Strategy to obtain US Amex

[tlam]

Amex has dispatched my card the second time to MyUS as MyUS said they had not received it and would most likely have rejected it as i didn`t have the premium plus mail membership.
Also said if there is no tracking no it would be classed as mail and hence rejected. Amex have not been able to provide a tracking no.
Some members here have mentioned they have been able to have their mail retrieved with a standard membership, any tips on how they managed to do so and not have their mail from amex rejected? thanks in advance

the green card is shipped in a letter and it doesn’t come with a tracking number. If you applied for other cards like Hilton Aspire or Platinum charge, Amex will ship it via UPS and the tracking number is in your Amex online account. Have you talked to Amex and asked them to ship the card to Australia directly? Or if you are eligible for the instant card number, so you don’t need to wait for the card and add the it virtually to your digitL wallet.

 

[blacksultan]

the green card is shipped in a letter and it doesn’t come with a tracking number. If you applied for other cards like Hilton Aspire or Platinum charge, Amex will ship it via UPS and the tracking number is in your Amex online account. Have you talked to Amex and asked them to ship the card to Australia directly? Or if you are eligible for the instant card number, so you don’t need to wait for the card and add the it virtually to your digitL wallet.

thanks . I did`nt know the green card was a variant that was sent without a tracking no. thats the one I applied for.
they won`t change my mailing address or make any other changes as without an SSN they don`t have enough info to id me.so I need to wait to receive my first card before I can change my mailing address.
How do I check eligibility and receive the instant card no?

Thanks so much for your info

 

[albyd]

I've got the full MyUS service subscription including Mail. Not sure what is wrong. Didn't receive my Green card there even though I have the mail subscription and there's another Bank's card that hasn't arrived.

Is there another more reliable service in the US I can use? Happy to switch if I need to - although will need to see a notary again re the mail service but I can't have cards not being delivered or returned cards might be a red flag - especially if I then call and ask for them to be delivered to Australia.

 

[DC3]

I've got the full MyUS service subscription including Mail. Not sure what is wrong. Didn't receive my Green card there even though I have the mail subscription and there's another Bank's card that hasn't arrived ...

That’s very concerning.

I will be applying for the Aspire in the new year. As previously posted, I did a trial mailing, ordinary standard size mail envelope containing an expired cc, mailed from Oz to my MyUS suite. It was received by MyUS, and after being contacted about its value it was forwarded to my Oz address. All seemed to work just as I had anticipated, based on the experience of others. I do not have the mail subscription, just the standard premium (parcel forwarding). So, it seems to be very hit and miss.

 

[blacksultan]

That’s very concerning.

I will be applying for the Aspire in the new year. As previously posted, I did a trial mailing, ordinary standard size mail envelope containing an expired cc, mailed from Oz to my MyUS suite. It was received by MyUS, and after being contacted about its value it was forwarded to my Oz address. All seemed to work just as I had anticipated, based on the experience of others. I do not have the mail subscription, just the standard premium (parcel forwarding). So, it seems to be very hit and miss.

Was that sometime ago and was that ordinary mail without tracking?
I was informed that anything without tracking is classed as mail as opposed to a package and is automatically rejected if one does`nt have a premium plus mail membership.
I have upgraded to the same and hoping to receive it and have a pic of the card sent to me before I have USPS form notarised and sent. I`m hoping to then be able to use the card details to be able to have my address updated to my oz address and have a card sent to me directly in oz and use it in apple wallet.

Anyone foresee any dangers with my plan?

 

[blacksultan]

I've got the full MyUS service subscription including Mail. Not sure what is wrong. Didn't receive my Green card there even though I have the mail subscription and there's another Bank's card that hasn't arrived.

Is there another more reliable service in the US I can use? Happy to switch if I need to - although will need to see a notary again re the mail service but I can't have cards not being delivered or returned cards might be a red flag - especially if I then call and ask for them to be delivered to Australia.

Can I ask which other bank`s card you applied for? can`t you use your oz mailing address for other bank cards once you already have a credit score in the US?

 

[DC3]

Was that sometime ago and was that ordinary mail without tracking?
I was informed that anything without tracking is classed as mail as opposed to a package and is automatically rejected if one does`nt have a premium plus mail membership ...

Yes, several weeks ago, so quite recent. Ordinary standard mailing, no tracking. MyUS sent me a photo of the cc and asked for a valuation. I do not have the top subscription (i.e., which would include letters) but just the premium (for parcels). Anyway, that was my trial mailing of a letter to myself, addressed to the MyUS suite. Not sure why it worked, but it did. I just wanted to do a trial run to see what happened. Next time, who knows?

 

[kkl]

Thought I'd take a punt and ask on here. To get my 45K MR welcome bonus on my Green card, I need to spend $US2000 (pretty close to $A3000). I'd normally not have any problems finding bills and spending to easily get me there. Was tempted to buy some GCs which I could then spend later. I've read online that AMEX could do a Financial Review and freeze your account while they're doing it if they can see you're buying GCs (I've noticed on my Aussie Amex it often says "Gift cards" on my statement when I buy them from say Westfield.

Has anyone had a financial review and lived to tell the tale?

What kind of FX % lost for using USA AMEX in AU?

 

[ithongy]

Guess you could ask Amex to expedite the card in priority mail so it might have tracking?

 

[blacksultan]

Guess you could ask Amex to expedite the card in priority mail so it might have tracking?

Even though the first card went missing , they would not or rather could not because the delivery location was a my us address ( I`m guessing).

 

[jasonfungsing]

I have recently having issue with XE money transfer to pay my amex bill. The amount amex received is $20 less than the amount I transfer. I have contacted amex, the result is that's how much the number show up in their chase account. I guess the issue is on XE side, maybe intermediate bank charge $20. anyone experiencing the same issue?

 

[blacksultan]

Citibank Au with their global transfer may be a better option.

 

[ithongy]

Citibank Au with their global transfer may be a better option.

They have removed some benefits from lots of their cards:

• Car rental insurance
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection
• Worldwide travel accident insurance
• Trip delay protection
• Baggage delay protection
• Lost baggage protection
• Medical evacuation
• Citi Price Rewind
• Return protection
• Missed event ticket protection
• Roadside Assistance dispatch service
• Travel and emergency assistance

 

[jasonfungsing]

Citibank Au with their global transfer may be a better option.

Do you mind share more info ? Is this the Global Currency Card you are talking about for the repayment of AMEX bill?

 

[blacksultan]

Do you mind share more info ? Is this the Global Currency Card you are talking about for the repayment of AMEX bill?

No I am referring to the free global transfer option available through the checking transaction account .

Guess you could ask Amex to expedite the card in priority mail so it might have tracking?

Looks like tracking details have now been generated and are available through my amex account.

Low cost/PAYG mail forwarding service: FREE US Mailing Address | Package Forwarding | PostScan Mail

 

[albyd]

What kind of FX % lost for using USA AMEX in AU?

I haven't been keeping tight tabs on how good the Amex FX conversion is to $US. There's always the time lag between "pending" and "posted" transaction. For larger transactions, I buy my US straight away to avoid currency risk.

Choosing currency provider is critical. There are two options:

• Money transfer organisation - give you a better deal than the banks usually do (walk past a bank branch and note the large differences between "buy" and "sell" rates - they are otherwise reliable and have been around for a long time; or
• Revolut - a UK Based online bank - they have a website but are app only. Can convert $$ at the real exchange rate (there may still be a difference between Amex's "pending" exchange rate and the exchange rate used for "posted charges") then transfer to Amex's account or your US account when making the transfer. Can coughulatively buy $US and hold them in your account until you get your Amex Statement then transfer to Amex's payment account - allow a week for this unless you have a paid subscription. When I joined had a few months' wait to open an account. That might have changed now. Do your own research.

This is not financial advice, my situation will differ to that of others - consider yours before taking action. These are the two methods which work for me.

I have been thinking about using the US Amex Green card for non-bonus categories (outside of dining and travel) in Australia but am thinking given the exchange rate at $US0.70, it's not worth the effort. If I compare it to the AU Platinum Charge:
$A1 = 0.7 US MR point = 0.7 FF Miles
$A1 = 2.25 AU MR points = 1.125 FF Miles

Is there anything I'm missing?

 

[blacksultan]

Sign up referral links for revolut in the referrals forum .

I haven't been keeping tight tabs on how good the Amex FX conversion is to $US. There's always the time lag between "pending" and "posted" transaction. For larger transactions, I buy my US straight away to avoid currency risk.

Choosing currency provider is critical. There are two options:

• Money transfer organisation - give you a better deal than the banks usually do (walk past a bank branch and note the large differences between "buy" and "sell" rates - they are otherwise reliable and have been around for a long time; or
• Revolut - a UK Based online bank - they have a website but are app only. Can convert $$ at the real exchange rate (there may still be a difference between Amex's "pending" exchange rate and the exchange rate used for "posted charges") then transfer to Amex's account or your US account when making the transfer. Can coughulatively buy $US and hold them in your account until you get your Amex Statement then transfer to Amex's payment account - allow a week for this unless you have a paid subscription. When I joined had a few months' wait to open an account. That might have changed now. Do your own research.

This is not financial advice, my situation will differ to that of others - consider yours before taking action. These are the two methods which work for me.
I have been thinking about using the US Amex Green card for non-bonus categories (outside of dining and travel) in Australia but am thinking given the exchange rate at $US0.70, it's not worth the effort. If I compare it to the AU Platinum Charge:
$A1 = 0.7 US MR point = 0.7 FF Miles
$A1 = 2.25 AU MR points = 1.125 FF Miles

Is there anything I'm missing?

 

[lilkid28]

Hi all,

Thanks to the many members who have provided information. I have just applied and got approved for Hilton Aspire card (supposedly comes with 150k bonus points signup after USD4k spend). Few points to share/ask

1. I used MYUS address for mailing address. Fingers crossed as everyone seems to be hit and miss. I put the street address and Suite number in first line, and suite number second time under "Apt Suite" field in Amex application form.

2. I have signed up for Textnow, didn't have to use it so far. When do I need to use it? I supposed if need to ring Amex - for e.g if I don't receive my card

3. I have registered Amex US online account and can see my last 5 digits, just like when Amex AU. However can't find the full Amex card details to add to Apple Pay as @jasonfungsing mentioned before? Anyone else able to do this or this is also hit and miss?

4. I'll need to look into set up method to pay future monthly statements - for e.g via TorFX or XE Transfer? Are these the better and cheaper options? What about Citibank or HSBC? I do have HSBC premier account in AU.

 

[lilkid28]

Can someone kindly advise how do I track if my card has been posted out, and if it's delivered to the Suite in MYUS?

 

[blacksultan]

Can someone kindly advise how do I track if my card has been posted out, and if it's delivered to the Suite in MYUS?

log into amex. click on account services, replace a card , the status and tracking no should be there ( if relevant)

Log in to my us. check your suite. if its not showing provide them tracking number provided by amex. ( there is an option to do so in the account or do it via chat.

Good luck!!!