AMEX Gold Purely for International Spend?

LeDe_2

I'm considering applying for an AMEX Gold as hopefully I'll be doing a masters overseas (most likely in Sweden) this coming summer, I saw that you get double MRs for overseas spend which is why I would like to apply for it but I'm wondering if it would be worth it as aside from the 2.99% transaction fee, is it accepted widely in Sweden (and Norway for that matter) as it's all good applying and going over there but to discoed that it isn't accepted anywhere makes it slightly pointless

If I were to do this, would AMEX have an issue with me only using the card internationally, I do currently hold an SPG AMEX which is in good standing and I'll be using that overseas as well however I'd like the option of a charge card which offers some decent rewards for overseas spend, does anyone know if there'd be an issue on AMEX's side?

If it makes a difference, I intend to put £1,500-3,00 through a month

grumbler

What's the point in paying 2.99% for getting some doubtful rewards?

I think you'll be better off with Halifax Clarity or Aqua Reward. The latter pays 0.5% cashback and doesn't charge for conversion, but is notorious for small limits (not a big problem if you can make extra payments).

pacontracting

You also have to pay the £125 per year membership fee (waived for first year)

The £2K per month would only probably buy you a couple of beers in Norway anyway!!

You can do the maths. 2K per month is 4K MR rewards. Balance that against £10 member fee (approx) plus about £60 overseas fees per month. So is 4000 points worth £70 to you? that's 4000 AVIOS, 8000 HHonors points etc.

You may also get intro MR points too but depends if you have had the card for while.

As for whether AMEX would care - of course not - providing you pay your balance every month.

LeDe_2

grumbler wrote: »

What's the point in paying 2.99% for getting some doubtful rewards?

I think you'll be better off with Halifax Clarity or Aqua Reward. The latter pays 0.5% cashback and doesn't charge for conversion, but is notorious for small limits (not a big problem if you can make extra payments).

While it's true that they could be doubtful rewards, I'd earn enough MRs for one business class flight to Dubai on Emirates (should I hit the mid to high £2,000s each month) which to me would be worth more than £150ish cash back (again on mid to high £2,000s spend) that I'd get with a 0.5% cash back card.

pacontracting wrote: »

You also have to pay the £125 per year membership fee (waived for first year)

The £2K per month would only probably buy you a couple of beers in Norway anyway!!

You can do the maths. 2K per month is 4K MR rewards. Balance that against £10 member fee (approx) plus about £60 overseas fees per month. So is 4000 points worth £70 to you? that's 4000 AVIOS, 8000 HHonors points etc.

You may also get intro MR points too but depends if you have had the card for while.

As for whether AMEX would care - of course not - providing you pay your balance every month.

:rotfl: Norway and Sweden are indeed quite expensive for alcohol

When you put it like that it doesn't seem quite as appealing with the extra charges as although I would get a flight out of it at the end, I'd have paid roughly £850 for it anyway. That's definitely something I'd need to ponder now as while I thought it was worth it previously, it doesn't look quite so appealing now :eek:

That's the answer I was looking for, I thought they wouldn't but wanted to ask anyway and now I just need to find out how widely accepted AMEX is in the Nordic countries

jpwjpw

Don't forget that flights you get through redemption are limited (it's possible you may not ever find a flight available with dates that suit you) and also the flight isn't "free", you still need to pay fees and taxes which usually aren't insignificant.

Take those things into account too I should think a lot of these cards are used for business expenses that are reclaimed, and therefore the 2.99% fee is irrelevant, but I wouldn't pay that personally when you don't have to.

Amex isn't accepted everywhere here, I don't know about Sweden. This old thread seems to suggest it is widely accepted there though - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/996862-amex-acceptance-europe.html

grumbler

LeDe wrote: »

... which to me would be worth more than £150ish cash back (again on mid to high £2,000s spend) that I'd get with a 0.5% cash back card.

It might be more, but I don't understand how you have got £150 figure.

£2000*(3%+0.5%)=£70 per month.

LeDe_2

grumbler wrote: »

It might be more, but I don't understand how you have got £150 figure.

£2000*(3%+0.5%)=£70 per month.

My mistake.

I decided to go for the charge card as I'll be abroad I'd rather spend what I have rather than spend constantly on credit as I feel that would be detrimental to my finances :A

Thank you all

cautiousjon

LeDe wrote: »

...
I decided to go for the charge card as I'll be abroad I'd rather spend what I have rather than spend constantly on credit as I feel that would be detrimental to my finances :A
...

It's only detrimental if you spend more than you have.

zerog

Are you sure that getting a discount on a flight is worth paying 3-4% more than necessary to convert GBP to NOK? Are you sure you will be able to pay off your bill properly? If you just paid cash for the flight would that be cheaper in the end?