Strategy to obtain US Amex

[sudoer]

Does anyone know if they differentiate between SUBs and points earned from actual dollar spend?

 

[http_x92]

Does anyone know if they differentiate between SUBs and points earned from actual dollar spend?

The Hilton system would know if the points came from a bonus points offer on the card and spend on certain categories. The bonus points offer (70-150K HH bonus points) is the one that would not count towards the base points accumulation but all the 14x on Hilton hotels, 7x on Flights etc would.

 

[Igreen]

For those on the journey to Lifetime Diamond, all points earned on spend with the HH credit cards are extended to the end of 2023. YMMV. 2 million base points is... a lot.

About Hilton Honors - FAQ and Details on the Program

Need more detail on what the Hilton Honors program has to offer? Find answers to frequently asked questions regarding Points, tiers, and much more.

www.hilton.com

Do we know what date is "now" and Dec 31.....

 

[http_x92]

Do we know what date is "now" and Dec 31.....

Definitely a continuation of the 2022 rules where all points with Hilton CC spend is counted as base points.

 

[glasszon]

For those on the journey to Lifetime Diamond, all points earned on spend with the HH credit cards are extended to the end of 2023. YMMV. 2 million base points is... a lot.

About Hilton Honors - FAQ and Details on the Program

Need more detail on what the Hilton Honors program has to offer? Find answers to frequently asked questions regarding Points, tiers, and much more.

www.hilton.com

I would treat it as a bonus rather than something I would aim on the card. Even if you spend exclusively at Hilton, you are talking about a spend of over $140k on the credit card to generate 2 million base points using the 14X multiplier.

Furthermore, don't forget you still need to hold Hilton Diamond status for 10 years and things will change by the time you meet the requirements.

 

[sudoer]

Even if you spend exclusively at Hilton, you are talking about a spend of over $140k on the credit card to generate 2 million base points using the 14X multiplier.

Plus the 10 base points on Hilton stays, plus Diamond 2X, making it $58k USD spend if staying yourself.

Still a lot of spend, but not $140k.

 

[kpc]

I have a HSBC Premier account in Australia. Has anyone here opened a HSBC US account via HSBC Premier in Australia? I'm hoping I can use a relative's US postal adress for my US HSBC account in case Amex US asks for proof of residential address in US. Also I assume without actually knowing that I can pay the US AMEX card via direct debit from my US HSBC account? Any recent experience / advice appreciated

 

[albyd]

I have a US Premier account. At the time I set up with Amex, I used Citi for my banking so gave AMEX US a statement for that account. My US Premier account has my AU address on it - I'm assuming they will change it for you if you ask nicely - I don't have any experience of the process.

I'm doing manual payments monthly from my HSBC US account to AMEX by manual Direct Debit. Shame I didn't buy more USD as it's now cratered and just isn't worth it unless it's a 3x point category at the current exchange rate.

 

[mrsquare]

I have a US Premier account. At the time I set up with Amex, I used Citi for my banking so gave AMEX US a statement for that account. My US Premier account has my AU address on it - I'm assuming they will change it for you if you ask nicely - I don't have any experience of the process.

I'm doing manual payments monthly from my HSBC US account to AMEX by manual Direct Debit. Shame I didn't buy more USD as it's now cratered and just isn't worth it unless it's a 3x point category at the current exchange rate.

Thanks for the DP. Amex didn’t have any issues with your US Premier account having a AU address on it? Assume you applied for your Amex using a US address though?

 

[albyd]

That’s right I used US address on Citi account as well as with Amex.

 

[mrsquare]

That’s right I used US address on Citi account as well as with Amex.

Oh right, so your Citi account has both us and au addresses?

 

[albyd]

Just the US address. Originally opened it with AU address when in person.

 

[sudoer]

Has anyone applied for an ITIN lately? Who did you use and how long did it take?

Received a notice from irs to pay $40 tax and $41 penalty for non payment for 2020 tax year . I’m guessing this is a result of applying for itin through ein express . Are they supposed to pay this tax on our behalf ?
Any tips on having penalties waived and tax paid ?
I could not use The online payment function .

How did you go with this?

 

[blacksultan]

Has anyone applied for an ITIN lately? Who did you use and how long did it take?



How did you go with this?

Ein express .
Ein express said they can’t assist themselves with the payment but guided me .
I could not pay online as details didn’t match . Im thinking of using checkrun to have check sent out to them .

 

[sudoer]

Ein express .
Ein express said they can’t assist themselves with the payment but guided me .
I could not pay online as details didn’t match . Im thinking of using checkrun to have check sent out to them .

Was there any explanation for why you had a tax bill at all? Did a credit card issuer send you a 1099 form for a referral bonus, or something like that?

 

[blacksultan]

Was there any explanation for why you had a tax bill at all? Did a credit card issuer send you a 1099 form for a referral bonus, or something like that?

It’s a result of applying for an itin by ein express . That is the reason provided for needing to apply for an itin .namely that one needs the itin as one has taxes to pay .

 

[GDale]

So is it everyone's opinion that applying for an ITIN by yourself is too complicated? It looked doable:

1. Send passport and bank cheque to US embassy in Canberra to certify identity document
2. Send W-7 along with form 1040 to IRS
3. Voila!

Step 1 is pure admin but would cost around $90 and a couple of weeks
Step 2 may take a few months to get through and will cost a little bit, depending on how much tax you need to pay.

None of the forms seem particularly long, and the only challenge is in figuring out what income to report in the 1040 it seems?

I'm thinking of doing this in Jan, after the end of the current US tax year.

So what am I missing? Is there any reason why I shouldn't attempt this?

 

[albyd]

I got mine back from the IRS was a waste of time. I think now you actually need a business. Might use EIN express next time and cop the tax fine. $40 is ok for getting to ‘yes’.

Not sure I need it though as have Citi US card & Amex Green. I’ve got basic Bonvoy Amex which is good for 15 nights stay credit and was going to get the ‘Business’ Bonvoy though is platinum status worth it? I’d heard they were going to downgrade the benefits of platinum. I get gold for doing nothing other than paying AU charge card AF.

 

[http_x92]

A Cathay Pacific Amex Offer is there, expiring on 31st December 2022 - 1000/175 USD

Could work when paying in USD like the Qantas one.

 

[Finale]

Was just approved for Chase Business Ink Unlimited, 90k points with 6k spend which is the best offer so far. 3% fx but 1.5% cashback helps offset it and I got a bit of USD spend.

I was asked to call back a few hours after submiting the application. It looked like I entered wrong ITIN. They couldn't verify me using SMS as usual so asked me questions. I kept telling people to know the county they live in before calling but I forgot mine lol The rep just said he could wait while I looked it up, no big deal.

App status changed to speak to the consultant after a few days so I spoke to the rep again who told me they were still reviewing after my call last time. A few days later they asked me to call again asking about the same thing (ITIN) and I was told they did not have any record of me calling but was approved on the spot.

Got both 2 weeks and 7 to 10 days messages. 7 to 10 days message doesn't always mean a rejection. I got that message on all my 3 apps and they just needed more info. They did not ask anything about my business.