Strategy to obtain US Amex

[levelnine]

Just received another Amex letter at US address, any idea what it could be? Has a US First Class Mail American Express logo where the stamp should be.

1099s from referrals/bank bonuses are being sent out atm.

 

[pyramidforce]

1099s from referrals/bank bonuses are being sent out atm.

I'm unfortunately not too familiar with that. Is it safe to ignore or should I deal with it? Only one Amex aspire approved mid January received a few days ago.

Edit looked into it a bit more, there is no way that I have hit a SUB or even earned any points so this is a 1099 for $0 or it is something else. Oh well might need to open it ans find out.

 

[albyd]

I think that's a good idea and certainly worth a try.

I'd also wait a few days and try calling the fraud team again to see if a different agent can give you different options.

Even if it doesn't work out, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Just wait until you are next in the US and try again. It's all part of the game. Plenty of people who MS hard end up getting shut down by a bank or two at various points along the way; they wait 1-2 years and try again, and very often are successful.

FWIW it may cruel my chances but I've still got access to mobile banking. I've initiated a transfer of funds out of my Chase Checking to my Citi account. I'll give the banker a call tomorrow and see what happens but I want to send Chase a message I'm not going into the branch and I'm going to move my (tiny deposits) away. They've already billed me for my AF on the CSP. I will try to get that waived on the basis that I never activated the card.

I'm looking for a 2x card with no FX fees (I know the Citi Double Cash card fits this criteria but has an FX fee) which I can use for "all other categories" since I can't get the C1 Venture card at this time. Preferably no AF but I can live with a "modest" AF. Interested to hear if you guys have come across something like this. TIA. I can't find anything in my search. The Cash back would preferably be redeemable as 1:1 FF points (I'm not asking for much am I?) I liked the Citi card but for the FX fees as its cash bank can feed through as ThankYou points where my existing Citi card is already crediting.

 

[pyramidforce]

If you can get the Venture SavorOne or w/e it is called now, you could go to Coles worth and buy Gift Cards when they are on sale to get 3% back on most things, e.g. JB, groceries, flight centre, Google/Apple gift cards to pay for subscriptions, etc, as well as if you are willing to wait for the eftpos/Mastercard prepaid carda to go on sale you might be able to pay some bills.

Edit. Also keep in mind that no FX cards still "charge" an FX spread which means you will lose between 0.5-1% when transferring funds to USD to pay the card. I am personally of the opinion that catches all 2% is not suited for me because of this.

 

[levelnine]

this is a 1099 for $0 or it is something else

Something else then. US banks send a lot of letters. Make sure you have selected online delivery for all letters in your Amex profile. That will reduce, but not eliminate, them.