Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Incredible!

 

[nthd_nthd]

You have to do it on a card by card, bonus by bonus basis.

But to give you an example, I'm currently working on the sign-up bonus for a Chase Ink Preferred: 100K UR + 40K UR referral after $USD8K spend in 3 months with $USD95 annual fee.

Assuming 1% currency loss on the $8K, the cost is $USD175 (80+95) for 140K UR.

140K UR can be cashed out at USD 1c per point.

After $8K spend, therefore, I'm getting, at minimum, a return of 15% return on spend (1400-175 / 8000).

Obviously you get more if you redeem those points for premium cabin travel where they're worth more than 1c per point.

I don't put non-bonused spend on US cards — the return is generally too low for it to be worth it for me. I'm purely a bonus chaser. Others will take different views.

I m chasing bonus too. But still havent figured this out -
What do you do with US cards after you 've done with bonus? Downgrading to low and no annual fee Or Close them.
If downgrading, does it gonna be too much credit on hand then limiting yourself into getting more cards.
The reason I asked because in Aus, they do consider serviceability and in US they also consider the longevity of how long you keep the card.
I have the feeling in US they dont churn cards quickly as in Aus.
I am still trying to figure out the move. What are your thoughts please?

 

[levelnine]

What are your thoughts please?

For personal cards, downgrade to a no annual fee option after 1 year (never sooner) if one is available. Otherwise close unless there's a compelling reason to keep it open (eg free nights offset the annual fee on the IHG/Hyatt cards).

But the majority of my US cards are business cards that don't appear on my personal credit report, so I can close them after 1 year without consequence.

 

[Grrr]

For personal cards, downgrade to a no annual fee option after 1 year (never sooner) if one is available. Otherwise close unless there's a compelling reason to keep it open (eg credits offset the annual fee).

But the majority of my US cards are business cards that don't appear on my personal credit report, so I can close them after 1 year without consequence.

How about overseas travel expenses with a US Amex that has MR...

No forex fee on purchase (unlike any Aus card with rewards), but yes, a forex loss when paying it off

Do you still end up using an Aus international fee free card for everything in this scenario ?

 

[levelnine]

Do you still end up using an Aus international fee free card for everything in this scenario ?

I'm usually working on a sign-up bonus on a card that has international fee free transactions (eg Chase Ink Preferred, Amex Biz Gold/Platinum, AA Citi/Barclays cards) so put any overseas travel expenses on them unless I need to activate travel insurance on an Australian card.

 

[cathalm8]

I would get any card with best SUB and downgrade to a low fee or free card that allows MR

I recently got amex green GT in Dec. Based on the discussions abvoe related to cost of using the card in Australia would you recommend downgrading this card now or wait until the annual fee is due?

 

[cathalm8]

For personal cards, downgrade to a no annual fee option after 1 year (never sooner) if one is available.

I see Level nine has basically answered my question above. For clarity do you wait until the second annual fee has posted then close and request refund or close prior to annual fee statement?

 

[prozac]

I recently got amex green GT in Dec. Based on the discussions abvoe related to cost of using the card in Australia would you recommend downgrading this card now or wait until the annual fee is due?

Your first US amex? Did you select this as first step on the ladder?

 

[cathalm8]

Your first US amex? Did you select this as first step on the ladder?

Yes

 

[maverick1]

Anyone found a link to Amex Biz Plat 250k offer or any offer higher than 150k points?
I had applied for 150k points offer yestdy but called today to cancel my application as they can't match offers....so have cancelled in the hope of finding the higher offer...

 

[maverick1]

Anyone found a link to Amex Biz Plat 250k offer or any offer higher than 150k points?
I had applied for 150k points offer yestdy but called today to cancel my application as they can't match offers....so have cancelled in the hope of finding the higher offer...

Update - did some hit & trial and was able to get to 190k and got instant approval which is a first for me...

 

[nthd_nthd]

Question: When we do GT - Can we still get the highest offer via those links? Or Do we just get whatever available from US Amex website? TIA

 

[levelnine]

For clarity do you wait until the second annual fee has posted then close and request refund or close prior to annual fee statement?

You can wait for the second fee to post, but don't need to. I usually downgrade/close 10 days after the 365 day mark just to be safe.

Anyone found a link to Amex Biz Plat 250k offer

250K link only lasted for about 24 hours.

 

[prozac]

You can wait for the second fee to post, but don't need to. I usually downgrade/close 10 days after the 365 day mark just to be safe.

Why, does Amex US claw back bonus points?

 

[levelnine]

Why, does Amex US claw back bonus points?

Yes.

 

[desafinado74]

Is anyone going to apply for this new Wells Fargo card ?

 

[Franko Costa]

Is anyone going to apply for this new Wells Fargo card ?

Transfer partners are no good

 

[thedamon]

What cellphone solution are you guys using for a US number? I had been using Skype but it’s really not working well anymore and need to find another option.

 

[DC3]

What cellphone solution are you guys using for a US number? I had been using Skype but it’s really not working well anymore and need to find another option.

I use textnow, for Amex, but there are other recommendations upthread

 

[desafinado74]

What cellphone solution are you guys using for a US number? I had been using Skype but it’s really not working well anymore and need to find another option.

Tello is pretty good.