Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Finale]

Ya, just the passport was fine. My account is open but I'm unable to access it online as its not accepting my mobile# for signup. I tried both TT and Tello, keeps giving the same error.

GV - I'm trying to signup for GV using VPN but it keeps throwing this error - "This ph no. can't be used to signup for GV#" Any tricks to get past this.

You can use some services to receive SMS to activate GV. textverified.com is one of them. Used to be like $2 but a few months ago, I got the number for P2 and it was $4. Still had to topup $5 as no option to add $4. Worth it though as we use GV with all banks and it work fine and free. There might be some other sites offering the same service for cheaper.

 

[maverick1]

I wish there were options to open a US bank account without an ITIN or the HSBC route

HSBC route is very easy. Just a bit of pain to remember to send 9k every month.

 

[Franko Costa]

HSBC route is very easy. Just a bit of pain to remember to send 9k every month.

Sorry I should have said that I have the HSBC account, but I wish I could open Case/BoA, etc accounts without an ITIN

 

[velli25]

HSBC route is very easy. Just a bit of pain to remember to send 9k every month.

Any benefits to opening a HSBC acc? What's the process for opening a US HSBC acc - from what I've read you need to open and then maintain an AU HSBC premier account? Will maintaining an AU HSBC premier account allow you to open an US acc ?

 

[Baymax]

I used Myus add & ITIN. I filled the application online and then at the end it asked me to call a #. The rep send me a link on my US# to upload a verification doc like passport/DL. Post verification, they share the application# and guided me to the last step for setting up the a/c. No, they didn't ask any questions about being offshore.

Post automatically merged: Aug 11, 2023

Tks. ya. I signed up for Tello overnight as a backup option.

I've followed your path. Submitted an online application and was asked to call the number provided. During the call, I completed the ID check with the link provided but then asked to talk to another team for account activation. The first Q he asked was my SSN which I obviously don't have. I told him my ITIN instead and he said I will have to go to a branch to open an account. Urgh

 

[DC3]

…I told him my ITIN instead and he said I will have to go to a branch to open an account. Urgh

HUACA?

 

[timmy1234]

I was deliberating on what the best AU AMEX was to get right now as a gateway into the US Amex.

The platinum is expensive but can get 225k points and probably offset most of the cost in the other benefits (Accor plus (free night / discounts), 400 dining credits, 450 travel credit) so was thinking ill get the Plat and cancel to avoid the 1450 renewal without the bonus points and then potentially churn it again after 18 months. Was also considering the explorer as its cheaper.

I decided to go for the Plat and applied and got the immediate approval last night without providing any payslips or anything.

Where are you seeing this as an offer of 225k. Or where is the link for this offer

 

[timmy1234]

Looks like Cap 1 Venture is off the table. I specifically said I wanted travel rewards and sign up bonus and this is all they prequalified me for. And this is with all 3 credit scores in the 780's. SECURED cards after 40 years of perfect credit card history! They probably don't like that I got 2 new cards in March and April.

View attachment 338637

You are unlikely to get the Venture X approved since they like lower credit rating. Furthermore, dont believe the preapproval, I was pre-approved for the Venture X but got declined since I have a Venture card and my credit rating is like yours

 

[maverick1]

Any benefits to opening a HSBC acc? What's the process for opening a US HSBC acc - from what I've read you need to open and then maintain an AU HSBC premier account? Will maintaining an AU HSBC premier account allow you to open an US acc ?

The main purpose of HSBC US checking account is to get a US address proof remotely.
For account opening you can ask your AU Premier RM to open the US account for you or you can open one yourself by applying online.

 

[maverick1]

I've followed your path. Submitted an online application and was asked to call the number provided. During the call, I completed the ID check with the link provided but then asked to talk to another team for account activation. The first Q he asked was my SSN which I obviously don't have. I told him my ITIN instead and he said I will have to go to a branch to open an account. Urgh

Honestly, in last couple of days since account opening it hasn't been an easy experience. Withdrawal from my account was suspended. Called them to re-verify and seems since then they have removed the block. While I was on the phone with them got an email saying my checking account application has been rejected based on their Early Warning deposit score, my score is risky. So I'm not totally sure what's going on. Their system doesn't like overseas application cause they asked my current location etc. I have already done a wire transfer into this account which is supposed to credit by EOD today, hopefully the account stays active w/o any further issues.

 

[Franko Costa]

I have changed my physical and mailing address for my US HSBC to the US. They just blocked my debt card and want to talk through the new address - has anyone had this before?

 

[albyd]

Patience, Grasshopper

Just closing the loop on this. I gave in and asked my AU RM to look into this transfer as it's now well outside of time frames (I initiated it on Aug 1 and it's now Aug 15).

My RM told me that whoever processed it didn't include my US account number in the request so it was going nowhere. They'd asked for my US MR Number which I got from US online chat but that doesn't seem to have done the trick. They've re-initiated it - will take up to 2 weeks. Shame the $A has fallen further since then (was $US66c now $US64.8 as I write this) but hoping it can get done properly this time.

 

[maverick1]

Honestly, in last couple of days since account opening it hasn't been an easy experience. Withdrawal from my account was suspended. Called them to re-verify and seems since then they have removed the block. While I was on the phone with them got an email saying my checking account application has been rejected based on their Early Warning deposit score, my score is risky. So I'm not totally sure what's going on. Their system doesn't like overseas application cause they asked my current location etc. I have already done a wire transfer into this account which is supposed to credit by EOD today, hopefully the account stays active w/o any further issues.

Update - got a welcome email after all the drama, but later in the day my wire transfer from IBKR to C1 was rejected and sent back. Will try transferring from HSBC bank today. C1 is such a pain.

 

[Daventry]

So I‘m about to reach my first anniversary of my US Platinum (first US card, applied via GT) and I also have a Bonvoy Brilliant since last May (applied via ITIN).
The Green card bonus seems quite appealing to me. Would it be okay to apply for this one and cancel my Platinum if approved? Or should my Platinum be kept as it is my oldest card and this is important for my credit score?
BTW I also have checking accounts with both Chase and Citi.
Last December Chase sent me an email saying I was pre-approved for one of their cards… applied and got rejected. By that time my FICO score was ’Not Good’ and right now is Good - 698. Should I try again?

 

[DC3]

I‘m about to reach my first anniversary of my US Platinum (first US card, applied via GT) and I also have a Bonvoy Brilliant since last May (applied via ITIN).
The Green card bonus seems quite appealing to me. Would it be okay to apply for this one and cancel my Platinum if approved? Or should my Platinum be kept as it is my oldest card and this is important for my credit score?

Yes. If you cancel an older credit card, your average account age decreases and negatively impacts your credit score. When you downgrade, you will keep the same account, and that element of your credit report is unchanged. Although, it seems that it’s only about 9 months between getting each of your two current cards so maybe not that important. It’s not like it was some years back that you got the Platinum.

You could always phone to see if there are any other offers available to downgrade the Platinum (rather than cancel) and weigh those up. No harm trying.

 

[Daventry]

Yes. If you cancel an older credit card, your average account age decreases and negatively impacts your credit score. When you downgrade, you will keep the same account, and that element of your credit report is unchanged. Although, it seems that it’s only about 9 months between getting each of your two current cards so maybe not that important. It’s not like it was some years back that you got the Platinum.

You could always phone to see if there are any other offers available to downgrade the Platinum (rather than cancel) and weigh those up. No harm trying.

Good point! Thanks, I‘ll ask about that.

 

[Finale]

So I‘m about to reach my first anniversary of my US Platinum (first US card, applied via GT) and I also have a Bonvoy Brilliant since last May (applied via ITIN).
The Green card bonus seems quite appealing to me. Would it be okay to apply for this one and cancel my Platinum if approved? Or should my Platinum be kept as it is my oldest card and this is important for my credit score?
BTW I also have checking accounts with both Chase and Citi.
Last December Chase sent me an email saying I was pre-approved for one of their cards… applied and got rejected. By that time my FICO score was ’Not Good’ and right now is Good - 698. Should I try again?

I wouldn't worry about keeping the first card if the second one is not even a year later. Cancel after 12 months and in 7-8 years you can get SUB again. With Chase, you need at least 1 year of credit history. No hard pull for 3 months will help as well. Maybe wait until you reach 700+which should be soon if you want CSP/CRS. Before I applied for Chase, I kept hearing people said Chase liked to see you have a good limit with other banks ie for CSP you should have 5k limit with another bank or 10k for CSR. Not sure if that was true though since Amex already gave me almost 30k before applying for Chase.

edited: 12 months. Thanks DC3

 

[DC3]

Also, I would not cancel an Amex card in under 12 months of receiving it.

 

[Finale]

Also, I would not cancel an Amex card in under 12 months of receiving it.

yes forgot about that. Edited

 

[timmy1234]

Also, I would not cancel an Amex card in under 12 months of receiving it.

cause they will recoup the sign up bonus. Furthermore, you will need to keep atleast one Amex card that earns MR points. Do not cancel the Platinum before getting the green card, If you do all your MR points will vanish