Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

For those who went from obtaining an Amex via GT, how long did you wait until you started applying to Chase?

Believe one needs to wait 2 years to build credit history acceptable by chase .

 

[albyd]

Sorry if I’ve missed it elsewhere in this thread. Do purchases on Green or Gold cards also code as “travel” bonus category spend?

 

[scibo10]

Chase will see 3 year history. I heard EX and TU didn't list ITIN. That might be the reason why those with ITIN cannot obtain the report online. EQ lists ITIN as SSN but I heard Amex didn't report it to the bureaus. I don't think you need to wait. I used my brand new ITIN with about 3 year history at Citi and was approved with no issue.

Thanks @Finale for your response. I dug a little deeper since my initial question and it appears one Reddit poster stated that given an ITIN is applied for using a passport, then when an ITIN is issued, the IRS has the details of both the passport and the newly processed ITIN number for that individual.

What is unclear is how the ITIN number is then reported to the credit bureaus.

The Reddit contributor was adamant that the IRS informs the credit bureaus ‘automatically’ after around 1-2 months, which could explain why using newly minted ITINs may still cause rejections initially.

However, another theory is that when you apply for a credit card with your ITIN, the bank will get your credit report from the bureau by matching your details (eg name, DOB, passport) while the credit bureau will also link to the IRS system and match your passport details, which will now show your ITIN details (where it previously showed no ITIN number). And this is how an ITIN number is initially reported to the credit bureaus.

Either way, I think it's beginning to make a bit more sense for me. But happy to hear any DPs that may counter this.

 

[scibo10]

For those who have successfully applied for a Chase or Cap1 card, curious to see how you went about meeting the minimum spend criteria for a SUB.

Given that it may take around 5 weeks for a card to be delivered if using a mail forwarder who uses USPS (at least for your first card anyway), it leaves only around 6 weeks to meet a spend criteria of say USD4,000.

So my questions:

1. Is there a maximum amount per transaction to spend without triggering a fraud alert?
2. Does the type of transaction matter? Even for Oz SUBs, I like to prepay bills in advance, Wondering if I can do the same with US cards. For example, would an Oz Body Corporate or Rates or Water bill cause issues?
3. Keen to hear any other interesting ways you may have to meet minimum spend.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thanks @Finale for your response. I dug a little deeper since my initial question and it appears one Reddit poster stated that given an ITIN is applied for using a passport, then when an ITIN is issued, the IRS has the details of both the passport and the newly processed ITIN number for that individual.

What is unclear is how the ITIN number is then reported to the credit bureaus.

The Reddit contributor was adamant that the IRS informs the credit bureaus ‘automatically’ after around 1-2 months, which could explain why using newly minted ITINs may still cause rejections initially.

I think you might be overcomplicating this. At the end of the day, you could follow a DP and still be rejected and you'll need to end up applying with a more familiar provider (Amex).

I would recommend applying with Chase 1-2 months after you get your ITIN with 13-14 months total history. If you get rejected, you will be applying for Chase within the next 30 days so you'll probably move on to Amex.

For those who have successfully applied for a Chase or Cap1 card, curious to see how you went about meeting the minimum spend criteria for a SUB.

Given that it may take around 5 weeks for a card to be delivered if using a mail forwarder who uses USPS (at least for your first card anyway), it leaves only around 6 weeks to meet a spend criteria of say USD4,000.

So my questions:

1. Is there a maximum amount per transaction to spend without triggering a fraud alert?
2. Does the type of transaction matter? Even for Oz SUBs, I like to prepay bills in advance, Wondering if I can do the same with US cards. For example, would an Oz Body Corporate or Rates or Water bill cause issues?
3. Keen to hear any other interesting ways you may have to meet minimum spend.

Most cards get to Aus within two weeks since I have it expedited to the mail forwarder then 3-5 days to Aus.

Regarding fraud alerts, it entirely depends on your risk profile at the bank. I've bought 2-3k flights without an issue. Sometimes you'll get flagged for the most mundane things so it's important to have your ducks in a row to clear the fraud alert.

I would avoid buying things that are too risky e.g. gift cards from a gift card website or large amounts at a grocery store (e.g $500 GC from woolies/Coles).

 

[levelnine]

Sorry if I’ve missed it elsewhere in this thread. Do purchases on Green or Gold cards also code as “travel” bonus category spend?

If they're travel purchases (eg airfares/hotels), they'll code as travel.

For those who have successfully applied for a Chase or Cap1 card, curious to see how you went about meeting the minimum spend criteria for a SUB.

Given that it may take around 5 weeks for a card to be delivered if using a mail forwarder who uses USPS (at least for your first card anyway), it leaves only around 6 weeks to meet a spend criteria of say USD4,000.

So my questions:

1. Is there a maximum amount per transaction to spend without triggering a fraud alert?
2. Does the type of transaction matter? Even for Oz SUBs, I like to prepay bills in advance, Wondering if I can do the same with US cards. For example, would an Oz Body Corporate or Rates or Water bill cause issues?
3. Keen to hear any other interesting ways you may have to meet minimum spend.

Completely fine to pay government/utility bills on a Chase card.

 

[QF_Flyer]

Would you know JB HIFI gift card or Wish gift card on Qantas.com are also categorised as "Airfare"? I am hoping to use the airline credit for this quarter (before 30 June).

Almost certainly yes. I was buying WISH cards when they were 4x points (on QF Marketplace) and they were coded as airfare on my Gold (3x MR), so I would expect the same from Aspire (7x HH).

 

[albyd]

Almost certainly yes. I was buying WISH cards when they were 4x points (on QF Marketplace) and they were coded as airfare on my Gold (3x MR), so I would expect the same from Aspire (7x HH).

Thanks for confirming. I’ll use my US gold/green Amex’s for the bonus points so should warn well despite the poor currency. It’s only seeking to use my QFF points for payment. How do we change the payment type on marketplace?

 

[travelguy83]

Hi all,

I'm going for my second GT to US Amex Platinum card and just want to know if there's anything to look out for going for second GT?

I presume just use the same US address/phone number that's listed on my existing US Amex account.]

I got my first US Amex (Marriott Brilliant card) through GT 18 months ago. Have an 800 FICO score (although apparently that's of no use when going for a second GT).

Thanks a lot!

 

[Voele]

Does anyone here have experience with changing your address on your Amex?

I want to change my residential address from the mail forwarder I used to my Ipostal1 address. Anything I should be aware of, does Amex ask for verification? Should I wait for a certain amount of time before changing the address? (Been a US customer for ~1.5 months now)

Thanks!

 

[travelguy83]

Hi all,

I'm going for my second GT to US Amex Platinum card and just want to know if there's anything to look out for going for second GT?

I presume just use the same US address/phone number that's listed on my existing US Amex account.]

I got my first US Amex (Marriott Brilliant card) through GT 18 months ago. Have an 800 FICO score (although apparently that's of no use when going for a second GT).

Thanks a lot!

Following up, went for second GT, was easy. No issues.

 

[DC3]

I want to change my residential address from the mail forwarder I used to my Ipostal1 address. Anything I should be aware of, does Amex ask for verification? Should I wait for a certain amount of time before changing the address? (Been a US customer for ~1.5 months now)

I’d thought that it’s just done online, for US address>US address?

 

[sudoer]

10x Everyday Rewards Points on Vanilla Visa Gift Cards ($5.95/$7.95 Purchase Fees) @ Woolworths

Deal: 10x Everyday Rewards Points on Vanilla Visa Gift Cards ($5.95/$7.95 Purchase Fees) @ Woolworths, Store: Woolworths, Category: Other

www.ozbargain.com.au

Potential MS opportunity with EDR helping to offset costs? If anyone has experience with Vanilla that they'd be willing to share please DM me

 

[blacksultan]

Does anyone here have experience with changing your address on your Amex?

I want to change my residential address from the mail forwarder I used to my Ipostal1 address. Anything I should be aware of, does Amex ask for verification? Should I wait for a certain amount of time before changing the address? (Been a US customer for ~1.5 months now)

Thanks!

No verification

 

[arctan]

Believe one needs to wait 2 years to build credit history acceptable by chase .

Following up, went for second GT, was easy. No issues.

Would you know how long should I wait to apply for the 2nd Amex GT after getting the first Amex card (Hilton Aspire)?

 

[albyd]

10x Everyday Rewards Points on Vanilla Visa Gift Cards ($5.95/$7.95 Purchase Fees) @ Woolworths

Deal: 10x Everyday Rewards Points on Vanilla Visa Gift Cards ($5.95/$7.95 Purchase Fees) @ Woolworths, Store: Woolworths, Category: Other

www.ozbargain.com.au

Potential MS opportunity with EDR helping to offset costs? If anyone has experience with Vanilla that they'd be willing to share please DM me

I hope I'm wrong but can't use WOW GCs to pay for other GCs anymore - this was a well worn path with the $100 Visa cards in the "old days" - happy to be corrected and for it to be via PM if need be.

 

[albyd]

Almost certainly yes. I was buying WISH cards when they were 4x points (on QF Marketplace) and they were coded as airfare on my Gold (3x MR), so I would expect the same from Aspire (7x HH).

Was trying to buy MasterCard GCs on Marketplace but can only be bought with points I'm informed. Apparently the same with VISA. What are people buying in the Marketplace with their credit cards? I understand why Qantas would restrict this as they don't make any money out of it and it's a nice way to spin down their FF point liability at 0.4c as opposed to what we might be able to claim premium seats for.

 

[arctan]

Was trying to buy MasterCard GCs on Marketplace but can only be bought with points I'm informed. Apparently the same with VISA. What are people buying in the Marketplace with their credit cards? I understand why Qantas would restrict this as they don't make any money out of it and it's a nice way to spin down their FF point liability at 0.4c as opposed to what we might be able to claim premium seats for.

I was able to buy GCs on Qantas with Amex.

 

[travelguy83]

Would you know how long should I wait to apply for the 2nd Amex GT after getting the first Amex card (Hilton Aspire)?

At least a few months according to others on this thread, although I'm not entirely sure. In my case it was over 12 months.

 

[albyd]

I was able to buy GCs on Qantas with Amex.

Was it a store specific GC or an open loop card like MC or Visa?