Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

The recent discussions about SSN made me think about my own. I left US many years ago and have since lost track of my SSN. Does anyone know if there is a way to obtain it from OZ? No chance of travel to US until next year due to obvious reasons.

I believe the ssn Is for life . Can’t you contact the irs ?

 

[PPS_SYD]

I believe the ssn Is for life . Can’t you contact the irs ?

I could, but given that it’s been such a long time, they may not be willing to give it over the phone.

 

[DC3]

What about the US Embassy or a Consulate? Do you live near Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne or Perth?

 

[blacksultan]

I could, but given that it’s been such a long time, they may not be willing to give it over the phone.

They won’t . You need to go to an ssa office with 2 forms of Id . Can you try your previous employers ?

 

[PPS_SYD]

They won’t . You need to go to an ssa office with 2 forms of Id . Can you try your previous employers ?

Pretty much. When my US Drivers license expired and I never bothered to renew. Wonder whether they will accept Aus ID’s.

 

[PPS_SYD]

What about the US Embassy or a Consulate? Do you live near Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne or Perth?

Yes I am in Sydney. Not sure why the embassy is going to assist, I am not a US citizen. I was just working over there.

 

[DC3]

Yes I am in Sydney. Not sure why the embassy is going to assist, I am not a US citizen. I was just working over there.

USA consular officials, being representatives of the US Government, may be able to assist. No harm in contacting them is there?

 

[blacksultan]

Might be of interest to some:Remote US business checking .account opening Remote U.S. Bank Account Service For Non U.S. Residents | EINExpress.com

 

[Finale]

Just applied and approved for Bonvoy business card. I used ITIN but still have to call as it is the first time using ITIN and they would like to confirm the details. A quick 2 minute call, I got approved on the spot. Since ITIN is in their system now, my future application should be good.

If you don't have ITIN, you can still get Amex business cards. You might need to call since online application might insist on ITIN. People were approved using Global Transfer as well.

I already have a basic personal bonvoy which is no longer available unless you downgrade from the premium one.

The reason I went for this business card is it's the only card that 15 elite nights stack with a personal card. Having 2 of these cards cost $220 USD but with 30 elite nights (gold status) + 2 free night certificates, I think it is a great deal. I normally use free night cer at St Regis Bangkok (about $350-$400 AUD a night). 20 nights to platinum is more manageable for me since we are not loyal to one brand. Would be even easier now as Marriott is giving 50% of Elite nights based on status in 2019.

The only thing is I'm not sure if I applied too early

 

[blacksultan]

Just applied and approved for Bonvoy business card. I used ITIN but still have to call as it is the first time using ITIN and they would like to confirm the details. A quick 2 minute call, I got approved on the spot. Since ITIN is in their system now, my future application should be good.

If you don't have ITIN, you can still get Amex business cards. You might need to call since online application might insist on ITIN. People were approved using Global Transfer as well.

I already have a basic personal bonvoy which is no longer available unless you downgrade from the premium one.

The reason I went for this business card is it's the only card that 15 elite nights stack with a personal card. Having 2 of these cards cost $220 USD but with 30 elite nights (gold status) + 2 free night certificates, I think it is a great deal. I normally use free night cer at St Regis Bangkok (about $350-$400 AUD a night). 20 nights to platinum is more manageable for me since we are not loyal to one brand. Would be even easier now as Marriott is giving 50% of Elite nights based on status in 2019.

The only thing is I'm not sure if I applied too early

Congrats!. How did you obtain the ITIN?
Can one apply for biz card without a business? What details do they request?
thanks!

 

[Finale]

Congrats!. How did you obtain the ITIN?
Can one apply for biz card without a business? What details do they request?
thanks!

I used Amazon letter method last year which doesn't seem to work good now. Might still work but people are giving up or IRS takes a long time to respond. Didn't see any new DPs lately.

Yes you can apply without a business. If you pick sole proprietorship (sole trade in AU), you don't need to enter EIN (Similar to ABN). They didn't ask for anything other than confirming ITIN number since it was the first time I used it. One can use passport to apply as well.

 

[Ko0l]

Applied for my card about 2-3 wks ago and it didn't 't arrive at myus, so I gave amex a call a few days ago. They've confirmed that they've sent the card out without including the apartment number and was willing to send a replacement card. I requested to see if they can send it to australia instead. (Told them I was stuck in Australia due to the lock downs)

I got transferred to another department and they did some further id checks on me. My identity couldn't get verified because I didn't have a SSN and I had to do a notary cam verification instead. Its been a few days and I still haven't received a response on my notary cam document. I've called up again today and they told me to keep waiting until the notary forms are verified and told me it can take up to 5 business days. Originally in the first phone call the stated 24hrs.

Any one experience something similar? I read some people on here got identified by providing their passport number, I told them I can provide that instead but they didn't want it, is it worth calling again to get a different person or department?

 

[DC3]

Applied for my card about 2-3 wks ago and it didn't 't arrive at myus, so I gave amex a call a few days ago. They've confirmed that they've sent the card out without including the apartment number and was willing to send a replacement card ....

If this was the Green Card, then it was sent by ordinary mail (i.e., without tracking), so there’s no way of telling when it arrived at MyUS, unlike the Aspire which has tracking.

Unless you had MyUS mail subscription, then ordinary letter mail may have been RTS or trashed by MyUS.

Edit: I’ve no experience with the other issues, sorry.

Edited

 

[PPS_SYD]

Good to see A$ powering thru 70c overnight (currently around 71.5c), makes using US issued Amex more valuable. On that note, I am getting ready to make a move on the Bonvoy Brilliant, just hoping they increase the sign-up bonus to 100k points to make it little more lucrative. It’s once a lifetime thing after all.

 

[PPS_SYD]

Marriott are selling gift cards for their Australian properties at a 20% discount. It seems like the transaction is processed by a company called my guest list. Does anyone know whether these purchases code as travel on Bonvoy or Amex Green cards?

 

[pyusha]

For people who have signed up the new Amex Hilton Aspire how are you planning to use the $250 airline credit given we can't even leave the country?

 

[deuterx]

I successfully also got a US amex but i'm not aussie.
Amex sent to me my card to Spain because i was travelling, i do have a US address so no need to use the myus.
What were the limits that you guys were approved in case of amex credit and not charge?

 

[blacksultan]

I successfully also got a US amex but i'm not aussie.
Amex sent to me my card to Spain because i was travelling, i do have a US address so no need to use the myus.
What were the limits that you guys were approved in case of amex credit and not charge?

The aMex green card at least does not have a fixed credit limit and is similar to a charge card with a flexible limit.

 

[PPS_SYD]

The aMex green card at least does not have a fixed credit limit and is similar to a charge card with a flexible limit.

Do you know if it counts under the 5/24 rule?

 

[ithongy]

Do you know if it counts under the 5/24 rule?

Only heard of (unofficial) Chase 5/24 rule.