no lah, all three transactions in the same place within 1 hour apart but as you can see the effective fees charged by AMEX is not constant.


I don't think Amex based on official FOREX rate of BN. I got the Forex rate from a website where I found the rate mentioned is exactly what the same when I use my UOB Debit card to withdraw cash (however I was charged RM12 per withdrawal). Explain later tonite and will post the link as now in office and can't remember the address.

my reuters rate for 12Aug09 show highest 3.532 and lowest 3.523 for the day.

Dear Winner,

i jst clarified with the in charged person and they said yes free for life for the platinum cc and the charge might stand a chance for a waiver which depending my usage for the yr.

Mentioned earlier below transactions is on same day same place within minutes and therefore FOREX rate for that day is same i.e. constant, the same FOREX rate applies to all and therefore not important if the rate is based on BN rate or whatever. Just note the last column and you will note that the fees charged by AMEX is not constant at 2.5%

Card, USD, RM, RATE, FOREX, Ratio
AMEX, 29.58, 105.51, 3.56693712, 3.51186, 1.015683176 = 1.57%
AMEX, 49.11, 176.83, 3.600692323, 3.51186, 1.02529495 = 2.53%
AMEX CC, 83.19, 298.56, 3.588892896, 3.51186, 1.02193507 = 2.19%

Anyway here's the link where I got the exchange rate:

http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic

For my UOB debit card where I withdrew cash from ATM machines, below are the rate, note the last column again, the Ratio is almost 1:1 which means no fees were charged.

Date, Debit Card, USD, RM, Rate, Forex, Ratio
15 Aug 09, UOB Debit, 200, 702.1, 3.5105, 3.52167, 0.996828209
16 Aug 09, UOB Debit, 200, 701.9, 3.5095, 3.52078, 0.996796164

However, since UOB charged me RM12 per withdrawal which are not reflected in above rate, and based on the amount withdrew in RM, the fees for both transactions were 1.71%. If I had withdrew USD250 then the percentage would reduce to 1.37%

Here is my MBB Petronas transactions, based on posting dates. The percentage of fees charged for below example is subject to FOREX rate used by Visa or MBB or whatever and therefore may not be accurate. Haven't got my Alliance and DA statements so can't do comparison as I did charge using Alliance on both days below just to see comparison (as I promised winner to use different cards while in US, didn't bother to use my HSBC nor Citibank as previously confirmed they higher than Alliance).

Posting, Card, USD, RM, rate, FOREX, Ratio
13 Aug 09, MBB Pet, 64.15, 227.66, 3.548869836, 3.53216, 1.00473077 = 0.5%
20 Aug 09, MBB Pet, 37.84, 135.82, 3.589323467, 3.5491, 1.011333427 = 1.13%

Just for comparison for Alliance based on same Forex rate link posted above. Boy was I surprised to note that MBB rate is even cheaper than Alliance. Can't wait to get my Alliance and DA statements to see transactions for same days.

Posting, Card, USD, RM, rate, FOREX, Ratio
12 July 09, Alliance, 43.03, 155.48, 3.6132931, 3.57951, 1.00943 = 0.94%
1 Aug 09, Alliance, 139.10, 498.92, 3.5867721, 3.5275, 1.0168029 = 1.68%

I think Amex is trying to gain market share, as most banks now offers free Plat cc, even free VI and World MC. Following the introduction to the free Amex Gold cc, we can expect more free stuffs from Amex now. I guess next time people may easily get free Amex Plat cc without having to pay AF for Plat charge card! Btw, have you made your decision?


I appreciate your comparison. It is ready clueless on the different rates charged by the same banks within the same period. Banks would never reveal the details and breakdown of currency conversions. However, we can conclude that Amex has the highest admin fee compared to others. Therefore, it would be wiser to use other cards as most cards (especially Plat cc) also give 2x reward points for overseas transactions.

You can get the annual fee waived every year actually. My dad has one OCBC/GE Mastercard and he never paid any annual fee for the card. Been using it for more than 4 years already.


Not if you have proofs that you can actually afford to pay for those luxurious items in cash at one go


By the way, apparently now Public Bank credit card processing terminal can also recognize AMEX. Kinokuniya bookstore recently changed their credit card processing terminal from HSBC Global Payment to Public Bank's. While Public Bank credit card processing terminal now accept AMEX, it really is up to the merchant whether they want to accept AMEX or otherwise.

This post has been edited by MilesAndMore: Sep 14 2009, 09:54 PM

Although AF waiver can be considered by OCBC, I really don't like the way OCBC put this phrase in the T&Cs - "ALL ANNUAL FEE WAIVER REQUEST WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED". It sounds arrogant.

http://ocbc.com.my/personal-banking/Cards/FAQWebR1.pdf

i thinks kinokuniya got 5X rewards right?

i got 1 auto debit for my GE insurance premium. My OCBC AF got waiver automatic.
anyways, its off topic.

shd stop here.

Interesting but I would not spend RM2K on this experiment. RM2K can be used for a whole lot of other things and besides while it is interesting to own the Plat charge card but (IMHO) the priviledges are mainly for golf and fine dining which on a normal day I wouldn't be doing it as well.

hi all, i have decided to accept both cards. will update u guys more more i started to use.

thanks heap!

same goes here. submitted the form today..
we will experiment this cards for you..

hi all..
i am using Amex gold credit card now.. i have some other Maybank credit cards also. total combined credit limit is 8k

well, i am going to buy a few laptops, for me and friends with it, on 1st October.. hopefully can win that the Longines Watch or Delsey Expandable Cabin Case..

but my credit limit is just 8k.. the laptops i am going to buy cost 9k++

is it possible to call Amex to increase my credit limit to 10k??

*i have ready cash to pay for the balance next month, just to collect point for credit card. since i saw this Amex promotion, so decide to delay my buying until 1st of Oct, stand a chance to win the Longines Watch or Delsey Expandable Cabin Case.

This post has been edited by WoodStock: Sep 15 2009, 04:02 PM

OCBC is not big on credit card business, just like our very own Malaysian Public Bank


Yes, only for AMEX Gold credit card (without the Maybank logo) though.


You can put in the request. However it doesn't mean you will definitely be granted extra CL. Always worth a try if you really need it.

This post has been edited by MilesAndMore: Sep 15 2009, 06:06 PM

Go ask AMEX whether it is possible.......

You deposited RM2000 into your credit card account. Together with your existing RM8000, would you be allowed to spend RM10,000?

Yes you can. I tried this before. But it will be a temporary increament. Like MileAndMore said, they required 2-3 days to approve it. If succes, you can confirm it via miau2u. Good luck!

@WoodStock,
I've answered your question at the CC thread

@vampbreak,
Eh.. no need 2-3 days for approval lah. 1 call is good enough

Wow nice, do update us all stage by stage if you're free =p
(eg : from the time u receive the card, start using it, etc)

Edit :
@Woodstock : Just call em up, and explain that you're be buying a laptop when. I'm quite sure they'll be fine with temporarily increasing it.

This post has been edited by ellimist: Sep 15 2009, 08:36 PM

Just called AMEX to convert our MR to cash rebate. Call was answered in less than 1 minute. Very efficient !

lol... well, i will update u guys once i receive the card and the experience of using it. ll let u know whether it worth of 2k++ af

@princess_autumn87

In addition to that, the CS did inform me something interesting about the fee.

For plat charge, they will give you another plat charge card with word "A/C" on the card after your name to seperate between personal and business use. This is free and available upon request.

For the plat cc, it's free unless you cancel your plat charge card. Which means, if you cancel you plat charge, then you have to pay for the plat cc e:g RM 800p/a.

And oh, the will bill you the MYR 2380 anual fee immediately after you received the card.