Strategy to obtain US Amex

[PPS_SYD]

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

I did get a text when they first received money & another one when they sent money to Amex. That 2nd step was on 2nd June, so it’s 3 days today and funds are yet to hit my account. Thanks for the tip about extension.

 

[blacksultan]

I did get a text when they first received money & another one when they sent money to Amex. That 2nd step was on 2nd June, so it’s 3 days today and funds are yet to hit my account. Thanks for the tip about extension.

Ok .After their update that they have sent to amex there won`t be any further info. But amex should display a notice at the top of your account that they have received your payment and that it will be applied soon.

 

[blacksultan]

HSBC Premier : I qualified yesterday. I was informed that IBC team of HSBC can possibly assist with US account opening even if your are not a premier customer- but there would be a $200 fee for same.
I notice that one of the ways one qualifies for US Premier status is by having regular third party deposits of US $ 5000 into your account.

 

[PPS_SYD]

Ok .After their update that they have sent to amex there won`t be any further info. But amex should display a notice at the top of your account that they have received your payment and that it will be applied soon.

Spoke to xe and their response was transfers are taking longer than normal due to COVID-19

 

[ithongy]

@albyd

Any news on the ITIN number? With all this time home in ISO the mind seems to wonder over to the great Chase credit card applications.

How is everyone getting on with their US Amex cards and has anyone found a way to maximise or use the increased earn rates on US Supermarkets?

Luckily if not I assume we are all local champions and spending big amounts on our Platinum Edge cards locally.

Believe an accountant can setup a ITIN for you. You can do a search on HR block & setup an appointment.

 

[albyd]

HSBC Premier : I qualified yesterday. I was informed that IBC team of HSBC can possibly assist with US account opening even if your are not a premier customer- but there would be a $200 fee for same.
I notice that one of the ways one qualifies for US Premier status is by having regular third party deposits of US $ 5000 into your account.

Premier is an easy route esp if you qualify in Australia, there’s no set up fee & HSBC will set you up in the US without having to visit a branch. You’ll also get a US RM who will also help you to get a Premier no AF US MC. Can use your Aussie address with HSBC none of the complications needed with MyUS.

They’d initially told me have to be Premier in Australia to help me set up US account. Interesting to hear if you can set up US account without needing to qualify as Premier first. HL should do it for most of us to qualify as Premier. Have to consider if HSBC’s offering suits your needs.

Using Australian address will likely mean HSBC MC if you decide to go down that track, won’t contribute to your FICO score - will just be HSBC internal assessment.

 

[glasszon]

Can you get a US saving bank account with HSBC premier and ask HSBC to provide you a letter to get ITIN?

That would solve the problem of the US tax number as well.

 

[albyd]

They wouldn’t give me a letter. Assuming because they opened an account for me.

As eager as the RM is to help, that’s one thing he was not prepared to do ... for me anyway.

 

[blacksultan]

Was that the premier MC ? Is it easily approved ?
How long did it take for your account to be opened ?
I was advised it actually takes 3-4 weeks .

Premier is an easy route esp if you qualify in Australia, there’s no set up fee & HSBC will set you up in the US without having to visit a branch. You’ll also get a US RM who will also help you to get a Premier no AF US MC. Can use your Aussie address with HSBC none of the complications needed with MyUS.

They’d initially told me have to be Premier in Australia to help me set up US account. Interesting to hear if you can set up US account without needing to qualify as Premier first. HL should do it for most of us to qualify as Premier. Have to consider if HSBC’s offering suits your needs.

Using Australian address will likely mean HSBC MC if you decide to go down that track, won’t contribute to your FICO score - will just be HSBC internal assessment.

 

[albyd]

It was the Premier MC. Was set up within a week my RM emailed me a secure form to sign and it was done. I was quite impressed they even couriered it out to me in SYD.

 

[blacksultan]

It was the Premier MC. Was set up within a week my RM emailed me a secure form to sign and it was done. I was quite impressed they even couriered it out to me in SYD.

Can you earn frequent flyer miles ? If so Which airlines ? What is the Earning & conversion rate ? Thanks

 

[albyd]

IMO it’s better than HSBC AU offering for me YMMV. Has quite a few features including airline partners at 1:1 conversion & 35k sign up bonus & no AF. More info below:

Premier Credit Card | Unlock Travel Benefits - HSBC Bank USA

The HSBC Premier Credit Card includes introductory offers and rewards that can be used around the world. Get more info and find out how you can apply.

www.us.hsbc.com

 

[PPS_SYD]

Update on my effort to pay my card through xe. Its now 6 days and funds haven’t yet hit my account. Spoke to xe who said there was nothing they can see wrong, if there was an issue, the payment would have bounced back which is not the case.

They are now chasing it with JP Morgan to see if they can locate it. Not a great start, as this was my first attempt at using xe. If this isnt resolved, may have to look at other options. Has anybody tried Western Union?

 

[ithongy]

hope you’re not late for payment. But might suggest to try speak to credit card issuer if payment is running a little late. Hope it doesn’t affect your credit score, as it will take time to build it back up again. Otherwise always pay min requirement then pay the rest off later will still be fine.

Update on my effort to pay my card through xe. Its now 6 days and funds haven’t yet hit my account. Spoke to xe who said there was nothing they can see wrong, if there was an issue, the payment would have bounced back which is not the case.

They are now chasing it with JP Morgan to see if they can locate it. Not a great start, as this was my first attempt at using xe. If this isnt resolved, may have to look at other options. Has anybody tried Western Union?

 

[PPS_SYD]

hope you’re not late for payment. But might suggest to try speak to credit card issuer if payment is running a little late. Hope it doesn’t affect your credit score, as it will take time to build it back up again. Otherwise always pay min requirement then pay the rest off later will still be fine.

Spoke to Amex and they have also opened up a case to locate the missing payment. In the meantime they have put a hold on my account so even if I am late, it wouldn’t impact negatively, or at least that’s what I was told. Didn’t really expect it to be this complicated.

 

[Spazmos]

Update on my effort to pay my card through xe. Its now 6 days and funds haven’t yet hit my account. Spoke to xe who said there was nothing they can see wrong, if there was an issue, the payment would have bounced back which is not the case.

They are now chasing it with JP Morgan to see if they can locate it. Not a great start, as this was my first attempt at using xe. If this isnt resolved, may have to look at other options. Has anybody tried Western Union?

Did you make sure you included FFC instructions? That is one of the main reasons payments that seem to go through can get lost...

 

[PPS_SYD]

Did you make sure you included FFC instructions? That is one of the main reasons payments that seem to go through can get lost...

Is that 'For Further Credit'? I sure did. xe got back to me with the 'trace number' and asked me to provide it to Amex which I have done. It appears that JP Morgan have received the funds and they are just sitting on them, god knows why. The Amex rep said he has forwarded the 'trace number' to the relevant team who will respond.

At the end of this I am going to ask them to clearly spell out what caused the delay, so in case its something I did incorrectly, it doesn't happen again. Will update the thread once the payment is applied to my account. Frustrating for sure.

 

[ithongy]

Having a US bank account is much easier to pay for those CC bills. Very easy quick painless transfer with OFX or other use Transferwise.

 

[PPS_SYD]

Having a US bank account is much easier to pay for those CC bills. Very easy quick painless transfer with OFX or other use Transferwise.

I realise that, but there’s no simple way to open an account without being there in person. And that’s not gonna happen anytime soon, for obvious reasons.

 

[blacksultan]

I realise that, but there’s no simple way to open an account without being there in person. And that’s not gonna happen anytime soon, for obvious reasons.

Have you tried hsbc ? I am about to have my account opened .