Strategy to obtain US Amex

[steveyyf]

K

Card has finally arrived and registered with Chase online plus iPlum works for receiving Chase text messages so all looking good. Now probably paranoid but what should my first transaction be? Thinking USD first up to break it in.

What cards are you thinking of next and why? I will probably start my Sapphire Journey and then Boundless 24 months after my Brilliant which will be November roughly.

When you applied chase IHG did you use iPlum number in the application? Or did you port your number in the chase application to iPlum later? You can receive chase human verification sms on your iPlum number?

 

[PointsLife1]

K

When you applied chase IHG did you use iPlum number in the application? Or did you port your number in the chase application to iPlum later? You can receive chase human verification sms on your iPlum number?

Used iPlum for the application but couldn’t receive human verification sms but they didn’t seem to mind. Receiving all the other texts from Chase though.

 

[steveyyf]

Used iPlum for the application but couldn’t receive human verification sms but they didn’t seem to mind. Receiving all the other texts from Chase though.

cool. how much is the the service per month?

 

[PointsLife1]

cool. how much is the the service per month?

The last cost was $6.81 AUD

think it’s 5.99 USD monthly

 

[nj12]

Just to confirm, has MyUS changed your Suite number by just adding the letter ‘M’ to your previous number? So, same number, but just with the ‘M’ at the start? Assuming ‘M’ for mail?

No unfortunately the whole suite has changed from 7xx_-xx_ to Mxx_x. This also means my Amex address will have to be changed down the track. I believe you mentioned previously about not being able to upload the 1583 form. I can confirm that once the membership is changed to include mail the option to upload documents works. That being said I still haven't received notification regarding my card which arrived in Sarasota on 8 Feb US time according to Amex. I did email support explaining that I was expecting mail to the previous suite address and could they transfer it to new address but haven't heard anything back. I may have to go down the "travelling in Australia" route in order to receive my card now that it's been 10 days since approval.

 

[DC3]

...the whole suite has changed from 7xx_-xx_ to Mxx_x. This also means my Amex address will have to be changed down the track. I believe you mentioned previously about not being able to upload the 1583 form. I can confirm that once the membership is changed to include mail the option to upload documents works ...

Well that explains a couple of things. After two rejections by MyUS to use the mail option, I’m trying to work out how to go about my third attempt. It seems that my requests are not getting to the right people.

 

[Spazmos]

I may have to go down the "travelling in Australia" route in order to receive my card now that it's been 10 days since approval.

Same here.... still waiting for MyUS. What makes it worse is that I was unable to get a UPS tracking number from amex, which means I can't chase things up with MyUS as they request tracking numbers for missing delivered packages. AMEX saw it being delivered on the 5th Feb and they were pushing for me to get a replacement card sent. Also can't create an online amex account as the email link when you first get approved doesn't work for me and the only other way to create one is with the card in my hands.
Anyone have any luck getting a "replacement" sent directly to Aus and without having activated the card/account?

 

[simonsyd]

Same here.... still waiting for MyUS. What makes it worse is that I was unable to get a UPS tracking number from amex, which means I can't chase things up with MyUS as they request tracking numbers for missing delivered packages. AMEX saw it being delivered on the 5th Feb and they were pushing for me to get a replacement card sent. Also can't create an online amex account as the email link when you first get approved doesn't work for me and the only other way to create one is with the card in my hands.
Anyone have any luck getting a "replacement" sent directly to Aus and without having activated the card/account?

I did note my tracking number for fedex was shown when I logged into Amex via the track my card button in an e mail they sent me (but not when I logged in as normal)
There were a few steps but this was the only way I could get the tracking number
It still worked after the card had been delivered.

 

[Spazmos]

I did note my tracking number for fedex was shown when I logged into Amex via the track my card button in an e mail they sent me (but not when I logged in as normal)

Yeh thats the trouble.... I wasn't even able to create an amex account using the email link as it comes up as an error "unable to process request". So can't even log in as there is no account create yet to log in to

 

[jbmemories]

No unfortunately the whole suite has changed from 7xx_-xx_ to Mxx_x. This also means my Amex address will have to be changed down the track. I believe you mentioned previously about not being able to upload the 1583 form. I can confirm that once the membership is changed to include mail the option to upload documents works. That being said I still haven't received notification regarding my card which arrived in Sarasota on 8 Feb US time according to Amex. I did email support explaining that I was expecting mail to the previous suite address and could they transfer it to new address but haven't heard anything back. I may have to go down the "travelling in Australia" route in order to receive my card now that it's been 10 days since approval.

From customer service (at least for amex plat) - they have to send it to a US address for the first time, any subsequent cards that need re-sending can be any address. Having a friendly chat before delving down the route of asking for it does help a little.
If you also with to add additional Authroized Users, they do not require a SSN to get it activated; aussie ID can work! You just need to use 'alternative' words to describe that they don't have a SSN "yet".

 

[pyusha]

Anyone have any luck getting a "replacement" sent directly to Aus and without having activated the card/account?

I got my replacement Aspire delivered to Australia without activation since MyUS could not track the package.
The process was suggested by a AFFer who ran into similar issues.
One needs to verify their identity on NotaryCam.
Their form asks for your card number but I left it empty, though Amex was able to locate my membership and send replacement.
Many agents seem to be unfamiliar with the process, so HUCA until you find the right one. I had to ask the agent if NotaryCam would work because until then he was adamant there was nothing that could be done. Unable to find the form but will share if I find it.

 

[mrsquare]

With regards to how people are paying off their statements with TW, have I got the process below right?

1. Create both USD and AUD balance TW accounts
2. Verify personal details to get account details
3. Transfer AUD into AUD account (fee-free if transferring from AUD bank account?)
4. Convert to USD
5. Link USD account details to Amex / or any other credit card accounts
6. Voila, pay off statements via app for Amex for e.g. and see credit topped up immediately for no fees(?)

This is all just theoretical at this point as I haven’t gone through with this process yet. I’ve got the bank account details but the bank account number that they gave me “for use in US” is a really long 16 figure number (comes with routing number), and “for use outside US” is a shorter 10 figure number (comes with SWIFT / BIC number).

Google seems to indicate that a typical US bank account number varies between 9 to 12 digits, so not sure if I should be using that 16 figure account number or the shorter number.

Alternatively looking at Revolut, it looks like you have to have a US bank account regardless in order to pay off the statement?

 

[DC3]

With regards to how people are paying off their statements with TW, have I got the process below right?

1. Create both USD and AUD balance TW accounts
2. Verify personal details to get account details
3. Transfer AUD into AUD account (fee-free if transferring from AUD bank account?)
4. Convert to USD
5. Link USD account details to Amex / or any other credit card accounts
6. Voila, pay off statements via app for Amex for e.g. and see credit topped up immediately for no fees(?)

... I’ve got the bank account details but the bank account number that they gave me “for use in US” is a really long 16 figure number (comes with routing number), and “for use outside US” is a shorter 10 figure number (comes with SWIFT / BIC number).

Google seems to indicate that a typical US bank account number varies between 9 to 12 digits, so not sure if I should be using that 16 figure account number or the shorter number ...

That seems to be about it from memory.

In my Amex Account>Manage Bank Accounts>Add New Bank Account, I have entered the 16 digit number. I successfully used it last month for payment of my card balance.

Edit: You could always do a test payment, with a small amount as an initial transaction

 

[Sapz]

I have spoken with Amex today about getting the card delivered to here in Oz and took me around long 20 minutes. It was nearly two weeks since the approval and the card never shows up in my STE. I was passed on to 3 different agents and almost HUCA a bit nerve-racking, to be honest, At one point asked me for SSN said " Nah I don't have one yet, why don't you look me up with my other(Aspire) card" finally did the trick. It seems like they had trouble finding me with my existing account, kept asking me " how many Amex cards do you have?" almost gotten to a point asking me to do a notary cam. I was like "why not, let's do this". All of the sudden " there you go I found your account, where you want me to send your new card Mr Sapz Smooth sailing afterwards. I can already see my card number has changed and updated with DHL tracking to Oz. Seems everything is on track. Few things to note.
1. Do not try this too early, wait at least 10 days to apply.
2. Seems much easier with your second card( if they can find you with your first one )
3. Can not do this via Chat, needs to call
4.Try not to go into details, be cool and always HUCA

I'm happy to take some Qns now

 

[DC3]

I have spoken with Amex today about getting the card delivered to here in Oz and took me around long 20 minutes. It was nearly two weeks since the approval and the card never shows up in my STE ...

I'm happy to take some Qns now

Thanks for posting the update. A nail-biting experience. So, this was for the Surpass card? It’s definitely problematic with USPS-delivered letters isn’t it? Very hit and miss, with some letters maybe getting through MyUS and the rest likely returned to sender (Amex) or just thrown out? Even with courier-delivered cards, MyUS seems to be having issues.

Anyway, yours is another confirmation that courier-delivered requests, direct to your holiday address in Oz, can work.

Edited

 

[Sapz]

So, this was for the Surpass card?

Yes, it is. The plan is to utilise this with my Aspire. Certainly, the USPS is causing the trouble here. They better not be returning it back to Amex raising me a red flag.

 

[DC3]

With regards to how people are paying off their statements with TW, have I got the process below right?

1. Create both USD and AUD balance TW accounts
2. Verify personal details to get account details
3. Transfer AUD into AUD account (fee-free if transferring from AUD bank account?)
4. Convert to USD
5. Link USD account details to Amex / or any other credit card accounts

Having a re-read of your post, I do this (however, your method probably works just as well):

Instead of your Point 3: Using the TW app, >USD balance>Add, then specify the USD amount, then it will show “You’ll pay” (in AUD). Click “Continue”. “How would you like to pay”. I use “Manual bank transfer”.

Follow the prompts to complete the process and TW will tell you the latest time that you are to pay by.

There’s no need to convert/transfer currencies between accounts within the TW app. You are buying USD for an AUD amount, and that is the amount to be transferred from your financial institution to TW.

When you go to make the AUD transfer from your own financial institution to TW (in AUD), make sure that you include your TW membership number as the reference/message (mine is in the format Pxx_xx_xx, one letter and 8 digits), so as TW can identify your transaction.

That’s pretty much it, from memory, so I hope that I haven’t left out too many steps.

Using Osko, your TW account should be credited within a minute or two, in USD.

Then, in your Amex app, pay into your card. The Amex account transaction may take some hours, or overnight to appear, although Amex may send a notification alert much sooner.

 

[julib]

Can I ask why I would even need a USA credit Card? What’s the benefit when there are so many good Australian card options with no fees or exchange rate margin ie 28 degrees credit card?

 

[steveyyf]

The Motley Fool $99 cash backs are arriving. Just been credited to my Aspire (from 29/1/21). No miles from AA as yet (via eshopping portal) but I read some conjecture on FT about this.

Edit: Now to wait for the Dining (used Starbucks) $20 cash back (which I loaded via the Starbucks app on the first day of the of the offer, 1st Feb)

I also bought the fool subscription via aa shopping portal on 29/Jan. But no Amex credit yet. AA side shows the fool transaction but no miles.

 

[DC3]

Can I ask why I would even need a USA credit Card? What’s the benefit when there are so many good Australian card options with no fees or exchange rate margin ie 28 degrees credit card?

I’m just trying to work out where I should start to answer that. Anyway, it would depend upon your circumstances/plans I guess. There may be no benefit to you in having US-issued cards, if mainly interested in fees/exchange rate. So, my guess is that you would not need any of these cards at this stage.

Reading through the above posts (yes, heaps of reading, I know ) may provide an insight into which cards are favoured by some. Card details/benefits are available on the Amex US website as a comparison. Some are more geared towards gaining/retaining hotel status/benefits, points earning, signup bonuses, and a few more things that may be of interest.

This response may not really answer your question, but it’s a case of Horses for Courses.