Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Mr He]

Aspire card finally arrived after sitting with HGR Logistics in Sydney for 15 days and going Out For Delivery on three separate occasions..

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Why did it take so long? It generally took DHL just a few days from the US to Australia (see how fast my Amex US-issued artist-designed Platinum card was delivered earlier this year).

 

[sudoer]

Why did it take so long?

Because FedEx ... I won't be making this mistake again!!

 

[http_x92]

Just realised that the Qantas store payments would also count towards the Airline bonus categories (e.g. 7x on the Aspire, 5x on the Platinum etc). Won't expect much use of the Qantas Store apart from the Green Tier promotions though. Haven't tried Qantas Wine yet.

DHL... expensive but quick.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I can see that a majority of people are applying for either the Aspire Hilton, Marriot Bonvoy or Green.

Any thoughts which is more preferable if I hold a plat card in Aus? The Green card definitely seems enticing and I'm not sure whether I'll be able to use the benefits/points from Hilton.

However, it does seem that is one of those cards that are valuable because we can't get a similar card in Aus?

How have people's experience with GT been with multiple cards?

 

[timmy1234]

I can see that a majority of people are applying for either the Aspire Hilton, Marriot Bonvoy or Green.

Any thoughts which is more preferable if I hold a plat card in Aus? The Green card definitely seems enticing and I'm not sure whether I'll be able to use the benefits/points from Hilton.

However, it does seem that is one of those cards that are valuable because we can't get a similar card in Aus?

How have people's experience with GT been with multiple cards?

Each has its pros and cons. It depends upon your situation

If your first goal is to get a FICO Score (Credit score) then the Hilton/Marriott card is the better choice. If you prefer one of the two hotels, then it is easy.
However, If your preference is to transfer ur Oz Plat MR points to the US then the Green card is good. Furthermore, the Annual fee is not that high so you can have it for long to build a credit history.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Each has its pros and cons. It depends upon your situation

If your first goal is to get a FICO Score (Credit score) then the Hilton/Marriott card is the better choice. If you prefer one of the two hotels, then it is easy.
However, If your preference is to transfer ur Oz Plat MR points to the US then the Green card is good. Furthermore, the Annual fee is not that high so you can have it for long to build a credit history.

Good points - My only reason for getting the green card transferring OZ plat MRs and better earn rates for everything. I would most likely use it as my main card if I was approved. Unless there are other things I haven't thought about besides the transfer fees via wise.

Does the Hilton card build a FICO score faster? And are the benefits of building a FICO score so that you can apply for other US cards?

Edit: Does anyone know if Planet Express' addresses will be accepted or only MyUS?

 

[timmy1234]

The green card falls into charge card family and needs a longer time to create a FICO score. This would come in handy for your second card.

I use the green card on public transport to get 3X. If you not in a big rush to get the hotel cards , the green card is a good product for long term hold.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

The green card falls into charge card family and needs a longer time to create a FICO score. This would come in handy for your second card.

I use the green card on public transport to get 3X. If you not in a big rush to get the hotel cards , the green card is a good product for long term hold.

Given how lucrative the current SUBs are I'll most likely go with the aspire to get a FICO score. So I'll need to do the following:

Mailforwarder (MyUS/Planet Express)
Wise Account
US Number (I have a Google Fi account)
Apply via GT
Receive card via Mailforwarder
Forward to Aus

Sound about right? anything I'm missing?

Would there be any issue applying for the green card 3-6 months after the aspire?

 

[Viridis]

Done a quick scan through the thread and a search using a few key words but couldn't find what i was looking for .....

I notice that people have, on occasion, sought multiple US cards following their first Global Transfer

Has anybody sought a second card using GT but from a different country to the first GT - if so, how long between requests?

I have used GT to get the Hilton Aspire but now thinking of reverting to my original plan of getting a BA Avios UK Amex

Any experience with this from anybody?

 

[timmy1234]

Given how lucrative the current SUBs are I'll most likely go with the aspire to get a FICO score. So I'll need to do the following:

Mailforwarder (MyUS/Planet Express)
Wise Account
US Number (I have a Google Fi account)
Apply via GT
Receive card via Mailforwarder
Forward to Aus

Sound about right? anything I'm missing?

Would there be any issue applying for the green card 3-6 months after the aspire?

Looks good. However, If you could get a HSBC Premier card this could enable you to open a US bank account with HSBC enabling it to be used as a backup account.

Ideally, I would recommend you to wait for your FICO score to be updated (6-9 months) before applying for the second card

How much do u pay for the Google Fi Account? I use google voice (Free) since I connected it to my prepaid T mobile SIM

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Looks good. However, If you could get a HSBC Premier card this could enable you to open a US bank account with HSBC enabling it to be used as a backup account.

Ideally, I would recommend you to wait for your FICO score to be updated (6-9 months) before applying for the second card

How much do u pay for the Google Fi Account? I use google voice (Free) since I connected it to my prepaid T mobile SIM

Thanks. Do you know what I would use a backup US account for? Would it be used for transferring funds into the Amex?

I pay $20 USD/m for Google Fi but I normally use it when I travel which saves me from looking for local sims and data deals. It's really for simplicity since it works in many countries and you can pause/resume as you need to. I've linked it to my google voice account so I can just use my google voice number instead of google fi. Getting individual data sims is definitely cheaper if you're only travelling to one country. I don't know how the setup process is now but you used to need to get the sim mailed to a US address which I had but not anymore. Not sure with esims whether it can be done all online.

For your amex card, do you still use your t-mobile # or your google voice #?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

So I just applied and that was frighteningly easy.... Instantly approved no issues there.

I'm going to be in the US next week. Is there any chance I can get them to redirect it somewhere?

 

[DC3]

... Is there any chance I can get them to redirect it somewhere?

Aspire? Anyway, Amex will re-issue a new card to another address, upon request, after 10 days. Is that what you meant by ‘them to redirect it’?

Edited

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Aspire? Anyway, Amex will re-issue a new card to another address, upon request, after 10 days.

Aspire indeed. Shame. Was hoping that I might be able to use it while I was there. Unless I can get it to Aus by Saturday which I doubt!

I'll be in NYC on day 11. Wonder if they could overnight it? I guess it would be a pain when I call up cause they'll need to verify my ID and I won't be able to easily?

Edit: @DC3 - I was hoping they can redirect the original send out to another address in the US but based on what you've said I dont think that's possible.

 

[DC3]

Aspire indeed. Shame. Was hoping that I might be able to use it while I was there. Unless I can get it to Aus by Saturday which I doubt!

I'll be in NYC on day 11. Wonder if they could overnight it? I guess it would be a pain when I call up cause they'll need to verify my ID and I won't be able to easily?

It should be ‘overnight’ delivery within the US. Maybe allow an extra day.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

It should be ‘overnight’ delivery within the US. Maybe allow an extra day.

Any chance it can be done over chat instead of phoning up?

 

[http_x92]

Aspire indeed. Shame. Was hoping that I might be able to use it while I was there. Unless I can get it to Aus by Saturday which I doubt!

I'll be in NYC on day 11. Wonder if they could overnight it? I guess it would be a pain when I call up cause they'll need to verify my ID and I won't be able to easily?

Edit: @DC3 - I was hoping they can redirect the original send out to another address in the US but based on what you've said I dont think that's possible.

I think there is a chance you could change the myUS address you set to the place you are staying at if you used that service. If you used DHL and its within the US it should be extremely fast. Haven't tried that method yet though.

 

[DC3]

Who is your mail forwarder? If it’s MyUS, they are currently working their way through a ‘service outage’ (‘cybercrime’, they called it in recent emails to customers)

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Who is your mail forwarder? If it’s MyUS, they are currently working their way through a ‘service outage’ (‘cybercrime’, they called it in recent emails to customers)

I went with Planet Express (they used to be part of Shipito and they also do USPS mail forwarding). I might get them to forward on to somewhere in the US and that might be cheaper. Otherwise I wonder if they're open on Sunday as I'll be in LA.

I think there is a chance you could change the myUS address you set to the place you are staying at if you used that service. If you used DHL and its within the US it should be extremely fast. Haven't tried that method yet though.

Do you mean change on the AMEX login before they send it out? I've tried but it doesn't look like I have access to it yet.

 

[http_x92]

Do you mean change on the AMEX login before they send it out? I've tried but it doesn't look like I have access to it yet.

Oh I meant on myUS. Looks like since you have done it with Shipito, and I havent tried that service before.