Strategy to obtain US Amex

Do you guys have to do annual filings with the ITIN?

I still have shares from when I worked for a US corporate and have to just click a certification for the W8-BEN in e-trade every year.

Seems the substantial presence test works out to be 3 months per year aprox

< 183 days over 3 years, weighted 100% current, 33% T-1 17% T-2
 
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Oof which PE addy were you using? They have a few, hope they haven't all been flagged...
Torrance
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Anyone opened a HSBC Premier Mastercard via global banking? Seems they also might give you a 5k limit based off your overseas status. Could possibly help with building credit?
It is 1:1 transfer to QFF as in indirect earn, so not a great rate vs the AUD cards. I have their USD checking account/debit card, registered to my AU address. This at least allows local ATM withdrawals etc and a local routing number.
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Doesn't ITIN also work?
I have
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Can the hsbc AU checking account be opened online easily ?
 
On WiFi it’s fine but what if you’re out and about? I’ve received texts from Chase to confirm a purchase while I was in a supermarket…
Oh, Chase? I know nothing much about Chase and their verification texts. Amex have never sent texts regarding my purchases in Oz, including supermarkets. Maybe shop where you can access wifi if there’s an issue with Chase. 🤷‍♂️
 
Torrance
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I have
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Can the hsbc AU checking account be opened online easily ?
I used their premier desk over the phone after I had a premier account here setup in branch. think you can do online but might take you the 6 months to get premier.
 
I guess for most people, the aim is to have the US Amex from this thread?

I'd be more interested in moving whatever spend I could onto the AA cards to earn OW status. Would need a credit score for that.

Or for other churn+burn.
 
Is that any good from a credit reporting perspective though?

Yes, a secured card will build a credit score. And a BoA account could be used down the track for three-way verification.

I'd be more interested in moving whatever spend I could onto the AA cards to earn OW status. Would need a credit score for that.

One of the quickest ways to start building a FICO score is through GT with Amex....
 
@welltravelled

“This is not quite correct.
I am an Aussie currently working and living in the US. I have BOA accounts - they are useless as a bank.
You will require a SSN to open an account.”

Incorrect. If you visit a branch you can open it with your PASSPORT and a bank card. You don’t need to have an SSN.
So I could theoretically open a BOA in-person with my HSBC US Card and Passport?
Needs the mail forwarding or US address though?
 
So I could theoretically open a BOA in-person with my HSBC US Card and Passport?
Needs the mail forwarding or US address though?
It will depend on the bank.

When I was in LA, I went into the branch with my Aussie Passport and my AU bank card and I just gave them my address without needing proof I lived there.

Some bank reps may be better than others. When I did Citibank they wanted proof of address etc, so it depends on the bank and person.

But, theoretically yes, you could open one up with just your passport and keycard or drivers license etc.
 
so for whoever asking about HSBC Premier US account opening. I opened 2nd one - this for P2 - on 3 Jul - Got an email asking for how the deposit will be made - cash or transfer - Or if P2 is employed v.v. Replied and sent them the AU HSBC Premier bank statement. Then got approved on 8 July. No trouble. But during the process of application - be prepared to take a selfie and copy of passport. Just followed the link on US website to apply.
 
Also applied HSBC Premier CC US, initially thought I got rejected but no, the application got stuck with Fraud Dep. Called them they verified me by asking me to log in US HSBC App and got approved today after 5 days. Free CC will keep for the age of credit line plus 35K points. Not too bad.
 
so for whoever asking about HSBC Premier US account opening. I opened 2nd one - this for P2 - on 3 Jul - Got an email asking for how the deposit will be made - cash or transfer - Or if P2 is employed v.v. Replied and sent them the AU HSBC Premier bank statement. Then got approved on 8 July. No trouble. But during the process of application - be prepared to take a selfie and copy of passport. Just followed the link on US website to apply.
So you start application on hsbc us website after qualifying as hsbc au premiere ? Do they then link you up ?
 
Just got approved for the Chase IHG One Premier. Initially applied and was requested to provide proof of address and DOB - sent in passport and Amex statement. Called recon line after a couple of days of no response and was told the documents were illegible and I also needed to provide an SSN card. Sent in my ITIN letter and called again. It took a couple of tries to get someone who would look at the documents over the phone rather than waiting for a letter. But after the 3rd attempt they came back to me confirming approval and a $12k limit!

Currently only have 2 Amex's, both via GT with 15 months credit history. Got my ITIN last August but this is my first card that I've used it on.
Hi mate, can I ask how you got Chase to look at the documents live over the phone? I’ve applied for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card twice and both times the card got closed after being approved and issued due to some ID verification issues as can’t get to the branch to ID with my ITIN. It’s getting frustrating given the second time it’s happened 🤦‍♂️. Thanks in advance.
 

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