Strategy to obtain US Amex

[QF_Flyer]

Maybe I’m missing something glaringly obvious, but why is there no mention of AusPost’s Shopmate? Has anyone considered using that?

 

[jasonfungsing]

Maybe I’m missing something glaringly obvious, but why is there no mention of AusPost’s Shopmate? Has anyone considered using that?

they don't forward mail, only package.

 

[QF_Flyer]

they don't forward mail, only package.

Ha, knew it looked too good to be true, too obvious for nobody to have thought of it! Thanks

 

[albyd]

Thank you for posting about this. I’ve been following this thread with interest and am still trying to work out the best way to proceed. The Hilton Aspire card would be useful.

I guess that you already had a U.S.A. (forwarding?) address and have now managed to obtain a phone number that allows for verification sms. My hurdle will be with both at this stage, so am trying to gain from the experience of others.

Edit: It’s a bit concerning that MyUS may not forward credit cards, as I had been looking at using them for USA address purposes and forwarding

I just decided to take the plunge as I was shown an offer of 45K MR (usual sign up is 30K). I got the following message:
Thanks, albyd. We've received your application, but we can't give you a decision right now.

We'll process your application as soon as possible and send you a decision within 14 days.
While we're reviewing your application, please don't submit another application for the American Express® Green Card.

I received an email to the same effect as well.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is this going to be resolved with an approval? My FICO is in the high 700s but don't have a SSN. Have an appointment in a few weeks at the US consulate to "Notarize" my license so I can send it across to the IRS to get an ITIN. Starting to wonder whether I should've waited until I got my ITIN. Logging in via my existing Amex US login for the 'easy' application reduced my sign up bonus to 30K MR.

 

[jasonfungsing]

I just decided to take the plunge as I was shown an offer of 45K MR (usual sign up is 30K). I got the following message:
Thanks, albyd. We've received your application, but we can't give you a decision right now.

We'll process your application as soon as possible and send you a decision within 14 days.
While we're reviewing your application, please don't submit another application for the American Express® Green Card.

I received an email to the same effect as well.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is this going to be resolved with an approval? My FICO is in the high 700s but don't have a SSN. Have an appointment in a few weeks at the US consulate to "Notarize" my license so I can send it across to the IRS to get an ITIN. Starting to wonder whether I should've waited until I got my ITIN. Logging in via my existing Amex US login for the 'easy' application reduced my sign up bonus to 30K MR.

Try to give them a call, I believe you applied without login, so basically they have no idea who you are and what's your history. Call them, like your new application to your existing us amex card, so they know you more.

 

[albyd]

Thanks @jasonfungsing I'll call them tonight - I want to get the 45K MR sign up otherwise not in a hurry since the transport bonus doesn't apply in Australia.

Might they let me do a product transfer to another CC from the Basic Bonvoy card at the same time? I don't want to push it with too many requests at once. Would mean I could get both new cards mailed to me at the same time.

Is there a number you usually call for these applications? I think I should've called them rather than done an online application. These guys onshore US or offshore? I got someone on-shore when I applied for my first card via Global Transfer.

 

[Spazmos]

I just decided to take the plunge as I was shown an offer of 45K MR (usual sign up is 30K). I got the following message:
Thanks, albyd. We've received your application, but we can't give you a decision right now.

We'll process your application as soon as possible and send you a decision within 14 days.
While we're reviewing your application, please don't submit another application for the American Express® Green Card.

I received an email to the same effect as well.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is this going to be resolved with an approval? My FICO is in the high 700s but don't have a SSN. Have an appointment in a few weeks at the US consulate to "Notarize" my license so I can send it across to the IRS to get an ITIN. Starting to wonder whether I should've waited until I got my ITIN. Logging in via my existing Amex US login for the 'easy' application reduced my sign up bonus to 30K MR.

My application wasn't instant either, had that email but slightly different wording for the Aspire card. Took just over 24hrs for an approval email to come through. If you took all the same steps as outlined previously for the global transfer application, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. I reckon give it a day or two and then call if you still haven't heard back from them...

 

[albyd]

Ok will wait and be patient. Guess the whole 30 second approval set my expectations high esp since I have a FICO score. Just need the ITIN now.

 

[albyd]

Just reporting back. Wasn't quite so patient. I called new accounts and they said the hold up was concern it may be a fraudulent application. I got transferred to the high risk team and gave them my passport number and they called me on the US number they had on file for me then he said it needed some more processing from the 'computer'.

After I hung up, I got an email saying to call them. I spoke to someone who asked me if I had a SSN - I confirmed I didn't and had checked the box for no SSN on my application. He came back and it was approved. Got an email too. Waiting to receive it in 7-10 days. Now to qualify for my sign up bonus 45K points. Might call to do a product transfer for my Marriott card as I'm not using that as much as I thought I would but want to keep the Line of Credit.

 

[DC3]

…. Paying off the card was done via wire and I tried a few FX sites and in the end stuck with TorFX ….

Very interesting reading your updates.

With the wire transfer, were you able to make payments directly into the Amex Aspire card account or did you have to set up some sort of intermediary account to enable this? Just trying to grasp how the payments would work.

 

[Spazmos]

Very interesting reading your updates.

With the wire transfer, were you able to make payments directly into the Amex Aspire card account or did you have to set up some sort of intermediary account to enable this? Just trying to grasp how the payments would work.

It's quite simple if you use a FX platform. First of all you got to ask AMEX (via chat) that you want to make repayments to your card via wire transfer and then they will give you all the details of their "intermediary" account e.g bank account number, routing number, branch that you will be sending funds to. When you are entering all the details for the FX you also must specify For Further Credit (FFC) to instructions in the description/recipient reference, which is just your name and amex account number so the receiving end knows where to send the funds after it hits the account. Remember the "intermediary" will charge a fee and it seems to be $20USD per transfer. I haven't figured out a cheaper way to repay the card yet....

 

[DC3]

It's quite simple if you use a FX platform. First of all you got to ask AMEX (via chat) that you want to make repayments to your card via wire transfer and then they will give you all the details of their "intermediary" account e.g bank account number, routing number, branch that you will be sending funds to. When you are entering all the details for the FX you also must specify For Further Credit (FFC) to instructions in the description, which is just your name and amex account number so the receiving end knows where to send the funds after it hits the account. Remember the "intermediary" will charge a fee and it seems to be $20USD per transfer. I haven't figured out a cheaper way to repay the card yet....

Spazmos, thanks for that. Some years ago I had some transactions of USA stocks. It seems like a similar process with the wire transfer, paying from Oz. I wasn’t sure whether it was even possible to pay the AMEX card by wire transfer. The important thing being is to be able to pay it from Australia.

This is the direction that I’m going: Following information provided by Jasonfungsing, yourself and others, I have made a start in the process to obtain the Aspire card. So, in the past few days, the setup of MyUS.com account and setting delivery preferences is complete, as is the payment method. The Textnow (permanent) number has been tested for text and voice to the USA/AUS and the TorFX account is ready to go.

I have a test envelope on its way to the MyUS.com suite so will see if it’s gets through or is rejected by not being a parcel. I will wait on that to see whether a small parcel should be tested (perhaps just buy something in the US). I have nominated UPS (Worldwide Saver), initially, for shipping to see how that works out.

So, once I can see that it is all working as it should I will then apply on-line for the Aspire through Global Transfer, using some great advice that you have provided for that process.

In the end, if it succeeds it will be due to the information that has been provided in this thread, so thanks again.

I intend to come back with a progress report when it is all finished, hopefully within a few weeks.

 

[JFi]

I intend to come back with a progress report when it is all finished, hopefully within a few weeks.

Good luck. I was going to do the same after I get my card but I'm still waiting...tracking suggest it'll be delivered by end of this week.

On that note, I think Spazmos mentioned that the address when Amex sent out the card had the Suite number missing for MyUS. This was also the case for me even though I specifically wrote it in the first line so the whole address was together. They still left out the suite number. I waited after 48 hours of it being delivered to MyUS (you can track delivery on Amex site), then I contacted MyUS on livechat.

I think the guy knew exactly what to do (maybe from everyone doing it here? lol). He found it in the unclaimed deliveries because it had no suite number and he needed an invoice but I told him it was a card and didn't have an invoice. Then he asked for the sender address and I gave him one from the contact page on Amex. He went away and 5 mins later all was done and in my suite. Checking the delivery information, he put in $1 nominal value and sender address unknown. I was then able to straightaway get it shipped.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you. I've set up a XE account so next thing I need is to try out is how to pay.

 

[tlam]

Hi mates,

As promised, I will share some of my experience. I applied for the new Green card through Global transfer and got approved instantly. The card arrived at my US address (relative's address) within 4 days and at my home in Australia 3 days later via DHL express. The attachments are the Amex envelop, scanned the first page, the real card and some of my testing transactions.

I got 3 pts on restaurants, and 1 pt for others, not 3 pts for Woolies, still waiting for other transactions to be posted on my account, including public transport, tolls, ATO, governments, Australia Post and will share the data later.

 

[Spazmos]

I think the guy knew exactly what to do (maybe from everyone doing it here? lol). He found it in the unclaimed deliveries because it had no suite number and he needed an invoice but I told him it was a card and didn't have an invoice. Then he asked for the sender address and I gave him one from the contact page on Amex. He went away and 5 mins later all was done and in my suite. Checking the delivery information, he put in $1 nominal value and sender address unknown. I was then able to straightaway get it shipped.

Haha yes the MyUS guy must have a protocol in place now for this sort of thing, they probably thinking wth are so many amex cards coming thru them. Damn I thought putting the whole address on one line would sort the missing suite number... apparently not. There must be some way to for amex to include the complete address .

 

[Sabot]

I have a US Amex, I even called them from Australia to activate it and have called their service people about it a few times with no problems. It's a work card, not sure if that makes a difference. I only needed my passport number to activate it (they have my AU address).

 

[steveyyf]

want to share my experience with amex hilton aspire
i signed in my aussie amex account and click on change country to US, allowing to use my international amex data, Submitted application and approved instantly. Received the card at my relative's address in US.
I got the pic of it and added to apple wallet but failed. Called US amex and they transfer me to fraud department. Now they said they cannot verify me and asked me to wait for 1-2 days for the email from amex. And then i will need to do notary at US embassy. Now awaiting for the email to arrive.
1. Is my application actually a global transfer application? Should I talk to global transfer team?
2. Reading the experience from jasonfungsing that once providing aussis amex card detail the problem can be solved?

 

[jasonfungsing]

Now they said they cannot verify me and asked me to wait for 1-2 days for the email from amex. And then i will need to do notary at US embassy. Now awaiting for the email to arrive.

Nah, call again, you may get a different answer.

For apple pay experience, officially(as been told by AMEX from different agents), one iPhone can only add 2 Amex cards. But in reality, can add more than that. However, I haven't found out the pattern for that yet. I tried to add one card, it failed, try it the next day, works.

 

[steveyyf]

Nah, call again, you may get a different answer.

For apple pay experience, officially(as been told by AMEX from different agents), one iPhone can only add 2 Amex cards. But in reality, can add more than that. However, I haven't found out the pattern for that yet. I tried to add one card, it failed, try it the next day, works.

called amex again - they can see there some account alert and need me to wait for the email to start the notarisation process. i am still await for the email. they also mentioned that i can do the notarisation online. Hopefully it is the right information.

 

[tlam]

they also mentioned that i can do the notarisation online. Hopefully it is the right information.

You can do the notarisation online with app"Notarize" but the fee is $25 USD.

I got the pic of it and added to apple wallet but failed. Called US amex and they transfer me to fraud department. Now they said they cannot verify me and asked me to wait for 1-2 days for the email from amex.

Did you activate it before adding to Apple Pay? I confirmed the card before adding to apple pay no problems.