Foreign exchange rates discussion [FOREX]--all cards
Apr 4, 16, 6:20 am
#301
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,284
I don't believe purchases settle in a fixed number of days. This might swamp the effects of different time zones.
The MC pending fellow might have a bank that charges fees or it might be DCC.
Discrepancies can vary widely, although 1% is a lot. Please do post when they settle and compare to the web site numbers.
I've been focusing on EUR/USD. It's not clear all currencies have the same spreads, either magnitude or direction.
The MC pending fellow might have a bank that charges fees or it might be DCC.
Discrepancies can vary widely, although 1% is a lot. Please do post when they settle and compare to the web site numbers.
I've been focusing on EUR/USD. It's not clear all currencies have the same spreads, either magnitude or direction.
Apr 6, 16, 10:55 am
#302
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 22
Could anyone help me with this question?
I have a upcoming trip to Jamaica, staying in a resort which all charges are in USD. If I am going to use a credit card with foreign transaction fee (for example, Amex HH Surpass), will I still get charged with FTF?
I have a upcoming trip to Jamaica, staying in a resort which all charges are in USD. If I am going to use a credit card with foreign transaction fee (for example, Amex HH Surpass), will I still get charged with FTF?
Apr 6, 16, 1:04 pm
#303
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator: American Express, Citi, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; HH Gold
Posts: 41,715
Originally Posted by jychen
... will I still get charged with FTF?
Apr 6, 16, 1:25 pm
#304
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by mia
Not if you use an American Express card. American Express adds a fee only when the transaction currency is different from you billing currency. However, if you use a MasterCard or VISA there will probably be a fee because the network charges based on the country where the transaction occurs, even if there is no currency conversion.
Apr 11, 16, 4:14 am
#306
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Irvine CA & PEK
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, SPG Gold, Ritz Carlton Gold, KrisFlyer Gold, AA Platinum
Posts: 662
Hi All
I also just came back from Okinawa.
Timing was a little bit off, that I caught the surge of JPY at the end of my trip.
Below are the transactions and their rates.
A+:
T:3, P:5, J:3770, U:33.94, R:111.078374
T:3, P:7, J:10304, U:94.03, R:109.582048
T:3, P:7, J:12286, U:112.12, R:109.579022
IHG:
T:2, P:4, J:126000, U:1126.71, R:111.830018
T:4, P:6, J:41290, U:375.57, R:109.939559
SPG:
T:3, P:, J:1221, U:10.89, R:112.121212
T:3, P:, J:5184, U:46.25, R:112.086484
T:4, P:, J:19100, U:173.24, R:110.251674
Here are the rates from MC.com:
4:111.090000
5:109.940000
6:109.580000
7:107.670000
From those numbers, my takes are:
1) The posting dates that banks in USA use are one day behind MC.com.
2) A+ and IHG both use the same rates and are identical to the ones at MC.com. There IS NO 1% hidden fee on A+, at least for JPY to USD.
3) If we don't go too deep into numbers, I as a consumer would use my SPG to do purchases in Japan. First, it offers very competitive rates against MC: paying too much attention to posting dates is not practical for general consumers, so if we just look at transactions on the each different date, SPG do consistently better; Secondly, 1 SPG points should equal out, if not exceed, 2 A+ points or 1 IHG point.
4) Looks like Amex uses rates of the transaction dates, evidence is the last transaction of SPG vs the first transaction of A+, also considering my take #1. So if the destination currency is climbing, Amex should be better, and Vice Versa. Everyone please see whether this makes sense.
I didn't include Visa because we all know what the results would be like. But I'm still waiting for my Discover transactions to appear. It goes through JCB, and the pending amount looks competitive, but not competitive enough to offset the rewards shortcoming when compared with SPG.
Hope this helps.
I also just came back from Okinawa.
Timing was a little bit off, that I caught the surge of JPY at the end of my trip.
Below are the transactions and their rates.
A+:
T:3, P:5, J:3770, U:33.94, R:111.078374
T:3, P:7, J:10304, U:94.03, R:109.582048
T:3, P:7, J:12286, U:112.12, R:109.579022
IHG:
T:2, P:4, J:126000, U:1126.71, R:111.830018
T:4, P:6, J:41290, U:375.57, R:109.939559
SPG:
T:3, P:, J:1221, U:10.89, R:112.121212
T:3, P:, J:5184, U:46.25, R:112.086484
T:4, P:, J:19100, U:173.24, R:110.251674
Here are the rates from MC.com:
4:111.090000
5:109.940000
6:109.580000
7:107.670000
From those numbers, my takes are:
1) The posting dates that banks in USA use are one day behind MC.com.
2) A+ and IHG both use the same rates and are identical to the ones at MC.com. There IS NO 1% hidden fee on A+, at least for JPY to USD.
3) If we don't go too deep into numbers, I as a consumer would use my SPG to do purchases in Japan. First, it offers very competitive rates against MC: paying too much attention to posting dates is not practical for general consumers, so if we just look at transactions on the each different date, SPG do consistently better; Secondly, 1 SPG points should equal out, if not exceed, 2 A+ points or 1 IHG point.
4) Looks like Amex uses rates of the transaction dates, evidence is the last transaction of SPG vs the first transaction of A+, also considering my take #1. So if the destination currency is climbing, Amex should be better, and Vice Versa. Everyone please see whether this makes sense.
I didn't include Visa because we all know what the results would be like. But I'm still waiting for my Discover transactions to appear. It goes through JCB, and the pending amount looks competitive, but not competitive enough to offset the rewards shortcoming when compared with SPG.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by zyxlsy; Apr 11, 16 at 4:20 am
Apr 12, 16, 8:08 am
#308
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SF
Programs: UA, VX, QF, EY, VA
Posts: 756
Originally Posted by zyxlsy
Hi All
I also just came back from Okinawa.
Timing was a little bit off, that I caught the surge of JPY at the end of my trip.
Below are the transactions and their rates.
A+:
T:3, P:5, J:3770, U:33.94, R:111.078374
T:3, P:7, J:10304, U:94.03, R:109.582048
T:3, P:7, J:12286, U:112.12, R:109.579022
IHG:
T:2, P:4, J:126000, U:1126.71, R:111.830018
T:4, P:6, J:41290, U:375.57, R:109.939559
SPG:
T:3, P:, J:1221, U:10.89, R:112.121212
T:3, P:, J:5184, U:46.25, R:112.086484
T:4, P:, J:19100, U:173.24, R:110.251674
Here are the rates from MC.com:
4:111.090000
5:109.940000
6:109.580000
7:107.670000
From those numbers, my takes are:
1) The posting dates that banks in USA use are one day behind MC.com.
2) A+ and IHG both use the same rates and are identical to the ones at MC.com. There IS NO 1% hidden fee on A+, at least for JPY to USD.
3) If we don't go too deep into numbers, I as a consumer would use my SPG to do purchases in Japan. First, it offers very competitive rates against MC: paying too much attention to posting dates is not practical for general consumers, so if we just look at transactions on the each different date, SPG do consistently better; Secondly, 1 SPG points should equal out, if not exceed, 2 A+ points or 1 IHG point.
4) Looks like Amex uses rates of the transaction dates, evidence is the last transaction of SPG vs the first transaction of A+, also considering my take #1. So if the destination currency is climbing, Amex should be better, and Vice Versa. Everyone please see whether this makes sense.
I didn't include Visa because we all know what the results would be like. But I'm still waiting for my Discover transactions to appear. It goes through JCB, and the pending amount looks competitive, but not competitive enough to offset the rewards shortcoming when compared with SPG.
Hope this helps.
I also just came back from Okinawa.
Timing was a little bit off, that I caught the surge of JPY at the end of my trip.
Below are the transactions and their rates.
A+:
T:3, P:5, J:3770, U:33.94, R:111.078374
T:3, P:7, J:10304, U:94.03, R:109.582048
T:3, P:7, J:12286, U:112.12, R:109.579022
IHG:
T:2, P:4, J:126000, U:1126.71, R:111.830018
T:4, P:6, J:41290, U:375.57, R:109.939559
SPG:
T:3, P:, J:1221, U:10.89, R:112.121212
T:3, P:, J:5184, U:46.25, R:112.086484
T:4, P:, J:19100, U:173.24, R:110.251674
Here are the rates from MC.com:
4:111.090000
5:109.940000
6:109.580000
7:107.670000
From those numbers, my takes are:
1) The posting dates that banks in USA use are one day behind MC.com.
2) A+ and IHG both use the same rates and are identical to the ones at MC.com. There IS NO 1% hidden fee on A+, at least for JPY to USD.
3) If we don't go too deep into numbers, I as a consumer would use my SPG to do purchases in Japan. First, it offers very competitive rates against MC: paying too much attention to posting dates is not practical for general consumers, so if we just look at transactions on the each different date, SPG do consistently better; Secondly, 1 SPG points should equal out, if not exceed, 2 A+ points or 1 IHG point.
4) Looks like Amex uses rates of the transaction dates, evidence is the last transaction of SPG vs the first transaction of A+, also considering my take #1. So if the destination currency is climbing, Amex should be better, and Vice Versa. Everyone please see whether this makes sense.
I didn't include Visa because we all know what the results would be like. But I'm still waiting for my Discover transactions to appear. It goes through JCB, and the pending amount looks competitive, but not competitive enough to offset the rewards shortcoming when compared with SPG.
Hope this helps.
Though I value KrisFlyer points at 5-10c.
Apr 12, 16, 6:03 pm
#309
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator: American Express, Citi, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; HH Gold
Posts: 41,715
Originally Posted by patrick.barnes
Though I value KrisFlyer...
Apr 17, 16, 9:56 am
#311
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Irvine CA & PEK
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, SPG Gold, Ritz Carlton Gold, KrisFlyer Gold, AA Platinum
Posts: 662
Originally Posted by zyxlsy
Hi All
I also just came back from Okinawa.
Timing was a little bit off, that I caught the surge of JPY at the end of my trip.
Below are the transactions and their rates.
A+:
T:3, P:5, J:3770, U:33.94, R:111.078374
T:3, P:7, J:10304, U:94.03, R:109.582048
T:3, P:7, J:12286, U:112.12, R:109.579022
IHG:
T:2, P:4, J:126000, U:1126.71, R:111.830018
T:4, P:6, J:41290, U:375.57, R:109.939559
SPG:
T:3, P:, J:1221, U:10.89, R:112.121212
T:3, P:, J:5184, U:46.25, R:112.086484
T:4, P:, J:19100, U:173.24, R:110.251674
Here are the rates from MC.com:
4:111.090000
5:109.940000
6:109.580000
7:107.670000
From those numbers, my takes are:
1) The posting dates that banks in USA use are one day behind MC.com.
2) A+ and IHG both use the same rates and are identical to the ones at MC.com. There IS NO 1% hidden fee on A+, at least for JPY to USD.
3) If we don't go too deep into numbers, I as a consumer would use my SPG to do purchases in Japan. First, it offers very competitive rates against MC: paying too much attention to posting dates is not practical for general consumers, so if we just look at transactions on the each different date, SPG do consistently better; Secondly, 1 SPG points should equal out, if not exceed, 2 A+ points or 1 IHG point.
4) Looks like Amex uses rates of the transaction dates, evidence is the last transaction of SPG vs the first transaction of A+, also considering my take #1. So if the destination currency is climbing, Amex should be better, and Vice Versa. Everyone please see whether this makes sense.
I didn't include Visa because we all know what the results would be like. But I'm still waiting for my Discover transactions to appear. It goes through JCB, and the pending amount looks competitive, but not competitive enough to offset the rewards shortcoming when compared with SPG.
Hope this helps.
I also just came back from Okinawa.
Timing was a little bit off, that I caught the surge of JPY at the end of my trip.
Below are the transactions and their rates.
A+:
T:3, P:5, J:3770, U:33.94, R:111.078374
T:3, P:7, J:10304, U:94.03, R:109.582048
T:3, P:7, J:12286, U:112.12, R:109.579022
IHG:
T:2, P:4, J:126000, U:1126.71, R:111.830018
T:4, P:6, J:41290, U:375.57, R:109.939559
SPG:
T:3, P:, J:1221, U:10.89, R:112.121212
T:3, P:, J:5184, U:46.25, R:112.086484
T:4, P:, J:19100, U:173.24, R:110.251674
Here are the rates from MC.com:
4:111.090000
5:109.940000
6:109.580000
7:107.670000
From those numbers, my takes are:
1) The posting dates that banks in USA use are one day behind MC.com.
2) A+ and IHG both use the same rates and are identical to the ones at MC.com. There IS NO 1% hidden fee on A+, at least for JPY to USD.
3) If we don't go too deep into numbers, I as a consumer would use my SPG to do purchases in Japan. First, it offers very competitive rates against MC: paying too much attention to posting dates is not practical for general consumers, so if we just look at transactions on the each different date, SPG do consistently better; Secondly, 1 SPG points should equal out, if not exceed, 2 A+ points or 1 IHG point.
4) Looks like Amex uses rates of the transaction dates, evidence is the last transaction of SPG vs the first transaction of A+, also considering my take #1. So if the destination currency is climbing, Amex should be better, and Vice Versa. Everyone please see whether this makes sense.
I didn't include Visa because we all know what the results would be like. But I'm still waiting for my Discover transactions to appear. It goes through JCB, and the pending amount looks competitive, but not competitive enough to offset the rewards shortcoming when compared with SPG.
Hope this helps.
T:3, P:4, J:8388, U:76.71, R:109.346891
Compared with other transactions happening on the same day, I'd say Amex>MC>Discover(JCB).
Of course this is only true for that time period when JPY was climbing. But I would say using Amex SPG is a good choice nonetheless for JPY>USD.
Apr 18, 16, 11:20 pm
#312
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 4,040
I'm not sure if I've done two foreign transactions on my SPG Amex on the one day before, but I did recently.
Same currency. Same date online.
First processed at 0.9975 x xe.com rate.
Second at 1.0038 x xe.com rate. (i.e. 1.006311 x the first transaction's rate!)
When Amex can vary this much during a single day (or, at least, what Amex claims is a single day), you need a good number of transactions to make predictions from.
Same currency. Same date online.
First processed at 0.9975 x xe.com rate.
Second at 1.0038 x xe.com rate. (i.e. 1.006311 x the first transaction's rate!)
When Amex can vary this much during a single day (or, at least, what Amex claims is a single day), you need a good number of transactions to make predictions from.
Apr 19, 16, 3:07 am
#313
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Irvine CA & PEK
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, SPG Gold, Ritz Carlton Gold, KrisFlyer Gold, AA Platinum
Posts: 662
Originally Posted by Kremmen
I'm not sure if I've done two foreign transactions on my SPG Amex on the one day before, but I did recently.
Same currency. Same date online.
First processed at 0.9975 x xe.com rate.
Second at 1.0038 x xe.com rate. (i.e. 1.006311 x the first transaction's rate!)
When Amex can vary this much during a single day (or, at least, what Amex claims is a single day), you need a good number of transactions to make predictions from.
Same currency. Same date online.
First processed at 0.9975 x xe.com rate.
Second at 1.0038 x xe.com rate. (i.e. 1.006311 x the first transaction's rate!)
When Amex can vary this much during a single day (or, at least, what Amex claims is a single day), you need a good number of transactions to make predictions from.
Apr 19, 16, 5:50 am
#314
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,284
Originally Posted by Kremmen
I'm not sure if I've done two foreign transactions on my SPG Amex on the one day before, but I did recently.
Same currency. Same date online.
First processed at 0.9975 x xe.com rate.
Second at 1.0038 x xe.com rate. (i.e. 1.006311 x the first transaction's rate!)
When Amex can vary this much during a single day (or, at least, what Amex claims is a single day), you need a good number of transactions to make predictions from.
Same currency. Same date online.
First processed at 0.9975 x xe.com rate.
Second at 1.0038 x xe.com rate. (i.e. 1.006311 x the first transaction's rate!)
When Amex can vary this much during a single day (or, at least, what Amex claims is a single day), you need a good number of transactions to make predictions from.
Apr 19, 16, 7:52 pm
#315
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Irvine CA & PEK
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, SPG Gold, Ritz Carlton Gold, KrisFlyer Gold, AA Platinum
Posts: 662
Originally Posted by richarddd
If you charge two things on the same day, but the charges are posted on different days, you can get two rates. Were they posted on the same date?
I've done some heavy using of SPG Amex in Japan (100+ transactions). Never saw the rates among same-day transactions varying that much.
