Strategy to obtain US Amex

[timmy1234]

Yahoo...got approved for the Chase Hyatt with $5k spend limit.

Their Txt system did not work. I called T-mobile about the short code and they said there is no restriction on my number. I guess this is a Chase trick just to ask verification questions. Following being verified (Address, How long I have lived @ my mates place)....
The tricky question started. They asked me about an employer that I did not work. I told them I only worked for one employer (When I was in the US 2008). He asked me how long I have lived at 2 of the 3 addresses I lived in. They were approximate timelines. Since my social was acquired while living with my cousin, they asked her Birth month only.
I would suggest download your credit reports. Experian has a free 30 days.
My experian FICO dropped by 7 points and now sitting at 696. However, I will make this up as my Chase expenses start hitting the credit agency.

PS: Was able to unblock my Citibank account. They needed to verify if that was me who opened the account. so they sent a letter to my mailing address. I had opened the account using their website.

 

[timmy1234]

View attachment 241804BofA Alaska Visa has a great SUB...!!!

Do note, I think Alaska Airlines only flies North America region. So the companion fare would be of no use to you. However, their FF program is great due to their partnership with alot of airlines. This will be changing in Q2, 2021 as they will be joining the Oneworld Alliance.

 

[Finale]

Would their new Ultrago $3/month Sim plans also work in getting more Google Voice plans?

Those legacy T-Mobile sims are getting more and more expensive each time I see them being sold.

It should work. However, it won't work if you are super unlucky and get the old number that was used to registered for GV in the past. You can change the number with real T-mobile but not sure about Ultramobile.

View attachment 241804BofA Alaska Visa has a great SUB...!!!

I think it could be tricky with BofA. Unless you have SSN, you can't apply online. With ITIN, it looks like you have to call in and I don't hear much success story.

 

[steveyyf]

And one more thing about Citi. Priority pass allows all immediate family members or 2 guests, while Chase only allows 2 guests. Could be useful for a big family.

Citi pp allows all immediate family members? If someone has three kids then he can bring in his wife and all three kids with on citi pp card? Good to know this

 

[steveyyf]

If I were you, I wouldn't do anything for now until they finish their review. I don't think the international number will work or do you any good.

They might get back to you and say everything is fine. Since I got Chase cards in Sep, all transactions were from Australia. Better wait for their reasons then go from there.



You can contact customer service. If you use wifi calling, I believe you can dial 611. I think it's either free or just deduct minutes from your plan. You lose the number after 90 days with no money and I don't think you can use it during that time. Not sure if things have changed though. If you don't really want the number, just use it to get Google voice. My GV has been fine so far with all banks. If you need more GV number, you can call t-mobile customer service and ask them to change your number. You can tell them you need a new area code etc.

I am thinking what is the difference between chase human verification and system verification. Seems like they are sent from different number.

Post automatically merged: Feb 20, 2021

Would their new Ultrago $3/month Sim plans also work in getting more Google Voice plans?

Those legacy T-Mobile sims are getting more and more expensive each time I see them being sold.

Where can you get ultra mobile paygo sim?

 

[timmy1234]

I have CSP and IHG. CSP is quite useless in my opinion. I don't use any app. I only take notes of the opening, closing dates, retention offer dates and use spreadsheet only when trying to work out the minimum spend. Chase is the only bank showing you how much you need to spend to get a bonus in their app.

It's quite easy for me.

- Amex Plat - Airlines
- Citi Prestige - Restaurants, cafes, bars, airlines if amex not accepted, travel agencies, hotels
- Citi Premier - Grocery, hotels. Maybe cancel next year.
- Citi AA - useless. Cancelling soon
- Chase CSP - other travel ie uber.
- Chase IHG - IHG
- Amex Aspire - Hilton
- Amex Bonvoy - Bonvoy
- Amex Bonvoy Biz - Business expenses in USD
- Amex Explorer - The rest

Whatever left that Amex doesn't accept will be charged to one of those Visa/MC either US or AU ones.

FYI - If you dont want to pay the Amex Bonvoy Personal card high annual fee, you can downgrade it to the Bonvoy Card with $95 annual fee and 35k point free night but you still get the 15 stays. read this amazing article. Sign up for cards you don't want to get cards you do (2021 Edition)

Do you have any tips on what not to spend on the Hyatt card to avoid triggering an issue with Chase. I have my daughters school fees, Health insurance, Car insurance etc that I plan to put on the card? Or can you point me to a DP or site

 

[steveyyf]

Is this your first chase card? I plan to get Hyatt or IHG a few months later.

 

[timmy1234]

Is this your first chase card? I plan to get Hyatt or IHG a few months later.

Yes its my first chase card. I am a Hyatt Globalist hence I was eyeing for it. Furthermore, it is a Visa CC - places like Aldi/Costco dont accept Amex.

 

[steveyyf]

Yes its my first chase card. I am a Hyatt Globalist hence I was eyeing for it. Furthermore, it is a Visa CC - places like Aldi/Costco dont accept Amex.

Quite easy to get globalist this month only need 15 nights without Hyatt card. If one gets this card and spend 15k the only need to stay for 10 nights. Only concern is hard to use in 2021 and 2022. Hyatt coverage in Australia are not good.

 

[jbmemories]

Where can you get ultra mobile paygo sim?

I got it via eBay (mint mobile; actually just Ultrago eBay store) and got it sent to my us mailbox. Can use PayPal and get it credited back as it's a US store. Although I would recommend you'd get some other stuff together as well (and consolidate it) before sending the card, it's not worth it otherwise.

 

[timmy1234]

Quite easy to get globalist this month only need 15 nights without Hyatt card. If one gets this card and spend 15k the only need to stay for 10 nights. Only concern is hard to use in 2021 and 2022. Hyatt coverage in Australia are not good.

I Agree. In addition, you get a free Stay at Cat 1 to 4 after hitting 30 stays which is equal to roughly $200-$250 (Using Grand Hyatt Melbourne as a benchmark). For me, I have a holiday in Melbourne coming up for Easter (7 nights), I wanted to use the Hyatt card to get 4 Bonus points. I like Hyatt because of the guest of Honor feature. I hope they extended the double stays from Feb to end of April like Marriott has done.

 

[Finale]

FYI - If you dont want to pay the Amex Bonvoy Personal card high annual fee, you can downgrade it to the Bonvoy Card with $95 annual fee and 35k point free night but you still get the 15 stays. read this amazing article. Sign up for cards you don't want to get cards you do (2021 Edition)

Do you have any tips on what not to spend on the Hyatt card to avoid triggering an issue with Chase. I have my daughters school fees, Health insurance, Car insurance etc that I plan to put on the card? Or can you point me to a DP or site

That's the card I have. It was converted from SPG card I got in 2017. I will signup for Bonvoy Brilliant later. Of all the cards I have I don't really need Citi AA, CSP and possibly Citi Premier.

No tips really except maybe if you are a new customer, don't rush trying to meet their minimum spend ie in one transaction or in a short time.

I spent normally on both cards ie grocery, restaurant, uber etc and paid a lot of bills, all AUD transactions. I only had an issue with CSP when trying to charge $2k (first transaction) but resolved after a phone call confirming I used the card. With IHG, I charged a few $1k+ bills just fine.

With Chase, from what I could gather, the accounts might go under reviews when

- Buying a lot of gift cards
- A rapid increase in revolving balance (esp new account)
- Returned payments
- Too many requests for credit or review of credit
- Spend more than your income
- Recycling credit limit
- etc

I think it might have something to do with how long your history is as well. Mine is 5 years so I might get away with it. When I applied for IHG, I was a bit worried as my credit Utilization went over 15% due to Xmas. I normally keep it under 5% by paying some of it before the closing date. Under 10% utilization is ideal.

 

[Finale]

Citi pp allows all immediate family members? If someone has three kids then he can bring in his wife and all three kids with on citi pp card? Good to know this

Yes it does. It is in their terms and blogs reported this as well. Chase used to allow unlimited guests in the past but stopped in 2018 or something. I'm not sure how it works though as the lounge will be the one who tells Citi how many people.

 

[timmy1234]

That's the card I have. It was converted from SPG card I got in 2017. I will signup for Bonvoy Brilliant later. Of all the cards I have I don't really need Citi AA, CSP and possibly Citi Premier.

No tips really except maybe if you are a new customer, don't rush trying to meet their minimum spend ie in one transaction or in a short time.

I spent normally on both cards ie grocery, restaurant, uber etc and paid a lot of bills, all AUD transactions. I only had an issue with CSP when trying to charge $2k (first transaction) but resolved after a phone call confirming I used the card. With IHG, I charged a few $1k+ bills just fine.

With Chase, from what I could gather, the accounts might go under reviews when

- Buying a lot of gift cards
- A rapid increase in revolving balance (esp new account)
- Returned payments
- Too many requests for credit or review of credit
- Spend more than your income
- Recycling credit limit
- etc

I think it might have something to do with how long your history is as well. Mine is 5 years so I might get away with it. When I applied for IHG, I was a bit worried as my credit Utilization went over 15% due to Xmas. I normally keep it under 5% by paying some of it before the closing date. Under 10% utilization is ideal.

Thanks for the advice. I also keep my credit utilization below 10% by paying before the statement cycle. Thanks for the tip on $1k+ bills. I have a Hyatt Hotel stay coming in April around $1.7k AUD. I think that should go fine. I want to hit the $15,000 mark for the additional 30k bonus.
I purchased Gift cards using HCF Awards and Amex categorised it as Lifestyle rewards.
What does Gift card purchased in Woolies/Coles/Suncorp App come up as? Especially good when they have their bonus promotions going on. However, I wont go more than $1000 Aud. in a week.

 

[joon8887]

on my TW USD account it states - “7.50USD will be charged on wire transfer (receiving)”. Will we be charged when sending AUD from my aus bank to TW USD account?

 

[Toula92122]

We are long time Chase credit card holders and have to say we have never had an issue with being questioned about our purchases or having our cards closed. Recent months we have been spending up to the limit and paying off mid cycle then racking it up again. I think if you aren't buying gift cards they are not too concerned. I guess you need to think like they do, does your behavior look like that of someone who is buying cash instruments with no intention of paying? Also be careful of telling lies that might get you caught out, because once you are on the naughty list you aren't getting off.

 

[timmy1234]

We are long time Chase credit card holders and have to say we have never had an issue with being questioned about our purchases or having our cards closed. Recent months we have been spending up to the limit and paying off mid cycle then racking it up again. I think if you aren't buying gift cards they are not too concerned. I guess you need to think like they do, does your behavior look like that of someone who is buying cash instruments with no intention of paying? Also be careful of telling lies that might get you caught out, because once you are on the naughty list you aren't getting off.

Thanks for your tip.

PS: Went through my credit card statements and found Woolies in store purchases of GC shows as Woolies with store location on Amex Explorer whereas Woolies online purchase of GF shows as Everyday Gift card. I usually shop at woolies as compared to Coles.
Sniip does not show as cash advance on US Amex but Payment Logic does. I have raised a dispute transaction with US Amex. Lets see what happens in 30 days.

 

[Finale]

We are long time Chase credit card holders and have to say we have never had an issue with being questioned about our purchases or having our cards closed. Recent months we have been spending up to the limit and paying off mid cycle then racking it up again. I think if you aren't buying gift cards they are not too concerned. I guess you need to think like they do, does your behavior look like that of someone who is buying cash instruments with no intention of paying? Also be careful of telling lies that might get you caught out, because once you are on the naughty list you aren't getting off.

The keyword here is long term. I think the length of history plays a big part. If one has a short history but starts applying for too many cards,spend too much or recycling the limit, the computer could flag the account for review.

I just read a story of someone who got approved by Chase (CSP) and 2-3 other cards from different banks on the same day. Later he applied for Freedom, got rejected and Chase decided to close his CSP account. He got his account back with lower limit or something. Reason was too many new accounts.

Another person had about a year of history and didn't apply for any card after Chase but account closed and looked like it was because of the applications a few weeks back that weren't showing on his credit file at the time he did Chase application. The reason Chase gave was too many new accounts as well.

I think it got worse after Covid. Banks are more strict. They probably do a regular soft pull where they can see everything like how many accounts you have, how many inquiries, how much balance you carry etc so I think it's still good to be careful if you are new to them.

 

[Toula92122]

Banks in US are being more conservative since CV. I’ve noticed past 6 months there have been more requests to verify income levels upon log on to both Chase and Amex.

 

[timmy1234]

on my TW USD account it states - “7.50USD will be charged on wire transfer (receiving)”. Will we be charged when sending AUD from my aus bank to TW USD account?

I moved to Revoult since I have US bank accounts. No fees if transfer done during trading house (week days) and below 10k I think. Personal Fees for Standard Account.
You can provide your OZ debit card and they can pull the money instantly. Whereas transfer to your foreign bank e.g. US is next day. I found them cheaper due to no fees and faster than TW.