Personally I think http://www.xe.com/fx/ is the way to go when transferring funds. It's very simple and their exchange rates are extremely good.

I have read here about the benefits of having Amex in the UK (to transfer credit history) just wondering if it works vice versa? If you have great credit here and have an Amex card then decide to move back would you have good credit in the UK?

Yes - According to their web page

The Lloyds duo is the one I have - Amex tell me I can get a US card if I need to.

I actually had 2 credit cards with $10k limits on within a week of arriving though so Ive not bothered changing over.

i presume u r in usa at the moment- wht card did u have in uk which helped u get the credit card in usa? which cresit cards do u have in usa and how did u get them without a credit history?
thanx

Yeah, I am in the USA.

I got an HSBC Premier account in the US which accounted for one of my cards. it came straight away with a $10k limit. The other is a Diners Card which I got through work. The HSBC Premier account needs minimum payments into the account each month and needs a minimum balance etc and I think they may even charge fees sometimes (I don't pay a fee). It is very good though because they got me a Premier account set up in the UK also and it is free to transfer money between the accounts. I also have one guy who I can call/email 24/7 and he deals with everything for me (eg my credit card was being declined because of some security issue with activation, I emailed him and then he sorted it. Saved me a good hour on the phone to call centres!).

i think this is an exception case- not every one is this fortunate.

I agree Nadnad. I have good employers. The American express point though is very valid - you have a Duo, you'll get an Amex here.

Actually, just to add, if you join AIG (which I did to get cheaper car insurance - see other threads on here) then they will give you access to a credit card too.

i have a platinum cashback card in uk- will prolly apply for a blue cash card when i am in usa

do u think joining aig is of much value- wht were the key benifits that u have found?

For me, it is car insurance pure and simple. Quote about 2-300 dollars less than everyone else per 6 months and it's a 400 dollar membership fee for a year. You dont need to renew. You also get a bunch of insurance products free and roadside assistance. I should also have used their mobile phone service but instead I had to lay down a 400 dollar deposit for 12 months with verizon. I have their renter's insurance although that isn't the best in the world, it is a bit cheaper than others'.

The credit card thing is also useful if needed. And they have a free security service thing for ID theft or other secxurity type things which looks quite good - I need to read it poroperly first. Anyway, yes, the value for money was in the car insurance.

do we need to apply for the aig inbound usa- while we are in uk? or better to apply when in usa

I had to do it whilst in the USA because I needed an address and stuff. I did it in the USA because I didn't need it until my car insurance was needed which was a month after I got here. So I think it is probably best to wait til you get here - saves having a period of time where you are paying for membership but don't have the benefits.

RE HSBC

Somewhere in their promotional material I read that you (1) need to be a Premier account and (2) need to have had an account open with them more then 2 years. Then they will grant similar credit facilities.

We are premier customers. I opened my HSBC UK account in Dec 07 (based on info from this site). We applied and got a HSBC US credit card in March 08. Credit limit $6.5K and we are still in the UK. My UK credit limit is twice that amount but its a lot better then starting out with a secured card.

However, from what I have read Amex seems a better option.

looks like american express is THE best