Strategy to obtain US Amex

[QF_Flyer]

Second US Amex was approved a few days ago, linked to PayPal and Amazon immediately via the app. Applied via GT, still haven't gotten around to sorting out an ITIN. Went for the Green charge, 60k MR for $150 seemed a decent deal, given the US transfer rates. Had the first for around 12 months now, FICO has been showing for about 3 months.

Is it normal for there not to be a SUB spend tracker? Also novel that the points earned so far show as "pending", and aren't available until the next minimum payment is made. No issue, just an observation.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Second US Amex was approved a few days ago, linked to PayPal and Amazon immediately via the app. Applied via GT, still haven't gotten around to sorting out an ITIN. Went for the Green charge, 60k MR for $150 seemed a decent deal, given the US transfer rates. Had the first for around 12 months now, FICO has been showing for about 3 months.

Is it normal for there not to be a SUB spend tracker? Also novel that the points earned so far show as "pending", and aren't available until the next minimum payment is made. No issue, just an observation.

I don't think there is a SUB spend tracker for Amex

 

[cathalm8]

Trying to apply for a US Amex via GT now. Applied online. At end of application it said can you give us a call. Is that normal enough? Also got an email saying application has been received but nothing about calling..

 

[simba24]

Trying to apply for a US Amex via GT now. Applied online. At end of application it said can you give us a call. Is that normal enough? Also got an email saying application has been received but nothing about calling..

Yes, it happened to me both times and was fairly straightforward. They just wanted to confirm a few details and give me the card terms before accepting.

 

[QF_Flyer]

Trying to apply for a US Amex via GT now. Applied online. At end of application it said can you give us a call. Is that normal enough? Also got an email saying application has been received but nothing about calling..

Both times mine were just instantly approved online, but it doesn't sound out of the ordinary from what I've read on here, I guess it depends on the history in your source country and whether they have any questions along those lines.

I applied for a second card without GT a couple of months ago and got the same, never got around to calling them and they made a decision, presumably unfavourable, but it was in the form of a letter I couldn't read, because it required a SSN to access. Same card via GT was no questions asked.

Post automatically merged: Jul 11, 2023

I don't think there is a SUB spend tracker for Amex

Thanks, thought that might be the case. Never had a US MR card, so no doubts re eligibility, and I didn't get the popup of doom, so should be fine.

 

[QF029]

I got an email from Chase overnight after applying for the Ink preferred. They have asked for:

• Proof of physical address and social security card for authorizing officer
• Proof of legal name and physical address for business
• Proof of federal tax id for business

The first one isn't a problem. The second is probably OK given I used my name. The third seems problematic? I applied as a Sole Proprietorship.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I got an email from Chase overnight after applying for the Ink preferred. They have asked for:

• Proof of physical address and social security card for authorizing officer
• Proof of legal name and physical address for business
• Proof of federal tax id for business

The first one isn't a problem. The second is probably OK given I used my name. The third seems problematic? I applied as a Sole Proprietorship.

I would assume that 3rd would be ITIN/SSN?

 

[levelnine]

I would assume that 3rd would be ITIN/SSN?

Yes, if you applied as a sole prop, as you should, all you need to send is a copy of your ITIN/SSN.

 

[Finale]

I applied as sole prop using ITIN and they still asked for SSN, EIN and proof of business address. I only have ITIN and statement and they said those didn't meet the requirement.

 

[levelnine]

I applied as sole prop using ITIN and they still asked for SSN, EIN and proof of business address. I only have ITIN and statement and they said those didn't meet the requirement.

Did you HUACA?

For both Amex and Chase, I had them ask for proof of address. Sent in a bank statement then called up. First agent said not sufficient, need a utility or telephone bill. Waited a day. Called back, agents processed the applications without question.

 

[Finale]

Did you HUACA?

For both Amex and Chase, I had them ask for proof of address. Sent in a bank statement then called up. First agent said not sufficient, need a utility or telephone bill. Waited a day. Called back, agents processed the applications without question.

When I called the first time, the agent asked me to confirm ITIN. That went ok and they could process the application fine but the computer said no. When I called recon asking them to move my credit line from the Ink card I have, they could process the app fine as well but denied again. Then called again and was told I had to go to fruad dept first. A bit later I received the email asking for

Proof of date of birth and physical address for authorizing officer
Proof of physical address for business (e.g. utility bill)

Sent passport and statement. They said they couldn't use these as they were illegible, expired or did not otherwise meet their requirements and requested

Proof of social security card for authorizing officer
Proof of federal tax id for business

Sent just ITIN and was later told they were unable to process the app with these documents.

I just stopped there after noticing 3 HPs.

I guess I just need to make my credit file look a bit better. Could've been approved on the first call as the reasons for a denial were recent inquiries and some balance I had (only about 15% utilization).

 

[levelnine]

When I called recon asking them to move my credit line from the Ink card I have,

So you already had other Ink cards? Strange that they were so finicky with the approval of subsequent cards, unless you were pushing the velocity too hard or had a thin credit file.

Two key points for anyone starting with Chase:
- You need a relatively strong credit file with Chase to churn. I've seen plenty of people get one or two Chase cards then start getting denials, seemingly due to thin credit files. They are cautious about issuing a lot of lines of credit to new customers.
- Velocity needs to be ramped over time. Start slowly (eg 6-9+ months between applications) and gradually decrease the time between applications. Hitting Chase once every 3 months from day one is a big red flag from a risk stand point.

 

[Finale]

So you already had other Ink cards? Strange that they were so finicky with the approval of subsequent cards, unless you were pushing the velocity too hard or had a thin credit file.

Two key points for anyone starting with Chase:
- You need a relatively strong credit file with Chase to churn. I've seen plenty of people get one or two Chase cards then start getting denials, seemingly due to thin credit files. They are cautious about issuing a lot of lines of credit to new customers.
- Velocity needs to be ramped over time. Start slowly (eg 6-9+ months between applications) and gradually decrease the time between applications. Hitting Chase once every 3 months from day one is a big red flag from a risk stand point.

Yes I have Unlimited with 10k limit thinking it would be easy to get approved by moving some credit line. I have 7 years of history. 3 cards with Chase with 28K combined limit. Got them Sep 19, Jan 20, Nov 22, then the denied one March 23. I was also at only 2/24. I believe that I called them too early (3rd time) thinking the request of moving a credit line on my 2nd call was denied but the rejection letter could actually be from my first call. Then it triggered fraud dept. If I had been patient, maybe the result would have been different.

 

[ithongy]

Pay an accountant to setup an LLC, obtain EIN & ITIN no to open business checking accounts and you should be able to obtain US business credit cards.

 

[Franko Costa]

I have US$250 airline incidental credit with amex hilton.

WHat have people used it on to be useful? I haven't picked an airline and I don't really fly to the US. I was thinking of a United travel bank if no one else has any suggestions

 

[QF029]

I got an email from Chase overnight after applying for the Ink preferred. They have asked for:

• Proof of physical address and social security card for authorizing officer
• Proof of legal name and physical address for business
• Proof of federal tax id for business

The first one isn't a problem. The second is probably OK given I used my name. The third seems problematic? I applied as a Sole Proprietorship.

An update on my application. I provided a copy of my social security card, passport and amex statement front page with US address and I was approved with no further questions. Thanks to everyone for your help so far and especially @levelnine.

My contact in the US is visiting Australia in under 2 weeks so good timing for them to bring the physical card.

 

[Finale]

An update on my application. I provided a copy of my social security card, passport and amex statement front page with US address and I was approved with no further questions. Thanks to everyone for your help so far and especially @levelnine.

My contact in the US is visiting Australia in under 2 weeks so good timing for them to bring the physical card.

Congrats. I'm sure having SSN makes a difference.

I read from somewhere that if you use ITIN and Chase rejects the documents, ask for a supervisor and explain that you are a foreign person using ITIN to apply and also ask for 'live validation'. It looks like the validation for people using ITIN is a bit different and some agents might think you are a US person. Someone also said he got rejected and after calling he was told Chase had to read the IRS disclosure about ITIN. He was later approved. Chase did read the IRS disclosure to me every time I called.

I'm going to give it a try again very soon and will let you guys know.

 

[Finale]

I have US$250 airline incidental credit with amex hilton.

WHat have people used it on to be useful? I haven't picked an airline and I don't really fly to the US. I was thinking of a United travel bank if no one else has any suggestions

Other than US travel bank, I used to use the credits for AA mileague multiplier (buy extra miles when you have a booking with them). It's quite expensive though at 3c+ per mile ie my current bookings offer 5000 miles for $162. I missed those days when we could use the credits for Amazon and AA gift cards.

 

[blacksultan]

I have US$250 airline incidental credit with amex hilton.

WHat have people used it on to be useful? I haven't picked an airline and I don't really fly to the US. I was thinking of a United travel bank if no one else has any suggestions

I recently loaded my travel bank . You may even br able to use them for domestic Australian bookings .

 

[QF_Flyer]

I have US$250 airline incidental credit with amex hilton.

WHat have people used it on to be useful? I haven't picked an airline and I don't really fly to the US. I was thinking of a United travel bank if no one else has any suggestions

That's what I use it for. I've got $500 in there so far, it's valid for 5 years (I think) so in theory I could have $1,250 towards a flight somewhere, at some point.