Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Grrr]

Yes I have activated two cards. Call them and they should be able to sort itout.

Do they ask about you being overseas ? There are a few threads on Reddit where people have been told the answer was to fly back to the US and activate the card there !!!

 

[zainman]

Do they ask about you being overseas ? There are a few threads on Reddit where people have been told the answer was to fly back to the US and activate the card there !!!

Didn’t ask me no

 

[Finale]

Has anyone added a Cap1 card to Apple Pay ?

When I try from iOS Wallet, it adds, but then verification options are the Cap1 App and a phone number. The phone number just has a recorded message saying "follow instructions on the app" (!)

The App fails to verify, saying "We cannot activate your card at this time"

I've tried doing it when my phone is on a US VPN and it didn't make any difference...

I had this issue with Google Wallet. The first time I called and sorted it out on the phone but had to be transferred a few times I think. Same issue on the new phone, this time it worked by using Tailscale for IP, disabling the Australian SIM, keeping T-Mobile sim on, and turning off private DNS and location. Using just Tailscale didn't work. One or more of those things with US IP will help so other VPNs might be ok.

 

[Grrr]

using Tailscale for IP

Do you have family/friend with a residential endpoint in the US that you use for this ?

 

[Finale]

Do you have family/friend with a residential endpoint in the US that you use for this ?

Yes, a friend set it up for me on her raspberry pi (a bit more complicated). I did it myself on a few locations using Wyse thin clients. Pretty cool for sharing Netflix and other things

Originally I set it up to access files on my home network and as a VPN when traveling. It's even more useful now. Amex Plat gives Walmart+and that gives Paramount+ too and US account won't work in Australia or on VPN. Disney+ is a bit better. You can't signup/change package using VPN but once you have an account, it works in Australia.

 

[Grrr]

Using just Tailscale didn't work. One or more of those things with US IP will help so other VPNs might be ok.

Ok managed to get it to work with just a standard US wireguard VPN (Surfshark trial) on wifi with all sims off (airplane mode)

Key step was to delete the earlier unverified card from iOS wallet, and re-add it when using the US IP address

I think the unique device id created for the card must have a location code in it - hence if created in Au it would fail to verify regardless when on a US address later

 

[DAC1]

I have been very grateful for this thread. Have now read most of it and have started my journey by applying for an ITIN, setting up a Tello number (thanks to a referral from here), finding a friend who has an address I can borrow and setting up HSBC, Wise and US Global Mail accounts. Once I get a HSBC statement, I’ll do my first Amex GT.

Will probably go for Gold as first card. I can’t see myself dedicating enough time to churning many so would rather focus on cards that balance SUBs, bonus earn categories and ability to transfer Australian MRs. Will aim for another Amex (probably one of the Hiltons) in the first 12 months and then hopefully move onto to a Chase card or two within 15-18 months once I hopefully have some history (which will probably take more time given I’m starting with a charge).

For now, I had two questions.

For anyone who has a US HSBC account. Has HSBC actually been levying the $50 monthly maintenance fees? There was one DP suggesting they had not been but nothing beyond that. Or are people transferring in $5k a month to turn off the fee?

Secondly, is it possible to do a GT using the Resy Gold offer? Or only on the basic Gold?

 

[albyd]

or anyone who has a US HSBC account. Has HSBC actually been levying the $50 monthly maintenance fees? There was one DP suggesting they had not been but nothing beyond that. Or are people transferring in $5k a month to turn off the fee?

I've had the US HSBC account for ages. I'm Premier in AU so I could open that one up (and I did it before HSBC jettisoned their US operation) and they haven't charged me that I've noticed. I think for as long as HSBC AU is a "thing", I'd just keep using the $A9K/month workaround. I think over time, once you get your ITIN, you'll be able to open checking accounts with other banks and then let the HSBC one go and you'll have a US bank account. YMMV.

 

[albyd]

re the bonus for Checking account, I got mine from Citi and I paid into that account from Revolut. Transferring from my Amex US Checking account didn't qualify for the bonus with Chase, they need it to be an income payment. I've tagged a deposit I've made as "Salary" via revolut. Hopefully that will trigger. Otherwise, I'm all out of ideas - unless there is another way to do it. $US300 is ok. Citi was $US325 but could get up to $US2K if you put heaps of money in. Shame I can't meet those requirements. Looks like the currency gain in hindsight would have been worth it for those who have access to that kind of cash to risk the currency movements for a few months. YMMV.

Just circling back on this. My Chase bonus has been credited. I made a deposit via Revolut tagged "Payroll" which seemed to work.

I'm keen to try out Wise. They appear to have blocked me as I can't set up an account and support hasn't been much help. Any experiences on this forum with Wise and how I might get this issue repaired? TIA.

 

[prozac]

Just circling back on this. My Chase bonus has been credited. I made a deposit via Revolut tagged "Payroll" which seemed to work.

I'm keen to try out Wise. They appear to have blocked me as I can't set up an account and support hasn't been much help. Any experiences on this forum with Wise and how I might get this issue repaired? TIA.

First Chase? What did you go with, why?

 

[blacksultan]

DP here for fellow tight-cough...

I missed out on the bargain priced Maza, and couldn't justify spending ~$400 on an agent (and also didn't like the idea of sending copies of my passport etc to a random person on the internet)

I filled out a W7 and 1040NR from the IRS website (declared $85 gambling income).

After receiving confirmation that they would do it (via email) from the Passport Office, I took my passport in and had certified copies made (no appointment required) for free. A surprisingly painless procedure for a government interaction.

I mailed my W7,1040NR and certified passport copy via standard mail (~$4) on 14/10.

The certified copies were returned to my US address on 19/11, and my ITIN arrived there on 27/11

Hou , what email address did you contact then via ?

 

[albyd]

First Chase? What did you go with, why?

Yeah, my first Chase. I'm trying to get into the Chase UR ecosystem. I'll look to get an Ink card in the next year or so.

I can't get the C1 cards (or maybe I keep trying for the wrong one - I'm trying for the Venture) and either can't satisfy the US government issued ID requirement or I'm declined (most recently). I would like a 2x everywhere card with no FX fees (even though with the $A being so weak, that works out to 1.26x AU spend which is about as god as an Amex Centurion will get without the AF or the acceptance issues as it's a Visa. I'm encouraged by reports on here that others have succeeded with C1. Can I please ask, which cards are you guys going for with C1?

 

[blacksultan]

Yeah, my first Chase. I'm trying to get into the Chase UR ecosystem. I'll look to get an Ink card in the next year or so.

I can't get the C1 cards (or maybe I keep trying for the wrong one - I'm trying for the Venture) and either can't satisfy the US government issued ID requirement or I'm declined (most recently). I would like a 2x everywhere card with no FX fees (even though with the $A being so weak, that works out to 1.26x AU spend which is about as god as an Amex Centurion will get without the AF or the acceptance issues as it's a Visa. I'm encouraged by reports on here that others have succeeded with C1. Can I please ask, which cards are you guys going for with C1?

I got the venture but could not satisfy the US ID requirement .

 

[prozac]

Yeah, my first Chase. I'm trying to get into the Chase UR ecosystem. I'll look to get an Ink card in the next year or so.

I can't get the C1 cards (or maybe I keep trying for the wrong one - I'm trying for the Venture) and either can't satisfy the US government issued ID requirement or I'm declined (most recently). I would like a 2x everywhere card with no FX fees (even though with the $A being so weak, that works out to 1.26x AU spend which is about as god as an Amex Centurion will get without the AF or the acceptance issues as it's a Visa. I'm encouraged by reports on here that others have succeeded with C1. Can I please ask, which cards are you guys going for with C1?

I have read articles that talk about starting low and working up the card chain. Trying to remember is it because you cannot go back down in grade? Anyway @albyd , I am also interested in what other's experience and what they have to recommend?

 

[albyd]

I have read articles that talk about starting low and working up the card chain. Trying to remember is it because you cannot go back down in grade? Anyway @albyd , I am also interested in what other's experience and what they have to recommend?

Thanks prozac. Looks like similar rules about moving up and down the chain as for AMEX also apply to C1. Having said that, there's only so many reward programs one can follow unless one has limitless spending (I'm not there by any means) to "feed" all the cards. I think I'll bid my time with CSP, then go for Ink preferred since it has no FX fees.

I think I need to give C1 a break - though will call in the next few days to see if I can challenge my recent decline and get to "yes". I'll update the thread here with my experience if I get through. The Agent who took my application over the phone said it was worth trying again as randomly they might not ask for the same requirements as last time. I should've listened to my gut and left it alone.

 

[N0mad]

Just got my AU Plat card approved and i guess waiting out the 3 months before doing a GT. Is there any value in applying for an ITIN now?

edit: i should note i already have HSBC US, US Global mail and Tello set up

 

[Grrr]

For those that have done an address verification via a 3 way call with eg HSBC and Amex, how does this work in practice ?

Does Amex set the call up and ring their own list of numbers, or are we supposed to provide a relationship manager/banker contact ?

 

[GDale]

For those that have done an address verification via a 3 way call with eg HSBC and Amex, how does this work in practice ?

Does Amex set the call up and ring their own list of numbers, or are we supposed to provide a relationship manager/banker contact ?

Yep my experience is you nominate the bank, they'll put you on hold and call the bank themselves (no idea what number they use), and when you're next taken off hold, they'll have an agent from the other bank on the phone all briefed up and ready to take your account number/verify your identity.

 

[kpc]

For those that have done an address verification via a 3 way call with eg HSBC and Amex, how does this work in practice ?

Does Amex set the call up and ring their own list of numbers, or are we supposed to provide a relationship manager/banker contact ?

Thank God I didn't have to do this last month when I applied for my US Amex...I was prepared but pleasantly surprised when didn't have to do address verification.

 

[Grrr]

they'll have an agent from the other bank on the phone all briefed up and ready to take your account number/verify your identity.

Thanks; I presume you had changed both your physical and mailing addresses to a US address ?