Strategy to obtain US Amex

[BTS_FAN]

Is it hard to get ITIN number? Do IRS only required your foreign passport to process?
What's the most common reasons people get rejected for ITIN?

Thanks

 

[blacksultan]

IRS rejected my ITIN. I need to start again

Who does everyone use who is capable? The person I used put my address and DOB incorrect and no longer listed in fiverr

Ein express seem reliable .

 

[QF029]

I've got an SSN, US bank account, an almost 800 credit score and access to a relative in the US who I use as a mailing address. I've applied for all the Amex Hilton cards except Aspire which I'll do next year when my Hilton Diamond status runs out.

What cards do people recommend with great bank for buck in rewards points (open to most flavours of hotel and airline)? I shouldn't have an issue getting approved for most cards and happy to use referral links / codes. I was leaning towards the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant but keen for advice from the experts.

 

[Franko Costa]

Ein express seem reliable .

Thanks I will do that.

Does one need an EIN to apply for business cards or can I get by with an ITIN? I'm thinking if I need both I would get them both done now (with the wife)

 

[Tiki]

I've got an SSN, US bank account, an almost 800 credit score and access to a relative in the US who I use as a mailing address. I've applied for all the Amex Hilton cards except Aspire which I'll do next year when my Hilton Diamond status runs out.

What cards do people recommend with great bank for buck in rewards points (open to most flavours of hotel and airline)? I shouldn't have an issue getting approved for most cards and happy to use referral links / codes. I was leaning towards the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant but keen for advice from the experts.

Start with your favourite Chase cards so you don't get stuck with the 5/24 rule. CSP just had a special offer for 80k/$4000 but that finished last month and is back to 60k/$4000. The United Explorer has 60k/$3000 and has the added bonus of expanded award availability with discounts sometimes. There are good offers on the IHG cards too. Referral links are in the special thread. PM me if you have other questions.

 

[levelnine]

I've got an SSN, US bank account, an almost 800 credit score and access to a relative in the US who I use as a mailing address. I've applied for all the Amex Hilton cards except Aspire which I'll do next year when my Hilton Diamond status runs out.

What cards do people recommend with great bank for buck in rewards points (open to most flavours of hotel and airline)? I shouldn't have an issue getting approved for most cards and happy to use referral links / codes. I was leaning towards the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant but keen for advice from the experts.

Which hotels/airlines do you use the most?

In my opinion, the very best are Chase Ink cards because they don't add to your 5/24 & transfer to the best value hotel program out there: Hyatt.

The Ink Preferred is an absolute killer at the moment: 100K UR after $8K spend for $95 (with no foreign transaction fees).

But if you don't like Hyatt, then I'd choose IHG over Marriott given the 4th night free bonus with the Chase cards, but YMMV. If you do like Marriott, I'd go the Brilliant.

 

[QF029]

Which hotels/airlines do you use the most?

In my opinion, the very best are Chase Ink cards because they don't add to your 5/24 & transfer to the best value hotel program out there: Hyatt.

The Ink Preferred is an absolute killer at the moment: 100K UR after $8K spend for $95 (with no foreign transaction fees).

But if you don't like Hyatt, then I'd choose IHG over Marriott given the 4th night free bonus with the Chase cards, but YMMV. If you do like Marriott, I'd go the Brilliant.

Thanks @levelnine i did see your post about Ink Preferred. Did you suggest waiting to see about the referral bonus? Are you aware of a wiki that explains the card? I recall you made a reference to converting / churning them (I may have misunderstood).

I'm typing AA/QF and Hilton but happy to expand my Horizons and I'd be happy with Hyatt.

 

[levelnine]

Thanks @levelnine i did see your post about Ink Preferred. Did you suggest waiting to see about the referral bonus? Are you aware of a wiki that explains the card? I recall you made a reference to converting / churning them (I may have misunderstood).

I'm typing AA/QF and Hilton but happy to expand my Horizons and I'd be happy with Hyatt.

The Ink Preferred is now at its highest offer, so no need to wait.

Card features are pretty straight forward, but happy to explain anything that doesn't make sense. You can get a new Ink card every 3 months, but start out with 1 and see how you go.

This is a good explainer about how to apply for Chase Ink cards: How to sign up for Chase Ink cards

AA cards are a little more involved, as Barclays and Citi can be finicky for foreigners. Lots of fraud alerts on non-US transactions on new cards, and those alerts can be hard to clear (ie Citi will send you a physical letter with a code you need to read out). Chase & Amex are more beginner and foreigner friendly. Amex transfers to QF, Chase does not. Both transfer to BA.

If you're keen on sticking with Hilton, you could get another Hilton business card using these links. Plenty of reports that people are able to get a second or even third Hilton business card using the links in that post.

 

[QF029]

The Ink Preferred is now at its highest offer, so no need to wait.

Card features are pretty straight forward, but happy to explain anything that doesn't make sense. You can get a new Ink card every 3 months, but start out with 1 and see how you go.

This is a good explainer about how to apply for Chase Ink cards: How to sign up for Chase Ink cards

AA cards are a little more involved, as Barclays and Citi can be finicky for foreigners. Lots of fraud alerts on non-US transactions on new cards. Chase & Amex are more beginner friendly. Amex transfers to QF, Chase does not. Both transfer to BA.

If you're keen on sticking with Hilton, you could get another Hilton business card using these links. Plenty of reports that people are able to get a second or even third Hilton business card using the links in that post.

Thanks I'll definitely check these out. I've currently got a Citibank AA card (the base one jot the one that gives Admirals Club.

So you can end up with multiple Ink Cards? I'm assuming the only reason to have multiple Ink cards is you have to keep them open for 12 months?

 

[levelnine]

Thanks I'll definitely check these out. I've currently got a Citibank AA card (the base one jot the one that gives Admirals Club.

So you can end up with multiple Ink Cards? I'm assuming the only reason to have multiple Ink cards is you have to keep them open for 12 months?

The main reason to get multiple Ink cards is to get multiple sign-up bonuses.

You should always keep any US card open for a minimum of 12 months. For any with an annual fee, you can downgrade/close within 30 days of the second annual fee posting to get a full refund on that second annual fee.

 

[BlueHorizonUK]

Quick Q, how do you guys keep your ITIN as we have to fill tax returns at least once every three years. Is there a service anyone uses that helps with this?

Thanks

 

[ithongy]

Which hotels/airlines do you use the most?

In my opinion, the very best are Chase Ink cards because they don't add to your 5/24 & transfer to the best value hotel program out there: Hyatt.

The Ink Preferred is an absolute killer at the moment: 100K UR after $8K spend for $95 (with no foreign transaction fees).

But if you don't like Hyatt, then I'd choose IHG over Marriott given the 4th night free bonus with the Chase cards, but YMMV. If you do like Marriott, I'd go the Brilliant.

However the INK cards are governed by 5/24 rule but do not count towards your 5/24 tally.

 

[Chalkie]

Quick Q, how do you guys keep your ITIN as we have to fill tax returns at least once every three years. Is there a service anyone uses that helps with this?

Thanks

I found this helpful for understanding ITIN "renewal": ITIN expiration FAQs | Internal Revenue Service. One of the FAQs says this:

"Q12: When an individual renews their ITIN will they retain the same ITIN or receive a new one?​

A12: Once an ITIN is assigned, it belongs to that taxpayer, unless the ITIN has been revoked. When an individual renews their ITIN, the previously assigned number is renewed."​

As I understand matters, the circumstances in which an ITIN may be "revoked" (as opposed to "expired") are quite narrow, and mostly arise in cases of fraud (such as fraudulently obtaining an ITIN or wrongfully deploying an ITIN to obtain tax credits or refunds to which the ITIN holder is not otherwise entitled).

 

[Chalkie]

IRS rejected my ITIN. I need to start again

Who does everyone use who is capable? The person I used put my address and DOB incorrect and no longer listed in fiverr

My experience with my ITIN was that this is common. The international tax department of my global business handled my ITIN application along with a number of my colleagues. From memory we were all rejected on the first round and had to re-submit. My international tax department shrugged their shoulders and said "this happens all the time".

 

[blacksultan]

Thanks I will do that.

Does one need an EIN to apply for business cards or can I get by with an ITIN? I'm thinking if I need both I would get them both done now (with the wife)

I have been approved with an itin

 

[levelnine]

Thanks I'll definitely check these out. I've currently got a Citibank AA card (the base one jot the one that gives Admirals Club.

So you can end up with multiple Ink Cards? I'm assuming the only reason to have multiple Ink cards is you have to keep them open for 12 months?

Forgot to add one more point in favour of Chase. If you message/call them after you're approved, they'll ship the new card straight to your Australian address. No need to hassle your American contact, no need to wait 10 days like with Amex, etc. Contact centre agents are more competent than those of Amex in my experience — all US based, unlike with Amex — and miles better than Citi and Barclays, which can be outright terrible. Only ever had good experiences with them, but of course YMMV.

 

[albyd]

If you message/call them after you're approved, they'll ship the new card straight to your Australian address

Thanks for that tip @levelnine I'm currently waiting for my ITIN through EIN Express (hope it comes through in the next few months) and Chase was going to be my first bank to approach to expand outside of AMEX. I use MyUS but they are uber expensive so this might help avoid some of this cost.

What do you usually tell the Chase guys in order to send the card to you in AU?

My AMEX Green will expire shortly. I do have the mail option with MyUS but my original card didn't arrive so needed to ask AMEX to send a replacement to AU as I was traveling. Are there any other ways of handling this with AMEX? I know it's a "pov" card so they won't courier it but I'm not too fussed about that.

 

[QF029]

Can you activate the ink card online and load into Apple Pay / Google Pay or do you need the physical card to start spending?

 

[blacksultan]

Thanks I will do that.

Does one need an EIN to apply for business cards or can I get by with an ITIN? I'm thinking if I need both I would get them both done now (with the wife)

I have been approved with an itin

I've got an SSN, US bank account, an almost 800 credit score and access to a relative in the US who I use as a mailing address. I've applied for all the Amex Hilton cards except Aspire which I'll do next year when my Hilton Diamond status runs out.

What cards do people recommend with great bank for buck in rewards points (open to most flavours of hotel and airline)? I shouldn't have an issue getting approved for most cards and happy to use referral links / codes. I was leaning towards the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant but keen for advice from the experts.

there is a thread here for us card referral links

Forgot to add one more point in favour of Chase. If you message/call them after you're approved, they'll ship the new card straight to your Australian address. No need to hassle your American contact, no need to wait 10 days like with Amex, etc. Contact centre agents are more competent than those of Amex in my experience — all US based, unlike with Amex — and miles better than Citi and Barclays, which can be outright terrible. Only ever had good experiences with them, but of course YMMV.

not if you have not had a card with them previously . From my experience it throws up a lot of red flags from fraud and one goes around in circles wrt verification . Best avoided . Works for subsequent cards .

 

[blacksultan]

Forgot to add one more point in favour of Chase. If you message/call them after you're approved, they'll ship the new card straight to your Australian address. No need to hassle your American contact, no need to wait 10 days like with Amex, etc. Contact centre agents are more competent than those of Amex in my experience — all US based, unlike with Amex — and miles better than Citi and Barclays, which can be outright terrible. Only ever had good experiences with them, but of course YMMV.

The issue is if you being able to verify yourself and it’s difficult to do without having received a card from them previously .