Strategy to obtain US Amex

For those who have took the plunge, did you consider it worthwhile to get a US Amex card? I am really interested to get the Amex Hilton card for the Platinum status, but it seems like a huge hassle to get one and I heard the financial review from US Amex is a real pain even for people living in US.
 
Hi Jason, I wonder how did you completed form 1583 for using forwarding services in US? I see it is required to have the form Notarized? It is possible to have 1583 witness by JP? Thank you.
I don't remember it being a hassle and got it notarised in Australia on the cheap.
 
This is very interesting therefore I should be able to get the same level of card! ie Centurion without an invitation ......?
I think ICC Centurion & US Centurion, you still need to qualify same as you would’ve needed to in Australia originally. AFAIK that’s the oniy product you can’t global transfer. Open to being corrected.
 
Hi Everyone,
Was following this thread couple of months now and finally hit the paddle last night to applied for Amex Hilton Aspire Card and got Approved straight away:). Its appeared that the card is on the way to Myus suite with Fedex.
Hat off to all of the members who contributed so much to this thread to make this possible.
Given the situation, I think the Hilton card is the best card me to replace my AU Platinum as it is becoming less and less in value these days.( happy to prove me wrong). I know it is still an excellent card if you know the game very well but as a dad to be soon my future travels will be somewhat limited thus the opportunities.
Also, In light of current circumstances,
According to the US blog Onemileatalime,
  • Unexpired and new free night rewards issued through December 31, 2020, can be used for stays any night of the week, and not just weekends
  • New free night rewards issued between May 1 and December 31, 2020, will be valid for 24 months from the date of issuance, rather than for 12 months ( Tip of the hat Hilton Aspire Card Review (2020) | One Mile at a Time)
This mean, I will have two reward night certificate to use in next year which will easily outweigh the annual fee.
And all of the other standard benefits that you guys sure already know of. So I will keep this card side by side with my Au Plat at lease a year to see what comes top.
Also, is it true that the textnow number (free account) has to use regularly to keep it same or will change? Still haven't had chance to use it properly as only used it once to verify it with US amex for account alerts.
Anyways can't weight to have the card in my hand wish me luck ;)
 
Also, is it true that the textnow number (free account) has to use regularly to keep it same or will change? Still haven't had chance to use it properly as only used it once to verify it with US amex for account alerts.
Anyways can't weight to have the card in my hand wish me luck ;)

Yes if you don't make a text/call once every few weeks they say you will lose your number... they usually give you a warning msg if you haven't used it in a while, and when that happens I just call the USA hilton reservation line, get thru to the automated recording and then hang up... this seems to work as I still have my number (any US number is a free call anyway)
 
I have had a TextNow number for over five years now and have opted to go for the 29 dollars annual fee to have no advertisements and lock the number in. Is convenient as I have now committed the number to memory and can use it everywhere anywhere.

Also, is it true that the textnow number (free account) has to use regularly to keep it same or will change? Still haven't had chance to use it properly as only used it once to verify it with US amex for account alerts.
Yes if you don't make a text/call once every few weeks they say you will lose your number... they usually give you a warning msg if you haven't used it in a while, and when that happens I just call the USA hilton reservation line, get thru to the automated recording and then hang up... this seems to work as I still have my number (any US number is a free call anyway)
 
I think ICC Centurion & US Centurion, you still need to qualify same as you would’ve needed to in Australia originally. AFAIK that’s the oniy product you can’t global transfer. Open to being corrected.
Myself had a German Centurion no issues using the global Transfer Scheme. However with the US there should not be a penalty for changing your address?
 
I think ICC Centurion & US Centurion, you still need to qualify same as you would’ve needed to in Australia originally. AFAIK that’s the oniy product you can’t global transfer. Open to being corrected.
Further to my post this morning, it appears I might be wrong. US Centurion is off limits for Global transfer but that for other countries might be available - including ICC YMMV.

 
If you have expiring aspire credit (pobably Bonvoy one too) which can now be used towards restaurant puchases, there is a DP that you will get a credit by reloading Starbucks US account on US site which can be used at Starbucks in UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and the Republic of Ireland.

I would try just a small amount first though.


About $360 worth of ... coffee. No thanks but might be useful for some.

Pleaase share if you know some other ways to use the credit without going to the resorts.
 
I just call the USA hilton reservation line, get thru to the automated recording and then hang up... this seems to work as I still have my number (any US number is a free call anyway)
Good Point mate, I might do that every now and then....
 
.... reloading Starbucks US account on US site which can be used at Starbucks in UK, USA, Canada, Australia ...

... $360 worth of ... coffee. No thanks but might be useful for some.

Pleaase share if you know some other ways to use the credit without going to the resorts.

And don’t forget the donuts with the coffee. 🤣

Regarding resorts, if all else fails, you might just have to get to Surfers. 😉

Some years back, I tried to use my Starbucks USA credit in Sydney, but it wouldn’t work (via i-phone app). Maybe this has since changed.
 
And don’t forget the donuts with the coffee. 🤣

Regarding resorts, if all else fails, you might just have to get to Surfers. 😉

Some years back, I tried to use my Starbucks USA credit in Sydney, but it wouldn’t work (via i-phone app). Maybe this has since changed.

I have a booking for Maldives in Dec which I can ask them to take some money now but not really sure if we will be able to travel by then. My credit will expire in a bit less than 4 weeks :( I have a beach side property in Coffs from which I just came back so not sure if I wanna go to Surfers esp in this weather.

Might have to suffer from those dunuts and coffee 🤣
 
Maybe Citi Premier and not Chase is the way to go after ITIN number.


With the current XE, it's around 2.06 points per AUD dollar, same as Amex supermarket promo atm. Good to have another card with grocery bonus. This card also offers 3x air travel, hotels, gas. They also just added 3x for restaurants but I got 5x from Prestige. Might cancel Prestige and keep only this one.

Chase has a lot of cool cards though. Citi hardly has anything good now except this.
 
With the current XE, it's around 2.06 points per AUD dollar, same as Amex supermarket promo atm. Good to have another card with grocery bonus. This card also offers 3x air travel, hotels, gas. They also just added 3x for restaurants but I got 5x from Prestige. Might cancel Prestige and keep only this one.

Chase has a lot of cool cards though. Citi hardly has anything good now except this.
Do you have US citibank cards? Are they easy to be approved for if you have itin? Any tips?
 
Do you have US citibank cards? Are they easy to be approved for if you have itin? Any tips?

I have 3 cards with them (Premier, Prestige and AA). Actually the first 2 cards I didn't use ITIN but applied in person. I have a checking account with them and got some 10-20K in there when I first applied back in 2016, same time as Amex GT. I wanted their basic card thinking it would be easy but they gave me a higher level card (same no fee). I think I could even get a better card then.

Banks in the US are quite different from Australia, I couldn't even get a black card here due to the credit limit I have. In the US, I heard for some good cards, you should have at least 10k limit with other banks first to be able to get one lol My limit is now like 70K USD + charge cards. Australian banks dont like seeing me go over 20K AUD (self-employed). So don't be scared to go with a better card in the US.

PS Talk about credit limit, it's good to stay under 30K or 35K with Amex. This will reduce the chance of getting financial review.
 
I have 3 cards with them (Premier, Prestige and AA). Actually the first 2 cards I didn't use ITIN but applied in person. I have a checking account with them and got some 10-20K in there when I first applied back in 2016, same time as Amex GT. I wanted their basic card thinking it would be easy but they gave me a higher level card (same no fee). I think I could even get a better card then.

Banks in the US are quite different from Australia, I couldn't even get a black card here due to the credit limit I have. In the US, I heard for some good cards, you should have at least 10k limit with other banks first to be able to get one lol My limit is now like 70K USD + charge cards. Australian banks dont like seeing me go over 20K AUD (self-employed). So don't be scared to go with a better card in the US.

PS Talk about credit limit, it's good to stay under 30K or 35K with Amex. This will reduce the chance of getting financial review.
Thanks for all the info . I have just managed to open my us checking account through hsbc premier and have applied for 2 cards . Does anyone know if having a US checking account helps open checking accounts and credit cards with other banks remotely ?
 

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