Strategy to obtain US Amex

[joakgarp]

Gv is tricky to get to work but once you get it to work it's very good, easy and totally free.

 

[tlam]

Gv is tricky to get to work but once you get it to work it's very good, easy and totally free.

Yeah, I am still using it and working well, just needed to activate it in the US.

 

[leyy]

To all contributors, thank you for all the assistance and content.

I have just applied for my first USA Amex card through GT for the Hilton Aspire Card, I have been an existing card over for 10 years in AU.

Received an instant approval with a $10K limit and have set up my online account.

Only verification needed was the 4 digit code on the front of the Amex AU card.

I used MyUS for address and Textnow (but was not required).

Now to wait for the card to be received at MyUS.

Next two cards on the list: Green AMEX and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.

Any tips on how to get the Green Amex? Can this be shipped to MyUS as it is not a premium card and may only be mail? Also how long should I wait before applying for the next card.

Thanks everyone, I will post another update when I receive the actual card.

Also need to work out best way to pay US Amex bill.


Cheers

 

[Yoey]

To all contributors, thank you for all the assistance and content.

I have just applied for my first USA Amex card through GT for the Hilton Aspire Card, I have been an existing card over for 10 years in AU.

Received an instant approval with a $10K limit and have set up my online account.

Only verification needed was the 4 digit code on the front of the Amex AU card.

I used MyUS for address and Textnow (but was not required).

Now to wait for the card to be received at MyUS.

Next two cards on the list: Green AMEX and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.

Any tips on how to get the Green Amex? Can this be shipped to MyUS as it is not a premium card and may only be mail? Also how long should I wait before applying for the next card.

Thanks everyone, I will post another update when I receive the actual card.

Also need to work out best way to pay US Amex bill.


Cheers

If you find an easy way to do this please let me know
Waiting for my 3 months so i can apply for the global transfer

 

[timmy1234]

I got the same issue back in last year.

They told me they will send me a letter, I said no I can provide you my other mobile phone so you can send the verification code. Then, the lady was ok with my other mobile number which is a GV number. Then, she immediately called this number to verify, lucky I was able to receive the phone call. And, she verified me and helped me to add the card to apple wallet.

2 days later, I tried to add the same card to my wife phone and I got the same issue. Called the same number again and she told me that she can’t accept my mobile number because this time the computer generated a different question. She asked that if I have a bank account with Citi, I was lucky again, I got a Citi checking account, she asked the balance, the last credit transaction and finally I got verified. Then, she helped me to add the card again for my wife phone.

So be careful when adding your card to any mobile wallet it may trigger the fraud alert and they have to verify you before you are able to do that.

Hope this helps!

In my case, she sent a text to my GV number and it came as a Voice text i.e. Press 1 to listen to your code. Furthermore, it came late. I should have given her my T mobile number. However, it was turned off on my mobile and my phone would not allow it to be turned on whilst I was on a call with Citi. Thanks for the tip. My mate has still not received the letter. Furthermore, my textnow number got deactivated since I dont use it anymore.
She also asked do I have another credit card with Citi, for which I said no but I have a Citi checking account. It looked like she did not have patience.
Do you suggest I wait for the letter or call again with my mobile turned on. What would be in the letter do you know...just some code. I have some expenses lined up that I want to make to hit the SUB.

 

[pyusha]

Next two cards on the list: Green AMEX and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.

Any tips on how to get the Green Amex? Can this be shipped to MyUS as it is not a premium card and may only be mail? Also how long should I wait before applying for the next card.
Cheers

Once the Green is approved, request them to send the card via Priority Mail. That will ensure it reaches MyUS.
You'll need ITIN before you could apply for the next Amex card. Ideally GT works only the first time, but has worked for couple of them (inlcuding myself) for successive cards. Wouldn't count on that though.

 

[albyd]

My first Amex US card was the SPG (now basic Bonvoy) card. I then applied for the Green initially via the website then it got me to login into my Amex US portal to complete the application. They didn’t ask for ITIN or SSN. I recall getting a call from the fraud dept before it was approved. Didn’t receive it at myUS address even though I have an old account which includes the mail option. Got them to post a new one to me in AU as I was ‘traveling’.

Was looking at the Marriott Bonvoy Business card next but will need an ITIn for that one unless there’s another way. Can we get it via GT or only personal cards?

 

[Aussietraveller86]

sorry for this message but on what page of this 127 page thread is there a good summary of the benefits of getting a US Amex card?

I am new so sorry again.

 

[pyusha]

Was looking at the Marriott Bonvoy Business card next but will need an ITIn for that one unless there’s another way. Can we get it via GT or only personal cards?

Unfortunately GT will only work for personal cards. No other way to get business cards

 

[http_x92]

sorry for this message but on what page of this 127 page thread is there a good summary of the benefits of getting a US Amex card?

I am new so sorry again.

The main advantages for hotel chain credit cards:

Hilton Aspire
- Instant Diamond Status which is the highest tier for Hilton
- Counts towards lifetime diamond
- $250 resort credit (Gold Coast for example), $250 airline fee credit
- Free weekend night award even at Conrad/Waldorf Astoria properties

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
- Instant Gold status (middle tier)
- 15 elite night credits which means only 35 nights to get to Platinum which is where the benefits come through
- $300 Marriott Hotel Credit
- Free night but only at select hotels

There are more benefits but these are the main ones.

 

[sudoer]

There are more benefits but these are the main ones.

Do the sign up bonuses apply if you apply through GT?

 

[http_x92]

Do the sign up bonuses apply if you apply through GT?

According to the thread it looks like there is still sign up bonuses.

 

[ithongy]

sorry for this message but on what page of this 127 page thread is there a good summary of the benefits of getting a US Amex card?

I am new so sorry again.

Lower annual fees, better earning ratios on certain cards to Australia & benefits. Factor in FX rates & how to pay your card off before applying & search on Chase 5/24 rule. Chase have really good credit cards.

 

[joakgarp]

I'm having issues with receiving texts to my Google Voice number for safekey. Are you able to receive texts for safekey to your textnow number or is there any other solution? Might need to get one but it looks it will ship to US first and I need to pay 50 usd through my mail forwarder...

Signed up for free Textnow number, registered the number on Amex but not getting Safekey texts either.

 

[Daventry]

Has anyone updated their address on their US HSBC Premier account to one in the USA?

I have because I wanted to have a bank statement with a US address in order to try again to apply for a US Amex card and now they have sent me a letter saying that if I don’t live in the US I have to send them a proof of residence etc… seems like I have messed up…

 

[timmy1234]

In my case, she sent a text to my GV number and it came as a Voice text i.e. Press 1 to listen to your code. Furthermore, it came late. I should have given her my T mobile number. However, it was turned off on my mobile and my phone would not allow it to be turned on whilst I was on a call with Citi. Thanks for the tip. My mate has still not received the letter. Furthermore, my textnow number got deactivated since I dont use it anymore.
She also asked do I have another credit card with Citi, for which I said no but I have a Citi checking account. It looked like she did not have patience.
Do you suggest I wait for the letter or call again with my mobile turned on. What would be in the letter do you know...just some code. I have some expenses lined up that I want to make to hit the SUB.

Update: called Citi Fraud today - My mate has not received the letter with the ref code to activate my card. On the system it says it was sent on the 20 Jan using regular mail. It is nearly 2 weeks.

 

[timmy1234]

I'm having issues with receiving texts to my Google Voice number for safekey. Are you able to receive texts for safekey to your textnow number or is there any other solution? Might need to get one but it looks it will ship to US first and I need to pay 50 usd through my mail forwarder...

Signed up for free Textnow number, registered the number on Amex but not getting Safekey texts either.

I wont be surprised, you can only receive the txt on post paid numbers. Thats the challenge I had with Citi and Chase Fraud text. I could not receive it on Textnow nor Google Voice nor T mobile Prepaid

 

[timmy1234]

Has anyone updated their address on their US HSBC Premier account to one in the USA?

I have because I wanted to have a bank statement with a US address in order to try again to apply for a US Amex card and now they have sent me a letter saying that if I don’t live in the US I have to send them a proof of residence etc… seems like I have messed up…

Sorry No. I have kept my Oz Address. I do have a citi checking account with a US address

 

[ForestZ]

Has anyone updated their address on their US HSBC Premier account to one in the USA?

I have because I wanted to have a bank statement with a US address in order to try again to apply for a US Amex card and now they have sent me a letter saying that if I don’t live in the US I have to send them a proof of residence etc… seems like I have messed up…

I did that online. It showed the new US address immediately. notification from HSBC indicated they will update the system within a few days.

 

[DC3]

Update: called Citi Fraud today - My mate has not received the letter with the ref code to activate my card. On the system it says it was sent on the 20 Jan using regular mail. It is nearly 2 weeks.

So, delivery by the United States Postsl Service? Maybe too soon yet.