Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

I believe we used a cousins us address then called to provide oz address . But got over hurdle of requiring the 1 st card to be received and activated before a replacement can be sent to oz .

 

[tlam]

In the US, credit history and score are quite important (unlike Australia). Wait until you have over 1 year of history and try again. Does Citi say why they denied? I guess it could just be a short history. It could also be that you have too many cards with a short history as well. Citi might have some stupid address verification too I heard so it's best to make sure they can at least see it on your credit file.

You should also keep your first forever or downgrade to fee free one. This will give a long history and a better credit score. AAoA (Average Age of Account) will also help with approval.

When I got my first card with Amex, I had to do an address verification. Most people even get asked these days. Lucky if they don't ask you. I didn't use my ITIN until about 4 months after I got it (moved address as well). And almost a year to apply for Chase.

For checking account, even if you have ITIN, I think it is still impossible to open an account remotely anywhere. You have to be a resident and they normally ask for SSN + Driver license/state ID.

Good that it's not commercial mail receiving agencies. People have been trying to keep it secret these days lol

I got the ITIN 2 days ago and applied for the Citi Premier card and today I got the declined decision.

the reason is: “the consumer reporting agency serving your area has reported a limited credit history for you”

do you have any ideas? Thank you

I got my first Amex card last year, this Dec is the first anniversary, the credit file showed up in June this year.

 

[Finale]

I got the ITIN 2 days ago and applied for the Citi Premier card and today I got the declined decision.

the reason is: “the consumer reporting agency serving your area has reported a limited credit history for you”

do you have any ideas? Thank you

I got my first Amex card last year, this Dec is the first anniversary, the credit file showed up in June this year.

That is the same as too short history I think. The credit bureau the bank will pull your credit from depends on your location. Sometimes they pull more than 1 bureau as well. You can sign up for an account at credit.com. It's not the type of score banks use ro the bureau that specific bank pulls but it will tell you credit age/inquries etc so you have an idea.

I forgot to mention this to PointsLife1 yesterday. In the US, it is quite common to call a reconsideration line and ask them to take a second look at your application. (if it's not something like 5/24 rule) You might get lucky. If they still decline, at least you can ask for more info like when you should apply again. You can google Reconsideration Line and read about it, plenty of info available. When I applied for Chase Cards, I only called their recon line. For Citi personal cards, 1-800-695-5171.

From my research, Citi and Chase (and other banks) like to see at least 1 year history. However, the data points show that people with less than a year history can get approved as well (maybe a little more difficult).

 

[tlam]

That is the same as too short history I think. The credit bureau the bank will pull your credit from depends on your location. Sometimes they pull more than 1 bureau as well. You can sign up for an account at credit.com. It's not the type of score banks use ro the bureau that specific bank pulls but it will tell you credit age/inquries etc so you have an idea.

I forgot to mention this to PointsLife1 yesterday. In the US, it is quite common to call a reconsideration line and ask them to take a second look at your application. (if it's not something like 5/24 rule) You might get lucky. If they still decline, at least you can ask for more info like when you should apply again. You can google Reconsideration Line and read about it, plenty of info available. When I applied for Chase Cards, I only called their recon line. For Citi personal cards, 1-800-695-5171.

From my research, Citi and Chase (and other banks) like to see at least 1 year history. However, the data points show that people with less than a year history can get approved as well (maybe a little more difficult).

thank you for the information. You are right, I just called the number above for reconsideration and they have put me on hold for about 2 minutes and told me something like: “don’t have the established credit availability....unfortunately we cannot approve this time, you may try again in the next couples months...”

the consultant was so nice and very helpful. I think I’ll try again early next year when the credit file is good in credit.com. I got an account at credit.com and one credit inquiry was on 21/10, this must be Citi.

 

[PPS_SYD]

Some positive development.

The transfers from Revolut --> Citi USD A/c, which in the past have incurred a fee of approx $4, happened fee-free today. No idea if this was a one-off or a permanent change. Has anybody else had a similar experience?

 

[pyusha]

Has anybody else had a similar experience?

+1

 

[LordGarlic]

+2

 

[Finale]

thank you for the information. You are right, I just called the number above for reconsideration and they have put me on hold for about 2 minutes and told me something like: “don’t have the established credit availability....unfortunately we cannot approve this time, you may try again in the next couples months...”

the consultant was so nice and very helpful. I think I’ll try again early next year when the credit file is good in credit.com. I got an account at credit.com and one credit inquiry was on 21/10, this must be Citi.

Good thing about the US is a credit inquiry won't have a big impact on your credit score unless you open a lot of accounts in a short time and with a short history which brings down the average age of account. Here is Australia, my score dropped almost 100 on one inquiry in the past.

FICO score (which most banks use) only consider inquiries made past 12 months and they remain on the file for just 2 years. Multiple inquiries in the period of 45 days are considered as 1. Credit.com doesn't show FICO but VantageScore which is a bit more sensitive to inquiries (14 days).

Another thing is utilization. Try to keep it under 10% of your credit limit. It will help improve the score. If you spend over, you can make a payment before statement date. This is probably why Americans want to have high credit limit.

And try to keep your oldest account open for longer history and average age of account.

 

[PointsLife1]

thank you for the information. You are right, I just called the number above for reconsideration and they have put me on hold for about 2 minutes and told me something like: “don’t have the established credit availability....unfortunately we cannot approve this time, you may try again in the next couples months...”

the consultant was so nice and very helpful. I think I’ll try again early next year when the credit file is good in credit.com. I got an account at credit.com and one credit inquiry was on 21/10, this must be Citi.

Having some issues with credit.com and when I enter my new ITIN number I get an error message and get kicked out.

Trying now to open a HSBC Premier account so I can verify my address when opening new AMEX cards otherwise will have to pay the 1500USD approx. to open Bank of America checking remotely which seems very high price to pay.

Another question about HSBC Premier. Once one has opened the Premier on the Australian side of things, how do you them open the US version to receive checking account details in the US?

 

[albyd]

You need to call the International Banking Center and they will walk you through the application. Your US RM will then contact you for your welcome call.

 

[steveyyf]

thank you for the information. You are right, I just called the number above for reconsideration and they have put me on hold for about 2 minutes and told me something like: “don’t have the established credit availability....unfortunately we cannot approve this time, you may try again in the next couples months...”

the consultant was so nice and very helpful. I think I’ll try again early next year when the credit file is good in credit.com. I got an account at credit.com and one credit inquiry was on 21/10, this must be Citi.

you credit history is about 1 year already?

 

[blacksultan]

Has anyone successfully used the $10 DoorDash statement credit offer on their US Amex here in oz and actually received the credit ?

 

[tlam]

you credit history is about 1 year already?

Yes, this month is one year, but I am not going to apply the credit card again. Will do that early next year.

 

[PointsLife1]

Has anyone successfully used the $10 DoorDash statement credit offer on their US Amex here in oz and actually received the credit ?

Been thinking the same question and keen to try but not many options so far in Canberra. Almost keen to order $30 in Subway just to find out.

 

[blacksultan]

Been thinking the same question and keen to try but not many options so far in Canberra. Almost keen to order $30 in Subway just to find out.

The terms do state US orders only - but it may work . Let us know .

Post automatically merged: Nov 2, 2020

Been thinking the same question and keen to try but not many options so far in Canberra. Almost keen to order $30 in Subway just to find out.

That’s US$ 30 so approx A$42 currently .

 

[PPS_SYD]

Been thinking the same question and keen to try but not many options so far in Canberra. Almost keen to order $30 in Subway just to find out.

Just a heads up. If you order Door Dash on a card that earns bonus points on dining (Green or Gold), it does not code as Restaurant. Menulog & Uber Eats do.

Similarly, Ola doesn’t code as Travel on Green, but Uber does earn 3x points.

 

[blacksultan]

Just a heads up. If you order Door Dash on a card that earns bonus points on dining (Green or Gold), it does not code as Restaurant. Menulog & Uber Eats do.

Similarly, Ola doesn’t code as Travel on Green, but Uber does earn 3x points.

Was your order at least $42 to trigger the credit ?

 

[PPS_SYD]

Was your order at least $42 to trigger the credit ?

No, it was just a small one. Wanted to test how the purchase codes.

 

[glasszon]

My FICO score just appeared on Amex, it shows my score is 749, is that good?

I am looking to increase my credit limit on my Amex Aspire card from 5k to 10k so I don't have to worry about the credit utilisation dragging down my credit score, what's the best way to do this? Should I simply make the request online or is there a better way?

 

[pyusha]

My FICO score just appeared on Amex

Cool! How old is your account?