AAdvantage VS. QFF

[gracekelly]

You know, I don't know. I am a US native who has lived in Australia for 20 years, and am a bit hazy on current practice. But there are lots of expats/foreign workers, so I wouldn't think so. I think you would just need a lot of ID - so easier once you have been there and have an address, etc. and again - the joy of a debit card - small risk for the bank.

 

[Shano]

The VISA Debit idea sounds good.... But I have heard varying reports that you need a 'social security number' to open a U.S bank account. Is that true? (non-'frequent flyer' question)

I was working in California for about 6 months in 1996 and needed a bank acount to cash/deposit per diem cheques being sent from our Pittsburgh office.

My lack of a social security # was initially a problem, but in the end the bank just made one up for me and the account was created.

My brother-in-law was also based in the US for twelve months with the Air Force in the mid 90's. He was telling me he also got around this by giving the bank a number that started with 0, telling them that the 0 was a unique code for Australian defence personnel. The banks at the time obviously do not check the validity of the social security numbers. As these were some time ago I am not sure of current practices

 

[alect]

I was working in California for about 6 months in 1996 and needed a bank acount to cash/deposit per diem cheques being sent from our Pittsburgh office.

My lack of a social security # was initially a problem, but in the end the bank just made one up for me and the account was created.

My brother-in-law was also based in the US for twelve months with the Air Force in the mid 90's. He was telling me he also got around this by giving the bank a number that started with 0, telling them that the 0 was a unique code for Australian defence personnel. The banks at the time obviously do not check the validity of the social security numbers. As these were some time ago I am not sure of current practices

Unique to Australia though probably not unique to Australian Defense personnel. My social security number starts with 0 and some people have commented since they don't usually see those. I didn't realise it was unique (I assume just generated randomly or re-using old unused numbers) until I read your post.

 

[Shano]

I was working in California for about 6 months in 1996 and needed a bank acount to cash/deposit per diem cheques being sent from our Pittsburgh office.

My lack of a social security # was initially a problem, but in the end the bank just made one up for me and the account was created.

My brother-in-law was also based in the US for twelve months with the Air Force in the mid 90's. He was telling me he also got around this by giving the bank a number that started with 0, telling them that the 0 was a unique code for Australian defence personnel. The banks at the time obviously do not check the validity of the social security numbers. As these were some time ago I am not sure of current practices.

Unique to Australia though probably not unique to Australian Defense personnel. My social security number starts with 0 and some people have commented since they don't usually see those. I didn't realise it was unique (I assume just generated randomly or re-using old unused numbers) until I read your post.

That's interesting. My BIL had been told at the time that no social security numbers in the US started with a 0, therefore he made up a random 9 digit number starting with 0 using the defense personnel story....

This was in the early 90's. Things may have changed or my BIL's story might be a load of cr@p ....

 

[Lonely Flyer]

The VISA Debit idea sounds good.... But I have heard varying reports that you need a 'social security number' to open a U.S bank account. Is that true? (non-'frequent flyer' question)

Not with Bank of America who are criticised for giving credit cards to illegals