Requirements for a US Credit Card?

[smit0847]

The AFFer we get together with in Los Angeles incorporated a Comany in a low tax state then it employed him and his Social Security number issued and he has credit cards and of course the mandatory Ford Mustang. It took a while but this has worked out well for his patience.
He loves Costco fuel and Costco shopping so much he has moved closer to that big box store.

Wow - this is getting more and more clever. Is he a US citizen? I assume you can't open organise this outside the country?

I know churners in the US (who are eligible to apply for normal US CCs) can incorporate a company in their own name (just like getting an ABN here - very easy) and then 'double dip' by getting CCs in both their own names and their business names....

 

[bunyah]

Don't know about Credit Unions, but the full US Banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase) will open accounts for you.

 

[bunyah]

No, I'm Australian citizen. You have to actually attend the branch, with passport, ID, to open account. I use hotel street address for US address (though you can change this on-line at will). I return to same Mum & Pop hotel for a few nights each year, where they know me and hold/forward mail.

 

[cove]

Smit0847 my AFF friend is an Australian from Melbourne. He has succeeded in getting a SS number,then a credit card,then the Mustang. All good for him. He incorporated in a tax free State which gets more than chilly but works from the west coast.
i have CCs from US Bank, Amex Premier Rewards and Nordstrom and we bank with US Bank. Our US Bank branch staff have been quite lovely to us and the branch is inside a Ralph's supermarket in Marina Del Rey (about 12 minutes from LAX).

 

[kempvet]

Do you mean you approach the credit unions for debit cards or credit cards? Do credit union credit cards offer big sign-on bonuses?

getting a credit score in the US is a staging process, it is easier to get a credit card (not debit card) with a credit union than a bank, after about 6 months of use of the credit union credit card, the floodgates open and then the real access to the sign on deals with the banks credit cards become available, the credit unions do not really offer anything regarding airline points etc, probably this is why it is easier to get them in the first place

 

[legroom]

Opened a Bank of America cheque account approx 4 yrs ago, with debit card attached. Maintained a balance of approx $1,500 during that time, and used debit card for booking hotel accomodation, etcc on annual trip to USA.

On recent visit May '13 went into Bank of America branch pointing out I've been customer past 3/4yrs, and would now like a credit card. They sent off application for me from branch and 2 weeks later I have a Bank of America Credit Card (Bank Americard/Cash Rewards/ Visa/ etccc). Limit of only $2,500, but assume that will increase as time goes on and I establish my credit worthiness.

Interesting !

I am in a similar situation.

I may apply for a BoA CC next time I am there.

Good tip !

Any branch or does it have to be where you opened you cheque AC ?

 

[scheps]

the discover card is actually pretty good, depending on what you use it for.

 

[kempvet]

Interesting !

I am in a similar situation.

I may apply for a BoA CC next time I am there.

Good tip !

Any branch or does it have to be where you opened you cheque AC ?

Banks will often do this sort of thing after some time with a debit card (three to four years) by simply eye balling the account over time, almost always it is a decision made within the branch, as it has nothing to do with the credit reporting system, but the ultimate goal of a credit card, and airline points can be achieved. If you can get an ITIN somehow, the wait is only six months for a credit card (using a secured credit card first to get a credit score).