Best credit card coversion rate to Asiamiles in 2009? (For FTers based in HK)

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Jun 20, 2011, 8:45 pm

#766

kaka

Suspended

Join Date: May 2006

Location: HKG

Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold

Posts: 9,952

I'm wondering if you guys have come across paying by a foreign currency in HK. do I actually get those goodies like $3/mile for fubon, say?

Jun 20, 2011, 9:02 pm

#767

BryanL

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: HKG/YVR

Programs: MPO, Aeroplan, SPG

Posts: 183

Hey everyone, I am just curious what credit cards do you currently use to collect your AM?

I know PSmith that you made a nice list on page 10, but I am curious on what are the cards that you actually use?

Thanks!

Jun 20, 2011, 9:14 pm

#768

ChrisLi

Join Date: Jan 2008

Location: Hong Kong

Programs: BA Gold, JGC Sapphire, OZ Diamond, AF Silver, CX GR, Marriott Lifetime SL

Posts: 3,598

My Actual Usage:

Foreign: SCB AMEX > Citibank PM
Local: DBS AMEX > Citibank PM
Octopus: Citibank PM

I can't be bothered by Fubon already (as I am always too busy to call for lucky draw, and it is on my pipeline being cut)

Cards I own: Too much .... need to cut a lot too
SCB AMEX, SCB Plat Visa, SCB Gold Visa
Citi PM, Citi Plat Reward, Citi Gold Octopus (backup Octopus)
DBS Plat, DBS AMEX
HSBC Plat Visa, HSBC Advance Plat Visa
Fubon Plat, CCB Plat, HangSeng Plat

Jun 20, 2011, 9:17 pm

#769

percysmith

Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau

Join Date: May 2009

Location: HKG

Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member

Posts: 19,798

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaka

I'm wondering if you guys have come across paying by a foreign currency in HK. do I actually get those goodies like $3/mile for fubon, say?

Yep. Paying US$100 to MPO in HK (Cathay using BEA for resetting my redemption list earned me 4% bonus for foreign currency (Apr 10).

Jun 20, 2011, 9:18 pm

#770

dietevil

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Hong Kong

Programs: Marco Polo

Posts: 96

We use:

Amex: DBS Black ($6/mile)
Visa/Mastercard: Bank of China ($7.5/mile)
Unionpay: Bank of Communications Dual Currency ($4/mile)

We've also got HSBC Premier, Hang Sang Platinum...but almost never use them unless there is a specific discount (like hotels/restaurants in HK) that make it worth while. $16.x/mile is ridiculous.

Jun 21, 2011, 1:09 am

#771

percysmith

Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau

Join Date: May 2009

Location: HKG

Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member

Posts: 19,798

Quote:

Originally Posted by dietevil

Visa/Mastercard: Bank of China ($7.5/mile)

How did you get your Bank of China to give out 2X?

Normal 1X is $15/mile after 1 May 2011.

Jun 21, 2011, 1:26 am

#772

kaka

Suspended

Join Date: May 2006

Location: HKG

Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold

Posts: 9,952

Amex: DBS Black ($6/mile)
Visa/Mastercard: SCB Visa(I had generous promos out of HK lately)Fubon(mainly for the draw. rarely do i get to a place that takes Vi/MC but not AMEX (either AMEX and all or none all together))

Also, I would use CX AMEX if i need the insurance. (Mistake fares, valuable electronics which i would use it pass warantee life)

Jun 21, 2011, 1:47 am

#773

percysmith

Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau

Join Date: May 2009

Location: HKG

Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member

Posts: 19,798

me:

Local Amex: Plat Cred ($7.5/Virgin mile)
Overseas Amex: SCB AE ($2.5/Asia Mile)
Dining and overseas Visa: Shacom PLK Titanium ($4/Asia Mile)
Bills, Unionpay: Bankcomm Diamond Unionpay ($4/mile)
Other Visa: SCB PB VI ($7.5/Asia Mile)
AAVS: BEA Plat ($8/Asia Mile)

Jun 21, 2011, 9:23 am

#774

dietevil

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Hong Kong

Programs: Marco Polo

Posts: 96

Quote:

Originally Posted by percysmith

How did you get your Bank of China to give out 2X?

Normal 1X is $15/mile after 1 May 2011.

Husband works for BoC.

Jun 22, 2011, 5:58 am

#775

percysmith

Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau

Join Date: May 2009

Location: HKG

Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member

Posts: 19,798

Quote:

Originally Posted by percysmith

Woah I've just realised Bankcomm Diamond earns $4/mile on bill payments as well as the welcome offer!

I have a big HKE bill sitting at home to satisfy the welcome offer, I've just been approved for Bankcomm Diamond and hope they won't cut the power before my card comes.

Just confirmed with Bankcomm CS it also earns $4/mile on bill payments >$300 too! Can't believe it kicked Fubon's weekend offer.

See also: http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...hp?id=5107&p=3

Last edited by percysmith; Jun 22, 2011 at 6:05 am

Jun 22, 2011, 8:45 pm

#776

toplayer

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: HKG

Programs: BA Gold OWE

Posts: 216

Quote:

Originally Posted by percysmith

Hi Percy, from the T&Cs it seems that the 4-1 applies until the end of year. What are the chances of it extending beyond this in your opinion (or something like the Fubon debacle)? Also, as someone who has never used Unionpay before, is the BComm Diamond just like Visa/Master or something altogether different, such as requiring an underlying RMB bank account? (I've read BComm's materials but its mostly marketing fluff)

Thank you in advance.

Jun 22, 2011, 10:24 pm

#777

percysmith

Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau

Join Date: May 2009

Location: HKG

Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member

Posts: 19,798

Quote:

Originally Posted by toplayer

Extend? Doubt it. Milk the $4/mile while it lasts.

I don't have the card yet but I understand:
- if you use it in HK you settle it with PPS or your bank's internet banking just like Visa/Master/Amex
- if you use it in the PRC, I've been told I can settle it via Bankcomm or other HK bank (e.g. BoCHK) autopay on a RMB a/c. BoCHK even said I can bill pay it via their internet banking in RMB, tho Bankcomm won't confirm that works. However I've just been back from a PRC trip and don't plan on any more; I might not use the RMB portion of the promotion.

Jun 23, 2011, 6:48 am

#778

percysmith

Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau

Join Date: May 2009

Location: HKG

Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member

Posts: 19,798

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaka

btw this reminds me when will the points of the last promo post? ($2=1mile) i'm planning to detatch myself from this bank.

Clause 11 of the $2=1mile T&C

"1. The Promotion period is from 1 April, 2011 to 31 May, 2011 (both dates inclusive)...

11. If relevant spending made with Designated Credit Card is verified by the Bank as eligible transactions, the extra bonus points will be automatically credited to Designated Credit Card accounts before 15 July 2011 and will be shown on the monthly statement. Basic Bonus Points will be credited to Designated Credit Card accounts in accordance with the regular procedure."

I didn't spend a lot under this promotion anyway cos it doesn't include online purchases.

Jun 23, 2011, 11:51 am

#779

kchika

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: Hong Kong

Programs: No longer Diamond and missing the good old days of CX

Posts: 1,521

Quote:

Originally Posted by percysmith

me:

Local Amex: Plat Cred ($7.5/Virgin mile)
Overseas Amex: SCB AE ($2.5/Asia Mile)
Dining and overseas Visa: Shacom PLK Titanium ($4/Asia Mile)
Bills, Unionpay: Bankcomm Diamond Unionpay ($4/mile)
Other Visa: SCB PB VI ($7.5/Asia Mile)
AAVS: BEA Plat ($8/Asia Mile)

What happened there...?