Strategy to obtain US Amex

I am going after you a bit I guess. But please do share you experience, I am nervous too. Planning all big 5 - Chase, BoA, Cap1, Citi, Wells Fargo and DMV if possible and have time. 🤞
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I have not made any appointments, will walk-in work?
What’s the reason for wanting to open so many checking accounts?
 
I have been making summaries and notes for myself and tips I have seen are from others

go to large banks near major tourist areas eg LA/San Fran/NY/Miami/Chicago etc and try major big banks

Good luck
Or goto ethnic neighbourhoods such as Chinatown etc
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Going to the US next week to open bank accounts with my ITIN.

If anyone has done this and want to share some tips, then I am all ears!
Please report back with your experiences :)
 
An advantage I can see is that you have then been verified in person and maybe making getting CC is easier
That was my thought although I do limit savings/checking accounts because of monthly fees and I can't afford to keep balances all over the place. I did stop into a Chase branch a few months ago to show my US passport and be verified in person. I will do the same for B of A next month. I've been having trouble getting a replacement card for an expired date card sent to Australia. I would have cancelled the card except it has 38 years of history!
 
Am I correct in saying that I can only add US Amex to a US PayPal account ?

I've just tried to sign up to US PayPal, and it rejects both Google Voice and Talkatone... Tello at $USD8/month seems a bit steep just for PayPal...
 
Am I correct in saying that I can only add US Amex to a US PayPal account ?

I've just tried to sign up to US PayPal, and it rejects both Google Voice and Talkatone... Tello at $USD8/month seems a bit steep just for PayPal...
No I have added my US Amex to my AU Paypal - works fine - I just use my billing address as Brisbane
 
It appears that Hilton Honors Amex is a charge card rather than a credit card... however it's often suggested as a good early GT card as it will build credit score even if unused (and no AF), unlike Amex Green/Gold etc

Is it true that it's good for building credit score so that I can apply for other cards down the track ?
 
It appears that Hilton Honors Amex is a charge card rather than a credit card... however it's often suggested as a good early GT card as it will build credit score even if unused (and no AF), unlike Amex Green/Gold etc

Is it true that it's good for building credit score so that I can apply for other cards down the track ?
It's a credit card.
 
It appears that Hilton Honors Amex is a charge card rather than a credit card... however it's often suggested as a good early GT card as it will build credit score even if unused (and no AF), unlike Amex Green/Gold etc

Is it true that it's good for building credit score so that I can apply for other cards down the track ?
It depends on what you want to do
I got a green as first as I wanted MR points and to transfer my AU MR to US MR
I use my green card nearly every day - every cafe/resteraunt/takeway/coffee - then transport and travel - airbnb/hotel/airlines/carhire gets me 3 MR points per dollar
Plus use it for all my non AU spend
So it made sense to me to get a card that would contribute to my goals

You still build a credit score, it may take slightly longer but I felt I used the card well - YMMV

I now want to start getting SUB and other programs eg Chase so working on those
 
I got a green as first as I wanted MR points and to transfer my AU MR to US MR
I’ve done the same. But I was under the impression that you don’t really get a proper credit score via the charge cards ?

So I was going to apply for the Honors and just stick it in the old sock drawer :)
 
I’ve done the same. But I was under the impression that you don’t really get a proper credit score via the charge cards ?

So I was going to apply for the Honors and just stick it in the old sock drawer :)
the No AF Hilton Amex is Credit Card - not charge Card. Ppl tend to get it because No AF to keep for Age of Credit History.
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What’s the reason for wanting to open so many checking accounts?
As other already mentioned, and to build relationship with the banks down the track.
 
Am I correct in saying that I can only add US Amex to a US PayPal account ?

I've just tried to sign up to US PayPal, and it rejects both Google Voice and Talkatone... Tello at $USD8/month seems a bit steep just for PayPal...
My tello is $5 a month. Just for 100 mins and unlimited text - shout if you need a referral code ;)
 
It depends on what you want to do
I got a green as first as I wanted MR points and to transfer my AU MR to US MR
I use my green card nearly every day - every cafe/resteraunt/takeway/coffee - then transport and travel - airbnb/hotel/airlines/carhire gets me 3 MR points per dollar
Plus use it for all my non AU spend
So it made sense to me to get a card that would contribute to my goals

You still build a credit score, it may take slightly longer but I felt I used the card well - YMMV

I now want to start getting SUB and other programs eg Chase so working on those
Is green one of the best Amex MR options for dining?

What’s the best Amex MR option for Australian supermarket spend? And likewise for AU restaurants
 
My tello is $5 a month. Just for 100 mins and unlimited text - shout if you need a referral code ;)
Is there any Data with it? Does it work as E-Sim? I am not happy with talkatone as it's an app and unless I am on the app when someone calls I cant hear it and always miss the call, Other than that it received all OTP just fine. But then I need Data/wifi for it to work.
 
Is there any Data with it? Does it work as E-Sim? I am not happy with talkatone as it's an app and unless I am on the app when someone calls I cant hear it and always miss the call, Other than that it received all OTP just fine. But then I need Data/wifi for it to work.
2nd this. I used to have talkatone and didn't like it. I would be on the phone with Amex and they would ask for info and then I had to look on my phone, but then they couldn't hear me.

Went to Tello and with the ABP it is free anyway as it is within the $10/month telco credit
 
You can make your own - minutes or data - but you dont want data as thats for use in US (roaming is expensive) - use australian data instead
Yes its esim and most of us got it working from Australian with wifi calling turned on
I moved from talktone to Tello
 

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