British Airways Amex - Qantas Amex Transfer

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First post on the forum - I've gained a few tips from here already so thought I should give one back, at the same time as asking a question....

I'm a new immigrant to Sydney this year and recently transferred my BA Amex (Blue) account from the UK to Australia, where Amex gave me a regular Qantas Classic Amex. When I signed up for the BA Amex account there was no annual fee and a heap of credit available. I was declined a Qantas classic Amex via a regular application earlier this year as I had no credit history, but then learnt about the account transfer process, which I had completed last week.

It turns out that Amex Australia have given me a Qantas Classic Card with the same credit limit in $ as I had in GBP - which is useful, considering the limit I had in the UK. However, more useful than that, the no annual fee part of the account also transferred over - so I have avoided the $149 fee, which is bloody awesome in my opinion. AFAIK I am also eligible for new member points promotions.

I just called Amex and unfortunately (and predictably) the discounted fee won't carry over if I upgrade the card to a Premium, as I was planning to. I believe they transfer accounts on a like to like basis - i.e BA Blue Amex = Qantas Classic. So, YMMV if you request a better account on application - but you could at least ask for a Qantas Premium and see if the lack of annual fee comes over too.

That's the tip. If it's well known, I apologise, but I was stoked so figured I might as well mention it. The whole process was painless, involved 1 form, 2 weeks and no credit check.

Here's the question - I wanted to upgrade to the Premium Card for the Qantas Club invitations, but the $249 difference is slightly more eyewatering than the $100 I was expecting. The only other way of getting access to the QC is by either a) having status or b) paying to join, right? There's no other way of getting invitations that I am missing?

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Thanks for the info - I didnt realsie you could transfer the card. I have left my BA Amex open as it had no fee.