Strategy to obtain US Amex

Hi Everyone - Can I get some advise regarding setting up transfer within IBKR - For Chase and Citi Checking account they asked for Direct Deposit. The options within IBKR were Direct Debit and ACH are those 2 I am wondering which one I should select.

So far - without knowledge before - My transfer from IBKR listed as ACH transactions - but moving forward I would like to have a more knowledgeable set up - So what do you say will satisfy Chase/Citi Direct Deposit please? Direct Debit or ACH?

Thanks in advance. Happy Easter everyone.
 
I Use bank Wire - you get one free withdrawal per month and this is the fastest way (probably safest) but i think it doesnt really matter as all will get there in the end
When I go to set up a withdrawalI get 4 options

1. Wire
2. ACH
3. Transfer to Wise
4. Direct Deposit
 
Anyone with experience on using referral links for your 2nd GT, or using your existing US Amex account to apply for a 2nd card AND being able to use the referrals (without an ITIN)? Thanks!
 
redwoodw said:
Anyone with experience on using referral links for your 2nd GT, or using your existing US Amex account to apply for a 2nd card AND being able to use the referrals (without an ITIN)? Thanks!
Click to expand...
That has never worked for me . Don’t think it’s possible .
Post automatically merged:

Is it possible to apply for your first US card with an ITIN without doing an Amex GT for your first card ?
 
blacksultan said:
That has never worked for me . Don’t think it’s possible .
Post automatically merged:

Is it possible to apply for your first US card with an ITIN without doing an Amex GT for your first card ?
Click to expand...
Yes sort of
You do a Nova Credit Application
Uses ITIN and Australian credit history but no current Amex history
Don’t know if you will get a Amex with no history at all and ITIN - might apply for a credit starter card if can’t get Amex
 
Anyone else got the BofA Premium Rewards Elite? I got it earlier this year before coming back to Aus and I think it pretty easily pays for itself in the first year, despite a fairly eye watering AF ($550). It has a 75k BofA point bonus with $5k spend (fairly easy MS in US), and has PP with restaurants included. Past few days I’ve used this at SYD and MEL, where there are restaurants at each terminal. I guess it’s airport food I wouldn’t be buying anyways but you can use at multiple restaurants and with a guest you’d be able to get $36 x 2 x restaurants visited… PP has terms which say if you use multiple redemptions in one airport visit, the card issuer could charge you - though I haven’t heard of that happening.

The BofA points don’t transfer to partners but you can book air travel and get fixed redemption at 1.2c, which has covered a few international econ flights in Asia and Europe for me. With the min 5k points from SUB spend, you’re getting almost $1000 in airfare credit i think their booking engine uses expedia so not all fares are available.

Edit: Forgot that it also has a $300 incidental travel credit (which can be used to buy AA GCs) and a $150 credit which works for ride share and food delivery. For me that's as good as $450.
 
Last edited:
For those using Planet Express Torrance, how do you know if a bank has sent a credit card? Do they email you that something arrived?
 
Tiki said:
For those using Planet Express Torrance, how do you know if a bank has sent a credit card? Do they email you that something arrived?
Click to expand...
They always email and send a pic of envelope.
They won’t send a pic of card saying it’s now allowed - you know it’s a card then and need to have it. Mailed out .
Post automatically merged:

sqrt() said:
Anyone else got the BofA Premium Rewards Elite? I got it earlier this year before coming back to Aus and I think it pretty easily pays for itself in the first year, despite a fairly eye watering AF ($550). It has a 75k BofA point bonus with $5k spend (fairly easy MS in US), and has PP with restaurants included. Past few days I’ve used this at SYD and MEL, where there are restaurants at each terminal. I guess it’s airport food I wouldn’t be buying anyways but you can use at multiple restaurants and with a guest you’d be able to get $36 x 2 x restaurants visited… PP has terms which say if you use multiple redemptions in one airport visit, the card issuer could charge you - though I haven’t heard of that happening.

The BofA points don’t transfer to partners but you can book air travel and get fixed redemption at 1.2c, which has covered a few international econ flights in Asia and Europe for me. With the min 5k points from SUB spend, you’re getting almost $1000 in airfare credit i think their booking engine uses expedia so not all fares are available.
Click to expand...
Would it easy for non US residents ? You must have been approved for it as you were resident there .
 
sqrt() said:
Anyone else got the BofA Premium Rewards Elite?
Click to expand...
Looks like the benefits is similar to the HSBC elite card. The sub is 60k points. Annual fee is $495. Also comes with priority pass + 2 guests and includes restaurants.

Points can be redeemed on their website for flights and hotels at 1.5c per point.
 
blacksultan said:
They always email and send a pic of envelope.
They won’t send a pic of card saying it’s now allowed - you know it’s a card then and need to have it. Mailed out .
Post automatically merged:


Would it easy for non US residents ? You must have been approved for it as you were resident there .
Click to expand...

Ko0l said:
When you request of a scan of the letter. If there's a card they will decline the request and let you know there's a card.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I am 90% sure they will send the replacement CSP to Australia as that is the mailing address associated with the CSP. But the primary is Torrance so I wasn't sure. No emails from them, nothing showing on the dashboard, It was supposedly expedited. I just don't want to pay for Fedexing from Planet Express. The card is already active in Apple wallet.
 
albyd said:
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.
Click to expand...
I ended up being declined for the Venture Rewards card due to too thin a credit file (I've had a US CC history >10 years now though an ITIN for 18 months). I thought I'd try my hand with a business card (will this count towards my 5/24?) - saw if I was pre-approved. I wanted the Venture X Business (with the huge SUB though eye watering AF) ended up being approved for the Business Spark 2X Miles card though it has 50K SUB and a decent credit limit. I will wait until I get my physical card to get started on the SUB spend. I got all my Chase accounts suspended by using ApplePay for my first attempted transaction. Last time, I got all my accounts Shut down with C1. I've used the same Login as they remembered, and I clicked on it before thinking.

Anything else I need to be mindful of assuming all goes well & I get the card in my hands?
 
Last edited:
albyd said:
I ended up being declined for the Venture Rewards card due to too thin a credit file (I've had a US CC history >10 years now though an ITIN for 18 months). I thought I'd try my hand with a business card (will this count towards my 5/24?) - saw if I was pre-approved. I wanted the Venture X Business (with the huge SUB though eye watering AF) ended up being approved for the Business Spark 2X Miles card though it has 50K SUB and a decent credit limit. I will wait until I get my physical card to get started on the SUB spend. I got all my Chase accounts suspended by using ApplePay for my first attempted transaction. Last time, I got all my accounts Shut down with C1. I've used the same Login as they remembered, and I clicked on it before thinking.

Anything else I need to be mindful of assuming all goes well & I get the card in my hands?
Click to expand...
Good luck
Interesting you have a 10 year history and they consider that thin
Hope all goes well and as @DC3 says hopefully some patience pays off in long run
Post automatically merged:

albyd said:
Is it too early to consider a Chase Ink or am I getting too "greedy"?
Click to expand...
Only one way to know
If they don’t report to personal profiles go for it
 
Any issues paying the Aust ATO with US Amex card? There is a 1.45% surcharge but I need to spend US$6000 in 6 months to get 150K Hilton pts. :)
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.

Recent Posts

Currently Active Users

... and 12 more.
Total: 457 (members: 62, guests: 395)
Back
Top