Strategy to obtain US Amex

This thread has gotten a bit unruly :D.

I've noticed some mention about Cap1 Google Pay issues. I was reading on reddit regarding some workarounds for it. It seems like the Cap1 app uses your current sim card registered location as part of it's determination process.

I had a US Sim and an EU roaming sim. Cap1 app was throwing all kinds of errors. I disabled the EU sim and continued only with my US sim and everything worked. If you don't have a US sim maybe disable your current sim and try to use Wifi and see if it works. Also try to add the card to your Google Wallet via a browser to see if that bypasses some issues.

Here are the two threads I've taken advice from:



In terms of fraud detection, the advice from expats seem to be that try to logon to the app from the country before making purchases. That way it will detect that your OS and less likely to flag your account for fraud.

 
Last edited:
I got a new iPhone 16 yesterday - my US cards were working fine on my old iPhone. They now can't be added to my iPhone. Is this something the early adopters have also experienced? How do we get around it? I've tried using VPN on my iPhone among other strategies but none work. When I call AMEX, they say to call Apple and Apple say to call Amex. I did add an AU issued CBA debit card for testing purposes and it added so I know I don't need to reset my iPhone back to factory settings.
 
I got a new iPhone 16 yesterday - my US cards were working fine on my old iPhone. They now can't be added to my iPhone. Is this something the early adopters have also experienced? How do we get around it? I've tried using VPN on my iPhone among other strategies but none work. When I call AMEX, they say to call Apple and Apple say to call Amex. I did add an AU issued CBA debit card for testing purposes and it added so I know I don't need to reset my iPhone back to factory settings.
I got a new iPhone yesterday and all my US cards transferred over seamlessly. A few required re-verification by SMS, but all worked fine.
 
I got a new iPhone 16 yesterday - my US cards were working fine on my old iPhone. They now can't be added to my iPhone. Is this something the early adopters have also experienced? How do we get around it? I've tried using VPN on my iPhone among other strategies but none work. When I call AMEX, they say to call Apple and Apple say to call Amex. I did add an AU issued CBA debit card for testing purposes and it added so I know I don't need to reset my iPhone back to factory settings.
when i upgraded it just came up in the wallet as wanting to be added - I redid the verification and all worked

Try deleting and re adding - I dont use a VPN to add them (not sure if you have done this)

RESET would be last option
 
Thanks for the heads up. I've spoken to a 3rd agent who added my Business Platinum but couldn't help me add my other cards. Says there's a known bug with iOS18 which is preventing cards from being added. I'd deleted the cards from my old iPhone to try to get this to work. Hopefully they don't look too closely into my activity & it might give the game away as it's all in AU.
 
Thanks for the heads up. I've spoken to a 3rd agent who added my Business Platinum but couldn't help me add my other cards. Says there's a known bug with iOS18 which is preventing cards from being added. I'd deleted the cards from my old iPhone to try to get this to work. Hopefully they don't look too closely into my activity & it might give the game away as it's all in AU.
Goodluck I hope they come up soon - I think we stress too much about this - the average CSR I don't think is interested in anything other than "being helpful, answering all your enquiries and getting a good survey" - we are focused they are focused on getting to lunch break
 
Last edited:
Yeah, I agree, we're probably over-thinking it. I like and use my US Amex cards so I don't want to put them in jeopardy but understand their motivations may be tamer than we give them credit for.
 
Yeah, I agree, we're probably over-thinking it. I like and use my US Amex cards so I don't want to put them in jeopardy but understand their motivations may be tamer than we give them credit for.
Agree - I use my US Amex more than AU ones - feel the pain
Did you still have old phone and can you keep them on that wallet app while waiting to move across
Did you upgrade that phone to ios18?
 
Thanks for the heads up. I've spoken to a 3rd agent who added my Business Platinum but couldn't help me add my other cards. Says there's a known bug with iOS18 which is preventing cards from being added. I'd deleted the cards from my old iPhone to try to get this to work. Hopefully they don't look too closely into my activity & it might give the game away as it's all in AU.
Interesting re iOS 18, I've had no issues (yet) adding cards to iOS 18, this is on iPhone 15 Pro though, not sure if that matters.

I wouldn't worry too much. Have you tried re-adding them from the Amex app?
 
Looks like I will have to "move" and I am looking at Planet Express in Torrance, I believe on Del Amo Blvd? It doesn't seem to have been flagged as a CMRA and I like the free account. I would only use it for maybe 2 credit cards a year. Not sure if the banks send spontaneous snail mail offers, I would just want those scanned. I will be in the US next month so I can do that USPS 1583 form in person.

Any pitfalls? Does this one work with Citi and Cap 1? How much have people been paying to have the credit card Fedex/DhL/whatever to Australia?
 
Weird. Added Amex surpass and been using all weekend
I got a new iPhone 16 yesterday - my US cards were working fine on my old iPhone. They now can't be added to my iPhone. Is this something the early adopters have also experienced? How do we get around it? I've tried using VPN on my iPhone among other strategies but none work. When I call AMEX, they say to call Apple and Apple say to call Amex. I did add an AU issued CBA debit card for testing purposes and it added so I know I don't need to reset my iPhone back to factory settings.
 
Looks like I will have to "move" and I am looking at Planet Express in Torrance, I believe on Del Amo Blvd? It doesn't seem to have been flagged as a CMRA and I like the free account. I would only use it for maybe 2 credit cards a year. Not sure if the banks send spontaneous snail mail offers, I would just want those scanned. I will be in the US next month so I can do that USPS 1583 form in person.

Any pitfalls? Does this one work with Citi and Cap 1? How much have people been paying to have the credit card Fedex/DhL/whatever to Australia?Work key
Looks like I will have to "move" and I am looking at Planet Express in Torrance, I believe on Del Amo Blvd? It doesn't seem to have been flagged as a CMRA and I like the free account. I would only use it for maybe 2 credit cards a year. Not sure if the banks send spontaneous snail mail offers, I would just want those scanned. I will be in the US next month so I can do that USPS 1583 form in person.

Any pitfalls? Does this one work with Citi and Cap 1? How much have people been paying to have the credit card Fedex/DhL/whatever to Australia?
It is approx $60 for fedex / dhl . I have just used budget postal tracking option .($20 )Package has just arrived in oz after a week . So far so good .
 
OK thanks, good to know those banks accept that address. I assume I am your new neighbor on Del Amo Blvd? :D
Lol what am I doing wrong that nothing ever, ever turns up at PX hahaha.
 

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