Strategy to obtain US Amex

[albyd]

How do you justify all the annual fees? I got the Base Bonvoy card more as an 'experiment' but with the exchange rate where it is, I'll only be transferring to Bonvoy via Australia MR (it's a poor use for points so I might not). The Green Charge isn't as flashy as the premium cards but ticks the boxes and has good earn with modest annual fee. I also think the Green Charge will be a better general purpose card. But for the FX risk, I'd cancel my Australian cards or at least downgrade them. 0.69 US MR/FF per $A1 non travel or dining spend - will need to give it some thought.

Assuming you've got US Amex cards 2-6 off your own steam, do you have a US business or income? I don't have any business in the US and am using the postal service you've recommended. How hard is it to add US Amex cards?

I'm looking at getting an ITIN as I can't get a SSN - any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[tlam]

I'm looking at getting an ITIN as I can't get a SSN - any pointers would be appreciated.

I am literally just sendIng the W7 to IRS in the states, just google W7 form and you need to fill the form and send it back to them to apply ITIN.

 

[jasonfungsing]

How do you justify all the annual fees? I got the Base Bonvoy card more as an 'experiment' but with the exchange rate where it is, I'll only be transferring to Bonvoy via Australia MR (it's a poor use for points so I might not). The Green Charge isn't as flashy as the premium cards but ticks the boxes and has good earn with modest annual fee. I also think the Green Charge will be a better general purpose card. But for the FX risk, I'd cancel my Australian cards or at least downgrade them. 0.69 US MR/FF per $A1 non travel or dining spend - will need to give it some thought.

Assuming you've got US Amex cards 2-6 off your own steam, do you have a US business or income? I don't have any business in the US and am using the postal service you've recommended. How hard is it to add US Amex cards?

I'm looking at getting an ITIN as I can't get a SSN - any pointers would be appreciated.

It really depends on what cards you are getting and your spending habit. I didn't get the base bonvoy card as it doesn't add value in my case. However, I did get the Green Card as the 3X for travel.

For income, you can just provide the number you earn in Australia. They never check with me. They have this concept of the overseas customer, which does not have SSN or ITIN, I guess when they want to verify income, as long as I can provide my PAYG or payslip, should be fine.

 

[foggy]

will you still get sign up bonuses on each new card you apply for? or is it like AU where it is only the first card?

 

[jasonfungsing]

will you still get sign up bonuses on each new card you apply for? or is it like AU where it is only the first card?

It's a lifetime rule. Per card, per person, one SUB.

 

[Isochronous]

How do you justify all the annual fees? I got the Base Bonvoy card more as an 'experiment' but with the exchange rate where it is, I'll only be transferring to Bonvoy via Australia MR (it's a poor use for points so I might not). The Green Charge isn't as flashy as the premium cards but ticks the boxes and has good earn with modest annual fee. I also think the Green Charge will be a better general purpose card. But for the FX risk, I'd cancel my Australian cards or at least downgrade them. 0.69 US MR/FF per $A1 non travel or dining spend - will need to give it some thought.

Assuming you've got US Amex cards 2-6 off your own steam, do you have a US business or income? I don't have any business in the US and am using the postal service you've recommended. How hard is it to add US Amex cards?

I'm looking at getting an ITIN as I can't get a SSN - any pointers would be appreciated.

Think about the Bonvoy Brilliant - US$450 annual fee:

US$300 statement credit at Marriotts worldwide p.a.
15 Elite Nights
1 free Category 5 redemption night
US$100 spending credit on all bookings at St Regis or Ritz Carlton

So from my perspective this card pays for itself.

 

[albyd]

It really depends on what cards you are getting and your spending habit. I didn't get the base bonvoy card as it doesn't add value in my case. However, I did get the Green Card as the 3X for travel.

For income, you can just provide the number you earn in Australia. They never check with me. They have this concept of the overseas customer, which does not have SSN or ITIN, I guess when they want to verify income, as long as I can provide my PAYG or payslip, should be fine.

Thanks jasonfungsing - do you just call them up and do the application over the phone? I now have a credit score - have just downloaded the W7 docs to get an ITIN and made an appointment with the consulate in a few weeks' time so they can "notarize" my passport before I post it to the IRS.

 

[JFi]

I believe AE have changed their Global Transfer application process for US cards. I finally decided to get one last week but getting stuck as I don't have a US number...BUT they now allow you to apply with your Australian credit score so you don't need a SSN anymore. There's a check box above where you enter the SSN and if you have a credit score in UK, India, Mexico, Canada or Australia then you can use that instead.

Now all I need is to find a US number as I was trying to get a Google Voice number and that still requires a US number to send a verify code...

 

[QF_Flyer]

Just found this thread, I'd actually been reading something similar on redflagdeals (Canadian site). Anyway, I recently applied for the HH Aspire, using the Nova credit thing it pulled my Aussie history, ticked the box for no SSN and used my passport. All was well, card approved and open instantly.

However, I'm kind of stuck now - every time I call Amex US, they can't/won't do anything because they 'can't verify my identity' without a SSN. Any ideas on how to go forward with this? I'm baffled as they used my existing Amex history to verify my ID/history, but now I've got an account I can't do anything with!

The absence of a SSN seems to strike fear into the heart of any operator I speak to. Online chat is pretty useless (well meaning as they may be, they can do precisely nothing, unlike Aussie/UK Amex online chat, which can do pretty much everything).

 

[QF_Flyer]

I believe AE have changed their Global Transfer application process for US cards. I finally decided to get one last week but getting stuck as I don't have a US number...BUT they now allow you to apply with your Australian credit score so you don't need a SSN anymore. There's a check box above where you enter the SSN and if you have a credit score in UK, India, Mexico, Canada or Australia then you can use that instead.

Now all I need is to find a US number as I was trying to get a Google Voice number and that still requires a US number to send a verify code...

You can get a Skype Number for about AU$9 per month if that's any use?

 

[albyd]

Can it receive text verification codes? I've got an app on my iPhone called textplus - works fine but I can't receive text messages from automated systems like the ones which generate the Amex security codes.

 

[QF_Flyer]

Can it receive text verification codes? I've got an app on my iPhone called textplus - works fine but I can't receive text messages from automated systems like the ones which generate the Amex security codes.

Good question - it can receive text messages from normal phones, but I'm not sure about automated systems. I'd have assumed so, but haven't been able to test it myself, I might be wrong.

 

[tlam]

Thanks jasonfungsing - do you just call them up and do the application over the phone? I now have a credit score - have just downloaded the W7 docs to get an ITIN and made an appointment with the consulate in a few weeks' time so they can "notarize" my passport before I post it to the IRS.

When you see the consulate, please ask them if you can apply ssn in Australia and what are the good reasons to answer the question 5 in the ssn application form “Legal Alien Not Allowed To Work”
I’m also thinking to book an appointment with us consulate to apply ssn but not sure about that.

 

[DC3]

.... I think once this ordeal is over I will definitely seek out my relos for their mailing address. The thing is would AMEX get suspicious if I change my address so soon? ....

Having followed the saga, and what you had to go through, would you have an update on how it all worked out, please?

 

[blacksultan]

Good question - it can receive text messages from normal phones, but I'm not sure about automated systems. I'd have assumed so, but haven't been able to test it myself, I might be wrong.

Can it really receive text messages ? I recently read on skype that they can’t from any phone . However you can set up Skype to show your normal mobile no as calling id . So texts come through your regular no if you call someone through Skype

 

[blacksultan]

Having followed the saga, and what you had to go through, would you have an update on how it all worked out, please?

Yes please . Plus 1.

 

[blacksultan]

When you see the consulate, please ask them if you can apply ssn in Australia and what are the good reasons to answer the question 5 in the ssn application form “Legal Alien Not Allowed To Work”
I’m also thinking to book an appointment with us consulate to apply ssn but not sure about that.

There is some info online in this forum or elsewhere . There is an ssn substitute you can apply for but it costs .

 

[tlam]

There is some info online in this forum or elsewhere . There is an ssn substitute you can apply for but it costs .

I can’t find, can you help me with the info? I can pay, it is not a big deal to me. Thanks

 

[QF_Flyer]

Can it really receive text messages ? I recently read on skype that they can’t from any phone . However you can set up Skype to show your normal mobile no as calling id . So texts come through your regular no if you call someone through Skype

Definitely can, I tried it first from my normal Aus phone, which worked fine, then tried it again from a web SMS provider (globfone.com) just to see if it was only working because I was sending it from the same phone as the Skype app was installed on, and it came through.

Here’s the Skype support link which confirms it actually, US numbers only, but that‘s no drama for this purpose:

How do I receive SMS text messages in Skype? - Microsoft Support

How do I receive SMS text messages in Skype?

support.skype.com

 

[albyd]

Can it receive texts from automated services such as the 2 Factor Authentication services which banks and financial institutions use to send 'secure' verification codes? I've not been able to receive any of Amex's verification texts on Text Plus - its does receive texts from and send texts to 'normal' mobiles.