Strategy to obtain US Amex
- Thread starter ithongy
- Start date
I recently applied for a Capital1 360 Account online using ITIN and received a message that I needed to call them to provide more information. I called and they could not verify me using textnow paid service so they sent a link to upload passport to the same number which did work and I was able to upload passport instantly. Then the operator came back and said this account could be opened in person at a branch which is obviously no use to me. This was my first time using ITIN so maybe I needed to have applied for another Amex with ITIN first and built some history before applying for this account. There are some success stories further upthread regarding opening a Cap1 checking account but I believe in these instances they had used ITIN to apply for a credit card first.
Good to know, I guess its perhaps safer just to apply for their secured card or another credit card that accepts ITIN with no credit history first. Given I already got 2 AmEx cards.
ayebee
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Hi,
I suggest avoiding Capital One.
I got a Capital One account back in 2014 when I was travelling regularly to US, plus had some US stocks where I needed a local bank.
I never had a credit card, but the debit card was fine.
More recently they have become very "unfriendly" for foreign account holders.
They used to be very good for foreigners, but last year they switched to 2 factor authentication which ONLY relied on having a US cell phone connected to the network. No email. No secondary questions etc. (A bit like Qantas Money stuff up in their early 2FA steps)
That meant for the last year I have not been able to log in to my account as I never got a US phone. The only access I had was to get balance info via phone using IVR.
Late last year they wrote saying that unless I could record a US cell number, they would cancel my account.
My response to that was to pay all my bills here with the US card, until my balance is maybe $5, and I am leaving them with the admin of that.
Ah thats tough.
Do they not accept prepaid simcards? like tmobile or something?
ayebee
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Maybe - didn't look into that.
TBH I am not sure if you need the US phone to be connected (roaming here ?) to receive the SMS for the 2FA code, or just having a US contact number.
In addition to my above rant, they also wanted a US postal address for some reason.
I recall the primary piece of info they initially wanted was a US social security number, but ultimately accepted my passport for their equivalent of "100 points" ID.
I still have contacts in US I could use for address and even phone numbers of trusted friends (where I could be chatting while I log in) but the US account is less important to me now and I cannot be bothered.
So far, my experience with Cap1 has been good. I applied for the account with my ITIN (which was previously used to apply for Amex cards). Had to call in and then upload copy of passport for the account to be verified. Also had their debit card delivered to MyUS via next day delivery request. At times, Cap1 will prompt for MFA, which I have been able to receive on the $3/month prepaid TMobile sim.
ayebee
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good to hear you are doing OK with Capital 1.
I started receiving emails and letters from them late last year advising they were going to close my account due to no US address being provided.
They always had my real address here, and that is where they send replacement cards etc. The lack of a us cell number was not part of the reason to close the account, but was essential to access the account.
Interesting their system only did the MFA at times for you. For me it was every time. I have not been able to log into the account since the middle of last year.
I called them a few times asking how I could transfer money out of the account, and they advised - just log in to your account and use a transfer service. (Irony not detected).
I did explore a few services (like Torfx which had AU operation), but none that I looked at allowed me to "pay" via debit card. It had to be a bank transfer.
I don't really need a US account anymore and would not go to the trouble or even minimal expense of getting a US phone.
So, I just used the debit card here for a few months, paying bills, annual club subscriptions, dinners etc and ran the account down to about $5.
Ironically, last week I received a letter which basically said ... you know how we were going to close your account ? well, we changed our mind, and apologize for the confusion.
So I will keep the account open but unused, on off chance it is handy someday.
In the meantime, they can do all the admin to look after my $5.
Yes having some credit history with ITIN seems important in this context. I should mention I hold 2 Amex Hilton cards both by using GT method around 9 months apart. Received my FICO score in Oct/Nov 21 and ITIN in Feb 22. I'm thinking of applying for Amex Green as my 1st with ITIN followed possibly by Hilton Aspire later this year. At some point I'll need a US checking account for address verification purposes to for chase or citi cards but looks like i'll need to wait until I get the green first.
Came across these websites in various Youtubers' videos on getting pre-approvals offers.
If you got your SSN/ITIN and got a credit score, you should be able to register on these websites to get onto public records.
forms.sagestreamllc.com
(Use a US VPN to view and register.)
By "Opting-In" in these services, you allow banks to run soft pulls on your credit report and send you pre-approval offers.
Disclaimer: I haven't used these cause I don't have my ITIN yet but I hear they work!
If you got your SSN/ITIN and got a credit score, you should be able to register on these websites to get onto public records.
SageStream, LLC
ISP Error - OptOutPrescreen.com
optoutprescreen.com
(Use a US VPN to view and register.)
By "Opting-In" in these services, you allow banks to run soft pulls on your credit report and send you pre-approval offers.
Disclaimer: I haven't used these cause I don't have my ITIN yet but I hear they work!
Last edited:
I use my US HSBC account to pay for them using ACH debit and it works great.
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I've setup Amex AutoPay to debit from my Wise USD account. It works perfectly.
OMG yes. Thank you. I already set that up and forgotten about it.
How did you go with responding/ not responding to Amex’s query? I just received a similar email for a new card I opened last month (have received the physical card and no issue of using that). I have two other Amex and nearly 2 years of history with them. TIA
I ignored the message and Amex never followed up. I imagine as a once off they probably are ok given sometimes mails get returned for incorrect reasons, luckily so far I haven't had any recurrence yet.
It's incredible how a combination of Revolut and Wise usd account works extremely well together. Yesterday evening I made a transfer from my revolut in usd to Wise Usd account. The money are already in my Wise account a day later. The fee for 700 usd is not big, 2 usd. Wise doesn't charge anything to collect the money and handle Amex billpay.
One click transfer from Revolut to Wise and my Amex is set up with Billpay to my Wise usd account. I just relax and everything will be paid for just as if I were to be a regular US citizen. Pretty cool.
One click transfer from Revolut to Wise and my Amex is set up with Billpay to my Wise usd account. I just relax and everything will be paid for just as if I were to be a regular US citizen. Pretty cool.
Why don't you use Wise to convert AUD to USD?
----
Is there any reason not to apply for an Amex Platinum when seeking to use the GT route? It gets the biggest sign up bonus then downgrade to a Gold or Green in year two to save on annual fee.
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