Strategy to obtain US Amex

[PointsLife1]

My strategy for paying my ICC may help there - Citibank AU Global Currency Account denominated in USD, and a Revolut account. I have Revolut premium ($10/month) but if your bill is less than $9k USD then you can use the free account. Load your money to pay the bill onto Revolut, then use Revolut to convert it to USD (fee free) and then SWIFT it to your Citibank AU USD account, at which point you SWIFT it to Amex.

The reason for using Revolut is because Citi has a terrible exchange rate which is fine for like $10, but quickly loses you a lot of money as you increase the amount. The reason for using Citi is that Amex uses a "For Further Credit" account (the beneficiary is not the account holder) so you cannot use Transferwise, OFX, or any of those other providers - it must be a bank, and Citi allows you to hold the USD in USD until you need to send it, and send it free.

Very interested to see if this strategy will work as this would negate the need to open a US checking account and also not having to pay 20USD every month using XE money transfers.

 

[Spazmos]

Citibank AU USD account, at which point you SWIFT it to Amex.

Tried that back in 2019 and they take a $25USD from your transfer amount to pay your bill that way.... not sure if it has changed now.

 

[PointsLife1]

Tried that back in 2019 and they take a $25USD from your transfer amount to pay your bill that way.... not sure if it has changed now.

It would seem too good to be true.

Fingers crossed

 

[Finale]

Maybe the end of Chase cards for us even if we have ITIN.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCards/comments/i7up6w

 

[PointsLife1]

Maybe the end of Chase cards for us even if we have ITIN.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCards/comments/i7up6w

Also reported below, I think I might of wasted my money trying for ITIN number. If Chase is out then not sure if Citi is possible and the Citi Premier card.

Chase Cards Now Available for US Citizens and Green Card Holders Only? - Miles to Memories

When applying for a credit card, most people enter their Social Security Number. But you can also apply with just a tax ID or passport depending on the issuer. Some people have restricted SSNs and are still able to apply for credit cards.

milestomemories.com

 

[ithongy]

Chase is a VERY conservative bank to obtain credit cards with.

Also reported below, I think I might of wasted my money trying for ITIN number. If Chase is out then not sure if Citi is possible and the Citi Premier card.

Chase Cards Now Available for US Citizens and Green Card Holders Only? - Miles to Memories

When applying for a credit card, most people enter their Social Security Number. But you can also apply with just a tax ID or passport depending on the issuer. Some people have restricted SSNs and are still able to apply for credit cards.

milestomemories.com

 

[kyanar]

Tried that back in 2019 and they take a $25USD from your transfer amount to pay your bill that way.... not sure if it has changed now.

When I do it, I pick "Fees Paid By: My Account" and I don't get charged any. I'd recommend trying it once to see if that works for you. If it helps, Amex ICC accounts are paid to a Standard Chartered account in New York, unsure what Amex US uses.

 

[PPS_SYD]

Also reported below, I think I might of wasted my money trying for ITIN number. If Chase is out then not sure if Citi is possible and the Citi Premier card.

Chase Cards Now Available for US Citizens and Green Card Holders Only? - Miles to Memories

When applying for a credit card, most people enter their Social Security Number. But you can also apply with just a tax ID or passport depending on the issuer. Some people have restricted SSNs and are still able to apply for credit cards.

milestomemories.com

Not good.

 

[pyusha]

When I do it, I pick "Fees Paid By: My Account" and I don't get charged any. I'd recommend trying it once to see if that works for you. If it helps, Amex ICC accounts are paid to a Standard Chartered account in New York, unsure what Amex US uses.

I'll be trying later this week. Will revert on how it goes.

 

[pyusha]

Also reported below, I think I might of wasted my money trying for ITIN number. If Chase is out then not sure if Citi is possible and the Citi Premier card.

Chase Cards Now Available for US Citizens and Green Card Holders Only? - Miles to Memories

When applying for a credit card, most people enter their Social Security Number. But you can also apply with just a tax ID or passport depending on the issuer. Some people have restricted SSNs and are still able to apply for credit cards.

milestomemories.com

Not a waste I would say. One could still apply for additional Amex/BoA cards. Amex certainly entertains ITIN applications.
But yeah that's a bummer for Chase cards.

 

[Spazmos]

When I do it, I pick "Fees Paid By: My Account" and I don't get charged any. I'd recommend trying it once to see if that works for you. If it helps, Amex ICC accounts are paid to a Standard Chartered account in New York, unsure what Amex US uses.

Ahh, maybe that's why, AMEX US uses JP Morgan Chase... tight cough coughs lol

 

[Finale]

Also reported below, I think I might of wasted my money trying for ITIN number. If Chase is out then not sure if Citi is possible and the Citi Premier card.

Chase Cards Now Available for US Citizens and Green Card Holders Only? - Miles to Memories

When applying for a credit card, most people enter their Social Security Number. But you can also apply with just a tax ID or passport depending on the issuer. Some people have restricted SSNs and are still able to apply for credit cards.

milestomemories.com

Not a total waste. Citi is still good with ITIN. Cap1 is ok as well. They don't have many interesting cards though. It's also easier to apply for Amex online in the future too especially with incognito bonus.

 

[PointsLife1]

Not a total waste. Citi is still good with ITIN. Cap1 is ok as well. They don't have many interesting cards though. It's also easier to apply for Amex online in the future too especially with incognito bonus.

Can you put ITIN number in for Citi in the SSN section? I noticed on AMEX US last night you can (see below)

Please enter your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to continue.

Gold card with the below increase benefit is interesting.

New Offers for Amex Platinum and Gold Cards with Extra $300 Credit for Dining - Miles to Memories

Whether dining in, carrying out or ordering delivery, you can now earn up to $250 back with the American Express® Gold Card and up to $300 back with The Platinum Card®. That is in addition to the regular welcome offer.

milestomemories.com

 

[Finale]

Can you put ITIN number in for Citi in the SSN section? I noticed on AMEX US last night you can (see below)

Please enter your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to continue.

Gold card with the below increase benefit is interesting.

New Offers for Amex Platinum and Gold Cards with Extra $300 Credit for Dining - Miles to Memories

Whether dining in, carrying out or ordering delivery, you can now earn up to $250 back with the American Express® Gold Card and up to $300 back with The Platinum Card®. That is in addition to the regular welcome offer.

milestomemories.com

Yes they did with my app. They also asked me to email the copy of my ITIN as well.

Amex has always been that way about SSN and ITIN. Not sure if there is anything special about the message?

I wish Amex gave bonus points for restaurants and supermarket worldwide. I would use the cards more.

 

[blacksultan]

Yes they did with my app. They also asked me to email the copy of my ITIN as well.

Amex has always been that way about SSN and ITIN. Not sure if there is anything special about the message?

I wish Amex gave bonus points for restaurants and supermarket worldwide. I would use the cards more.

They certainly do for restaurants. My green card does.

 

[PPS_SYD]

They certainly do for restaurants. My green card does and so does the gold .

Have you come across any places which on 1st appearance don’t seem to fall under dining or travel, but have netted 3X points on Green?

 

[blacksultan]

Not really . Receive it on tolls as well .

 

[PPS_SYD]

Not really . Receive it on tolls as well .

Yeah, I don’t really use toll roads much. It’s funny how it sometimes codes restaurants as grocery stores. No rhyme or reason. I recently used it on Menulog and earned 3X, then few days later at Door Dash it was just 1x.

 

[LordGarlic]

Yeah, I don’t really use toll roads much. It’s funny how it sometimes codes restaurants as grocery stores. No rhyme or reason. I recently used it on Menulog and earned 3X, then few days later at Door Dash it was just 1x.

Do we get the bonus points for restaurant and grocery spend if we use the US Amex card in Aust? I thought the bonus pts only apply to transactions in the US?

 

[PPS_SYD]

Do we get the bonus points for restaurant and grocery spend if we use the US Amex card in Aust? I thought the bonus pts only apply to transactions in the US?

Not for grocery, only dining.