Strategy to obtain US Amex

[joakgarp]

Ok here is an update on ITIN. The application sent in Dec last year and I got this envelope from IRS last week. I was excited for 5’ and opened it, there was no ITIN number, they were just returning the original document.
I’ll keep you posted.

First great thread and very informative.

Wow 5 months just to get your original documents back. The handling times at IRS are way long now it seems.
I'm planning to send my W7 application soon but that would probably mean I'd have to wait until november-december due to covid19 etc. Could be worth it to pay a certified agent to do all this for me for a couple of weeks instead. It'll take a couple of more weeks to find a US bank to open an account as well.

My original plan was to get both ITIN, CC-cards from Amex and a US bank account before end of 2020.

 

[blacksultan]

First great thread and very informative.

Wow 5 months just to get your original documents back. The handling times at IRS are way long now it seems.
I'm planning to send my W7 application soon but that would probably mean I'd have to wait until november-december due to covid19 etc. Could be worth it to pay a certified agent to do all this for me for a couple of weeks instead. It'll take a couple of more weeks to find a US bank to open an account as well.

My original plan was to get both ITIN, CC-cards from Amex and a US bank account before end of 2020.

Can I ask on what basis You Intend applying for an ITIn ?

 

[joakgarp]

Can I ask on what basis You Intend applying for an ITIn ?

Tax return.

 

[blacksultan]

It has been 6 months since I have had my first US Amex in good standing .
how do I go about applying for subsequent Amex cardsI cannot check my credit score through Amex ?do I need to have SSN for same ?
Does it matter that I have my AUs add mentioned for billing purposes ?

 

[PPS_SYD]

It has been 6 months since I have had my first US Amex in good standing .
how do I go about applying for subsequent Amex cardsI cannot check my credit score through Amex ?do I need to have SSN for same ?
Does it matter that I have my AUs add mentioned for billing purposes ?

Which card were you considering applying mate?

 

[blacksultan]

Which card were you considering applying mate?

Undecided . Possibly the gold since I have the green . Why do you ask ?

 

[Finale]

It has been 6 months since I have had my first US Amex in good standing .
how do I go about applying for subsequent Amex cardsI cannot check my credit score through Amex ?do I need to have SSN for same ?
Does it matter that I have my AUs add mentioned for billing purposes ?

Try Nova if you havent already. After my first card ( global transfer), I only called to apply which took only 10 to 15 mins and can get approved on the spot if working hours.

 

[PPS_SYD]

Undecided . Possibly the gold since I have the green . Why do you ask ?

No particular reason. I have the green too, only had it for a month, but will be looking at a 2nd card at some point, possibly one of the Marriott one’s.

 

[blacksultan]

No particular reason. I have the green too, only had it for a month, but will be looking at a 2nd card at some point, possibly one of the Marriott one’s.

H honors is a better card.

 

[PointsLife1]

No particular reason. I have the green too, only had it for a month, but will be looking at a 2nd card at some point, possibly one of the Marriott one’s.

Rohit what was your reason to get the Green first? MyUS for delivery for the Green or something else?

I have the Bonvoy Brilliant myself.

 

[blacksultan]

Try Nova if you havent already. After my first card ( global transfer), I only called to apply which took only 10 to 15 mins and can get approved on the spot if working hours.

Used nova for the first card. Believe you can use it only once . Applied for another card few weeks ago , after I called to follow up they said I needed to have other details like US income Etc .
What details did they request from you ? Do u have a US credit history established ?

 

[PPS_SYD]

H honors is a better card.

I would most probably have gone for H Honors if I wasn’t a 6 year MB Platinum elite. The 15 extra nights per year could get me closer towards the LT Plat status, so leaning towards MB Brilliant.

Post automatically merged: May 29, 2020

Rohit what was your reason to get the Green first? MyUS for delivery for the Green or something else?

I have the Bonvoy Brilliant myself.

3X on Travel & Dining which is where I spend a lot of money. MB Brilliant seems

 

[PointsLife1]

I would most probably have gone for H Honors if I wasn’t a 6 year MB Platinum elite. The 15 extra nights per year could get me closer towards the LT Plat status, so leaning towards MB Brilliant.

Post automatically merged: May 29, 2020

3X on Travel & Dining which is where I spend a lot of money. MB Brilliant seems

I think if you are Platinum or higher with Marriott than an argument could be made that it is better than the Aspire card. $300 travel credit so easy to use plus 50K certificate and so many Marriott properties in Australia to use.

Post automatically merged: May 29, 2020

I think if you are Platinum or higher with Marriott than an argument could be made that it is better than the Aspire card. $300 travel credit so easy to use plus 50K certificate and so many Marriott properties in Australia to use.

Although now I have the Bonvoy Brilliant want the Aspire next

 

[Finale]

Used nova for the first card. Believe you can use it only once . Applied for another card few weeks ago , after I called to follow up they said I needed to have other details like US income Etc .
What details did they request from you ? Do u have a US credit history established ?

Just the same as online application. I applied about 5-6 months after my first card and credit score showed up as soon as I got approved.

 

[blacksultan]

Did application require SSN ? Did you have to register for the credit check facility on Amex.? The same requires SSN details . Thanks for your info

 

[Finale]

Did application require SSN ? Did you have to register for the credit check facility on Amex.? The same requires SSN details . Thanks for your info

No need to register for the credit check. SSN is not required when applying by phone. Some reps might be confused. You just need to tell them you use passport to apply. From my experience, best to apply during work hours and get approved on the spot or the app might be pending due to the lack of SSN which you need to call again (to tell them you use passport).

 

[PPS_SYD]

Just to report back, the transfer worked like a charm. My only concern is this looks like a short term solution at best; even if you are willing to cop the $20 transfer fee, at some stage they will block those transfers just like how transferwise and others have blocked them already.

Has anyone figured out a way to sign up for a US bank account without physically being there?

May I ask how many days it took for the funds to hit your account? I transferred on 2nd and am still waiting for funds to post.

 

[blacksultan]

May I ask how many days it took for the funds to hit your account? I transferred on 2nd and am still waiting for funds to post.

Usually 2-3 days . The transfer portal and Amex should show stages of payment .

 

[PPS_SYD]

Usually 2-3 days . The transfer portal and Amex should show stages of payment .

I used xe transfer, not sure they show the progress. Nothing on Amex yet, but I will give it 1 more day. Thankfully, I did the transfer about 10 days prior to the due date, else I would have been stressed out.

 

[blacksultan]

I used xe transfer, not sure they show the progress. Nothing on Amex yet, but I will give it 1 more day. Thankfully, I did the transfer about 10 days prior to the due date, else I would have been stressed out.

XE transfer shows at least 2 steps of process. If your payment is delayed you can request extension via amex chat.