Strategy to obtain US Amex

[desafinado74]

Just looking at the Aeroplan card especially since it has supermarkets as a bonus category and it seems to include AU supermarkets whereas CSP is online grocery only. Does anyone have experience with this card? What are Aeroplan points good for? Sorry if I sound like a bit of a noob - thought asking here might accelerate my research a bit.

Aeroplan points are good for redeeming Star Alliance flights, similar to Avianca's Lifemiles.

 

[blacksultan]

Just looking at the Aeroplan card especially since it has supermarkets as a bonus category and it seems to include AU supermarkets whereas CSP is online grocery only. Does anyone have experience with this card? What are Aeroplan points good for? Sorry if I sound like a bit of a noob - thought asking here might accelerate my research a bit.

Aeroplan is a great program with many partners . I have the card . Bonus points for restaurants as well . Let me know if you need a referral link . Great card as well .

Post automatically merged: Jun 29, 2023

Aeroplan points are good for redeeming Star Alliance flights, similar to Avianca's Lifemiles.

More than 35 non alliance partners . Also no hard expiry for points .

 

[desafinado74]

Aeroplan is a great program with many partners . I have the card . Bonus points for restaurants as well . Let me know if you need a referral link . Great card as well .

Post automatically merged: Jun 29, 2023

More than 35 non alliance partners . Also no hard expiry for points .

Good point. I forgot about the non Star Alliance partners.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Just looking at the Aeroplan card especially since it has supermarkets as a bonus category and it seems to include AU supermarkets whereas CSP is online grocery only. Does anyone have experience with this card? What are Aeroplan points good for? Sorry if I sound like a bit of a noob - thought asking here might accelerate my research a bit.

Do a quick search in the thread. There's been a few discussions on it. Mainly Aeroplan has some interesting partners beyond *A which provides you some flexibility as you're not locked in. There was also mention of a perk which helps you pay off your costs at >1c/point. I don't recall the specifics but it seemed like a useful card.

Just applied for IHG Business mentioned they're reviewing. No confirmation email for apply and no record of it via the application line. very strange.

Most likely rejected given that my last chase card was 2 months ago but thought I would give it a shot.

Looks like back to gardening. It was worth a shot but not unexpected. Rejected due to:

• Length of time since oldest credit card was opened is too short
• One or more credit cards have a high balance compared to the credit line
• One or more recent requests for new credit
• Overall industry risk

I also noticed that my credit score tanked from high 600s~ (experian) to high 500s~ according to Chase Proprietary Score which I don't think is either equifax or experian but will wait till I get the Amex's new score before I worry to much.

I don't think I'll call recon given the listed concerns above. Interesting though, I only have 14% utilisation. I wonder if it's pulling older data.

 

[BTS_FAN]

My friends in the US asked me. Is it hard to get GT to AU? First I wonder why he wanted an Aussie Amex, he told me he like the cool looking Essential card with no annual fee.

 

[levelnine]

Chase has changed the Ink Preferred SUB to 100K UR for $8K spend. If they change the referral bonus to the same as the Cash/Unlimited (40K), this is a complete game changer for Australians eligible for Chase cards.

Previously to churn Inks, you'd have to suck up $180 in foreign transaction fees on the Cash/Unlimited cards. Now you can pay $95 for the Preferred and pay no foreign transaction fees.

That pretty much halves the cost of acquiring Chase points. Absolutely incredible.

The value now is out of this world. One bonus will get you, eg, approx 4 nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives (usually about $3K AUD a night) for $65 AUD a night, a saving of 98% LOL.

 

[Tiki]

Chase has changed the Ink Preferred SUB to 100K UR for $8K spend. If they change the referral bonus to the same as the Cash/Unlimited (40K), this is a complete game changer for Australians eligible for Chase cards.

Previously to churn Inks, you'd have to suck up $180 in foreign transaction fees on the Cash/Unlimited cards. Now you can pay $95 for the Preferred and pay no foreign transaction fees.

That pretty much halves the cost of acquiring Chase points. Absolutely incredible.

The value now is out of this world. One bonus will get you, eg, approx 4 nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives (usually about $3K AUD a night) for $65 AUD a night, a saving of 98% LOL.

Eek at today's exchange rate thats about $12k in 3 months! I can't do that even with a holiday in the time frame. Only possiblity is when I buy a new car next year (small SUV) if I can get a dealer to put it on the card and I would have to save enough to immediately transfer and pay the bill.

 

[blacksultan]

Eek at today's exchange rate thats about $12k in 3 months! I can't do that even with a holiday in the time frame. Only possiblity is when I buy a new car next year (small SUV) if I can get a dealer to put it on the card and I would have to save enough to immediately transfer and pay the bill.

Use it to buy coles gift cards when an offer is on !

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Use it to buy coles gift cards when an offer is on !

Risk getting your accounts closed for MS. I wouldn't take it.

 

[DC3]

Risk getting your accounts closed for MS. I wouldn't take it.

My Coles GC purchases just show as Coles (Supermarkets)

 

[albyd]

Do a quick search in the thread. There's been a few discussions on it. Mainly Aeroplan has some interesting partners beyond *A which provides you some flexibility as you're not locked in. There was also mention of a perk which helps you pay off your costs at >1c/point. I don't recall the specifics but it seemed like a useful card.

I don't think I'll call recon given the listed concerns above. Interesting though, I only have 14% utilisation. I wonder if it's pulling older data.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm waiting for my ITIN to come through - ended up using Sina - had my FaceTime interview the other morning - expecting it will be 90 business days - I'm guessing that's 4 months or so. I've waited this long ...

I'll do some extra research on the Aeroplan card in the meantime. Also interested in the Ink cards mentioned in this thread - especially if a stay at the Maldives can be had for such a "discount". Planning to use the Aeroplan card as my non-Amex in AU. Thinking about the Capital One Venture card at $US95 for 2X USD everywhere. Guessing I should spread supermarket spend across Citi Premier & Aeroplan to avoid being picked up for MS. What might this look like? Are there any other US Cards which work for Supermarket spend in AU?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm waiting for my ITIN to come through - ended up using Sina - had my FaceTime interview the other morning - expecting it will be 90 business days - I'm guessing that's 4 months or so. I've waited this long ...

I'll do some extra research on the Aeroplan card in the meantime. Also interested in the Ink cards mentioned in this thread - especially if a stay at the Maldives can be had for such a "discount". Planning to use the Aeroplan card as my non-Amex in AU. Thinking about the Capital One Venture card at $US95 for 2X USD everywhere. Guessing I should spread supermarket spend across Citi Premier & Aeroplan to avoid being picked up for MS. What might this look like? Are there any other US Cards which work for Supermarket spend in AU?

Venture or Venture X + Savor 1 (S1) is a solid combo. VX pays for itself. S1 3 points per $ spent on shops and petrol and no FX fees.

 

[Franko Costa]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm waiting for my ITIN to come through - ended up using Sina - had my FaceTime interview the other morning - expecting it will be 90 business days - I'm guessing that's 4 months or so. I've waited this long ...

I'll do some extra research on the Aeroplan card in the meantime. Also interested in the Ink cards mentioned in this thread - especially if a stay at the Maldives can be had for such a "discount". Planning to use the Aeroplan card as my non-Amex in AU. Thinking about the Capital One Venture card at $US95 for 2X USD everywhere. Guessing I should spread supermarket spend across Citi Premier & Aeroplan to avoid being picked up for MS. What might this look like? Are there any other US Cards which work for Supermarket spend in AU?

I'm in the same boat as my ITIN has been delayed for so long after they got my address and DoB wrong

 

[PointsLife1]

Just applied for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless with an eye towards the Ritz Carlton card in 12 months. Has anyone got the Ritz card and had any success claiming airline incidentals on Aussie carriers?

 

[BTS_FAN]

Amex Question

If you have a personal US Amex via GT (no SSN or ITIN)
Can you get the Business Amex? or only personal?

Thanks

 

[blacksultan]

Amex Question

If you have a personal US Amex via GT (no SSN or ITIN)
Can you get the Business Amex? or only personal?

Thanks

Can apply for biz .

 

[BTS_FAN]

Can apply for biz .

Thanks, how do I apply for the biz version? If you log-in using AU GT it would ask for SSN & have to fill in everything Vs the personal it would pre-loaded with your info already.

 

[blacksultan]

Thanks, how do I apply for the biz version? If you log-in using AU GT it would ask for SSN & have to fill in everything Vs the personal it would pre-loaded with your info already.

Sorry I might have misread . You may need itin . Probably do .

 

[blacksultan]

Any recommendations for an itin applying service apart from ein express that are quick , reliable and inexpensive ?

 

[DC3]

Any recommendations for an itin applying service apart from ein express that are quick , reliable and inexpensive ?

Weren’t you using Sina B at EIN Express, or maybe you didn’t proceed with that?