Strategy to obtain US Amex

[LordGarlic]

Not for grocery, only dining.

Thanks Rohit. Still waiting for myus to ship out my hilton aspire card, requested for urgent handling (next day processing) by opting for additional fee. Live chat advised me that it takes about 5-7 days to process the shipping now and I will not be charge the urgent handling fee. Fingers crossed.

 

[blacksultan]

Not for grocery, only dining.

and travel like hotels, tolls etc. Worldwide I believe.

 

[blacksultan]

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.

On the plus side we don`t need to worry about the chase 5/24 rule anymore!

 

[PPS_SYD]

and travel like hotels, tolls etc. Worldwide I believe.

Yes, all of that too.

 

[pyusha]

Would like to report I was approved for my 2nd card (Amex Green) today under Global Transfer. No call backs, just an online application. My first card was Aspire which I applied for last month and was applied under Global Transfer from Australia. Today's card was under Global Transfer from India.

 

[blacksultan]

Would like to report I was approved for my 2nd card (Amex Green) today under Global Transfer. No calls backs, just an online application. My first card was Aspire which I applied for last month and was applied under Global Transfer from Australia. Today's card was under Global Transfer from India.

Did they not pick up that you already had applied for a US card through GT ?
I am awaiting the result of my application for UK Amex through GT from the US !

 

[pyusha]

Did they not pick up that you already had applied for a US card through GT ?
I am awaiting the result of my application for UK Amex through GT from the US !

Not sure on that. I did my first GT from AU and second from IN.
Both new cards are from Amex US.

 

[PointsLife1]

Did they not pick up that you already had applied for a US card through GT ?
I am awaiting the result of my application for UK Amex through GT from the US !

Now that is thinking out of the box indeed, US to UK global transfer. Out of interest what card are you applying for? No free FX cards as I can gather?

 

[blacksultan]

Now that is thinking out of the box indeed, US to UK global transfer. Out of interest what card are you applying for? No free FX cards as I can gather?

That’s right no fx fee free cards . I applied for the gold MR Card as it had first year free.
Actually I Applied because I wanted to perform a balance transfer from any HSBCUK cards I obtained through the HSBC premier program. Besides one can transfer the UK more points to the US account and benefit from the points arbitrage. Possibly gain by 0.20 to 0.30.

 

[PPS_SYD]

Not sure on that. I did my first GT from AU and second from IN.
Both new cards are from Amex US.

There’s also Nova Credit, should you need a 3rd one.

 

[blacksultan]

That’s right no fx fee free cards . I applied for the gold MR Card as it had first year free.
Actually I Applied because I wanted to perform a balance transfer from any HSBCUK cards I obtained through the HSBC premier program. Besides one can transfer the UK more points to the US account and benefit from the points arbitrage. Possibly gain by 0.20 to 0.30.

I just got approved for the uk Amex gold MR card with a higher limit than my US Amex !

 

[Bell21]

This seems to be a bit of a simplistic question amongst all the technical aspects of getting a US card and vaguely recall it being discussed up-thread in a few places, but every time I look at the possibility of a US card, the fx fee and exchange rate doesn't seem to make the value of the points accrued (and possibly other benefits) worthwhile

What am i missing? Do you need to have regular $US spend for the equation to change?

 

[albyd]

Many US issued cards now have no FX fee which makes $A spend viable as agree the FX fee would normally outweigh the value of the points.

 

[LordGarlic]

Many US issued cards now have no FX fee which makes $A spend viable as agree the FX fee would normally outweigh the value of the points.

Does the US amex have fx fees?

 

[blacksultan]

Does the US amex have fx fees?

If I’m not mistaken None do except for one free low interest one .

 

[albyd]

They’re pretty good even Green has no fees. I’m a big fan. Need to do another spot check in the FX rates they’re using as that is sometimes a hidden FX fee.

 

[blacksultan]

They’re pretty good even Green has no fees. I’m a big fan. Need to do another spot check in the FX rates they’re using as that is sometimes a hidden FX fee.

Its very close. the difference between the amount you spend and the cost in A$ FOR THE US$ you remit to pay statement is around A$5/ 1000$ .

 

[PPS_SYD]

Crazy that Chase issued Bonvoy with a $95 fee, has 100,000 points welcome bonus, but the $450 Brilliant only offers 75,000 points. Amex need to up their game a little on that card.

 

[marki]

have you applied for subsequent amex cards? what is the process?

Hi no I haven’t applied but later this year I will 5000 annual fee is a little too expensive

 

[Bell21]

Its very close. the difference between the amount you spend and the cost in A$ FOR THE US$ you remit to pay statement is around A$5/ 1000$ .

So it's about 0.5% surcharge in effect to pay in $US to things you would normally pay in $AUD for? Hmm, it seems that together with them being FX free, I might need to look more closely into these cards after all - not much else to do with 'this hobby' right now!