Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

Yes to all

 

[11110000]

Are we talking about the right card here? It's this card I am referring to: HSBC Elite Credit Card - HSBC Bank USA

As a Premier customer the annual fee of $395 is waived, you get two unlimited LoungeKey and it has good earn rate and transferrable to 11 Airline Partners.

Premier elite is not Premier, it’s the next level up and needs 1m USD - Premier Checking Account | Premium Banking - HSBC Bank USA

Enjoy even more benefits with Premier Elite status​

Qualify for one year of enhanced Premier benefits by maintaining an average qualifying total relationship balance of 1 million USD over two consecutive months6Footnote link 6, premierelite.
Automatic notification means you don't need to do anything - we'll let you know once you've qualified.

• Jump to the front of the queue with priority banking, whether on the phone or using online chat.
• Automatically qualify for the higher Relationship Interest Rate on the HSBC Premier Relationship Savings account7Footnote link 7, QualPremRelSavAccand get an annual fee waiver on the HSBC Elite Credit Card6Footnote link 6, premierelite.

 

[funnybrus]

Was wondering did you try this way with your SSN and how did it go? I am in a similar situation as have a SSN, no credit history and no Aus Amex for now.

Tried tonight and got hit with the "Can we speak to you on the phone?" message. Will report back once I get around to it.

 

[nightelves]

Dang you're right. You have to hold Premier elite in order to get the fee waiver.

 

[jsunau]

For those who has CSP(Chase Sapphire Preferred), what purchase in AUS will be counted as 3x online grocery purchase?
I've tried wish gift card run by woolworths, and giftcards.com.au run by Coles, both are grocery MCC but not counted as 'online grocery'. I also tried adding the card to everyday pay, the app didn't allow me to do it.

Any DP?

 

[albyd]

As a Premier customer the annual fee of $395 is waived,

I thought the bog standard Premier card was annual fee free but the AF on the Elite card was enforced. Sorry to ask you to spoon feed me, can you please point to where it’s fee free for Premier?

Edit: I don’t have $US1m in my account so that might mean it’s not in my wheelhouse

 

[levelnine]

For those who has CSP(Chase Sapphire Preferred), what purchase in AUS will be counted as 3x online grocery purchase?
I've tried wish gift card run by woolworths, and giftcards.com.au run by Coles, both are grocery MCC but not counted as 'online grocery'. I also tried adding the card to everyday pay, the app didn't allow me to do it.

Any DP?

I believe online grocery orders for both work, including the in-store pick up options.

 

[funnybrus]

Was wondering did you try this way with your SSN and how did it go? I am in a similar situation as have a SSN, no credit history and no Aus Amex for now.

After being told to call them post application, they want address verification.

Don't have a US bank account so couldn't provide any of the statements they wanted, nor utility bills obviously.

 

[cathalm8]

After being told to call them post application, they want address verification.

Don't have a US bank account so couldn't provide any of the statements they wanted, nor utility bills obviously.

Ok thanks for letting us know. My wife did the same thing as we couldnt apply through the online GT method because the link wouldnt load so we applied like you did (though she doesnt have a SSN). They also asked for address verification. She has a HSBC USA premier account so we may have a chance as currently awaiting update of mailing address now.

We are wondering do we need to make transactions or transfer some money into the HSBC US accounts in order to actual get a statement or can you get a statement with zero balance and no transactions?

 

[simba24]

For those who have acquired an Amex through GT and are trying to get a checking account for future non Amex cards has anyone used the Amex's checking account. The website seems to say I'm eligible with my existing Amex account but not sure if this would count as a proper checking account that I could use as proof of address etc. with other banks? Or is is still better trying to go down the HSBC Premier route?

 

[Franko Costa]

You probably will be asked for proof of address.

Use whatever you think will work

 

[blacksultan]

Ok thanks for letting us know. My wife did the same thing as we couldnt apply through the online GT method because the link wouldnt load so we applied like you did (though she doesnt have a SSN). They also asked for address verification. She has a HSBC USA premier account so we may have a chance as currently awaiting update of mailing address now.

We are wondering do we need to make transactions or transfer some money into the HSBC US accounts in order to actual get a statement or can you get a statement with zero balance and no transactions?

Can’t get a statement without transactions . Although you can get letter from RM .

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Anyone had their July FICO update on Amex yet? I usually get mine mid-month but haven't seen it updated yet.

 

[DC3]

Anyone had their July FICO update on Amex yet?

On 5th July

 

[Franko Costa]

The US cards that I possess are the Amex gold, hilton surpass and hilton aspire. I am still waiting for ITIN (taking so long). I am wanting to get a Chase card asap, but want to avoid the issues with 5/24, so I am thinking of another amex. I was actually thinking of green card (60k bonus) or the lower hilton card. This way when I downgrade either the gold or the hilton cards, I won't miss out on getting a bonus for them (if I don't have the green, and downgrade the green to gold, then I will miss out of the green bonus, however, if I get the green bonus, then I can downgrade the gold - hope makes sense).

I am thinking the green card as I missed out on the 70k bonus and free night with the lowest hilton card. I could be overthinking this

 

[levelnine]

if I get the green bonus, then I can downgrade the gold - hope makes sense).

But then you would be paying for 2x Green cards. That doesn't strike me as a particularly efficient spend on annual fees.

You could also ask for a retention offer on the Gold card. They'll give you something, which might be enough to justify holding onto it for a second year. That means you can postpone the Green card application for a year.

 

[cathalm8]

Hi guys is it possible to just sign up for the no annual fee AMEX essential card in Aus to then have access to the GT method to apply for US Amex?

 

[velli25]

Pretty sure you need any AMEX AU card and wait 3 months to develop a relationship with AU AMEX before applying via GT. If your aim is MR points you're best to apply for an AU card with a decent MR bonus so you can transfer them to US AMEX

 

[DC3]

Hi guys is it possible to just sign up for the no annual fee AMEX essential card in Aus to then have access to the GT method to apply for US Amex?

You probably would be able to apply via GT, but as already mentioned, approval will be based on your relationship with Amex AU so you would need to give it some time and have some transactions and repayments on the AU card

 

[sudoer]

For anyone new to the US Amex game - MasterCard holders can get a free 2 year MyUS subscription and discounted shipping costs.

MyUS.com | priceless specials

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