Strategy to obtain US Amex

Yes indeed but the main draw of Premier is the ability to open a US checking account. Then you just use revolut or whatever to fund it.
Wise opens a checking account for you with ACH details etc., I don't even specifically remember asking it to do it tbh so it must have been pretty painless
Hoping to use the HSBC checking account as proof of details for an Amex GT.
Im impressed you managed to open an Amex gold card without a checking account-how did you get an address verified?
You definitely don't need any address verification for GT (I applied for a business and a personal card - didn't ask either time)
 
Wise opens a checking account for you with ACH details etc., I don't even specifically remember asking it to do it tbh so it must have been pretty painless


You definitely don't need any address verification for GT (I applied for a business and a personal card - didn't ask either time)
Luck of the draw. More often than not they require a utility bill or bank statement for identification (name / address)
 
Wise opens a checking account for you with ACH details etc., I don't even specifically remember asking it to do it tbh so it must have been pretty painless


You definitely don't need any address verification for GT (I applied for a business and a personal card - didn't ask either time)
They gave me 2 options to verify my name/details (didn't specify address, but I assume it's part of it)
1. Three way phone call with bank (I assume they want a US bank and I couldn't use an Aus bank but say I'm in the process of moving ?)
2. Upload a utility statement or bank statement

Looks like I'll need to wait 3 weeks or so for the first HSBC statement to show up. I tried to ask for an interim one via online chat but they said it's not possible
 
Last edited:
What stage of the application process did they ask you for it, out of interest
After you submit the application they usually call.

On another note; applied for a Chase Sapphire Preferred. Called up for an application status and it said 7-10 business days. Will call recon today / tomorrow. In terms of info that I should have at hand I’ve read (usual verification including county, purpose of card, how much you’ll be spending). Anything else to be aware of? Do Chase accept HSBC statements?

There is also a AMEX biz plat 250k offer but 20k USD spend which will be tricky. Otherwise a 175k biz gold for 15k spend also available if CSP fails!
 
After you submit the application they usually call.

On another note; applied for a Chase Sapphire Preferred. Called up for an application status and it said 7-10 business days. Will call recon today / tomorrow. In terms of info that I should have at hand I’ve read (usual verification including county, purpose of card, how much you’ll be spending). Anything else to be aware of? Do Chase accept HSBC statements?

There is also a AMEX biz plat 250k offer but 20k USD spend which will be tricky. Otherwise a 175k biz gold for 15k spend also available if CSP fails!
250k AMEX gold biz sounds awesome, I'm desperate for that card for my business spend but now I've used my GT I have to wait to build US credit unfortunately.
 
250k is the ABP.

I don't think you can use GT to get a biz card

Yes correct - a 250k signup bonus would be awesome

1724301231564.png

I did for mine - but was told they couldn't use my AU history because I'd already taken advantage of the GT for another card. Otherwise it seemed like they were happy to accept it over the phone.
 
Has anyone got any experience with opening US bank accounts purely online with an ITIN only? I already have a Chase account so I figure a Chase bank account isn't too difficult.

It looks like Wells Fargo, SoFi and Citi have easy to achieve bank account sign up bonuses but I'm not sure if they'll require a physical visit.
 
Has anyone got any experience with opening US bank accounts purely online with an ITIN only? I already have a Chase account so I figure a Chase bank account isn't too difficult.

It looks like Wells Fargo, SoFi and Citi have easy to achieve bank account sign up bonuses but I'm not sure if they'll require a physical visit.
Unfortunately, for brick and mortal banks, you will need to pay a visit to the branch, in order to open a checking account.

You can try and open a SoFi checking account via this method:

 
Unfortunately, for brick and mortal banks, you will need to pay a visit to the branch, in order to open a checking account.

Wells Fargo and Citi (and SoFi apparently) seem to accept ITIN online. Do you think they will require a face to face visit for verification? I'm still going to roll the dice and see what happens.
 
Wells Fargo and Citi (and SoFi apparently) seem to accept ITIN online. Do you think they will require a face to face visit for verification? I'm still going to roll the dice and see what happens.
Oh that's interesting! My impression has always been that, if you are an ITIN holder, you will need to visit a branch in order to open a checking account. I have come across online services that will offer to open a checking account for you remotely with Chase, BofA and Citi, but they charge an insane amount of $$ and I am not sure if they are trustworthy too.

Anyway, please report back your experiences if you try and open an account with Wells Fargo etc.
 
Wells Fargo and Citi (and SoFi apparently) seem to accept ITIN online. Do you think they will require a face to face visit for verification? I'm still going to roll the dice and see what happens.
I tried to do 6+ months ago and unsuccessful.

Maybe they have changed it?
Post automatically merged:

Yes correct - a 250k signup bonus would be awesome

View attachment 404090

I did for mine - but was told they couldn't use my AU history because I'd already taken advantage of the GT for another card. Otherwise it seemed like they were happy to accept it over the phone.
I would doubt they would accept it, but who knows.

I did 3x GT too
 
Wells Fargo and Citi (and SoFi apparently
I've tried wells fargo, cap 1, us bank, sofi, chime and axos bank.

Didn't do anything special and just applied directly on their website/app and didn't get far with any of them. All got declined. YMMV

You can try and open a SoFi checking account via this method:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ITIN/s/RFbQKkm7xC
Thanks for this. Will try this next month after I receive my itin notice and open my amex checking account.
 
Update:
Called up Chase and was informed to submit verification docs as expected.
Yesterday morning I submitted my passport, ITIN form, Amex Bonvoy Business statement and Amex checking statement.

Got off the phone with fraud just then and after about 15 mins they’ve informed me that they’ve submitted my application for final approval.

Seems hopeful..? Fingers crossed
Minor update: calling the automated line has the “in order to retrieve your status you’ll be connected to a specialist” message which seems to be a new(?) dp.

Still with the back office team for final approval and doesn’t seem to be a way to speed this up.

Also, the agents haven’t been able to send verification messages to my Talkatone number at all, errors on their end
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.
Back
Top