American Express cards (AMEX)

I filled out an American Express form online for just a credit card which was in Euros (since my current ones are all Canadian Dollar). But they sent me these forms in the mail which a) wanted me to sign a permission form for SHUFA inquiries and b) A passport copy and verification at the post.

Now, since I have no records (AFAIK) with SHUFA, I decided that it's probably a waste of my time to even bother continuing with the application but then AMEX called me today and really insisted that I sign and return the forms. When I said I have no SHUFA records, they said something along the lines of "but then we will sort it out and will continue your application.

Maybe they are pushing to reach their sign-up quota or are they really interested in giving me an AMEX card? I would still like to get a Dresdner Visa or MC, but I have been bugging them lately because of their slow service, so I don't think my account lady would really like seeing me again for the next month... as she did rush a cheque for me.

Any suggestions? Internet shopping in Euros on my CAD$ card is getting to be too much.

In Britain, you normally need at least 2 years' worth of credit history before you will be issued with a credit card. I don't know how long you have been in Germany for, or what the situation is like here, but I would guess it's similar - unless you provided them with your Canadian address and they have taken your Canadian credit history into consideration.

To be honest, you could have signed and returned the form in the time it's taken you to start this thread. You can presumably get the copy of your passport verified at one of their branches. You don't have much to lose.

The other consideration is whether you actually need a credit card in Germany; only one German in seven owns a credit card and plenty of the other 6/7ths are buying goods on the internet. EC card, Überweisungen or by Bankeinzug should cover it; you can always use your Canadian card for the odd purchase which really does require a credit card.

As a card user, AmEx is great. As a merchant, they suck ass which is why so many refuse to take their cards.

You have to sign the SHUFA permission for any card or creditor in Germany. Be thankful you have to give your express, written permission for them to access your credit record. If you don't have any record at all, your limitn will simply be lower. Yes, II know AmEx has no "limit", but they do; they just don't state it. It's considerably more flexible than with other cards depending on your spending habits and payment history.

As far as the passport copy, you can tell them that it's illegal for you to make a copy (or allow one to be made) for any state-unauthorised non-governmental entity. Such is (or at least was) the case with the US passport. Tell 'em you'll be happy to stop by their offices and show them your passport to prove your identity but that you will not allow them to make a copy because obtaining their card isn't worth going to jail for.

Don't forget that AmEx charge you an annual fee for the privilege of carrying their card and they'll revoke your card if you don't regularly pay it off in full at the end of the month (cards other than "Blue").

woof.

Thanks for the responses.

To the extent of my knowledge of Canadian law, your Canadian credit history is invalid and not allowed to be taken into consideration outside of Canada. Same goes in Canada, your foreign credit history cannot be taken into consideration.

I only applied for their most basic card, and I think it's called "Amex Blue". I don't mind paying a yearly fee if I am the holder of a card. Paying them off every month is pretty much a habit for me, every 28th of the month all of my debts are paid off.

Regarding an ID verification. I have never done it through the post before, but maybe they don't actually make a copy of it but just verify it? I carry a UK passport.

They just verify it. You take down all the forms and the unsealed envelope to the post, show them your passport and your matching face, they sign it and stamp it and then seal it up for you. No big deal.

Can't see much value in AmEx, I had one for 10 years, but had lots of problems finding day-to-day traders who accepted it. Only swanky or business places... If you do need a payment card (and there's no doubt they are useful), take a free visa or mastercard. There are a few around, both as credit and charge cards...

AmEx will hand a card to almost anyone unless their SCHUFA record is bad. Having no SCHUFA record shouldn't be a problem - they'll probably take a reference from your bank too. Don't expect a high credit limit though, until you've built up a record with them...

YL6

I'm happy with the Lufthansa Visa Cards. Even the most basic cards come wíth a mile per dollar spent and some form of travel protection insurance.

The only downside is that the basic card has a 50 euro annual fee, and the card can *sometimes* be a pain in the ass to use in the US, for no apparent reason.

How do you stop a rhino from charging?
Give him an Amex card.
(yeah I know but there are no -ve karma buttons anymore )

Amex sucks azz. It is not a credit card in case you do not know. Only Amex Optima is. Amex is just a charge card and you have to pay it all up in 30 days.
Amex gives you nothing other major Visa or MC can't give.

and...paying annual fee is so early 90's.

I say chuck the application into a dumpster.

I agree. Not sure why anyone would want to pay money for a card that hardly anyone accepts. An EC card costs nothing and is accepted pretty much everywhere.

Don't agree. EC cards are in common use in Germany, true, but not common elsehwere (except for cash wthdrawals from ATMs). Better the flexibility of Visa or Mastercard (or both, if you want practically all bases covered)

agreed with YL6 on the EC card. Lufthansa waived the fees on my visa, but even if they hadn't i probably would have still paid it as very much like the travel protection insurance. quite handy if you like to travel given cheap class holiday tickets are often non-refundable.

I had my ID verified at the post office, np at all (US passport). The limit on your card will probably depend on your income, you will have to provide some proof of that. I would go for Barclay Card myself, their payment policy is customer friendly. Any CC you get with a bank will come out of your account automatically around the 6th of the following month!

I thought the Blue card was? The classic Green card is 'only' a charge card. I quite liked having AMEX and acceptance has grown in recent years - but gave up finally because of the annual charge (because I never used the offers - if you use the offers then you probably make up for the annual charge)

This doesn't have to be the case. You can set this up differently depending on your bank, there've been threads about it before.

I guess it is. But I do have a "Green Card" from the TD Bank in Canada that is a credit card... actually the most basic card, but with the highest limit for me than the others.

I guess the EC cards are fine and I should just forget about the AMEX card. I thought it may have been useful for me to have an AMEX for my travels, but I suppose I should forget about the North American style of putting everything on the credit cards and then just use more cash when I travel... the EC card is useful.

On another note, my bank here (Dresdner) is heavily advertising their visa cards at the branch. Maybe it may as well just be easier to use them instead? I'll ask. They were very very stingy when I first opened the account with them.. but when I went into the branch and complained about having to use the services of a Canadian bank (Toronto Dominion/TD), they gladly gave me an EC card... the same woman who opened my account and said I was not eligable for an EC card until a few months later.

That is post ID they confirm the details of your passport and pass it back to the company. Also every bank offers a M/C or Visa as well an EC card works like a CC which is why most Germans use them instead of CC.

i always notice at the airport (at terminal 1 and 2 now) and also at the schranenhalle, AMEX have annoying staff trying to sell you the amex card. In Ireland getting an AMEX card is quite difficult as you must clear off the previous month's balance or something like that. Does anyone know does amex work differently in Germany / is anyone using German Amex card?

Topics merged by admin

I got mine from the airport; 1 year free of charge (quit after that as it was crap - hardly anyone accepts AMEX). They just asked how much i earned and stuff, and yes, they deduct the money every month from your account. Just ask one of 'em how it works next time you see a stand.

American Express sucks in any country...

http://www.amexsux.com/

Why should it be difficult to get a charge card (AmEx is NOT a credit card) where you are required to pay off the balance at the end of the month? - There's little or no risk for the provider - they get their money, and if not their risk limit is one month. AmEx positions itself high in the market as an "Executive" card, but will give it to almost anyone (making them feel above their station as a result - clever marketing to increase sales). Outside of business travel, however, it is as good as useless. My simple answer to the commision-based hassling salesmen/women at the airport is "Do you speak English? Yes? oh good... then you 'll know what "f**k off" means then..."

YL6

My company switched over from Visa to AmEx at the beginning of the year and I've been busily testing my new card of the past months. I've been quite surprised at how often (in Germany at least) you can actually use the card. So far I've only been to one shop where they accepted credit cards but not AmEx, one small local van hire company and made two online transactions where AmEx was "the only card they didn't accept". Many places that don't even advertise the fact that they accept AmEx actually accepted it no problems. Still not as widespread as MasterCard and VISA but getting there.

Since my thread has been revived from the dead, I'm happy to report that my UK bank infact did send me a platinum American Express card which has become my default card. It's been almost 3 years since my original enquiry about the Amex card and I'm happy to report that it is becoming more common for stores to accept it. I noticed the change after Germany hosted the World Cup.

I'm not suggesting my particular card for anybody but frequent travellers, but I've enjoyed a bunch of perks since I got it (on my 2nd year now).

In response to the post above, there actually is a big store in Berlin which accepts no other CC than American Express (P&C's on Tauentzienstr).

Find using mine for personal and business no problem: petrol, hotels, most larger stores and good restaurants (yes even in Munich!). Only quibble with some cheapskate airlines (not Lufty or BA)...