Strategy to obtain US Amex

[nomad2000]

Answering my own questions ...

Did a bit of 'Googling' ..... (although nothing on the Amex website)

The Gold Card is a card "with no preset spending limit" so a product swap is not possible

You cannot swap between brands as mrsquare correctly noted.

So, this is going to be more work than I thought

Yes, you can only product change a charge card to another charge card.
The only AmEx charge cards are: AmEx Green, Gold and Platinum (Centurion which is invite-only)
And the Plum card which is a business charge card.

 

[Viridis]

Was this the Little Queen Street Hilton? I’ve heard some good things about it. Yes, the Brilliant gives Platinum status now, which comes with lounge access. The AF has gone up though and is higher than the Aspire.

Yes, it was the Little Queen Street hotel. Been with my wife a few times on leisure and it was good

Went on business travel last month and it was pretty ordinary - different needs I guess, but the service experience left a good deal to be desired. The hard product (room, location etc) was excellent though.

Would happily stay there again .... but not as a preference as it previously was

 

[desafinado74]

Yes, it was the Little Queen Street hotel. Been with my wife a few times on leisure and it was good

Went on business travel last month and it was pretty ordinary - different needs I guess, but the service experience left a good deal to be desired. The hard product (room, location etc) was excellent though.

Would happily stay there again .... but not as a preference as it previously was

I really hope Melbourne will get a Conrad and/or Waldorf Astoria one day.
Even Sydney will be getting a Waldorf in 3 years time.

 

[desafinado74]

Merry Christmas everyone,

Just out of curiosity, Can one use an ITIN to open a Chase checking account without needing to visit a branch ? (It seems like you can if you open a business checking account, but maybe not for a personal one)

 

[nomad2000]

Merry Christmas everyone,

Just out of curiosity, Can one use an ITIN to open a Chase checking account without needing to visit a branch ? (It seems like you can if you open a business checking account, but maybe not for a personal one)

AFAIK for both personal and business applications, unless you have an SSN you cannot apply online.
If you choose non-resident alien, the system prompts you to go to a branch (for tax forms etc) and if you choose resident-alien, you must have an SSN.

 

[desafinado74]

AFAIK for both personal and business applications, unless you have an SSN you cannot apply online.
If you choose non-resident alien, the system prompts you to go to a branch (for tax forms etc) and if you choose resident-alien, you must have an SSN.

Thanks Maxie. Yeah i thought that would be the case.
Oh well, time to plan an American holiday and visit some banks !

 

[Finale]

Thanks Maxie. Yeah i thought that would be the case.
Oh well, time to plan an American holiday and visit some banks !

I dont recommend Chase checking acc. Heard a lot of horror stories about getting locked out of acc while overseas and the only way to unlock it was to visit the branch and that happened to people who already left the country permanently. You can google it. I have had citi acc since 2012 with 0 issue and cant recommend them enough. I applied for cap1 online using Itin and has been great so far but heard they started being fussy about identity verification ie they want a driving license. You can give it a try though if you really need an acc. Some people still got around providing just passport.

 

[Viridis]

On a slightly different topic ….

I’m hoping to get the US Amex Gold

I’ve had the Hilton Aspire for about a year. Certainly long enough to get a FICO score which is in the second top band (can’t remember what that is)

Have no intention of getting an ITIN and not eligible for a SSN.

Have people had experience with this situation?

Should I attempt a second GT as it seems the likelihood of success from a straight application seems slim (I have no way to verify ‘my address’)

Thanks in advance

 

[_TheTraveller_]

On a slightly different topic ….

I’m hoping to get the US Amex Gold

I’ve had the Hilton Aspire for about a year. Certainly long enough to get a FICO score which is in the second top band (can’t remember what that is)

Have no intention of getting an ITIN and not eligible for a SSN.

Have people had experience with this situation?

Should I attempt a second GT as it seems the likelihood of success from a straight application seems slim (I have no way to verify ‘my address’)

Thanks in advance

Yep. If you have your FICO then just apply via GT. Shouldn't be a problem. Only thing I would say is that prepare for address verification. It might or might not happen.

Edit: Just noticed the latter part of your question. I didn't get asked for address verification.

 

[Viridis]

Yep. If you have your FICO then just apply via GT. Shouldn't be a problem. Only thing I would say is that prepare for address verification. It might or might not happen.

Edit: Just noticed the latter part of your question. I didn't get asked for address verification.

Thanks. I’ll give it a go ….

 

[desafinado74]

I dont recommend Chase checking acc. Heard a lot of horror stories about getting locked out of acc while overseas and the only way to unlock it was to visit the branch and that happened to people who already left the country permanently. You can google it. I have had citi acc since 2012 with 0 issue and cant recommend them enough. I applied for cap1 online using Itin and has been great so far but heard they started being fussy about identity verification ie they want a driving license. You can give it a try though if you really need an acc. Some people still got around providing just passport.

Thanks for the useful info. Damn that's annoying re Chase ! As a last resort, i suppose one can use a VPN when logging into a Chase account. Ok, i shall consider Citi then. Yah, i am interested in opening the Cap 1 360 account too. But it seems like Cap 1 now requires ITIN applicants to open an account in a branch.

If you don't mind me asking, which American cities did you go to open the Citi and other bank accounts ? I know that some states are more strict when it comes to banks opening accounts for non resident aliens.

 

[Finale]

Thanks for the useful info. Damn that's annoying re Chase ! As a last resort, i suppose one can use a VPN when logging into a Chase account. Ok, i shall consider Citi then. Yah, i am interested in opening the Cap 1 360 account too. But it seems like Cap 1 now requires ITIN applicants to open an account in a branch.

If you don't mind me asking, which American cities did you go to open the Citi and other bank accounts ? I know that some states are more strict when it comes to banks opening accounts for non resident aliens.

I opened my Citi acc in San Francisco. The one in Chicago was the one that let me apply for a credit card without ssn/itin even before I did Amex GT. They were pretty cool.

I hardly use VPN with these banks. They can detect it especially the well known ones. When I connect to VPN and try to login, Chase/Citi/Amex/Cap1 want me to verify by sending sms or using app.

 

[Viridis]

I knew that i probably shouldn't have messed with what ain't broken but I tried a second GT for the Gold Card (having already got the Hilton Aspire last year) and received this

Please call us to talk to a Customer Care representative who will provide you with a decision. If we don't hear from you, we'll try to contact you within 2 to 3 days using the number you just provided in your application.


There has been no impact to your credit score at this time. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, the information we provide to credit bureau(s) may impact your credit score.


While we're reviewing your application, please don't submit another application for the American Express® Gold Card.


Call Us: 1-(800)-221-4950

Any wise words from the more experienced amongst you?

I can't verify 'my address' obviously. No SSN and I'm not applying for an ITIN

My plan, failing all others, is to do what I usually do when the going gets tough .... ignore it and hope it goes away

But a more productive 'Plan A' would be appreciated

 

[desafinado74]

I opened my Citi acc in San Francisco. The one in Chicago was the one that let me apply for a credit card without ssn/itin even before I did Amex GT. They were pretty cool.

I hardly use VPN with these banks. They can detect it especially the well known ones. When I connect to VPN and try to login, Chase/Citi/Amex/Cap1 want me to verify by sending sms or using app.

Thank you for the info. Well, looks like it is better to go to major cities such as LA, Chicago etc , since all the major banks will have branches there.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I knew that i probably shouldn't have messed with what ain't broken but I tried a second GT for the Gold Card (having already got the Hilton Aspire last year) and received this



Any wise words from the more experienced amongst you?

I can't verify 'my address' obviously. No SSN and I'm not applying for an ITIN

My plan, failing all others, is to do what I usually do when the going gets tough .... ignore it and hope it goes away

But a more productive 'Plan A' would be appreciated

Give them a call and see what they need. I've heard instances where they just want to confirm that you've applied for the card and it wasn't a case of fruad.

 

[Viridis]

Give them a call and see what they need. I've heard instances where they just want to confirm that you've applied for the card and it wasn't a case of fruad.

Yeah, thanks. Missed a call from them today so they now know I used TextNow because I hadn’t got around to changing the default message . Didn’t think they’d be that quick

But reluctant to rush into a chat with them since I don’t really have a ‘story’ lined up for all the other possible questions that may come.

The tangled webs we weave

 

[desafinado74]

Hi everyone,

In order to find your Fico score in your AMEX account, you will need to go through this sequence below isn't it ?

Account Services > Payment & Credit Options > Credit Score > View Fico Score.

Thank you.

 

[nomad2000]

Hi everyone,

In order to find your Fico score in your AMEX account, you will need to go through this sequence below isn't it ?

Account Services > Payment & Credit Options > Credit Score > View Fico Score.

Yes

 

[Viridis]

Give them a call and see what they need. I've heard instances where they just want to confirm that you've applied for the card and it wasn't a case of fruad.

Yes, you were quite correct - they just wanted a bit of extra information. Approved whilst on the phone. Thanks

 

[velli25]

Hi everyone, like a few others I am looking to get a summary on completing a GT for a Hilton Honors Surpass CC. I've gone through a lot of the pages and there is an overwhelming amount of information.

Hoping for someone to assist in making recommendations for the easiest methods for the below.

Address - How do you go about using a US address? Can't say I know anyone abroad in the US.
Parcel Forwarding - Utilise MyUS
Verify Identity/Address - A.a.
Phone - Any particular companies that works well that I can apply for her.e
Process Payments - Wise (?).

I do have a Citi Prestige if that helps.

I have an upcoming trip to the Maldives at Conrad in the middle of Feb - would it be a push to receive a card by then?

As an aside, does your credit history have an impact for the US GT? And vice versa does Aus banks know about you holding an overseas AMEX?

Thank you in advance