Strategy to obtain US Amex

[http_x92]

Quite a decent deal going for the normal Hilton Honors card and the Surpass card with a bonus free night on top of the point bonuses... will see if its too soon to get a second GT card. It would only be 3-4 months apart for me. Plus chasing them up to deliver by Priority Mail.

 

[DC3]

.. my textnow number got deactivated since I dont use it anymore …

If that was the free TextNow, didn’t it need to used each month in order to maintain the service? The paid annual fee works for me in order to keep the number active.

 

[timmy1234]

If that was the free TextNow, didn’t it need to used each month in order to maintain the service? The paid annual fee works for me in order to keep the number active.

Yep. Last time I used it was in Aug 21. I stopped using it cause GV and T mobile (backup) were fine. Today again, the Citi Fraud rep tried sending my T-mobile Prepaid a message and I did not receive it. I could receive it from my new Textnow number and GV but not from Citi. I had a similar issue with Chase for Fraud validation

 

[blacksultan]

Has anyone updated their address on their US HSBC Premier account to one in the USA?

I have because I wanted to have a bank statement with a US address in order to try again to apply for a US Amex card and now they have sent me a letter saying that if I don’t live in the US I have to send them a proof of residence etc… seems like I have messed up…

I did for the same reason but had. No issues .

 

[pyusha]

Yep. Last time I used it was in Aug 21. I stopped using it cause GV and T mobile (backup) were fine. Today again, the Citi Fraud rep tried sending my T-mobile Prepaid a message and I did not receive it. I could receive it from my new Textnow number and GV but not from Citi. I had a similar issue with Chase for Fraud validation

I have been using T-Mobile prepaid for Chase and Amex now. Never had issues with receiving messages.

 

[Daventry]

I did that online. It showed the new US address immediately. notification from HSBC indicated they will update the system within a few days.

I did it online too and got the same notification.

Then yesterday I received a letter on my postscanmail address saying that since I have updated my mailing and permanent addresses to a US one I needed to clarify if I am a US resident or not for tax purposes. If I’m not then I have to send again a copy of my passport and proof of non-US address.

I wonder if more members have received the same letter but myUS is just not letting you know as they don’t forward letters anymore.

Post automatically merged: Feb 4, 2022

I did for the same reason but had. No issues .

Did you update it to a myUS address? You may have received it but myUS is just not informing you


Anyway I have an appointment with my International Client Manager on Monday, I hope I can fix this.

I guess if she asks why I changed the address it’s best to be honest and explain I want to apply for a US Amex and wanted a bank statement to use as proof of US address.

 

[leyy]

An update.

Amex Aspire Card received @ MyUS with no issues last week. Have sent it through FedEx and should receive next week In Sydney.

Required a text verification from AMEX and I used a Premium Textnow service for $7.99 and this worked perfectly.

 

[sudoer]

Thanks everyone for the advice shared in the thread, just signed up for the Aspire also using MyUS and TextNow, was immediately approved and Hilton status changed to Diamond within 5 minutes. Wasn't sent any verification codes, was asked to verify identity using 4 digit code from an existing Amex AU card.

 

[mrsquare]

Yep. Last time I used it was in Aug 21. I stopped using it cause GV and T mobile (backup) were fine. Today again, the Citi Fraud rep tried sending my T-mobile Prepaid a message and I did not receive it. I could receive it from my new Textnow number and GV but not from Citi. I had a similar issue with Chase for Fraud validation

I thought GV was one of the options that’s worked, hopefully it still does and doesn’t have any issues.

Does anyone have any experience with the Gold or Green Amex cards? Looking at getting one of them to also use to warehouse MR points from Aus. Plat card is too expensive and benefits seem to US centric.

 

[albyd]

I have the Green card. I use it all time time. The bonus categories currently work in AU which is a bonus. Otherwise would just use my CIti Premier which has a lot of bonus category overlap and they currently work in AU too. Both have no currency conversion fees which is great. I Bought something in $US the other day because it was easier as work related. The exchange rate looked ok thought the 3% ‘conversion’ charge is pretty hefty.

 

[timmy1234]

I thought GV was one of the options that’s worked, hopefully it still does and doesn’t have any issues.

Does anyone have any experience with the Gold or Green Amex cards? Looking at getting one of them to also use to warehouse MR points from Aus. Plat card is too expensive and benefits seem to US centric.

I am with Albyd...I got a green card and 3 Biz Amex card (I have SSN). I use it for transport. The AF is not high too. I asked for a retention offer after my AF as due, and I think I had to spend $1k for 5k points. The gold is useless in Oz other than the SUB.

 

[blacksultan]

I thought GV was one of the options that’s worked, hopefully it still does and doesn’t have any issues.

Does anyone have any experience with the Gold or Green Amex cards? Looking at getting one of them to also use to warehouse MR points from Aus. Plat card is too expensive and benefits seem to US centric.

I have the gold and used to have the green if you want to warehouse might be better to get the free everyday card considering you can keep it forever at no cost .

Post automatically merged: Feb 5, 2022

I am with Albyd...I got a green card and 3 Biz Amex card (I have SSN). I use it for transport. The AF is not high too. I asked for a retention offer after my AF as due, and I think I had to spend $1k for 5k points. The gold is useless in Oz other than the SUB.

Why useless ? You get 4 MR points / US$ at restaurants .

 

[timmy1234]

I have the gold and used to have the green if you want to warehouse might be better to get the free everyday card considering you can keep it forever at no cost .

Post automatically merged: Feb 5, 2022

Why useless ? You get 4 MR points / US$ at restaurants .

Agree in US but in OZ u dont get more than 1 MR points

 

[blacksultan]

Agree in US but in OZ u dont get more than 1 MR points

I do .consistently .

 

[blacksultan]

Agree in US but in OZ u dont get more than 1 MR points

 

[timmy1234]

My apologies.....U r right...However, I dont spend alot on dining to justify the AF increase from Green to Gold.

 

[blacksultan]

My apologies.....U r right...However, I dont spend alot on dining to justify the AF increase from Green to Gold.

Actually when I applied they had an offer to receive the value of annual fee as a 10 % cashback on spending at restaurants for the first year .

 

[mrsquare]

Thanks for the insights guys.

With the bonus points at the various categories, I assume they’ll only work for the US if Amex’s website says so (e.g. 3x spend on the Green card at restaurants etc.; and 4x spend on the Gold card for supermarkets etc.).

 

[DC3]

With the bonus points at the various categories, I assume they’ll only work for the US if Amex’s website says so (e.g. 3x spend on the Green card at restaurants etc.; and 4x spend on the Gold card for supermarkets etc.).

There’s more to it than that. For example, the Gold Card earns 4 x points for restaurants worldwide. The Green Card earns 3 x points on restaurants/transport/travel (including hotels, car rental, tolls, fares, taxi) worldwide. Not just for the US.

Or, were you just highlighting the benefits that you understand as not applying outside of the US?

 

[sudoer]

@mrsquare might have been looking at the screenshot a few posts up which mentions U.S. supermarkets.