Strategy to obtain US Amex

[steveyyf]

Success!!! Approved for my first Chase credit card and wow that it some process as I woke up at 5:00am to call Chase after receiving "please call us to confirm application letter" I had to speak to 4 consultants over 44 minutes and most of the time you are in silence. Finally at the end we have some good news and you have been approved.

Congratulations. It is a long call 44 mins! What questions they asked?

 

[PointsLife1]

Congratulations. It is a long call 44 mins! What questions they asked?

Just wrote a big reply but the page timed out

short version was they just kept asking the same questions but handing me to different consultants. Full name, DOB, ITIN, address, previous address. I was prepared but the previous address and thankfully Finale prepared us County could throw you off.

 

[glasszon]

As a newcomer to this thread and admit I have not read all 1500 odd posts, what is the condensed version of the advantages of a US Amex over an AU version? I also have a HSBC Premier account with a Mastercard but no Amex.

There are many Amex US cards and each has its own benefits, but normally people go down this route to either get benefits that are not obtainable using AU credit cards (for example, Hilton Diamond status with the Aspire card) or pay a lower annual fee (Amex US Platinum card) than the equivalent card in AU.

 

[steveyyf]

Just wrote a big reply but the page timed out

short version was they just kept asking the same questions but handing me to different consultants. Full name, DOB, ITIN, address, previous address. I was prepared but the previous address and thankfully Finale prepared us County could throw you off.

Basically all identify verification questions

 

[jbmemories]

+1 to what snabbu said of having difficulty of processing all the posts that have been made over the year. What would be the best/good route for obtaining a US branded card?
I've done a quick browsing with some saying Nova Credit route, whilst others saying to go for the GT route. But as someone who doesn't have a SSN or ITIN, should I try and get one of these (+ a US phone number) first? As much as the HSBC Premier option sounds ideal for opening an overseas/US bank account but it seems abit out of reach for me.
The cards offered here in Australia aren't just as appealing (in terms of deals) than those of our American counterpart. Especially for the Amex plat value & price here vs there!

 

[albyd]

One other thing to keep in mind is managing the exchange rate and payments. It’s easy to administer paying an AU Amex but will be more involved. Also need to consider the exchange rate. With the rate where it is now >76c, it makes more sense than when it fell to 55c during the worst of the pandemic. Bonus categories work really well to boost the exchange rate like using my Citi US MC@Aldi for 2.28 points/A$ though there is a modest surcharge.

 

[DC3]

... What would be the best/good route for obtaining a US branded card?
I've done a quick browsing with some saying Nova Credit route, whilst others saying to go for the GT route. But as someone who doesn't have a SSN or ITIN, should I try and get one of these (+ a US phone number) first? ....

Maybe someone will post a wiki to this thread, “Strategy to obtain a US Amex”, at some point. That would help.

Otherwise, it may be be a matter of researching.

And welcome to AFF.

 

[jbmemories]

Maybe someone will post a wiki to this thread, “Strategy to obtain a US Amex”, at some point. That would help.

Otherwise, it may be be a matter of researching.

And welcome to AFF.

thank you for the welcome

Basically now its a simple matter of combing through and finding what each person has done from the start I guess and try and see which one will be closest to my scenario.
But hey, you got to try to find out whether it would really work for you or not .
The nova route seems most applicable to me so I might try that, and if not, look into getting an ITIN.

 

[glasszon]

thank you for the welcome

Basically now its a simple matter of combing through and finding what each person has done from the start I guess and try and see which one will be closest to my scenario.
But hey, you got to try to find out whether it would really work for you or not .
The nova route seems most applicable to me so I might try that, and if not, look into getting an ITIN.

If you are an existing Amex card holder in Australia (or anywhere), it would be easier to apply via global transfer, Amex will use your existing profile in evaluating your application and it would skip the address verification too.

Nova route can work as well, but be prepared that Amex might ask for address verification for your US address, which you would struggle to get unless you already have a bank account or property in US.

 

[jbmemories]

If you are an existing Amex card holder in Australia (or anywhere), it would be easier to apply via global transfer, Amex will use your existing profile in evaluating your application and it would skip the address verification too.

Nova route can work as well, but be prepared that Amex might ask for address verification for your US address, which you would struggle to get unless you already have a bank account or property in US.

I do have an address there in the US I could use (as well as setup for G-Voice for phone number).

May I ask where the Global Transfer option is on the website? The one I found is this link but doesn't really tell me aside from "apply for a new card"
American Express - Moving Abroad - Global Card Transfer - United States

Would this still qualify me for those Amex bonuses even though I have a card here in AUS? (i.e. like the Amex Plat that is still offering there)
Also it says that I need an ITIN (which I still don't have), will it not send me to the Nova Credit route? Should I get an ITIN first + build a FICO score prior to applying for it?

Promotions seem to come and go. So if the latter is recommended, might as well start building and wait it out.

 

[glasszon]

I do have an address there in the US I could use (as well as setup for G-Voice for phone number).

I never done the address verification for Amex myself, but I would be careful to avoid triggering it unless you have a bank statement or a utility bill showing your name with the US address.

May I ask where the Global Transfer option is on the website? The one I found is this link but doesn't really tell me aside from "apply for a new card"
American Express - Moving Abroad - Global Card Transfer - United States

To use global transfer, log into your Amex Australia account online and apply for the Amex US card you want, once you click on apply, the system will recognise you are logged into your Amex Australia account and asks whether you want to use your overseas profile for the application, click yes and you will notice it won't ask for your SSN/ITIN, just your income, address, phone number etc.

Would this still qualify me for those Amex bonuses even though I have a card here in AUS? (i.e. like the Amex Plat that is still offering there)
Also it says that I need an ITIN (which I still don't have), will it not send me to the Nova Credit route? Should I get an ITIN first + build a FICO score prior to applying for it?

Promotions seem to come and go. So if the latter is recommended, might as well start building and wait it out.

Amex US sign-up bonus is based on whether you have certain Amex US cards, having Amex Australia cards won't matter at all.

You only need ITIN if you want a non-Amex US card, such as a chase card, at some stage, just keep in mind that with the exception of Amex US and HSBC Premier US, you will not be able to get any US credit cards without a credit history even if you have ITIN, so you have to figure whether it's worth the cost of obtaining an ITIN (a few hundred dollars if you go via US accountants) vs just sticking with Amex US cards.

 

[jbmemories]

To use global transfer, log into your Amex Australia account online and apply for the Amex US card you want, once you click on apply, the system will recognise you are logged into your Amex Australia account and asks whether you want to use your overseas profile for the application, click yes and you will notice it won't ask for your SSN/ITIN, just your income, address, phone number etc.



Amex US sign-up bonus is based on whether you have certain Amex US cards, having Amex Australia cards won't matter at all.

I'm thinking of trying via the GT route; however doing the Incognito gives me this pop up - unsure whether this means GT or not?

This is all very exciting and hopefully joining you guys in getting US Amex

 

[glasszon]

I'm thinking of trying via the GT route; however doing the Incognito gives me this pop up - unsure whether this means GT or not?

This is all very exciting and hopefully joining you guys in getting US Amex

Yes, this means you will use the GT route if you select yes on that screen.

Keep in mind you can still use other people's referral links even with GT, you just have to login first before using the referral link.

 

[ithongy]

BofA now issuing 1099 forms for SUB & points via referral links on credit cards.

Bank of America Sends Out 1099 for Credit Card Signup Bonus - Miles to Memories

Tax season is here, so this is the time of year when we start receiving all those 1099 envelopes that remind us what bonuses we have earned over the last year.

milestomemories.com

 

[mrsquare]

Thanks all for the really useful information on this thread. I read through all 76 pages over the last week or so and today applied for the Bonvoy Brilliant card and got approved instantly. Next step is to get the card, fingers crossed that goes smoothly.

Has anyone got any DPs on how to find out if you’re eligible for Instant Card to start using it in the interim? Couldn’t find out much info on it.

 

[DC3]

Thanks all for the really useful information on this thread. I read through all 76 pages over the last week or so and today applied for the Bonvoy Brilliant card and got approved instantly ...

How good is that?

 

[mrsquare]

Bit nerve wrecking, but went as smoothly as I could ask for in the end!

 

[nj12]

I have also spent the last few days reading this whole thread which contains some great information and advice. Unfortunately things did not go as smoothly for me.

I tried initially applying through GT method for Amex Green charge card. Instant rejection so I called the GT line and the operator identified the US address which I obtained through Postscan mail was a mail forwarding service. So I called again the next day and offered a myus address and was on hold for a few minutes before the operator said that this address was also appearing on their system as a mail forwarding address. I said the second address was provided by a relative as I was travelling currently. I checked both addresses using USPS lookup and they both had an N for Mail forwarding field. Operator didn't seem fazed that they were mail forwarding addresses only that for the application to be approved it needed to be an actual physical residential address.

My issue now is that there are surely notes on my application and I have exhausted two attempts on the one application with postscan and myus. Neither operator mentioned address verification only that a physical us address necessary for approval. I did try and convince them to send the card to Aus using my existing Aus Amex card details but that was a predictable no.

I don't have any contacts in the US who I can use for the physical address so not sure of my next move. Seems like the Nova credit route would lead to a certain address verification also so I might just have to wait out the 60 days and try again?!

Frustrating after so much anticipation from reading this thread.

 

[DC3]

... I called again the next day and offered a myus address and was on hold for a few minutes before the operator said that this address was also appearing on their system as a mail forwarding address

An unfortunate set-back for you. They said that MyUS shows as mail forwarding. Hmmm. Not heard of that one before. I don’t know what to make of that.

Maybe someone else will have a suggestion about reapplying using the MyUS address.

... today applied for the Bonvoy Brilliant card and got approved instantly ...

With a My US address by any chance?

 

[PointsLife1]

I have also spent the last few days reading this whole thread which contains some great information and advice. Unfortunately things did not go as smoothly for me.

I tried initially applying through GT method for Amex Green charge card. Instant rejection so I called the GT line and the operator identified the US address which I obtained through Postscan mail was a mail forwarding service. So I called again the next day and offered a myus address and was on hold for a few minutes before the operator said that this address was also appearing on their system as a mail forwarding address. I said the second address was provided by a relative as I was travelling currently. I checked both addresses using USPS lookup and they both had an N for Mail forwarding field. Operator didn't seem fazed that they were mail forwarding addresses only that for the application to be approved it needed to be an actual physical residential address.

My issue now is that there are surely notes on my application and I have exhausted two attempts on the one application with postscan and myus. Neither operator mentioned address verification only that a physical us address necessary for approval. I did try and convince them to send the card to Aus using my existing Aus Amex card details but that was a predictable no.

I don't have any contacts in the US who I can use for the physical address so not sure of my next move. Seems like the Nova credit route would lead to a certain address verification also so I might just have to wait out the 60 days and try again?!

Frustrating after so much anticipation from reading this thread.

Sorry to hear nj12 and very frustrating as you seem to have done the right things especially the USPS lookup indicating N. Almost all of us started with Sarasota and I use PostScanMail now out of California. Not sure if the charge card variety makes any difference (Green, Gold, Platinum) Not 100% but most started with Aspire or Brilliant and then Green.