Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

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

I believe it should .Why do you ask ? Are ‘ charge ‘ cards supposed to be excluded ?

 

[PPS_SYD]

I believe it should .Why do you ask ? Are ‘ charge ‘ cards supposed to be excluded ?

I think they are too, just wanted to make sure.

 

[PointsLife1]

Hi guys,

Well today I took the plunge and used einexpress to pay for the ITIN service. Cost was 397USD and they advise it should normally take 4-6 weeks but with COVID allow an extra 2-3 weeks.

A bit uncomfortable using a service without any data points but I guess we all tried something out of our comfort levels getting the US Amex cards in the first place.

Will keep everyone up to date on the progress and hopefully this leads down the line of more US Amex cards, credit history and my ultimate end game Chase credit cards.

 

[ithongy]

You should be able to go an an accountant or HR Block & they should be able to get your an ITIN.

Hi guys,

Well today I took the plunge and used einexpress to pay for the ITIN service. Cost was 397USD and they advise it should normally take 4-6 weeks but with COVID allow an extra 2-3 weeks.

A bit uncomfortable using a service without any data points but I guess we all tried something out of our comfort levels getting the US Amex cards in the first place.

Will keep everyone up to date on the progress and hopefully this leads down the line of more US Amex cards, credit history and my ultimate end game Chase credit cards.

 

[PPS_SYD]

You should be able to go an an accountant or HR Block & they should be able to get your an ITIN.

How does this work? Can you elaborate or point to a source for everyone’s benefit?

 

[ithongy]

I'm not an accountant or financial advisor. But did get an accountant to setup an LLC, it was a very quick painless process. This web link below might be of help.

ITIN Application — Apply for Your ITIN Number | H&R Block®

Find out how to get an ITIN number with help from our tax pros and CAAs. We are ready to guide you through the ITIN application or renewal process with ease.

www.hrblock.com

How does this work? Can you elaborate or point to a source for everyone’s benefit?

 

[PointsLife1]

I'm not an accountant or financial advisor. But did get an accountant to setup an LLC, it was a very quick painless process. This web link below might be of help.

ITIN Application — Apply for Your ITIN Number | H&R Block®

Find out how to get an ITIN number with help from our tax pros and CAAs. We are ready to guide you through the ITIN application or renewal process with ease.

www.hrblock.com

Did you use the LLC to then obtain an ITIN?

I tried the Australian based acceptance agents to obtain an ITIN but non returned my emails.

 

[ithongy]

I do not have ITIN, my accountant did everything for me. More than happy to shoot you the deets of my accountant.

Did you use the LLC to then obtain an ITIN?

I tried the Australian based acceptance agents to obtain an ITIN but non returned my emails.

 

[blacksultan]

I do not have ITIN, my accountant did everything for me. More than happy to shoot you the deets of my accountant.

What was the cost ?

 

[DC3]

What was the cost ?

Cost. The elephant in the room.

I thought that you already had an ITIN?

 

[ithongy]

Cost wasn’t cheap... but accountant knows US & AU accounting so was worth retaining services. Opening an LLC costs will vary from state to state, laws can also be different too.

LegalZoom | Start a Business, Protect Your Family: LLC Wills Trademark Incorporate & More Online | LegalZoom

www.legalzoom.com

this link might be worth reading up on how to setup a business in USA.

 

[PointsLife1]

Cost wasn’t cheap... but accountant knows US & AU accounting so was worth retaining services. Opening an LLC costs will vary from state to state, laws can also be different too.

LegalZoom | Start a Business, Protect Your Family: LLC Wills Trademark Incorporate & More Online | LegalZoom

www.legalzoom.com

this link might be worth reading up on how to setup a business in USA.

Thanks ithongy,

I am not too familiar with the LLC and how it helps to apply for US credit cards, can you give a brief rundown? All the applications I have seen request a SSN or ITIN.

Does this help with applying for the business versions maybe?

Post automatically merged: Jul 28, 2020

Thanks ithongy,

I am not too familiar with the LLC and how it helps to apply for US credit cards, can you give a brief rundown? All the applications I have seen request a SSN or ITIN.

Does this help with applying for the business versions maybe?

I just always read that you should open one in Delaware.

 

[PointsLife1]

Thanks ithongy,

I am not too familiar with the LLC and how it helps to apply for US credit cards, can you give a brief rundown? All the applications I have seen request a SSN or ITIN.

Does this help with applying for the business versions maybe?

Post automatically merged: Jul 28, 2020

I just always read that you should open one in Delaware.

Also thanks for starting this post in 2018 and have reread about LLC but it seems lately a member did indeed get the Marriott business version without LLC.

 

[Finale]

I was looking at LLC route before but it was not that easy. You can easily get EIN from LLC. To get ITIN, you basically make your business pay yourself as employee, contractor etc. Then you will have to file personal tax and then can apply for ITIN.

 

[ithongy]

USA credit cards is a totally different world to what is offered in AU. More on LLC click link below. An LLC is a limited liability company, similar to Pty Ltd in Australia.

LLC (Limited Liability Company) - Start an LLC | LegalZoom

Whether you're ready to form an LLC on your own—or want advice every step of the way—we've got your back. Starts at $0 + state filing fees. Learn more.

www.legalzoom.com

You can apply for business cards under your own name, with people running a side gig business or a sole prop.

Obtaining ITIN is for people who are unable to obtain a SSN in USA & are wanting to start their own business.

now I’m thinking should I apply for a BofA Alaskan Airlines business card? USD$50 AF, 40k AS miles SUB after USD$2k spend. Not too sure if this card might disappear after AS joins OW.

 

[PointsLife1]

I was looking at LLC route before but it was not that easy. You can easily get EIN from LLC. To get ITIN, you basically make your business pay yourself as employee, contractor etc. Then you will have to file personal tax and then can apply for ITIN.

Hi Finale,

You got the Bonvoy business version without the LLC so I don't think I would go down that route.

ITIN seems to be the best option for us Australians who do not have a SSN.

 

[DC3]

.... I’m thinking should I apply for a BofA Alaskan Airlines business card? USD$50 AF, 40k AS miles SUB after USD$2k spend. Not too sure if this card might disappear after AS joins OW.

Stop giving us ideas.

Much easier for you of course as you are living in the USA. I will have enough trouble expanding beyond my lonely Aspire card. Don’t get me wrong. I’m appreciative of all the tips that you have posted since you started this thread. If it wasn’t for some of them I wouldn’t even have the Aspire.

 

[Finale]

Hi Finale,

You got the Bonvoy business version without the LLC so I don't think I would go down that route.

ITIN seems to be the best option for us Australians who do not have a SSN.

You don't even need ITIN to get Amex business cards. You can just call and apply. Might be more difficult with other banks though. For Chase, I heard they want to verify your business. Even their personal cards, a lot of people got stuck with their address verification. They don't normally accept bank statements and phone bills but utility bills like electricity, internet. Some people got lucky with bank statements though.

I have had ITIN for like 8 months and hardly use it. Got quite excited before but a bit worried about applying at Chase. I just changed my US address about 4 months ago and wanted to wait a bit and make sure my address is on credit file hoping maybe address verification is not needed. Will apply a bit later and report.

 

[PointsLife1]

You don't even need ITIN to get Amex business cards. You can just call and apply. Might be more difficult with other banks though. For Chase, I heard they want to verify your business. Even their personal cards, a lot of people got stuck with their address verification. They don't normally accept bank statements and phone bills but utility bills like electricity, internet. Some people got lucky with bank statements though.

I have had ITIN for like 8 months and hardly use it. Got quite excited before but a bit worried about applying at Chase. I just changed my US address about 4 months ago and wanted to wait a bit and make sure my address is on credit file hoping maybe address verification is not needed. Will apply a bit later and report.

Finale,

You are basically at the stage I am aiming for, I have the Bonvoy Brilliant and once I have the ITIN will probably get the business version for 30 nights annually plus 2 x certificates and then sit tight for a while before trying the Chase credit cards.

Sapphire variety and then IHG as we stay at Santuary Cove during Xmas and 25% off would be very appealing when redeeming points as always stay 4 nights plus.

 

[rock86]

once I have the ITIN will probably get the business version for 30 nights annually plus 2 x certificates and then sit tight for a while before trying the Chase credit cards.

Did I miss something, since when have you been able to apply for Chase cards with only an ITIN? I thought they stopped that a fair while ago....??..