Can't confirm, but it wouldn't surprise me. FWIW, I think it's nuts to use an AMEX for foreign transactions. There are lots of cards on the market with no fees. Answer from Show_Green on reddit.com
American Express
americanexpress.com › uk › legal › fx-ecb-comparison
Foreign Exchange ECB Comparison
You will be able to compare the total American Express currency conversion charge that we apply to transactions against the latest equivalent Euro foreign exchange reference rates.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/amexuk › how to calculate amex's foreign transaction fees
r/AmexUK on Reddit: How to calculate Amex's foreign transaction fees
November 10, 2024 -
So for those familiar with Amex's currency exchange rules, I'm hoping to clarify how the exchange is actually done. Is the following correct?
According to Amex theres 2 parts to the policy:
(1) 2.99% charge for non GBP transaction
(2) Use of an Amex rate which is a charge on top of the ECB's rate
Does this mean that for a 1000 USD transaction. The charge in GBP is calculated as follows:
ECB rate :
USD/EUR: 1.0772
GBP/EUR: 0.83188
USD/GBP rate = 1.0772 * (1/0.83188) = 0.7722614184923877 (Can be confirmed via their site)
Amex Rate:
USD/GBP * 1.02457 = 0.7912358815447456
Final Charge:
Amex then adds a 2.99% charge for converting.
*Therefore a 1k USD purchase translates into: (Cost) * (Conversion Charge) * (Amex Rate)
= 1000 * 1.0299 * 0.7912358815447456 = 814.89 GBP
Comparision:
Compared to 776.94 GBP charged by MasterCard. Which means a 4.89% difference. Is that right?
Sources:
ECB Rates: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/euro_reference_exchange_rates/html/index.en.html
https://data.ecb.europa.eu/currency-converter
WalletHub
wallethub.com › popular credit card questions
What is the American Express Exchange Rate?
July 11, 2025 - Exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and all other currencies fluctuate daily. But because American Express does not publish them openly, it’s difficult to track them. Visa and Mastercard on the other hand, publish their exchange rates for easy reference. American Express foreign transaction fees are different from card to card.
American Express
americanexpress.com › content › dam › amex › en-ph › network › documents › consumer › AMEX_FCS_JAN2023_A.pdf pdf
•BacNet P100* /month P200* /month P200/month
All transactions made in foreign currency other than U.S. Dollars will be · converted to U.S. Dollars by American Express. A foreign currency factor of · 2.5% will be applied to the converted U.S. Dollar amounts, of which 1% is ... For foreign charges converted using the prevailing foreign ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/amex › exchange rate calculator
r/amex on Reddit: Exchange rate calculator
May 31, 2021 -
Hey I am using my card today to make 3 transactions to a total of 1440 BRL and I am trying to calculate how much that would be in GBP with fees. Been trying to figure out for a while, but haven't been able to find a way to get it done. Anyone can help?
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Honestly, I've found American Express' exchange rate is very close to the market's value of the foreign exchange. In Canada, some banks like to round in their favor to further hurt you when it comes to the exchange rate. The quick and dirty way to estimate is to convert the purchase. In your case, 1440 BRL to GBP. Then multiple that GBP value by the Foreign Transaction fee. Quick example: Google conversion of 1440 BRL as of this post is 203.63 GBP. If your Foreign Transaction fee is 2.5% (guessing since that's what mine is), then you go 203.63 * 1.025 = 208.72. Factor in a bit of error/market fluctuation and round up to 210. This does not factor in any import fees or VATs if you're buying something physical and importing it; those would be extra.
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Thanks
American Express
americanexpress.com › customer service › payments & billings
What are the exchange rates abroad | FAQs | Amex UK
Travelling overseas? Discover how Amex exchange rates work, what fees apply, and how currencies are converted when you use your Card internationally.
American Express
americanexpress.com › en-no › company › legal › fx-ecb-comparison
FX ECB Comparison | American Express Norway
You will be able to compare the total American Express currency conversion charge that we apply to transactions against the latest equivalent Euro foreign exchange reference rates.
Head for Points
headforpoints.com › forums › topic › amex-fx-calculator
Amex FX calculator — Head for Points
Someone last year, very kindly posted a link to the amex website where i was able to use the FX calculator and it would tell me conversions of all currencies from the £ and also the total cost to be billed on my card, including the 2.99% fee (accurate amount…
Reddit
reddit.com › r/creditcards › american express exchange rate (currency conversion)
r/CreditCards on Reddit: American Express Exchange Rate (Currency Conversion)
December 17, 2021 -
It seems like I cannot find the currency conversion rate that American Express uses, unlike Visa and Mastercard, where they have a specific page where they let their customers to calculate the currency conversion rate that they use in a specific date.
Does American Express ever have the similar page? Or do they not want the public from accessing it?
Edit:
Visa - https://usa.visa.com/support/consumer/travel-support/exchange-rate-calculator.html
Mastercard - https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/convert-currency.html
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In general at the moment, MC has the best rates and then it's Visa. Amex is more expensive than both. I'm unsure how discover compares. Amex also isn't upfront about their conversion rates.
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There is not a lookup tool, but they use the interbank rate - same as Visa and Mastercard. Payment networks don't markup the interbank exchange rates for customer transactions. From your card member agreement: If you make a charge in a foreign currency, AE Exposure Management Ltd. ("AEEML") will convert it into U.S. dollars on the date we or our agents process it, so that we bill you for the charge in U.S. dollars based upon this conversion. Unless a particular rate is required by law, AEEML will choose a conversion rate that is acceptable to us for that date. The rate AEEML uses is no more than the highest official rate published by a government agency or the highest interbank rate AEEML identifies from customary banking sources on the conversion date or the prior business day. This rate may differ from rates that are in effect on the date of your charge. We will bill charges converted by establishments (such as airlines) at the rates they use
Wise
wise.com › gb › blog › amex-currency-exchange-rates
Amex Currency Exchange Rates UK - Wise
July 27, 2023 - If you have an Amex credit card, you can usually log into the smartphone app you use to manage the card to check exchange rates. You can also sign into your online account, and use the Foreign Transaction Calculator to check the true cost of your payment.
American Express
americanexpress.com › ca › en › customer-service › faq.what-are-the-exchange-rates-and-foreign-transaction-fees-for-out-of-country-charges.html
What are the exchange rates and foreign transaction fees for out of country charges?
If you make a charge in a currency other than Canadian dollars that charge will be converted into Canadian dollars. Please refer to your Cardmember Agreement for specific details regarding charges made in foreign currencies.
American Express
americanexpress.com › support center › foreign exchange terms and tools › foreign currency vs us dollar payments
Sending Payments Overseas: Foreign Currency or US Dollar Payments | American Express
TIP : Your options may vary, depending on whether your foreign beneficiary is invoicing you in U.S. Dollars or foreign currency. Asking for invoices in both currencies may help you to weigh your payment options. Access Live FX Rates FX International Payments provides users with a secure online transaction platform to view and purchase currency at a live FX rate.
American Express
americanexpress.com › us › business › foreign-exchange › customer-support › faq
About AMEX Foreign Exchange & International Payments
When you are creating a payment using our online platform, we display the fee that we will charge you and the exchange rate that we are offering you. We make money from the purchase and sale of foreign exchange. There are many factors that may influence the fees and the exchange rates that we offer you, including but not limited to market volatility, currency pairs, and transaction size.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/amex › foreign transaction rate
Foreign transaction rate : r/amex
January 6, 2024 - In addition to folks noting the miniscule differences between them (and mastercard does the same thing with amex waiting until the charge settles), amex actually bans dynamic currency conversion on their network, which is useful abroad when merchants try to upsell on the conversion rate ... I wish I saw this earlier. I bought an gift for my parents in Japan and I thought AMEX was the go to card for these international transactions. A week later, my posted transaction is 1500 higher than my actual transaction (pending amount). I purchased the item when the exchange rate happens to be the lowest but a day later it shot up by a lot.
Exiap
exiap.com › home › guides › american express foreign transaction fees [2025 guide]
American Express Foreign Transaction Fees [2026 Guide] - Exiap
February 28, 2025 - Are you planning a trip overseas or shopping online with your American Express card? In this guide, we covered fees, limits, withdrawals and alternatives.
WalletHub
wallethub.com › popular credit card questions
2025 American Express Platinum Card® Exchange Rate
November 24, 2025 - The Platinum Card® exchange rate is American Express’s exchange rate on the date you make an international purchase. American Express exchange rates change on a daily basis, but they do not make their exchange rates public. The rates do tend to be quite low, however. Platinum Card® does not charge foreign transaction fees, unlike most other cards.
WalletHub
wallethub.com › popular credit card questions
2026 Amex Gold Card Exchange Rate
November 24, 2025 - American Express exchange rates change on a daily basis, but they do not make their exchange rates public. The rates do tend to be quite low, however. Amex Gold Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, unlike most other cards.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/ukpersonalfinance › does amex actually offer better fx rates than other cards? has anyone run the numbers?
r/UKPersonalFinance on Reddit: Does Amex actually offer better FX rates than other cards? Has anyone run the numbers?
February 7, 2024 -
I’ve heard a few times that it’s worth it to use the Amex card overseas because “they give you better FX rates”. Has anyone tried two transactions on an Amex and a Visa/Mastercard on the same day to actually validate if this is true?
Also, if they are better, is the rate difference enough to compensate for the 3% foreign transaction charge, considering that Amex gives you reward points / Avios too?
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edit - I slightly misread your post, I see you're aware of the 3% fee. Visa/Mastercard rate is about 0.4%. There's no way that Amex is better than Visa/Mastercard after their 3% addition. Amex give terrible rates over seas, +2.99% Use this instead https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/
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Had never heard Amex got better rates before.,,,and I have an Amex. Always use Monzo abroad
Upgraded Points
upgradedpoints.com › home › credit cards
Guide to Credit Card Foreign Transaction & Currency Conversion Fees [2025]
September 18, 2025 - Using this information, we compared the rates credit cards are offering to the actual exchange rate in euros on a specific date. ... Based on this quick test, you can see that the markup is extremely minimal. Taking out any other foreign transaction fees you might incur, you generally won’t find a better conversion price than using your card’s exchange rate.