Strategy to obtain US Amex

[thedamon]

Tello is pretty good.

Does Tello work with both Amex and Chase?

 

[desafinado74]

Does Tello work with both Amex and Chase?

From what I read on Reddit, it does.

 

[maverick1]

Does Tello work with both Amex and Chase?

Yes, it does. Been with them for 6+months. Don't have a chase card yet but did recently apply and received all the verification msgs promptly.

 

[Franko Costa]

talkatone

 

[nthd_nthd]

talkatone

I second this. Received all the OTP from Amex from IRS and ID.me BOA v.v but $6/month

 

[Grrr]

$6/month

I’ve set this up too. Easier than Tello (at roughly the same price) because it’s an app not an eSIM so I can use both local sim slots in my phone and still have the US number

Interestingly GV also allowed me to add my Talkatone number (when it recognized and blocked every other virtual number service I tried)

 

[thedamon]

Seems a lot of people push for Chase Sapphire Preferred as the first Chase card; but on first sight it seems to me the IHG $99 card is way better? $3k to get 165K points (easily 2 nights at high-end Regent, like Regent Phu Quoc), plus Platinum status and yearly free stay up to 40K points. What am I missing?

 

[levelnine]

Seems a lot of people push for Chase Sapphire Preferred as the first Chase card; but on first sight it seems to me the IHG $99 card is way better? $3k to get 165K points (easily 2 nights at high-end Regent, like Regent Phu Quoc), plus Platinum status and yearly free stay up to 40K points. What am I missing?

You aren't missing anything. The IHG is a good keeper card. If you think you will have the capacity & desire to churn US cards quite heavily, the business card is slightly better as it doesn't add to your 5/24 count.

The reason most people opt for the Sapphire Preferred is to earn and transfer Chase UR points, which are more valuable than IHG points. But that doesn't mean the IHG card is bad — far from it.

 

[thedamon]

You aren't missing anything. The IHG is a good keeper card. If you think you will have the capacity & desire to churn US cards quite heavily, the business card is slightly better as it doesn't add to your 5/24 count.

The reason most people opt for the Sapphire Preferred is to earn and transfer Chase UR points, which are more valuable than IHG points. But that doesn't mean the IHG card is bad — far from it.

But with Chase I assume getting approved for a business card with an ITIN is quite hard without having a first card approved by them. Correct?

 

[levelnine]

But with Chase I assume getting approved for a business card with an ITIN is quite hard without having a first card approved by them. Correct?

Yes, that'd be right.

An alternative strategy would be to get the Sapphire now and circle back to the IHG business once you're established with Chase if you're trying to prioritise each 5/24 slot for cards with the highest value.

But your strategy is fine, especially if you have a plan for the IHG points in the near future.

 

[nthd_nthd]

Seems a lot of people push for Chase Sapphire Preferred as the first Chase card; but on first sight it seems to me the IHG $99 card is way better? $3k to get 165K points (easily 2 nights at high-end Regent, like Regent Phu Quoc), plus Platinum status and yearly free stay up to 40K points. What am I missing?

I think they value Chase for Hyatt but from where I am at (Sydney or within Australia) not many Hyatt to do mattress run or to take advantage. IHG has more footprint around where I travel. Just my opinion.

 

[Franko Costa]

I second this. Received all the OTP from Amex from IRS and ID.me BOA v.v but $6/month

Mine is free. Why do you pay?

 

[shaggyaus]

I started my journey late last year - Got ITIN as well. After 3 months, jumping so many hoops and obstacles, still didnt get anywhere - havent got any approval - amex said could not identify me by my ITIN - I was furious and wondering for months. 2 days ago managed to login IRS account and found they have my residential address in Australia - even that address is slightly off the street number . Requested for change, now waiting for that to apply in my files - they said around 2 weeks. GT still get me on standby unless I submit the 4506C form - I suspected they required this because of wrong address on my ITIN file. Applied via Nova Credit as well - Still got rejected.

Hi nthd,

Curious to see how you went after changing the address to your US address on your ITIN? I'm about to apply for an ITIN as I'd like to do my first GT with Amex. Trying to understand what address I should use on the application, my Aus or US address!

 

[cathalm8]

Hi nthd,

Curious to see how you went after changing the address to your US address on your ITIN? I'm about to apply for an ITIN as I'd like to do my first GT with Amex. Trying to understand what address I should use on the application, my Aus or US address!

Hey was just wondering are you applying for ITIN by yourself or using a service. What ITIN application service to people generally recommend?

 

[desafinado74]

Hey was just wondering are you applying for ITIN by yourself or using a service. What ITIN application service to people generally recommend?

Many here including myself used SH Studios from Fiverr.com.
It was a painless process. I highly recommend them.

 

[maverick1]

Many here including myself used SH Studios from Fiverr.com.
It was a painless process. I highly recommend them.

I used SH too but contacted them directly via their website instead of Fiverr. Process is very easy & quick. I got a copy of ITIN from IRS sent to my AU address and one copy was sent to SH, which they shared with me via email.

 

[cathalm8]

I used SH too but contacted them directly via their website instead of Fiverr. Process is very easy & quick. I got a copy of ITIN from IRS sent to my AU address and one copy was sent to SH, which they shared with me via email.

Once you have an ITIN do you have to file tax returns each year or is there any other requirement of having one?

 

[Finale]

Hi nthd,

Curious to see how you went after changing the address to your US address on your ITIN? I'm about to apply for an ITIN as I'd like to do my first GT with Amex. Trying to understand what address I should use on the application, my Aus or US address!

My ITIN has AU address on it. You don't need ITIN to do GT and I don't recommend using ITIN on your first card with Amex. Just make sure you have some decent time with AU Amex ie 6+ months. Some people got approved after less than 3 months but I believe the longer, the better/easier.

 

[shaggyaus]

My ITIN has AU address on it. You don't need ITIN to do GT and I don't recommend using ITIN on your first card with Amex. Just make sure you have some decent time with AU Amex ie 6+ months. Some people got approved after less than 3 months but I believe the longer, the better/easier.

Thank you for this bit of info! Reading through this thread, I thought the ITIN for GT rules changed in Sep 2023. If I don't need to get an ITIN that would be preferable!

 

[Finale]

Thank you for this bit of info! Reading through this thread, I thought the ITIN for GT rules changed in Sep 2023. If I don't need to get an ITIN that would be preferable!

You need ITIN to do Nova which is different from GT. GT might be easier too as they use your history with AU amex.