Strategy to obtain US Amex

[maverick1]

When you open a US Premier account, do you need proof of address to put down a US address for the account?

No. At time of opening they use your current Au address and later once the account is open you can update the AU address to US add.
Can be done via online banking click on update profile, update address. No proof to be supplied once your account is open.

 

[lunne]

I had my Marriott Bonvoy for about 1 year or so maybe and had my FICO when I applied for my 2nd, which was the Amex gold via Resy too. Logged into my U.S. account and applied. Can’t recall the specifics but I must have clicked no SSN. I think I got called for some verification questions but they weren’t a big issue.

There are referral links floating about for 90k if you’re more interested in the points as opposed to the statement credit.

Great, thank you @mrsquare! I'll try to find the 90k bonus offer online, but if you already know how or where, pls do let me know. Thank you!

 

[nomad2000]

Here's one I found on monkeymiles Refer a Friend. Earn Rewards.

 

[Viridis]

@BlueHorizonUK said

Does anyone know if TextNow allows you to respond to texts? E.g Amex send a text saying reply with yes. Does TextNow do that as Skype etc don’t allow replies.

Yes, it does.

I just did exactly that to verify my mobile number with Amex. They said confirm with "Yes", which I did. They responded with a text confirming that my number was verified

Does anybody know if anything has changed with TextNow or Amex. Received my Gold card recently and added it to my existing US Amex account (Hilton Aspire).

Verification required for the mobile number (TextNow) already attached to the account.

I receive the verification texts but it does not respond to the confirmation "YES" that I reply with. It certainly worked when I set up my Aspire card.

Any ideas?

 

[kpc]

No. At time of opening they use your current Au address and later once the account is open you can update the AU address to US add.
Can be done via online banking click on update profile, update address. No proof to be supplied once your account is open.

Thanks for the info. As i have an HSBC premier account, I'll ask my relationship manager to open an US HSBC acct (should be free) for me, then change to a relative's US address later before I apply for a US Amex card.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Yes, this is also a problem for using the monthly dining credit on the Marriott Brilliant card, unfortunately there's no real incentives for the restaurant to ensure its classification is correct so it's really a trial and error to figure out which restaurant works.

Just some additional data points. Some of my testing transactions have come through today and it seems like it's a mixed bag. I have some transactions that have been categorised as "Other" (McDonalds via the app) that have been awarded x3 as restuarants. Perhaps AMEX US uses something beyond merchant codes for categorisation?

I have also seen cateogries go between "Other-Miscellaneous" and "Restuarant - Bar & Cafe" a couple times for some transactions so I wonder if that's them trying to categorise the transaction.

 

[mrsquare]

Great, thank you @mrsquare! I'll try to find the 90k bonus offer online, but if you already know how or where, pls do let me know. Thank you!

I do have a referral for the 90k if you’re interested at all. If not, happy for you to use link that nomad has posted too.

Post automatically merged: Jan 16, 2023

@BlueHorizonUK said



Does anybody know if anything has changed with TextNow or Amex. Received my Gold card recently and added it to my existing US Amex account (Hilton Aspire).

Verification required for the mobile number (TextNow) already attached to the account.

I receive the verification texts but it does not respond to the confirmation "YES" that I reply with. It certainly worked when I set up my Aspire card.

Any ideas?

I have had that same issue with TextNow so swapped over to GV, been working a charm so far. Activation’s a bit more involved though, you have to pay a few dollars for a service that enables you to get OTP to activate GV.

 

[Viridis]

I do have a referral for the 90k if you’re interested at all. If not, happy for you to use link that nomad has posted too.

Post automatically merged: Jan 16, 2023

I have had that same issue with TextNow so swapped over to GV, been working a charm so far. Activation’s a bit more involved though, you have to pay a few dollars for a service that enables you to get OTP to activate GV.

Sorry to be a bit dull ….. GV??

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Sorry to be a bit dull ….. GV??

Google Voice which I believe needs an existing US number to create a GV #?

 

[mrsquare]

Just some additional data points. Some of my testing transactions have come through today and it seems like it's a mixed bag. I have some transactions that have been categorised as "Other" (McDonalds via the app) that have been awarded x3 as restuarants. Perhaps AMEX US uses something beyond merchant codes for categorisation?

I have also seen cateogries go between "Other-Miscellaneous" and "Restuarant - Bar & Cafe" a couple times for some transactions so I wonder if that's them trying to categorise the transaction.

My maccas ones have come through as restaurant and triggered the 4x. You’re right though, there’re some that fall through the cracks and don’t trigger the 4x.

Ones for me include spend on drinks at the arts centre Melbourne where it was coded as just the arts centre which would therefore not trigger the bonus points, if perhaps it was coded as some F&B MCC perhaps it might have. Another weird one was Piccolina Gelateria, which also did not trigger the 4x. Neither did Haigh’s. It also did not trigger on the Grab food delivery service in Singapore, which was weird as the transaction posted as Grab - Food/Delivery.

Post automatically merged: Jan 16, 2023

Sorry to be a bit dull ….. GV??

Google Voice which I believe needs an existing US number to create a GV #?

Sorry yes, rich is spot on. Google Voice, and yes you do need an existing US number to activate it. However, there are services that provide a number that enables you to activate GV for a few bucks.

 

[jbmemories]

Great, thank you @mrsquare! I'll try to find the 90k bonus offer online, but if you already know how or where, pls do let me know. Thank you!

You have a FICO score tied within the system it should be fine to apply. I tried applying for aspire 2 months after GT for Plat and got rejected; was advised to try applying in 6 months to establish a relationship with AMEX US. I did wait and then applied about 8 months after GT, like the others mentioned - I just applied through logging into my AMEX US account - had to verify ITIN over the phone but that was it.


Also had to stop them from issuing me another Hilton Account No on the phone by telling them to link it with my existing one !

 

[mrsquare]

Thanks for the info. As i have an HSBC premier account, I'll ask my relationship manager to open an US HSBC acct (should be free) for me, then change to a relative's US address later before I apply for a US Amex card.

Yes that was what I did recently. However note that your RM is likely to direct you to the IBC as mine did. They seem to be the ones responsible for assisting in opening international bank accounts. I haven’t swapped my address over to a U.S. one but will do it soon.

 

[mrsquare]

You have a FICO score tied within the system it should be fine to apply. I tried applying for aspire 2 months after GT for Plat and got rejected; was advised to try applying in 6 months to establish a relationship with AMEX US. I did wait and then applied about 8 months after GT, like the others mentioned - I just applied through logging into my AMEX US account - had to verify ITIN over the phone but that was it.


Also had to stop them from issuing me another Hilton Account No on the phone by telling them to link it with my existing one !

Assume you had a FICO by your 8th month? Did you still need an ITIN to apply though? I thought that’s was more required for business or any other non Amex cards.

Haha, what a classic. Glad you nipped that in the bud in time.

 

[Viridis]

My maccas ones have come through as restaurant and triggered the 4x. You’re right though, there’re some that fall through the cracks and don’t trigger the 4x.

Ones for me include spend on drinks at the arts centre Melbourne where it was coded as just the arts centre which would therefore not trigger the bonus points, if perhaps it was coded as some F&B MCC perhaps it might have. Another weird one was Piccolina Gelateria, which also did not trigger the 4x. Neither did Haigh’s. It also did not trigger on the Grab food delivery service in Singapore, which was weird as the transaction posted as Grab - Food/Delivery.

Post automatically merged: Jan 16, 2023

Sorry yes, rich is spot on. Google Voice, and yes you do need an existing US number to activate it. However, there are services that provide a number that enables you to activate GV for a few bucks.

Thanks. Appreciate the info. I actually have a T-mobile but was reluctant to switch as that would require me to carry my second phone everywhere

I’m guessing that if I use that to activate Google Voice I can then just download the GV App on to my primary phone and use it there

I’ll have a look. Thanks

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thanks. Appreciate the info. I actually have a T-mobile but was reluctant to switch as that would require me to carry my second phone everywhere

I’m guessing that if I use that to activate Google Voice I can then just download the GV App on to my primary phone and use it there

I’ll have a look. Thanks

That is one of the benefits of GV where you can use the app for notifications. I've also used it for calls before it but I've had some issues where it doesn't ring. It's also great when you need to make toll free calls to the US and it's linked with the number so you don't have to ID yourself.

 

[jbmemories]

Assume you had a FICO by your 8th month? Did you still need an ITIN to apply though? I thought that’s was more required for business or any other non Amex cards.

Haha, what a classic. Glad you nipped that in the bud in time.

I didn't end up getting FICO until the 9th-10th month (makes sense I probably got it on their off-swing report). As I didn't have the FICO even when logged in - they just wanted to check. All it was just confirm my existing card on file + ITIN and was done and dusted

Post automatically merged: Jan 16, 2023

That is one of the benefits of GV where you can use the app for notifications. I've also used it for calls before it but I've had some issues where it doesn't ring. It's also great when you need to make toll free calls to the US and it's linked with the number so you don't have to ID yourself.

I would still recommend having a t-mobile prepaid or wifi-calling enabled US carrier number in case you do plan to branch outside of AMEX US and we never know when GV may stop working.

I know that US Bank does not like GV but is fine with the T-Mobile prepaid.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

My maccas ones have come through as restaurant and triggered the 4x. You’re right though, there’re some that fall through the cracks and don’t trigger the 4x.

Ones for me include spend on drinks at the arts centre Melbourne where it was coded as just the arts centre which would therefore not trigger the bonus points, if perhaps it was coded as some F&B MCC perhaps it might have. Another weird one was Piccolina Gelateria, which also did not trigger the 4x. Neither did Haigh’s. It also did not trigger on the Grab food delivery service in Singapore, which was weird as the transaction posted as Grab - Food/Delivery.

Post automatically merged: Jan 16, 2023

Sorry yes, rich is spot on. Google Voice, and yes you do need an existing US number to activate it. However, there are services that provide a number that enables you to activate GV for a few bucks.

I can see the Fuel is considered as "Transport - Fuel" where as transit is considered "Transport - Rail Services". Any idea if fuel would be considered transit? I've made a transaction at Ampol and I'm waiting for it to post

I didn't end up getting FICO until the 9th-10th month (makes sense I probably got it on their off-swing report). As I didn't have the FICO even when logged in - they just wanted to check. All it was just confirm my existing card on file + ITIN and was done and dusted

Post automatically merged: Jan 16, 2023

I would still recommend having a t-mobile prepaid or wifi-calling enabled US carrier number in case you do plan to branch outside of AMEX US and we never know when GV may stop working.

I know that US Bank does not like GV but is fine with the T-Mobile prepaid.

Agreed. I still have my Google Fi account which I activate when I need it.

 

[mrsquare]

Thanks. Appreciate the info. I actually have a T-mobile but was reluctant to switch as that would require me to carry my second phone everywhere

I’m guessing that if I use that to activate Google Voice I can then just download the GV App on to my primary phone and use it there

I’ll have a look. Thanks

All good. Ah right, yeah you could definitely look at using your T-mobile to activate GV. Yeah it’s just an app on my iPhone now, no extra SIM card or esim required.

That is one of the benefits of GV where you can use the app for notifications. I've also used it for calls before it but I've had some issues where it doesn't ring. It's also great when you need to make toll free calls to the US and it's linked with the number so you don't have to ID yourself.

Haven’t had those issues, but haven’t really had anyone tried to call either. Yeah it’s great for that haha, and yeah when it’s linked to your account too.

 

[mrsquare]

I didn't end up getting FICO until the 9th-10th month (makes sense I probably got it on their off-swing report). As I didn't have the FICO even when logged in - they just wanted to check. All it was just confirm my existing card on file + ITIN and was done and dusted

Post automatically merged: Jan 16, 2023

I would still recommend having a t-mobile prepaid or wifi-calling enabled US carrier number in case you do plan to branch outside of AMEX US and we never know when GV may stop working.

I know that US Bank does not like GV but is fine with the T-Mobile prepaid.

Ah right, okay that makes sense then. Haha. I had my FICO before applying for the Gold via Resy but didn’t have an ITIN then.

Yeah fair enough, it’s definitely good enough for Amex, but not sure of the rest. I’m hoping at least Chase and Cap1, perhaps Citi down the line.

 

[mrsquare]

I can see the Fuel is considered as "Transport - Fuel" where as transit is considered "Transport - Rail Services". Any idea if fuel would be considered transit? I've made a transaction at Ampol and I'm waiting for it to post

Agreed. I still have my Google Fi account which I activate when I need it.

Sorry, haven’t really noticed or tried using it for fuel as it doesn’t have a multiplier for that category.

I’ve looked at Google Fi but it’s really expensive, I mean the monthly costs are pretty high comparatively to like some of the prepaid SIMs. Do you have an account but not activated it/used it before?