Strategy to obtain US Amex

[BTS_FAN]

The Marriott Brilliant Bonvoy increased new sign up bonus
Earn 150,000 Bonus Points $6,000 First 6 months
Plus, Earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you stay 6 eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through 1/31/24. Offer ends 8/9/23.†

I'm tempting to apply for this card, but just got my 1st GT $695 Platinum 3 weeks ago
(no SSN or ITIN)
Any chance they'll let me have 2nd GT via AU log-in within this period?

Thanks

So I thought I went ahead and applied just incase I've got lucky with an approval.

Here's the result right after application:
Request for Transcript of Tax Return (Form 4506-C)

Of cause, I don't have the 4506-C. What should I do next?

 

[levelnine]

Of cause, I don't have the 4506-C. What should I do next?

Contact Amex and say you don't have a 4506-C because you have just moved to the US and ask if you can submit your Australian tax return instead.

 

[BTS_FAN]

Contact Amex and say you don't have a 4506-C because you have just moved to the US and ask if you can submit your Australian tax return instead.

Thanks

I just got off the phone with new account. First, on my application they couldn't see my GT AU card info as it was a regular application?? according to the rep. Then I gave them my Amex AU account number.
5 minutes later, the rep stated that since I already have a US Platinum card (via GT last month) I wouldn't qualify for 2nd GT. Other options would be submitting 4506-C which I don't have.

Well, I wish I could get that Bonvoy Brilliant card with a great signup bonus.
I might try to apply for it again three months down the road using this same method, what are your suggestion or advise?

 

[levelnine]

I might try to apply for it again three months down the road using this same method, what are your suggestion or advise?

I'd call again to see if you get the same answer. As is the case in Australia, no two bank reps will give you the same answer. On one of my many US Amex applications, I had an address verification request. One rep said they wouldn't take a bank statement. Called again and the second rep was more than happy to take it.

If that fails, a 3-month wait before applying again sounds prudent.

 

[Uncharted6264]

Following along here.... Called my AUS-Amex rep and they didn't really have any advice for me, doesn't seem to be any level of collaboration between the two. Would particularly like to hear if someone has done this for their P/L company?

 

[levelnine]

Would particularly like to hear if someone has done this for their P/L company?

Doesn't exist. An Australian company cannot open a US credit card.

Australian persons can open US credit cards (both personal and business) through GT and/or with an EIN or SSN.

 

[blacksultan]

Thanks

I just got off the phone with new account. First, on my application they couldn't see my GT AU card info as it was a regular application?? according to the rep. Then I gave them my Amex AU account number.
5 minutes later, the rep stated that since I already have a US Platinum card (via GT last month) I wouldn't qualify for 2nd GT. Other options would be submitting 4506-C which I don't have.

Well, I wish I could get that Bonvoy Brilliant card with a great signup bonus.
I might try to apply for it again three months down the road using this same method, what are your suggestion or advise?

From my experience few months down the line you may be approved or slight possibility of something else being requested .

 

[mattr00]

Applied for the Bonvoy Brilliant this morning through GT. Used a MyUS address and a Talkatone number. Got the “Can we speak to you on the phone?” message so will give them a call when the applications team open up.

Fingers crossed they don’t request an address verification

For those with a high end US card and an AU Plat, can you really justify keeping both cards open considering the (usually) higher points earn rate and lower AF?

Update: Seems to be no joy. Got asked for a statement with address. Gave them a Wise statement but not too hopeful at this stage

 

[Viridis]

For those with a high end US card and an AU Plat, can you really justify keeping both cards open considering the (usually) higher points earn rate and lower AF?

I have always baulked at the word ‘justify’. Colleagues often speak of being unable to ‘justify’ certain discretionary spend. My argument is that almost none of this stuff can be ‘justified’.

High end card? Nope
New car? Nope
Etc etc etc? Probably nope

The real point is; can I afford it and do I want it? If the answer to both of those questions is ’yes’, then go ahead and do it. Life is short. Enjoy it.

‘Not financial advice ’

 

[http_x92]

Applied for the Bonvoy Brilliant this morning through GT. Used a MyUS address and a Talkatone number. Got the “Can we speak to you on the phone?” message so will give them a call when the applications team open up.

Fingers crossed they don’t request an address verification

For those with a high end US card and an AU Plat, can you really justify keeping both cards open considering the (usually) higher points earn rate and lower AF?

If you can find a way to use all the benefits of the US cards that is a win. The Hilton Aspire is one of the easy wins
- Free Night that is easy to use since standard rooms are available most of the time except for some famous resorts
- $250 Resort Credit which does have some hurdles but can be used on the Gold Coast for example
- $250 Airline incidentals which can still be used for United Travelbank

The new Bonvoy Brilliant has:
- $300 Dining Credit but have to use it each month
- Free night that is under 85k points
- 25 elite nights.
If you can keep track of the card for the dining credit then I think it can be a win.

Just need to keep track of the benefits you have on the Amex Plat + other US cards. YMMV.

 

[levelnine]

For those with a high end US card and an AU Plat, can you really justify keeping both cards open considering the (usually) higher points earn rate and lower AF?

I only churn credit cards, so they are always justifiable to me. If I'm not making at least $USD1000 profit off the card in the first year, I'm not bothering with it. I aim for a minimum 15x return on spend, and haven't fallen below that yet.

 

[Franko Costa]

I only churn credit cards, so they are always justifiable to me. If I'm not making at least $USD1000 profit off the card in the first year, I'm not bothering with it. I aim for a minimum 15x return on spend, and haven't fallen below that yet.

Nicely said.

There are some cards that are used to accumulate points through spend (Au plat), others that offer nice perks (Hilton Aspire), and then others you churn for the bonus points.

As long as you are creating value then it's all good

 

[blacksultan]

Has anyone recently received the statement credit for topping up their United travel bank with the aspire or platinum ?

 

[levelnine]

Has anyone recently received the statement credit for topping up their United travel bank with the aspire or platinum ?

There's been a lot of delays in posting of Amex credits of late. Lots of reports of it on Reddit, etc. I wouldn't worry if you've used the TB method and are still waiting for the credit. It'll almost certainly post eventually.

 

[Tiki]

Wow this year went fast! I got 4 cards last year all with annual fees coming up in the next couple months.
B of A Air France - a/f posted, called to cancel as I don't need Skyteam miles anymore.
Amex Delta Gold - annual fee due later this month. I plan to downgrade it. Not sure of the timing, wait for next statement or do it now?
Amex Hilton Surpass - leaving this one as I want the Priority Pass visits
Chase United Explorer- probably downgrading unless I see a need for the expanded award availability which I don't think is available on the Gateway.

 

[levelnine]

Not sure of the timing, wait for next statement or do it now?

Feel free to downgrade as soon as it has been 12 months + 1 day since you were approved for the card. I prefer to do it before the annual fee posts simply to save the hassle of worrying about potentially paying it and having it refunded.

Been a busy year for me too. By my count, I've signed up for 18 US cards in the past 12 months between my partner and me. A lot of them are Chase Inks though, so no annual fee to worry about.

 

[blacksultan]

Wow this year went fast! I got 4 cards last year all with annual fees coming up in the next couple months.
B of A Air France - a/f posted, called to cancel as I don't need Skyteam miles anymore.
Amex Delta Gold - annual fee due later this month. I plan to downgrade it. Not sure of the timing, wait for next statement or do it now?
Amex Hilton Surpass - leaving this one as I want the Priority Pass visits
Chase United Explorer- probably downgrading unless I see a need for the expanded award availability which I don't think is available on the Gateway.

Is it possible to downgrade delta gold ? If so to what ?

 

[Tiki]

Is it possible to downgrade delta gold ? If so to what ?

There's a Delta Blue Amex with no annual fee. Not worth a separate sign up bonus of 10k/$1000.

 

[Tiki]

Feel free to downgrade as soon as it has been 12 months + 1 day since you were approved for the card. I prefer to do it before the annual fee posts simply to save the hassle of worrying about potentially paying it and having it refunded.

Been a busy year for me too. By my count, I've signed up for 18 US cards in the past 12 months between my partner and me. A lot of them are Chase Inks though, so no annual fee to worry about.

OK so should be around the end of this month.
How did you get so many Inks? I will probably go for it when I am back under 5/24 but that's a year away as long as I don't go crazy this year. So far only 2 new cards this year. CSP and Barclays Aviator.

 

[levelnine]

How did you get so many Inks?

Inks are infinitely churnable. Main thing you need to do is obey the informal velocity limit (no more than 1 new Chase card — personal or business — every 90 days) and the informal credit limit cap (no more than 50% of reported income — need to reduce credit limits if you reach that limit).