Strategy to obtain US Amex

[desafinado74]

Has anyone use their AMEX Aspire ( Or American credit cards in general) in Asia ? If so, did they encounter problems with the terminal machines ? (Like what some earlier posters experienced in other countries)

 

[sudoer]

Has anyone use their AMEX Aspire ( Or American credit cards in general) in Asia ? If so, did they encounter problems with the terminal machines ? (Like what some earlier posters experienced in other countries)

Used in Japan, Indonesia and Singapore - no issues.

 

[desafinado74]

Used in Japan, Indonesia and Singapore - no issues.

That's great to know.

Was your card swiped and you had to sign for the bills?

( I will use my Aspire card for Hilton bookings in Asia only)

 

[prozac]

Ms Prozac home from US and Brazil where she has been working past 12 months off and on (depends which country she was in). Looks like she will take up a 9 month contract back in US next month. She has been using her European debit cards to pay for things, and for emergencies a supp on my Aussie Amex. It is probably time she applied for a US amex. Is there a greater benefit over the Aussie flavour and which one has best sign-up. She is probably only declaring a minimal income and that might be to her Australian registered company name.
Sorry if detail a little vague.

 

[levelnine]

Is there a greater benefit over the Aussie flavour and which one has best sign-up.

Some advantages:
- Earn points without incurring a foreign transaction fee (not possible with Australian Amex or most European debit cards)
- Earn US MR, which convert 1:1 to more airlines than Australian MR and at a better rate (Australia mostly 2:1)
- Earn currencies that are impossible to earn in Australia through credit card spend at cost effective rates (eg Hilton with Amex)

Which is best depends on your personal situation. Two likely contenders will be the Amex Hilton Aspire if you're happy to focus on Hilton points or the Amex Plat if you want US MR. Also the Bonvoy Brilliant if you're a Marriott fan. I have a competitive referral for the Aspire (150K) if you want that one, but not for the Amex Plat (you should be able to find a public link for 150K). The Bonvoy Brilliant isn't great at the moment, at 95K — used to be 150K.

 

[http_x92]

Had a go at using it in NZ, Google pay with the US Amex worked fine as long as the store accepted it. Helps that the major terminal is Windcave over there. No pin required.

 

[Viridis]

It is probably time she applied for a US amex. Is there a greater benefit over the Aussie flavour and which one has best sign-up.

Great idea

The benefits are those mentioned by @levelnine above

My advice, FWIW, would be to get a generic Amex rather than a branded one (Hilton, Bonvoy)

The Platinum is good but comes with a high annual fee. If you’re happy with that, go for it. It gives you status at Hilton & Bonvoy plus plenty of other travel related perks

The Gold card is an excellent second best. I have that one and it allows you to send points to most of the airlines that you’re likely to want to and the hotel groups if that’s your thing. Points for restaurants and air travel are excellent

 

[prozac]

Great idea

The benefits are those mentioned by @levelnine above

My advice, FWIW, would be to get a generic Amex rather than a branded one (Hilton, Bonvoy)

The Platinum is good but comes with a high annual fee. If you’re happy with that, go for it. It gives you status at Hilton & Bonvoy plus plenty of other travel related perks

The Gold card is an excellent second best. I have that one and it allows you to send points to most of the airlines that you’re likely to want to and the hotel groups if that’s your thing. Points for restaurants and air travel are excellent

I couldn't find a Gold card other than Delta Gold. She would never stay at a flash hotel and is unlikely to hire a car anywhere so a branded card will probably not fill the bill. She mostly gets accommodation provided and buys her own airline tickets at least 50% of the time. She catches buses, trains, Ubers. I would expect her goal will be to accumulate points to be used for airline miles.
What she complains about most is not having access to an airport lounge. Common first world problem. She got her first seat upgrade to J on way back from Brazil to Atlanta last week. She's hooked.
She may balk at paying a fee but the Amex Green at $150pa offers 3x points on purchases as restaurants, transit and travel. It also provides up to $100 statement credits on LoungeBuddy access passes. No forex fees.
Has anyone any other suggestions?

 

[levelnine]

What she complains about most is not having access to an airport lounge.

There's no one-size-fits all Amex card in the US, unlike in Australia where the Platinum can do everything, albeit for a high fee.

The Plat is the card for lounge access (Centurion and Delta), and the 150K sign-up bonus and other miscellaneous credits will more than offset the annual fee for the first year.

The Green/Gold multipliers are good, but can't really compete with the sign-up bonuses.

If she's open to multiple cards, I would go Plat, meet sign-up bonus, Gold, meet sign-up bonus, then Green, meet sign-up bonus.

That gets her the most points and most perks. Cancel each one after 12 months. Open a no annual fee card to be able to hold MR forever.

 

[prozac]

There's no one-size-fits all Amex card in the US, unlike in Australia where the Platinum can do everything, albeit for a high fee.

The Plat is the card for lounge access (Centurion and Delta), and the 150K sign-up bonus and other miscellaneous credits will more than offset the annual fee for the first year.

The Green/Gold multipliers are good, but can't really compete with the sign-up bonuses.

If she's open to multiple cards, I would go Plat, meet sign-up bonus, Gold, meet sign-up bonus, then Green, meet sign-up bonus.

That gets her the most points and most perks. Cancel each one after 12 months. Open a no annual fee card to be able to hold MR forever.

Apply for all these cards within 12 months?
Is amex more widely accepted (fee free) in US than in Oz?

 

[levelnine]

Apply for all these cards within 12 months?

Yes, the only limits for Amex US applications are contained here: Credit Card Application Rules By Bank (2023)

 

[ETW]

What she complains about most is not having access to an airport lounge. Common first world problem. She got her first seat upgrade to J on way back from Brazil to Atlanta last week. She's hooked

I hear you about not being super into fancy hotels but I’d recommend the Hilton Surpass Amex. Largely because it gives you 10 Priority Pass lounge access per year for a $95USD
Also Hilton Gold for as long as she has the card which she can utilise if she stays with them for work, being the worlds largest hotel chain they’re not all fancy and run the full range from cheaper long stay suites to super flash.

The point can be transferred to airlines but not at super favourable rates, I’m sure she could find a use for them tho.

The Hilton Surpass® Card | Earn on U.S. Online Retail Purchases

Earn 12X Points on Hilton Purchases and 4X Points on U.S. Online Retail purchases. Terms Apply.

www.americanexpress.com

 

[prozac]

I hear you about not being super into fancy hotels but I’d recommend the Hilton Surpass Amex. Largely because it gives you 10 Priority Pass lounge access per year for a $95USD
Also Hilton Gold for as long as she has the card which she can utilise if she stays with them for work, being the worlds largest hotel chain they’re not all fancy and run the full range from cheaper long stay suites to super flash.

The point can be transferred to airlines but not at super favourable rates, I’m sure she could find a use for them tho.

The Hilton Surpass® Card | Earn on U.S. Online Retail Purchases

Earn 12X Points on Hilton Purchases and 4X Points on U.S. Online Retail purchases. Terms Apply.

www.americanexpress.com

PriorityPass is a good reason to have this card and to leave it in your back pocket when not flying. I think Ms Prozac will like this one, though she should really have a card that gives points when she buys airline seats.
The PriorityPass lounge access appeals to me as well.
Is there a part of this thread that explains how I could apply without being in US? How do they credit check if you have no presence in the US?

 

[http_x92]

PriorityPass is a good reason to have this card and to leave it in your back pocket when not flying. I think Ms Prozac will like this one, though she should really have a card that gives points when she buys airline seats.
The PriorityPass lounge access appeals to me as well.
Is there a part of this thread that explains how I could apply without being in US? How do they credit check if you have no presence in the US?

Amex is a multinational company so those in the Global Transfer teams in the US can see what you have in Australia as well and they check to see if your Australian cards are in good standing. Have enough of a history with them and you are eligible for a GT application.

Login with your Australian account then make your way to the US site to access the US application. Then there will be a popup enabling the Global Transfer application to happen

 

[Franko Costa]

I have just been given access to US HSBC account online. In order for Amex to confirm my address, do I change them all to the MyUS address? It would be great if I could have the MyUS address and my Aussie PO box but I assume that is a no no

 

[prozac]

Amex is a multinational company so those in the Global Transfer teams in the US can see what you have in Australia as well and they check to see if your Australian cards are in good standing. Have enough of a history with them and you are eligible for a GT application.

Login with your Australian account then make your way to the US site to access the US application. Then there will be a popup enabling the Global Transfer application to happen

Doesn't that suggest to Amex Oz you are transferring your cards to US?
Ms Prozac does not have an Aussie amex. She would need to provide a US address?

 

[http_x92]

Doesn't that suggest to Amex Oz you are transferring your cards to US?
Ms Prozac does not have an Aussie amex. She would need to provide a US address?

Ohh I see so I think only the normal route would work then where a SSN/ITIN is required and some credit history in the US.

You will still get to keep the AU cards, been using both and it still works fine.

 

[nomad2000]

Ohh I see so I think only the normal route would work then where a SSN/ITIN is required and some credit history in the US.

You will still get to keep the AU cards, been using both and it still works fine.

IIRC, I think you can still apply without an ITIN/SSN using NovaCredit which works for Australia without a prior relationship with AmEx.

American Express Credit Passport by Nova Credit | Amex US

Welcome to the U.S. ! Learn How American Express Just Made Moving to the United States Easier with Credit Passport by Nova Credit!

www.americanexpress.com

It's just a bit harder to get approved for than using your relationship with AmEx.

 

[Viridis]

I couldn't find a Gold card other than Delta Gold.

Has anyone any other suggestions?

American Express® Gold Card - Explore New Benefits

 

[desafinado74]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone here been to a Capital One Cafe in the US ?
If so, can you open a bank account there ?
(Their cafes also look very nice !)