Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Did you have to fax things? What was the process after that? I haven't heard anything back yet.

No fax - got a phone call 24 hours later to confirm I applied, confirm name and address, then approved over the phone.

 

[blacksultan]

so update on my self inflicted disaster of trying to open a joint account with my wife after accidently going through the initial Premier application for individual only.

I tried to open a new joint application through the premier website, it all submitted and was told it was processing and would be a few days. I called up to see what the hold up was and was advised an IT glitch and they would get it fixed. Now today still not open called up and advised they can't get it opened and to open over the phone or in branch both 30-40mins.

I assume i will need to separately ask for my wife to be made premier like me once open.

yes . That’s my exact situation

Does anyone know if it's possible to open a US account where only 1 of the account holders is premier status but both share an account with HSBC AU?

 

[georgie23]

I would call and get them to see if can apply premier status to other if they share a joint account in Australia and one has status - that was the situation with me - my wife had been "upgraded" I called and got "upgraded" because we had a joint account in Aus and my P2 was classified as Premier.
They reiterated that we still had to meet the obligations for Premier but a upgrade as one of the joint holder was classified as premier

Maybe I was just lucky

 

[Daventry]

Looks like my US address is now being flagged up as Commercial Mail Receiving Agency by USPS on this link - ZIP Code™ Lookup | USPS

Is it possible to change it to a different one in both Amex and Chase? Will they ask for new proof of address? Or should I just stay put as long as I keep getting approved for new cards by those two?

I don't know when the change in USPS happened. My most recent card is Chase Ink Preferred from last July and I already had a personal card with them. I don't know if they verify if the address is a mail forwarder for every application or just the first one as long as it's the same.

 

[blacksultan]

Looks like my US address is now being flagged up as Commercial Mail Receiving Agency by USPS on this link - ZIP Code™ Lookup | USPS

Is it possible to change it to a different one in both Amex and Chase? Will they ask for new proof of address? Or should I just stay put as long as I keep getting approved for new cards by those two?

I don't know when the change in USPS happened. My most recent card is Chase Ink Preferred from last July and I already had a personal card with them. I don't know if they verify if the address is a mail forwarder for every application or just the first one as long as it's the same.

Form my experience can usually call or change online . No proof required .

 

[N0mad]

I would call and get them to see if can apply premier status to other if they share a joint account in Australia and one has status - that was the situation with me - my wife had been "upgraded" I called and got "upgraded" because we had a joint account in Aus and my P2 was classified as Premier.
They reiterated that we still had to meet the obligations for Premier but a upgrade as one of the joint holder was classified as premier

Maybe I was just lucky

My issue is i can't even open an account, I may just need to open an account for her alone then see if we can open a joint once we are both customers. Just trying to avoid needing to cycle funds through 2 accounts to meet the premier requirement.

Once HSBC US account is open, do people continue to cycle funds in the Aus account?

 

[georgie23]

That’s sucks
Yes maybe need to open hers and then a combined one. If open joint one and only cycle the money through that each month that will keep premier for both of you is how I do it

I am planning on keeping putting money in and out - when on the phone they said to me if you stop doing it for 6 months they will then cancel premier status - it’s a small time price to pay for an auto setup money in and out

 

[306]

Any update on this ?

Re: HSBC Premier US account app

Looks like there is a mismatch on my personal details, it was a automatic computer decline.

I think it was because I just received my ITIN from SH studio, 2 days earlier, and they've changed my address in the US, called HSBC Premier AU, transferred 2 times, 30 minutes later, agent says I now need to call the 2 credit agencies, Experian and Innovis, to update my personal details, but looks like just a paperwork issue.

 

[Tiki]

I am just getting ready to "move" to Del Amo, Torrance, CA (Planet Express). I did the 1583 form and notorized it while I was in the US. It seems to be a clean address, not flagged as a CMRA, hopefully that doesn't change. I am only using B of A and Chase for now, could possible try for Citi or Cap 1 in the future. Is this a good address? I have never used a mail forwarder before, just have no idea what to expect!

 

[djchuckles]

I’ve had my Hilton Amex 2 statement cycles now. It was my first card via GT. Am I pushing it applying for a Gold now?

 

[georgie23]

I am just getting ready to "move" to Del Amo, Torrance, CA (Planet Express). I did the 1583 form and notorized it while I was in the US. It seems to be a clean address, not flagged as a CMRA, hopefully that doesn't change. I am only using B of A and Chase for now, could possible try for Citi or Cap 1 in the future. Is this a good address? I have never used a mail forwarder before, just have no idea what to expect!

I am sure it is fine as long as not marked as a CRMA. From my reading on forums the patriot act is putting bigger emphasis on banks to KYC and it seems there may be databases of virtual mailing services. Many banks will let you keep this as a mailing address but need to give a different permanent address - it seems a bit of pot luck as to if or when banks are reviewing customers

Go for it only time will tell.
I have used anytime mailbox and they have been great - scan mail to app and then chose what to do with it

DP - I tried to open an alliant credit union checking because can do online with ITIN- they flagged my address immediately as virtual and would not proceed without a “permanent” address

 

[US_Amex]

DP for using the $20 a month flexible business credit on the Amex Biz Gold card - I was able to use it at Staples by purchasing an Airbnb gift card online.

I read up a bit here and on Reddit / Flyertalk and found that they often place the order on hold to prevent fraud and sometimes can't verify you online so they ask you to come into the store to purchase the gift card.

I created an account on Staples using a VPN (US location) and entered my US number and address, and a few days later I logged in and purchased a $25 Airbnb gift card without a VPN (thought I'd do it this way so if they asked me to go into a store I would say I'm travelling overseas and want to use my Amex monthly credit).

I got the "your order is on hold" email the next day and in the email it said they needed more information to process my order and to call them, so I called up expecting a lot of verification questions but they just asked for my name and email address and I was then told it was approved and I should receive the voucher via email soon - it arrived about an hour later!

Statement credit of $20 posted. Hopefully the order next month with Staples just goes through now that I'm "verified", I will provide an update when I do it next month.

Might be just luck that I managed to get it working this way or if the above trick will actually work for most but thought I'd share anyway.

Following up on this - I placed my Staples order for this month and I received the gift card within an hour and the statement credit of $20 post a few days later.

 

[Daventry]

I am just getting ready to "move" to Del Amo, Torrance, CA (Planet Express). I did the 1583 form and notorized it while I was in the US. It seems to be a clean address, not flagged as a CMRA, hopefully that doesn't change. I am only using B of A and Chase for now, could possible try for Citi or Cap 1 in the future. Is this a good address? I have never used a mail forwarder before, just have no idea what to expect!

Are you going to update your address in BofA and Chase? Asking because Citi and Cap1 are likely to ask for proof of address for your first card from them, aren't they?

 

[Tiki]

Are you going to update your address in BofA and Chase? Asking because Citi and Cap1 are likely to ask for proof of address for your first card from them, aren't they?

I currently have my friend's address in Orlando (who passed away) as primary in both banks and my Aussie address as mailing. Both banks have my US passport on file, I did that in person when I was in the US. I'm going to hold off until I finish the $6000 sub on the Chase Ink Unlimited so I don't rock the boat too soon. I will probably make the change in Jan. Citi and/or Cap 1 would be mid-2025 if I do it. I just don't have the cash flow to do minimum spends unless there is a major purchase planned.

 

[Daventry]

I currently have my friend's address in Orlando (who passed away) as primary in both banks and my Aussie address as mailing. Both banks have my US passport on file, I did that in person when I was in the US. I'm going to hold off until I finish the $6000 sub on the Chase Ink Unlimited so I don't rock the boat too soon. I will probably make the change in Jan. Citi and/or Cap 1 would be mid-2025 if I do it. I just don't have the cash flow to do minimum spends unless there is a major purchase planned.

Oh, so every time you're approved for a BoA or Chase card they send it to Oz without having to ask them first?
How about credit card statements, what address do they show?

 

[Tiki]

Oh, so every time you're approved for a BoA or Chase card they send it to Oz without having to ask them first?
How about credit card statements, what address do they show?

It defaults to Orlando and I have to call Chase to send it to Oz. Then I can select in the profile which address to use as mailing for which card. Which means I need to keep on top of when they are due for renewal so they don't accidentally go to Orlando.

B of A is only used for checking and savings accounts used to pay cards, money transferred via Wise plus an old Visa card I have had since 1987. It was a major pita when I forgot to change the Visa to Oz mailing address when it was due for renewal. Replacements sent to Oz weren't being delivered. I finally got it sent to my hotel last week in Vancouver WA.

Statements show mailing address.

 

[Daventry]

It defaults to Orlando and I have to call Chase to send it to Oz. Then I can select in the profile which address to use as mailing for which card. Which means I need to keep on top of when they are due for renewal so they don't accidentally go to Orlando.

B of A is only used for checking and savings accounts used to pay cards, money transferred via Wise plus an old Visa card I have had since 1987. It was a major pita when I forgot to change the Visa to Oz mailing address when it was due for renewal. Replacements sent to Oz weren't being delivered. I finally got it sent to my hotel last week in Vancouver WA.

Statements show mailing address.

Thanks for the detailed response. I suppose when applying at a new lender you change the mailing address to US at one of your other accounts and wait till you have a statement with a US address?

 

[blacksultan]

Does anyone know if Wise is regulated by the ombudsman here in Australia ?

 

[Tiki]

Thanks for the detailed response. I suppose when applying at a new lender you change the mailing address to US at one of your other accounts and wait till you have a statement with a US address?

Exactly

 

[levelnine]

Does anyone know if Wise is regulated by the ombudsman here in Australia ?

If not, you can CFPB Wise in the US if you have a problem with them.