Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Sora]

Thank you for replying. Please keep us updated with your Bofa credit card application experience Chase has no fee credit cards but you don't have ITIN right ? Do you plan to apply for an ITIN in the future ?

I have an ITIN and managed to open a C1 checking account and their no fee credit card. ( SavorOne) Hopefully when I visit the US, I can use it to open a Chase and Bofa checking account.

I will drop in tomorrow as you require $200 or more as an initial deposit

I did a NOVO deposit to my Chase to see if it would trigger the bonus, because Revolut thus far has not worked.

No ITIN right now, so my chances are slim on a CC, because of the no ITIN. I will apply for an ITIN when I have a little more money, not as rich as many in here, so I am trying my best to get some dollars together.

Yes, the good thing about being in the US is the ability to open accounts with my passport and ID documents. It's just having to go there.

Some banks require you to actually make appointments, but I usually just go in there without one and are usually seen by them, so not so bad. But, expect to be there for about 45 minutes to actually open an account with them.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Does anyone know if the CSP gets 3x on Australian online groceries?

Yep works for Coles and I heard upthread for WW as well.

 

[nthd_nthd]

FWIW, I've had no problems receiving text messages for Internet banking 2FA with C1 on TextNow. I only have a checking account with them, but don't think that'd make a huge difference.

I will give TextNow a go if my Skype is not working.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

FWIW, I've had no problems receiving text messages for Internet banking 2FA with C1 on TextNow. I only have a checking account with them, but don't think that'd make a huge difference.

Funny enough no, but I must say C1's security system can a pain to deal with. Initially I had difficulties adding an external account, as it didn't accept my Textnow or T Mobile number. But 6 weeks after I first signed up with them, I was able to use the app to get a code and add an external account from there.

Thanks for the info! Definitely sounds like some length of time restriction. Will report back in a months time.

 

[albyd]

Yep works for Coles and I heard upthread for WW as well.

Does it work for giftcards.com.au? It is Coles but not sure it codes as a supermarket - it doesn't for my US Citi Premier.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Does it work for giftcards.com.au? It is Coles but not sure it codes as a supermarket - it doesn't for my US Citi Premier.

None of the gift card portals work despite being coded as groceries.

 

[nthd_nthd]

Report on my US Phone Test today with OTP sent to Skype - Failed -but Working perfectly fine with Talkatone (Signed up for Premium Service $5US/Month). OTP sent by Amazon US and Zillow. Luckily managed to get refund for Skype phone number and got confirmed Skype not working with OTP.

 

[Daventry]

called C1 and they want me to visit a branch to finish opening my checking account.

That’s a no from me then

 

[Franko Costa]

Does anyone know if myUS can't be used for chase? I applied last night and was instantly declined. I will call their hotline today but thought I would check beforehand

 

[albyd]

I couldn't apply for a Chase checking account as I had an ITIN rather than an SSN but have used my ITIN to apply for the CSP and they accepted that though my application is still being processed 3 weeks later - I know to be patient thought in this age of "instant" decisions for CC applications, I'm not so sure it will be approved after this much time.

Does anyone have any recent DP on CSP approval? I know from upthread it can take some time but interested in recent DPs.

C1 accepts MyUS address for Checking and savings but not for CC - they call it out as a mail forwarding address and won't allow you to use it.

Post automatically merged: Oct 31, 2023

None of the gift card portals work despite being coded as groceries.

Thanks for confirming - shame - though not unexpected - would be a great result otherwise

 

[albyd]

C1 update: I called C1 today and requested to open a new account then explained my situation to an agent who put me through to customer resolutions. I explained I've left 3 voicemails but have heard nothing. After verifying my ID (the OTP doesn't work for pre-paid numbers I was informed), I completed passport verification (initiated via SMS to my T-Mobile pre-paid service) and I was told that after an internal review, they had decided to close my accounts. No reason was given but I suspect the MyUS address was an issue and they could tell I was using a VPN - though they didn't say that specifically just asked what sort of internet connection I was using.

They're transferring my balance back to the funding account HSBC. I don't know if I'll get to keep my Checking bonus. Funds will go back to my HSBC checking account. They were going to send out a Check so glad I could have a bank transfer instead to speed things up.

Moral of the story - C1 is an avoid. - for me at least - YMMV.

 

[Franko Costa]

Tried to call chase about my declined application from googling different numbers, but after I put in my ITIN it keeps saying that an official letter will be sent out in 7-10 business days

 

[levelnine]

Tried to call chase about my declined application from googling different numbers, but after I put in my ITIN it keeps saying that an official letter will be sent out in 7-10 business days

If you hit 0, it will transfer you to an operator.

But something is not working as normal with Chase's card approval system at the moment. Always gotten immediate approvals over the phone. Currently waiting over a week for one. Operators say it is in a queue for processing.

 

[levelnine]

they had decided to close my accounts.

US banks are very shutdown happy. Happens to plenty of people. Fortunately there are many options, especially for checking accounts, so move on to the next. You may be able to open a credit card with them in a year or two — these shutdowns don't usually last forever.

 

[albyd]

US banks are very shutdown happy. Happens to plenty of people. Fortunately there are many options, especially for checking accounts, so move on to the next. You may be able to open a credit card with them in a year or two — these shutdowns don't usually last forever.

Thanks for that - I guess I'll also need to change my address from Sarasota otherwise C1 will continue to refuse to process my application. Any suggestions of services I consider which won't adversely affect what I've got going on at Amex and Citi? I imagine it will take some time to get through to Equifax and the broader "system" before I can resume applications.

 

[levelnine]

Thanks for that - I guess I'll also need to change my address from Sarasota otherwise C1 will continue to refuse to process my application. Any suggestions of services I consider which won't adversely affect what I've got going on at Amex and Citi? I imagine it will take some time to get through to Equifax and the broader "system" before I can resume applications.

If your current checking account setup works, I'd stick with that. But if you want to poke around for bonuses etc, try credit unions that service your state. DoC keeps a good list of them.

 

[Sora]

So, I went to Bank of America today, and the application is "in progress", they said to me the response arrives in the mail or a card it is either approved or declined. Supposedly, you don't receive any correspondence by email.

Seems odd. It is now a waiting game.

 

[Franko Costa]

Call

If you hit 0, it will transfer you to an operator.

But something is not working as normal with Chase's card approval system at the moment. Always gotten immediate approvals over the phone. Currently waiting over a week for one. Operators say it is in a queue for processing.

Thanks I got on to someone. However, they couldn't authenticate me over the phone and requested that I go into a branch

For some reason they couldn't send an OTP and wouldn't explain why

Also, they said to respond to the letter that MyUS won't send to me either

 

[albyd]

One Final update - I think now I'll focus on my day job for a while as I'm a little despondent about all this.

My CSP app got declined. I have a FICO score of 842 (according to Citi and similar on AMEX) so I'm a little miffed. After waiting on hold for 75 mins, I finally got through to a condescending operator who told me my application was declined. Apparently, they'd reconsidered my application 5 times and I was speaking with the Fraud department when the line initially picked up on # 1 888 609 7805.

He wouldn't tell me anything other than I didn't meet Chase's unspecified criteria - the exact details of which he couldn't tell me in case I'd then use those details to game the system.

Chase & C1 are off the list for me. I'll stick with Citi and AMEX for the time being. Glad I was able to open Amex banking accounts after I got my ITIN.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

One Final update - I think now I'll focus on my day job for a while as I'm a little despondent about all this.

My CSP app got declined. I have a FICO score of 842 (according to Citi and similar on AMEX) so I'm a little miffed. After waiting on hold for 75 mins, I finally got through to a condescending operator who told me my application was declined. Apparently, they'd reconsidered my application 5 times and I was speaking with the Fraud department when the line initially picked up on # 1 888 609 7805.

He wouldn't tell me anything other than I didn't meet Chase's unspecified criteria - the exact details of which he couldn't tell me in case I'd then use those details to game the system.

Chase & C1 are off the list for me. I'll stick with Citi and AMEX for the time being. Glad I was able to open Amex banking accounts after I got my ITIN.

Yeah unfortunately this is the game. I would say give it a month or two. I was rejected in the first month I received my ITIN. It wasn't until 2 months later did I apply for CSP and it went through with only a phone call required.

Don't give up hope yet. Just have to be patient and have a tough skin to cop the rejects.