected). My wife's card works fine 99.9% of the time but even she was panicked by a phone call from DBS about her card having failed to buy some urgent Air Canada tickets earlier that day (which we assumed had been completed satisfactorily at the time), and she rushed home only to discover the eticket sitting in her inbox and AC wondering why she was worried when she called them to find out what was going on.
I never reach my credit limit with them, always pay the bill on time by Autopay (about $70k a month), every other card I carry in the same wallet works fine, my wife's card works fine, DBS assure me that there is nothing wrong with the account at all - and yet I'm reluctant to even take my DBS card out of my wallet for fear of embarrassment when it's turned down yet again. So I certainly miss out on miles-earning opportunities with DBS. DBS' explanations range from "it wasn't declined but the merchant swiped the card wrong" (several times - and then swiped my wife's card correctly?) to "it wasn't declined but the merchant needed to ask for additional approvals" (despite DBS telling me that the transaction was approved). Their card is never at fault in their view:-) And yet each of these transactions has the same effect as the card being declined - no Asia Miles for me, embarrassment, irritation and time wasted.
Does anyone else have this problem with DBS or am I just unlucky with them? If they didn't offer the best AM-earning opportunities locally I'd give it up but I feel the need to persevere :-)
I never reach my credit limit with them, always pay the bill on time by Autopay (about $70k a month), every other card I carry in the same wallet works fine, my wife's card works fine, DBS assure me that there is nothing wrong with the account at all - and yet I'm reluctant to even take my DBS card out of my wallet for fear of embarrassment when it's turned down yet again. So I certainly miss out on miles-earning opportunities with DBS. DBS' explanations range from "it wasn't declined but the merchant swiped the card wrong" (several times - and then swiped my wife's card correctly?) to "it wasn't declined but the merchant needed to ask for additional approvals" (despite DBS telling me that the transaction was approved). Their card is never at fault in their view:-) And yet each of these transactions has the same effect as the card being declined - no Asia Miles for me, embarrassment, irritation and time wasted.
Does anyone else have this problem with DBS or am I just unlucky with them? If they didn't offer the best AM-earning opportunities locally I'd give it up but I feel the need to persevere :-)
Feb 29, 2012, 8:03 pm
#103
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
Perhaps slightly OT but since it stops me using one of the better cards for local spending, worth asking. Every card I have works fine wherever I want to use them (as long as they're accepted there)...except for the DBS Amex card. It's been going on for quite a while and I'm on my 5th replacement card from them (and they're about to send me the 6th) but in recent weeks it's been rejected at car hire places in London and Florida, restaurants and bars in Hong Kong (after which I changed the card yet again), and yesterday at a cinema box office in Hong Kong as the first transaction on the new (and newly-activated the day before) card. It also got rejected for an American Airlines transaction in Tokyo even though DBS sent me the usual message telling me that a transaction had taken place on my card; it hadn't and AA made me use a regular Amex to get the transaction completed (I made DBS credit me with the foregone Asia Miles under threat of just chopping up the card forever but I'd honestly rather earn them by using their card rather than by it being rejected). My wife's card works fine 99.9% of the time but even she was panicked by a phone call from DBS about her card having failed to buy some urgent Air Canada tickets earlier that day (which we assumed had been completed satisfactorily at the time), and she rushed home only to discover the eticket sitting in her inbox and AC wondering why she was worried when she called them to find out what was going on.
...Does anyone else have this problem with DBS or am I just unlucky with them? If they didn't offer the best AM-earning opportunities locally I'd give it up but I feel the need to persevere :-)
...Does anyone else have this problem with DBS or am I just unlucky with them? If they didn't offer the best AM-earning opportunities locally I'd give it up but I feel the need to persevere :-)
My SCB AE never has problems whether card-present online payment, card-present offline payment or online purchase overseas - US, Europe or Asia - seems like a DBS thing
Mar 2, 2012, 8:47 pm
#104
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
Carol Thatcher and Visa taxis
Update on the cabbies - they seem to be going backward.
I ordered an Visa Fly Taxi from my girlfriend's place last night. Her's isn't the easiest of places to get a Visa cab, it took me about 7 mins to go through plus another 7 to wait for the cab. Then again, nothing else is really gonna be faster.
The cabbie that took me had taken me home before "you were OTing from XXX co last month, right?". But I don't recognise his cab.
Firstly, he's taken down the "wings" on top of the taxi. I've noticed this on other cabs, the cabbie explained the wings ate up fuel. At first I thought this sounded fair enough, until I noticed the other thing.
More importantly, I realised he's taken down his "We accept Visa" and the red Autotaxi roundel decal. I asked why - surely this made his cab more difficult to identify as a Visa-taking cab? His response "we don't want to offer Visa unless you've pre-ordered it". Now I get it - they only want to accept Visa when they think its worth their while, like my cross-harbour co to home trips and my $150 girlfriend to home trips. Otherwise (e.g. taxi rank, flag on the street), they want cash like any other cab.
The driver added - "we don't want a 1% impost like the Octopus taxis. If autotaxi imposes it, the Visa card machines will go". I believe this will occur near the end of the year - Dah Sing can't fee-waive the Autotaxi's credit card interchange (merchant fee) indefinitely.
I related the discussion to my girlfriend the next day - "now my dear, won't you be a little less upset if you took one of those 20% discount cabs like I told you to?". I asked her to pass me the number, I better follow up.
I ordered an Visa Fly Taxi from my girlfriend's place last night. Her's isn't the easiest of places to get a Visa cab, it took me about 7 mins to go through plus another 7 to wait for the cab. Then again, nothing else is really gonna be faster.
The cabbie that took me had taken me home before "you were OTing from XXX co last month, right?". But I don't recognise his cab.
Firstly, he's taken down the "wings" on top of the taxi. I've noticed this on other cabs, the cabbie explained the wings ate up fuel. At first I thought this sounded fair enough, until I noticed the other thing.
More importantly, I realised he's taken down his "We accept Visa" and the red Autotaxi roundel decal. I asked why - surely this made his cab more difficult to identify as a Visa-taking cab? His response "we don't want to offer Visa unless you've pre-ordered it". Now I get it - they only want to accept Visa when they think its worth their while, like my cross-harbour co to home trips and my $150 girlfriend to home trips. Otherwise (e.g. taxi rank, flag on the street), they want cash like any other cab.
The driver added - "we don't want a 1% impost like the Octopus taxis. If autotaxi imposes it, the Visa card machines will go". I believe this will occur near the end of the year - Dah Sing can't fee-waive the Autotaxi's credit card interchange (merchant fee) indefinitely.
I related the discussion to my girlfriend the next day - "now my dear, won't you be a little less upset if you took one of those 20% discount cabs like I told you to?". I asked her to pass me the number, I better follow up.
I pocketed my Premiermiles long before he stopped and offered it for payment. Lo and behold the Visa machine is broken. As the 20% Dah Sing deal is gone now and I'm really only arguing over 13 miles I paid up in cash and left.
I don't intend to re-enact Carol Thatcher:
http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Iron-Lady,-The.html
CAROL OOV
Can I suggest you remove the sticker from the back of your car.
Margaret looks through the net curtains and sees CAROL THATCHER[early 50's] just visible stepping out of a taxi, remonstrating with the driver, clutching her purse and waving her credit card at him with rising irritation.
CAROL OOV (CONT'D)
Well then take the sticker off! I call that false advertising! I would say keep the change, but there isn't any change.
CAROL
Hello Ma. Bloody taxi driver. Wouldn't take my card. I said don't have a sticker saying you take Visa and then insist on cash. Can you believe it? I was rummaging around the bottom of my bag. He didn't get a tip.
Can I suggest you remove the sticker from the back of your car.
Margaret looks through the net curtains and sees CAROL THATCHER[early 50's] just visible stepping out of a taxi, remonstrating with the driver, clutching her purse and waving her credit card at him with rising irritation.
CAROL OOV (CONT'D)
Well then take the sticker off! I call that false advertising! I would say keep the change, but there isn't any change.
CAROL
Hello Ma. Bloody taxi driver. Wouldn't take my card. I said don't have a sticker saying you take Visa and then insist on cash. Can you believe it? I was rummaging around the bottom of my bag. He didn't get a tip.
I'm now convinced Visa cabs will invariably dishonour Visa payment if we flag them down instead of ordering. If we can only use Visa on Autotaxis we ordered then it's not worth our effort - we might as well order "80% taxis" (八折的) and get 20% off. I won't post the 八折的 numbers up (FT rules) but PM me if interested.
Last edited by percysmith; Mar 4, 2012 at 3:55 am
Mar 4, 2012, 8:40 pm
#105
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 93
Anyone here successfully churned the CX Amex card? thinking of using to purchase my ticket online then cancel and apply again, I need to wait one year after cancel date to get the welcome offers? thanks.