Strategy to obtain US Amex

[nomad2000]

Opened checking account & applied for business credit card in branch after obtaining paperwork setup from Daniel Hagen. Also applied for a Chase Freedom on same day, basically just 1 hard pull on credit. Got Chase Ink Cash & Freedom approved, but think this loop hole to apply for 2 Chase cards (business & personal) has been closed.

Ok, so a personal checking account and a business and personal credit card altogether on the same day?

 

[ithongy]

Ok, so a personal checking account and a business and personal credit card altogether on the same day?

That was approx 4 years ago.

 

[joakgarp]

So I noticed Equifax have my credit score showing 702 and listed my Amex card from January connected to Itin. Back then Amex Cs rep told me to wait six months before I apply for any other Amex card as my credit score would show up. Now when it's been only four months I thought my credit score was fine everywhere as it's showing up on Equifax. But not through the Amex app with the free credit score.
Sadly my application was automatically denied stating Amex couldn't retrieve my credit score and listed a bureue at the bottom of the letter called Transunion.

Suppose I nees to wait two more months then! Sucks because Business Bonvoy card offers 100k of points until May 18th.

 

[nomad2000]

So I noticed Equifax have my credit score showing 702 and listed my Amex card from January connected to Itin. Back then Amex Cs rep told me to wait six months before I apply for any other Amex card as my credit score would show up. Now when it's been only four months I thought my credit score was fine everywhere as it's showing up on Equifax. But not through the Amex app with the free credit score.
Sadly my application was automatically denied stating Amex couldn't retrieve my credit score and listed a bureue at the bottom of the letter called Transunion.

Suppose I nees to wait two more months then! Sucks because Business Bonvoy card offers 100k of points until May 18th.

Can’t you call them and ask for reconsideration? Maybe they could look into their internal scoring and approve you?

 

[DC3]

So I noticed Equifax have my credit score showing 702 and listed my Amex card from January connected to Itin. Back then Amex Cs rep told me to wait six months before I apply for any other Amex …

Maybe not that relevant to your situation, but my FICO score took eight months to show, on Amex (from scratch).

 

[joakgarp]

Maybe not that relevant to your situation, but my FICO score took eight months to show, on Amex (from scratch).

Cheers. I can wait until the 8th month as well. As long as I know the time frame. Usually Amex welcome bonuses are pretty good during September to November so perhaps there's a better one.. Or not

 

[timmy1234]

I used this to check

View attachment 277712

Post automatically merged: May 18, 2022

This was the resultView attachment 277713 I called the number and they gave me that other number 800 450 8738. I actually googled the number and a few people reported it as a scam number.

Just call Amex Fraud team and say you have temporary moved for work (If your application says working income or Moving with family temporarily). Amex is the most accomodating of all. I recently changed my address and they sent the card to the old address from the profile rather than the application. I called them and they said they would send the new card to the new address only after 10 days to the new address.
Worst case, If they cannot do that just let them post to your old address to approve your app. Once approved, put a block on the card by calling the next day. If things are not going your way, just hang up and call back later.

 

[timmy1234]

So I noticed Equifax have my credit score showing 702 and listed my Amex card from January connected to Itin. Back then Amex Cs rep told me to wait six months before I apply for any other Amex card as my credit score would show up. Now when it's been only four months I thought my credit score was fine everywhere as it's showing up on Equifax. But not through the Amex app with the free credit score.
Sadly my application was automatically denied stating Amex couldn't retrieve my credit score and listed a bureue at the bottom of the letter called Transunion.

Suppose I nees to wait two more months then! Sucks because Business Bonvoy card offers 100k of points until May 18th.

I think you have a month from the time your application is applied/denied to reconsider the application. Give them a call, there is no harm

 

[Tiki]

Just call Amex Fraud team and say you have temporary moved for work (If your application says working income or Moving with family temporarily). Amex is the most accomodating of all. I recently changed my address and they sent the card to the old address from the profile rather than the application. I called them and they said they would send the new card to the new address only after 10 days to the new address.
Worst case, If they cannot do that just let them post to your old address to approve your app. Once approved, put a block on the card by calling the next day. If things are not going your way, just hang up and call back later.

I have been waiting for a bank statement with the new address. Just today I got a Chase Freedom statement with the new address. Will that do? Or does it have to be a checking/savings account?
I am a bit nervous about a 3 way call. B of A denied my Air France card because they couldn't verify my identity (I think, still waiting for the letter to show up at my friend's house). I don't wamt B of A blabbing to Amex I got denied. What exactly happens in the 3 way call?

 

[timmy1234]

I have been waiting for a bank statement with the new address. Just today I got a Chase Freedom statement with the new address. Will that do? Or does it have to be a checking/savings account?
I am a bit nervous about a 3 way call. B of A denied my Air France card because they couldn't verify my identity (I think, still waiting for the letter to show up at my friend's house). I don't wamt B of A blabbing to Amex I got denied. What exactly happens in the 3 way call?

I am not sure how B of A validates your identity. You have a bonus (Passport - US gov issued ID). I had to do a 3 way check for Citi and Amex. Citi asked my details from my Credit file since the SMS did not work and I was all good. Most likely (high chance) they will ask for the Bank Statement card with new address which the Chase Freedom should be good. As I said, hang up and call again if it is not going your way. You can say the call dropped

 

[Tiki]

I am not sure how B of A validates your identity. You have a bonus (Passport - US gov issued ID). I had to do a 3 way check for Citi and Amex. Citi asked my details from my Credit file since the SMS did not work and I was all good. Most likely (high chance) they will ask for the Bank Statement card with new address which the Chase Freedom should be good. As I said, hang up and call again if it is not going your way. You can say the call dropped

The card I am applying for is the Delta Gold 70k one. LOL I would be in trouble if they both got approved now, I can't do $4000 spend in 3 months! I gave up on B of A for now as their customer service sucks and it's too hard to even get a human on the line. At least Amex seems to pick up right away. They still haven't contacted me. Status Check Authentication
I went to this link, input the SSN and zip code and found out it is still in progress. I will make the call tonight (our time) to make sure it is US business hours calling from my TextNow.
If they send a text, I should be able to see it on the TextNow website on my laptop even if I am talking to someone at the same time..... I hope!

 

[timmy1234]

The card I am applying for is the Delta Gold 70k one. LOL I would be in trouble if they both got approved now, I can't do $4000 spend in 3 months! I gave up on B of A for now as their customer service sucks and it's too hard to even get a human on the line. At least Amex seems to pick up right away. They still haven't contacted me. Status Check Authentication
I went to this link, input the SSN and zip code and found out it is still in progress. I will make the call tonight (our time) to make sure it is US business hours calling from my TextNow.
If they send a text, I should be able to see it on the TextNow website on my laptop even if I am talking to someone at the same time..... I hope!

The next time u go to a US, link a US sim to a google voice account. It works like a charm with Cap1 and Amex. My gut feeling is they might ask if it is u. Make sure you have the new and old address handy.

 

[Tiki]

OK I am freaking out now! I called and they want a pdf of my savings or checking account. I have both at Bank of America but the address is my Australian address. I asked about the 3 way call and the man insisted on only the pdf. I can supply a pdf of my Chase Freedom but he doesn't want the credit card statement.
I changed the address to the Florida one but the new statement won't post until 9 June.

 

[timmy1234]

Have you already changed your bank address to Florida? If you run the statement report does it still give the old address or your Oz address. Sometimes the statement takes the new address. Can you take a print screen where your new address is shown when you have logged into B of A.? Play around B of A website and see if there is a way to show you new address else you will have to wait it out. Have you asked B of A if they could bring forward your statement run?

 

[nomad2000]

OK I am freaking out now! I called and they want a pdf of my savings or checking account. I have both at Bank of America but the address is my Australian address. I asked about the 3 way call and the man insisted on only the pdf. I can supply a pdf of my Chase Freedom but he doesn't want the credit card statement.
I changed the address to the Florida one but the new statement won't post until 9 June.

I'd say give Amex a call again and ask for a 3-way call. You could perhaps say you recently changed your address and haven't got a statement yet, maybe they would accept a screenshot or something that way?
Also BoA is not gonna disclose information to Amex about your denied credit card application.
And don't freak out, it's gonna be OK.

 

[Tiki]

Have you already changed your bank address to Florida? If you run the statement report does it still give the old address or your Oz address. Sometimes the statement takes the new address. Can you take a print screen where your new address is shown when you have logged into B of A.? Play around B of A website and see if there is a way to show you new address else you will have to wait it out. Have you asked B of A if they could bring forward your statement run?

Yes, I changed the address to Florida last week but the checking account statement still shows Australia. I called B of A and waited on hold for several people at 20-30 minutes each and no one apparently can change my statement date to an earlier date or re-issue the 9 May statement with the new address.

The last guy in the Amex fraud dept was insisting a screenshot wouldn't do. I took a punt at sending the pdf of the Chase Freedom credit card statement with the new address to the website. Status is still pending. Hopefully someone will just click yes on it.

I'd say give Amex a call again and ask for a 3-way call. You could perhaps say you recently changed your address and haven't got a statement yet, maybe they would accept a screenshot or something that way?
Also BoA is not gonna disclose information to Amex about your denied credit card application.
And don't freak out, it's gonna be OK.

I may do just that on Monday their time. It's Friday night now and the decision makers won't be working weekends, just the useless call centre script readers.

Update on the B of A AirFrance/KLM card. My friend sent me a photo of the letter. They are asking about the "co-applicant". I was like WTF I applied alone, there is no such thing. But maybe it's a trap to see if I am really at that address. So I called them and asked about the letter. So again I got to sit on hold being transferred all over the place. Ended up back to the B of A fraud dept who gave me another number for video conferencing. After trying and failing to get a video bank live human on the line I called fraud back. By this time it was 4:30 am and I had been doing this since 11PM which is when banks in the USA are open.

I got one lady to check with her supervisor, then she came back and asked me more questions about my account transactions and USA passport number which I gave and she was happy with the answers. She said she would flick it back to the credit dept and I should have the card in 3-5 days. But the status website still shows as pending. Which is a bit better as before it was showing denied. So again I probably won't get any action until Monday or Tuesday their time. The irony is I may get them both and have to do $4000 USD spend which will be tough but I suppose I can buy Wish cards and Coles gift cards in person at the supermarket so it doesn't code as online gift cards.

 

[timmy1234]

Yes, I changed the address to Florida last week but the checking account statement still shows Australia. I called B of A and waited on hold for several people at 20-30 minutes each and no one apparently can change my statement date to an earlier date or re-issue the 9 May statement with the new address.

The last guy in the Amex fraud dept was insisting a screenshot wouldn't do. I took a punt at sending the pdf of the Chase Freedom credit card statement with the new address to the website. Status is still pending. Hopefully someone will just click yes on it.

I may do just that on Monday their time. It's Friday night now and the decision makers won't be working weekends, just the useless call centre script readers.

Update on the B of A AirFrance/KLM card. My friend sent me a photo of the letter. They are asking about the "co-applicant". I was like WTF I applied alone, there is no such thing. But maybe it's a trap to see if I am really at that address. So I called them and asked about the letter. So again I got to sit on hold being transferred all over the place. Ended up back to the B of A fraud dept who gave me another number for video conferencing. After trying and failing to get a video bank live human on the line I called fraud back. By this time it was 4:30 am and I had been doing this since 11PM which is when banks in the USA are open.

I got one lady to check with her supervisor, then she came back and asked me more questions about my account transactions and USA passport number which I gave and she was happy with the answers. She said she would flick it back to the credit dept and I should have the card in 3-5 days. But the status website still shows as pending. Which is a bit better as before it was showing denied. So again I probably won't get any action until Monday or Tuesday their time. The irony is I may get them both and have to do $4000 USD spend which will be tough but I suppose I can buy Wish cards and Coles gift cards in person at the supermarket so it doesn't code as online gift cards.

You are in a better situation than most with a US passport and SSN. Thats some positive news. If you dont have cash flow issues, You could
1) pay council bills in advance
2) Health insurance bills in advance
3) Woolies and Coles keep having the gift cards such as Him, Her etc on promotions that includes Woolies/Coles bonus points

 

[blacksultan]

You cannot. None of the credit bureau accept ITIN, unless you send them your ID through snail mail.

Your original passport ?

 

[Tiki]

Chase has updated my new Florida address with Experian, pretty quick service too!
So hopefully subsequent apps will go smoother.
CSP is in my target list for late July/early Aug. I have a big trip coming in Sept so no problem to do the minimum spend, also car and homeowners insurance in Oct.

 

[ithongy]

Chase has updated my new Florida address with Experian, pretty quick service too!
So hopefully subsequent apps will go smoother.
CSP is in my target list for late July/early Aug. I have a big trip coming in Sept so no problem to do the minimum spend, also car and homeowners insurance in Oct.

Then work on getting Chase WOH is a great card to have in your sock drawer. just use it for Hyatt spending and your get a free cert 4 night which value can more than exceed AF.

CSP great card to transfer to many partners. Great to transfer out to BA Avios for short haul SYD-MEL can be great value.