Does anyone know which banks accept AMEX BA Premium Plus for a balance transfer

shapala

Hi all.

I'm struggling a bit as looking to apply for a balance transfer card. Some, such as Santander do not accept AMEX for balance transfers. Others it's a bit tricky, such as Santander who I was looking at who mention 'You can only complete a balance transfer from an American Express card that is underwritten by a UK Financial Organisation. Please note – some American Express cards have UK Company branding (such as British Airways) but are underwritten by a US Bank'

I'm currently away and can't speak with AmEx to ask if this card is underwritten by a US banking org, or not.

It's only the balance on this specific card I would like to move over (no other CC's involved).

If anyone is in the know as spent a good few hours this eve and my options appear to be fewer and fewer re transferring FROM the AmEx BA card. My HSBC and First Direct BT stoozing cards come to an end in a couple of months (will be paid off in full as not much to go anyway) so can't apply for either of those, shame since HSBC was an option.

Marchitiello

I have not done this in years but I believe to have done it with Barclaycard many years ago

Se1Lad

You could get a card with a money transfer offer instead, and then use this to pay off the Amex balance 

Sandtree

shapala said:

I'm struggling a bit as looking to apply for a balance transfer card. Some, such as Santander do not accept AMEX for balance transfers. Others it's a bit tricky, such as Santander who I was looking at who mention 'You can only complete a balance transfer from an American Express card that is underwritten by a UK Financial Organisation. Please note – some American Express cards have UK Company branding (such as British Airways) but are underwritten by a US Bank'

Absolute rubbish, AmEx in the UK are underwritten by American Express Services Europe Limited which is a UK registered company, authorised and regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority. It itself is then owned by a US based company but then Santander is the same as its a UK company owned by a Spanish company.

Likewise no need to consider the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (aka HSBC) and their history given the clue is very much in the name. It is now officially UK based but its shares are listed in Hong Kong and London.

The only way you get a non-UK AmEx card is by being issued one whilst not living in the UK... any issued in the UK are UK underwritten. Sounds like a call centre agent being unable to explain why theres an issue and making something up on the cuff that sounds plausable.

dbmabz

You already have HSBC cards, but the M&S credit cards accept balance transfers from AMEX according to this page.

AMEX do issue BA cards in the USA as well, so this maybe where the confusion comes from. As long as you have a UK issued BA AMEX card you should be fine

Sandtree

dbmabz said:

AMEX do issue BA cards in the USA as well, so this maybe where the confusion comes from. As long as you have a UK issued BA AMEX card you should be fine

Historically a lot of companies had issues with doing BTs to AmEx, some systems wouldnt accept their 15 digit card numbers and others was "computer says no" type responses... none are anything to do with the location of the card issuer.

No idea if they are any better today nor if there was a distinction being made between chargecards and credit cards as many more of their products used to be charge cards which are a general oddity in the UK market anyway.

Vortigern

I have recently done a BT from Amex Platinum Cashback to Santander. It can't be done online because of the 15 digit card number. You have to ring Santander and give them the details from your Amex statement, ie the sort code and account number that you would use to make a payment together with your Amex card number.

You just need to find a CSA who knows how to do this.

SevenOfWine

I did an AMEX balance transfer with MBNA last yeAR

shapala

QUICK UPDATE

Having applied for the Virgin money card, I've did 2 credit card balances inc one which was the BA card, other being Halifax, during the application process. However, received an email and just showed the Halifax, nothing about the transfer for the AmEx. Been using the clarity card as been abroad so good for the no travel fees.

Just phoned Virgin Money and being told they don't accept AmEx, tho the lady wasn't just rude but seemed unsure why it was only 15 digits which AmEx always are so system wouldn't allow it as must be 16 digits. I might try again with someone else for a definitive answer as would be good to transfer that balance over.