Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

Looks like my Equifax (EQ) report will fix itself shortly. Looking to attach my ITIN to a credit card for the first time.

My previous application to Chase that resulted in a decline hasn't resulted in a hard pull on EQ which is interesting and potentially helpful. A similar thing happened with C1 VX which did not result in a hard pull either.

Unfortunately I'm in the pop-up jail for Amex meaning that I can't seem to receive any SUBs (I've tried the 90K + $200 referral). I have a feeling this might be related to the Green card I obtained back in December and it has a 6 month spending period so that might have an impact on it from some data points I've read. I've heard people who applied via Resy got around it so I'll give that ago later.

C1 is happy to pre-approval me for SV1 and that was a card that I planned to get but no SUB. I might give the SUB-ed version a go and see what happens.

Very few options since Amex won't budge and C1 is only pre-approving a non-SUB product.

Does anyone else have any recommendations/thoughts?

Tried Hsbc through premier reciprocal ?
How do you obtain the equifax report ?

 

[levelnine]

Does anyone else have any recommendations/thoughts?

Is the Gold 90K+$200 the only Amex card you've tried?

If so, it seems like the current $200 statement credit offers are being denied to many people who don't ordinarily get the pop up.

You could try the slightly worse Amex Resy offers as you may not get the pop up for them: Resy | Right This Way

If you have the minimum spend, the Amex Biz Golds and Platinums circumvent pop up jail for most people.

 

[thedamon]

I was approved for a Bonvoy Amex back in January. Using Global Transfer.

A few questions:

1. If I do apply or another Amex card; do I still need to use the global transfer process or can my "current" Bonvoy Amex in the US be used for baseline/credit history?
2. If I get an ITIN, can that be added to the above Bonvoy Amex or how does it work?
3. I understand that I've started building credit history in the US with this card, but as I have not fixed an ITIN yet and don't have an SSN, how do I see that score/how is it connected to me as an individual?

 

[blacksultan]

I was approved for a Bonvoy Amex back in January. Using Global Transfer.

A few questions:

1. If I do apply or another Amex card; do I still need to use the global transfer process or can my "current" Bonvoy Amex in the US be used for baseline/credit history?
2. If I get an ITIN, can that be added to the above Bonvoy Amex or how does it work?

2) can’t add itin to an existing card . Need to link it at time of application .

1. I understand that I've started building credit history in the US with this card, but as I have not fixed an ITIN yet and don't have an SSN, how do I see that score/how is it connected to me as an individual?

Possibly through the address and other personal details . Try core credit through Equifax .

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Tried Hsbc through premier reciprocal ?
How do you obtain the equifax report ?

Unfortunately no HSBC Premier account. Re Equifax, you mentioned core credit and that's what I use.

 

[blacksultan]

Unfortunately no HSBC Premier account. Re Equifax, you mentioned core credit and that's what I use.

I believe you can open a us hsbc account online as a non resident . I can share a referral link as well .

 

[timmy1234]

Sounds like you have to be prepared for a long wait with Citi. I've been spoilt by Chase. Apply & approve in one day, card shipped by international courier the next day, in your hands 2-3 days later.

Did u give an Oz address after your app got approved. whats the reason u gave?

 

[Tiki]

It doesn't look like Chase is going to improve the online SUB for CSP. So I booked an appt at the branch near LAX and will apply in person for the 90k offer during a layover. They will mail the card to Australia and I will have access to Apple Pay.

Just wondering what all you can put on Apple Pay? I have some bills coming up but I won't have the physical card in time. I am already using Apple Pay with my Chase UA card at Coles and Woolies no problem. I have been told that Visa/MC gift cards sold in the USA are only accepted in the USA. I will be going to Mexico and Turkiye on this trip as well but I doubt Apple Pay will work there.

 

[levelnine]

Did u give an Oz address after your app got approved. whats the reason u gave?

After I'm approved, I call to ask for the card to be mailed to me in Australia. You don't have to give a reason. They're always happy to do it.

 

[timmy1234]

After I'm approved, I call to ask for the card to be mailed to me in Australia. You don't have to give a reason. They're always happy to do it.

Damn, I should have done for my previous card. how long did it take u to receive the physical card

 

[levelnine]

Damn, I should have done for my previous card. how long did it take u to receive the physical card

In Australia, usually 2-3 days. Once or twice up to 7 days.

 

[desafinado74]

2) can’t add itin to an existing card . Need to link it at time of application .


Possibly through the address and other personal details . Try core credit through Equifax .

I assume that Equifax Core Credit will not work if your ITIN is fresh with no history ? (I tried to sign up with my new ITIN, but it could not verify my identity)

 

[blacksultan]

In Australia, usually 2-3 days. Once or twice up to 7 days.

They use USPS

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I tried applying for C1's SavorOne but was rejected even though I was pre-approved for the "Good" credit version. The reason on the rejection was length of credit history which is surprising based on other DPs online.

I was able to apply for the Gold card via Resy (75K + 20% on restaurants). No pop-up appeared and was advised to contact Amex for more information (3rd card, 1st ITIN card and no GT). Wanted to confirm my ITIN and was approved on the spot.

After this I think I'll slow down with the applications and let me score rebuilt. Would still like to get VX, S1, WoH and IHG as a priority.

I assume that Equifax Core Credit will not work if your ITIN is fresh with no history ? (I tried to sign up with my new ITIN, but it could not verify my identity)

Equifax has sufficient details to match my existing record with what Amex has reported. I think the only issues will be TU and EX from what I've read? There seem to be multiple mixed experiences.

With my S1 rejection, they included my Experian score as well which said recent inquiries impact my score so that's kind of interesting given that I've only ever applied for 1 card per month but clearly without ITIN attached to my credit reports they were still able to link my files together.

 

[desafinado74]

I tried applying for C1's SavorOne but was rejected even though I was pre-approved for the "Good" credit version. The reason on the rejection was length of credit history which is surprising based on other DPs online.

I was able to apply for the Gold card via Resy (75K + 20% on restaurants). No pop-up appeared and was advised to contact Amex for more information (3rd card, 1st ITIN card and no GT). Wanted to confirm my ITIN and was approved on the spot.

After this I think I'll slow down with the applications and let me score rebuilt. Would still like to get VX, S1, WoH and IHG as a priority.



Equifax has sufficient details to match my existing record with what Amex has reported. I think the only issues will be TU and EX from what I've read? There seem to be multiple mixed experiences.

With my S1 rejection, they included my Experian score as well which said recent inquiries impact my score so that's kind of interesting given that I've only ever applied for 1 card per month but clearly without ITIN attached to my credit reports they were still able to link my files together.

I will give it a few more months and try and sign up to Equifax again.
I know that my AMEX FICO score is based on Experian.
Funny enough, i got rejected for the Petal credit card last month, and they actually accessed my Transunion score, which is the same as my AMEX FICO score.

Coincidently, i also applied for the C1 SavorOne on the pre approval page over the weekend.
They also emailed me and asked for a copy of my passport and ITIN letter. Let's see what will happen next.

How long did you have to wait before C1 came back with the decision ?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I will give it a few more months and try and sign up to Equifax again.
I know that my AMEX FICO score is based on Experian.
Funny enough, i got rejected for the Petal credit card last month, and they actually accessed my Transunion score, which is the same as my AMEX FICO score.

Coincidently, i also applied for the C1 SavorOne on the pre approval page over the weekend.
They also emailed me and asked for a copy of my passport and ITIN letter. Let's see what will happen next.

How long did you have to wait before C1 came back with the decision ?

Immediate denial from C1 but from what I've hard about C1 is that they're very peculiar and have no consistency.

They don't like frequent recent inquiries either so that could have hurt me. Did you apply for the Good Credit S1 or did you apply for Excellent Credit S1? I was pre-approved for Good Credit S1 but I didn't want the card unless I could get VX.

If they're asking you for your passport and ITIN then there's a good chance you've been approved as per tlam's experience upthread.

 

[desafinado74]

Immediate denial from C1 but from what I've hard about C1 is that they're very peculiar and have no consistency.

They don't like frequent recent inquiries either so that could have hurt me. Did you apply for the Good Credit S1 or did you apply for Excellent Credit S1? I was pre-approved for Good Credit S1 but I didn't want the card unless I could get VX.

If they're asking you for your passport and ITIN then there's a good chance you've been approved as per tlam's experience upthread.

I applied for the Good credit one with no annual fee(The pre approval page only gave me three options : Quicksilver, SavorOne and the secured Platinum Master card. I just took the best one out of the sorry lot lol)

Do keep us updated with your credit card adventures. Wish you the best. I am particularly interested in the Chase Hyatt , CSP and C1 Venture cards. Apparently, you can also improve your chances of getting a card if you open a check/savings account and at the same time, apply for a card when you are in a branch.

This article is worth a read :

Opening US Bank Accounts for Canadians | Frugal Flyer

Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to open Chase & Bank of America accounts as a Canadian.

frugalflyer.ca

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I applied for the Good credit one with no annual fee(The pre approval page only gave me three options : Quicksilver, SavorOne and the secured Platinum Master card. I just took the best one out of the sorry lot lol)

Do keep us updated with your credit card adventures. Wish you the best. I am particularly interested in the Chase Hyatt , CSP and C1 Venture cards. Apparently, you can also improve your chances of getting a card if you open a check/savings account and at the same time, apply for a card when you are in a branch.

This article is worth a read :

Opening US Bank Accounts for Canadians | Frugal Flyer

Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to open Chase & Bank of America accounts as a Canadian.

frugalflyer.ca

Yep. I know chase cares about existing customer interactions but C1 doesn't. Not sure about Citi but I guess I'll open an account with Chase and C1 next time I'm over there.

Given that my goals are VX(by extension S1), WoH, IHG. I'm very conscious of wasting slots that don't produce value. S1 is really only valuable if you can get Venture/X and knowing C1 and how inconsistent they are, I found it a risky pick especially without being eligible for a SUB. If you get caught out by C1s inconsistencies and don't get approved for Venture/X then you'll likely sockdraw your S1 and waste a 1/24 slot.

I'm already at 3/24 and I'm realising I should have perhaps waited for my ITIN before applying for the green card. I might try WoH and IHG then VX and S1? I know C1 doesn't have a Chase 24 rule but they do seem inquiry sensitive.

 

[tlam]

Yep. I know chase cares about existing customer interactions but C1 doesn't. Not sure about Citi but I guess I'll open an account with Chase and C1 next time I'm over there.

Given that my goals are VX(by extension S1), WoH, IHG. I'm very conscious of wasting slots that don't produce value. S1 is really only valuable if you can get Venture/X and knowing C1 and how inconsistent they are, I found it a risky pick especially without being eligible for a SUB. If you get caught out by C1s inconsistencies and don't get approved for Venture/X then you'll likely sockdraw your S1 and waste a 1/24 slot.

I'm already at 3/24 and I'm realising I should have perhaps waited for my ITIN before applying for the green card. I might try WoH and IHG then VX and S1? I know C1 doesn't have a Chase 24 rule but they do seem inquiry sensitive.

You can only apply C1 bank account online, they are branchless like ING here. I like the C1 X but waiting for the upgrade offer, some of the doctor credit readers reported that they were offered 70k points to upgrade to the X version.

C1 is useful for other transactions as you can get 2 pts / $1 spend on everything but my new favourite card is Aeroplan Chase with 100k SUB, this card is the hidden charm and I am almost afraid to share.

I was just approved last month and found that it is the most useful for groceries, supermarkets, and restaurants that cover most of my spend, and monthly bonus points + many more benefits for the annual fee of $95. Totally worth it.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

You can only apply C1 bank account online, they are branchless like ING here. I like the C1 X but waiting for the upgrade offer, some of the doctor credit readers reported that they were offered 70k points to upgrade to the X version.

C1 is useful for other transactions as you can get 2 pts / $1 spend on everything but my new favourite card is Aeroplan Chase with 100k SUB, this card is the hidden charm and I am almost afraid to share.

I was just approved last month and found that it is the most useful for groceries, supermarkets, and restaurants that cover most of my spend, and monthly bonus points + many more benefits for the annual fee of $95. Totally worth it.

There are definitely C1 branches that exist but mostly major cities like NY and LA.

Are you worried about being trapped with Aeroplan points only? Lack of flexibility and etc?