Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Tiki]

Which of these 2 cards is easier for someone who has an SSN and established credit history but lives in Australia? Cap1 Venture or Citi Premier? I did have a Citi Premier from 2015-2019 roughly but cancelled it in either Dec 2019 or Jan 2020. I can't log into that account anymore.

Post automatically merged: Aug 4, 2023

Something has definitely changed. I tried to top up TextNow earlier this year and they no longer accepts Google Play Store payments in AU.

Mine automatically billed to my Aussie Apple ID account in May. I usually have some kind of balance from gift cards. How did you get around it? Did you put it on a credit card?

 

[glasszon]

Mine automatically billed to my Aussie Apple ID account in May. I usually have some kind of balance from gift cards. How did you get around it? Did you put it on a credit card?

Existing recurring payments setup using the AU account is still going through, so I just leave it on for the keep my number annual payment and use something else to make international calls.

Just a note that when I research into this, there are reported cases of disabled TextNow accounts due to using it outside the US. I imagine the checks can't be that strict as my account is still working, but it might not be a good option if you are setting TextNow up from scratch.

 

[Tiki]

Existing recurring payments setup using the AU account is still going through, so I just leave it on for the keep my number annual payment and use something else to make international calls.

Just a note that when I research into this, there are reported cases of disabled TextNow accounts due to using it outside the US. I imagine the checks can't be that strict as my account is still working, but it might not be a good option if you are setting TextNow up from scratch.

I just tested mine by calling and texting from my Aussie mobile number, all is well (knock wood)!

I made a Google Voice number when I was in the MIA lounge between flights but I can't remember what gmail account I used! I made the account on my travel laptop which got broken and trashed last trip so I can't auto-login. I have the number from taking a photo with my phone of the laptop screen but can't get the gmail account from it. It's linked to my Text Now account. Calling GV just resulted in a "subscriber not available" message.

 

[glasszon]

I just tested mine by calling and texting from my Aussie mobile number, all is well (knock wood)!

I made a Google Voice number when I was in the MIA lounge between flights but I can't remember what gmail account I used! I made the account on my travel laptop which got broken and trashed last trip so I can't auto-login. I have the number from taking a photo with my phone of the laptop screen but can't get the gmail account from it. It's linked to my Text Now account. Calling GV just resulted in a "subscriber not available" message.

How do you setup the Google Voice number? I tried to verify using TextNow and even a prepaid sim card while I was in the US, in both cases the verification went through but Google detected that it isn't a postpaid number so won't let me finalise Google Voice setup.

 

[georgie23]

Called for verification
Just wanted my AU 4 digit CVC and my spelling of name
Confirmed
Got my approval letter

Now let’s see if it arrives in Florida

 

[Tiki]

How do you setup the Google Voice number? I tried to verify using TextNow and even a prepaid sim card while I was in the US, in both cases the verification went through but Google detected that it isn't a postpaid number so won't let me finalise Google Voice setup.

I'm not 100% sure I did it correctly. I never used the GV number and can't remember if I set up a new Google account or not. It was about 06:00, I had spent the night in the transit lounge until the Turkish Airlines lounge opened and was exhausted. So it is possible I missed some steps. I will try again in Oct when I am transiting LAX.

 

[georgie23]

anyone using talkatone have any issues receiving texts or calls
I can call but not getting anything

 

[timmy1234]

Which of these 2 cards is easier for someone who has an SSN and established credit history but lives in Australia? Cap1 Venture or Citi Premier? I did have a Citi Premier from 2015-2019 roughly but cancelled it in either Dec 2019 or Jan 2020. I can't log into that account anymore.

Post automatically merged: Aug 4, 2023

Mine automatically billed to my Aussie Apple ID account in May. I usually have some kind of balance from gift cards. How did you get around it? Did you put it on a credit card?

I am not sure whats the waiting period to get the CIti Premier card is since you already had the card in the Past. If you have a good credit score it is likely Cap1 would be declined. However Citi does not like alot of inquiries. The rule of thumb is not more than 1 in 6 months.

 

[albyd]

Is that one in 6 months with Citi or anywhere?

 

[Tiki]

I am not sure whats the waiting period to get the CIti Premier card is since you already had the card in the Past. If you have a good credit score it is likely Cap1 would be declined. However Citi does not like alot of inquiries. The rule of thumb is not more than 1 in 6 months.

Thanks, good to know I should hold off on Citi. I’ve had 2 inquiries and approvals since April. CSP and Barclays AAviator. I’m pretty sure Amex would approve me but their annual fees are a lot. So I guess I should try the Cap 1.

 

[timmy1234]

Is that one in 6 months with Citi or anywhere?

Any personal credit enquiries. However this is not a hard rule like chase 5 x 24.

 

[maverick1]

Does anyone know this? Do you just call them? If so, what do you say?

I applied and got approved for Amx Bonvoy Business today. I don't have a FICO score yet but used my ITIN and was approved. New offer is 3 Certificates of 50k each. Might be little hard to use for my travel plans though.

 

[ETW]

I couldn't set it up yesterday in Aust itunes store - set up Talkatone but to keep a number is $5.50 a month - will use till receive Amex card (hopefully) and then look at better solution later

Just pay $1.50 for some international text credits and set a reminder to use the app too send a text once every 30 days and you keep the number

 

[georgie23]

Thanks
I have been researching and looking at Tello as reliable service
Esim setup can happen from Australia
$5 is unlimited texts and 100 mins calls (no data)
Wifi calling enabled
Seems cheap and reliable long term and easy to recharge
Can change plan as it’s only month to month

Expats seem to be moving to this as way of keeping number for banking etc

 

[Martin999]

Thanks
I have been researching and looking at Tello as reliable service
Esim setup can happen from Australia
$5 is unlimited texts and 100 mins calls (no data)
Wifi calling enabled
Seems cheap and reliable long term and easy to recharge
Can change plan as it’s only month to month

Expats seem to be moving to this as way of keeping number for banking etc

I am using Tello too.
Works great but just remember to enable Wi-Fi-Calling before activating esim and change your address to AU to avoid incurring state tax.

 

[georgie23]

I am using Tello too.
Works great but just remember to enable Wi-Fi-Calling before activating esim and change your address to AU to avoid incurring state

Thanks
Wifi calling is just a toggle on iPhone right - I have it on phone now for Telstra but I would need to download new esim and then turn on esim

 

[georgie23]

Thanks
Wifi calling is just a toggle on iPhone right - I have it on phone now for Telstra but I would need to download new esim and then turn on esim

Ok so I see you need an E911 address to make wifi calling work
Is the myus address suitable for that?

 

[Martin999]

Ok so I see you need an E911 address to make wifi calling work
Is the myus address suitable for that?

Yes, I used myus address for that.

 

[georgie23]

I am setting up Tello account because talk talkatone is still not receiving calls or sms - would it be ok to call Amex customer service to change phone number before receiving card or best to wait till actully have one before doing change - I would change online but I cannot get the amex online set up because I can't receive SMS on phone

 

[cathalm8]

Does anyone know if you need to retain your AUS Amex after acquiring a US amex via GT? I.e do you access your US Amex online via the same login and do you lose access if you close your AUS Amex for example..