Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

Just been approved for the chase aeroplan . My 3rd chase card .

 

[levelnine]

Is there a recon. Option with Amex .

Sorry to hear about the decline. Definitely try to recon with Amex.

Just booked a couple of nights at the Park Hyatt Kyoto. Retail cost over $2000 per night. My cost with Chase UR transferred to Hyatt: ~$120 per night (basically taking into account all the Wise transfer fees & foreign transaction fees on the Inks).

How I love the US credit card game.

 

[Tiki]

Very impressed with Chase!

19 April - noticed the new 80k SUB on a blog and applied right away. Instant approval. Called Chase immediately to request they send it to Australia.

20 April- called Chase for tracking number and watched it on UPS go to Hawaii and Botany.

24 April - card delivered around 2pm-ish. Should be able to finish the minimum spend on next month's trip.

 

[Franko Costa]

For anyone interested in transfer MR points to the US.

I could do it via chat, it took about 5 business days until it left my account, once left they appeared in US straight away, and the rate was basically the FX rate of 0.672

 

[blacksultan]

Sorry to hear about the decline. Definitely try to recon with Amex.

Just booked a couple of nights at the Park Hyatt Kyoto. Retail cost over $2000 per night. My cost with Chase UR transferred to Hyatt: ~$120 per night (basically taking into account all the Wise transfer fees & foreign transaction fees on the Inks).

How I love the US credit card game.

Just got rejected for the chase United biz card reason ending too many enquiries and / or existing chase cards ( have 3 ) .
Any point contacting recon ?

 

[levelnine]

Just got rejected for the chase United biz card reason ending too many enquiries and / or existing chase cards ( have 3 ) .
Any point contacting recon ?

After just also getting the Chase Aeroplan card? I wouldn't ordinarily recommend going for two cards so close together. Quite hard to get both approved. No harm in trying recon though.

 

[blacksultan]

After just also getting the Chase Aeroplan card? I wouldn't ordinarily recommend going for two cards so close together. Quite hard to get both approved. No harm in trying recon though.

Yes . Both were applied for around a month ago . Most datapoints state one can apply for 2 chase cards within a 30 day period .

 

[desafinado74]

Fir

what is the cost through fiverr?

This is the person i used to get my ITIN...The current price is AUD$408. (There are other agents on Fiverr handling ITIN applications too)

https://www.fiverr.com/theshstudio/help-you-apply-itin?context_referrer=logged_in_homepage&source=views_related&ref_ctx_id=133351657ed3e1e928a4a39b1dbf6f0a&context=recommendation&pckg_id=1&pos=1&context_alg=gig_views_graph_v2&seller_online=true&imp_id=174e02e7-d306-4788-a9d8-2b924b0836e4

 

[blacksultan]

Yes . Both were applied for around a month ago . Most datapoints state one can apply for 2 chase cards within a 30 day period .

Spoke to recon . Said it was because I had recently applied for a personal card as well .
Asked for recon , after long wait said it would likely be approved by lending team but they have an issue with their system so should expect approval on approx 10 days .

 

[http_x92]

The site says I am eligible to upgrade from the Hilton No Annual Fee to the Surpass but there has to be a targeted email to get a bonus points offer (100-150k HH), is that correct?

No mention of an offer when I go to my account...

 

[blacksultan]

The site says I am eligible to upgrade from the Hilton No Annual Fee to the Surpass but there has to be a targeted email to get a bonus points offer (100-150k HH), is that correct?

No mention of an offer when I go to my account...

That might be a generic offer banner . You need to have your card for at least a year before you can upgrade .

 

[http_x92]

That might be a generic offer banner . You need to have your card for at least a year before you can upgrade .

Which I have so the 'Request an upgrade' button shows up for the Surpass (not the Aspire as I already have one). If I go request an upgrade, does it come with bonus points?

 

[maverick1]

This is the person i used to get my ITIN...The current price is AUD$408. (There are other agents on Fiverr handling ITIN applications too)

https://www.fiverr.com/theshstudio/help-you-apply-itin?context_referrer=logged_in_homepage&source=views_related&ref_ctx_id=133351657ed3e1e928a4a39b1dbf6f0a&context=recommendation&pckg_id=1&pos=1&context_alg=gig_views_graph_v2&seller_online=true&imp_id=174e02e7-d306-4788-a9d8-2b924b0836e4

I also used SH Studio, been over a month since the application.
Application process has 2 parts - signing the form and a quick video call.
I went directly to their website to avoid Fiverr Fee. It was cheaper to pay US$250 directly to them.

 

[blacksultan]

Which I have so the 'Request an upgrade' button shows up for the Surpass (not the Aspire as I already have one). If I go request an upgrade, does it come with bonus points?

It should even for a low one . It should state when you click before you confirm .

 

[_TheTraveller_]

For those who aren't receiving Amex cards, I realised that they no longer put the Apt/Suite numbers on their card mail that has Plantation, FL listed on the front. My Apt # was handwritten which I assume if it wasn't, I would have never received it. Makes sense why I never received my Green and Aspire cards.

I recently had a HP and declination from C1 this month but I've also applied with Chase and was declined but no HP. Any risks in trying again this month with Chase?

 

[albyd]

I also used SH Studio, been over a month since the application.
Application process has 2 parts - signing the form and a quick video call.
I went directly to their website to avoid Fiverr Fee. It was cheaper to pay US$250 directly to them.

Thanks for the heads up. I went to the Fiverr website and there are heaps of EIN/ITIN services ranging in price from a low $A15 to $A408 for SH Studio. While I'm not keen to pay top dollar, I do want this to work. Looks like the Price on SH Studio's site is $US349 (A$520). Where did you see the $US250 price? It's coming up as $A408 for me on Fiverr with SH Studio.

I recall there were other services which were prompt and reliable and more cost effective. I'll have a read up-thread unless someone wants to spoon feed me

While I know we're not necessarily accountants giving tax advice on here, just checking what others' experience with this has been. Does getting ITIN have other implications like the obligation to lodge US taxes especially for US sourced income which I currently declare in my AU tax return and complete W8-BEN tax treaty form every couple of years? Do I need an EIN for business card applications or ITIN is fine?

 

[desafinado74]

Thanks for the heads up. I went to the Fiverr website and there are heaps of EIN/ITIN services ranging in price from a low $A15 to $A408 for SH Studio. While I'm not keen to pay top dollar, I do want this to work. Looks like the Price on SH Studio's site is $US349 (A$520). Where did you see the $US250 price? It's coming up as $A408 for me on Fiverr with SH Studio.

I recall there were other services which were prompt and reliable and more cost effective. I'll have a read up-thread unless someone wants to spoon feed me

While I know we're not necessarily accountants giving tax advice on here, just checking what others' experience with this has been. Does getting ITIN have other implications like the obligation to lodge US taxes especially for US sourced income which I currently declare in my AU tax return and complete W8-BEN tax treaty form every couple of years? Do I need an EIN for business card applications or ITIN is fine?

I am thinking of filing a US tax return next year just to keep the ITIN alive. I have no US sourced income, so i will just declare a $1 income on the tax return form.

As for SH Studio, i went with them in the end, even though there were cheaper options on Fiverr. I just wanted peace of mind. In the end they delivered and i was happy with them. Basically, they will get you to fill out the ITIN application form, and then a few days later, quick Zoom interview to show them your passport (They are based in New York, and I had my zoom call at 9am Melbourne time. The whole thing lasted less than 10 minutes ) Contrary to what others have said, i did not have to submit a tax return with my ITIN application, since i did not have US sourced income. Overall, SH Studio is efficient and they are happy to answer any questions you have. I highly recommend them.

 

[lilkid28]

Is it possible to refer my Amex Aspire to my wife (and then she uses Global Transfer) to get an Amex Aspire (150k points) and myself getting the 15k referral points?

Also what's the best option for getting a US number now?

 

[mrsquare]

Is it possible to refer my Amex Aspire to my wife (and then she uses Global Transfer) to get an Amex Aspire (150k points) and myself getting the 15k referral points?

Also what's the best option for getting a US number now?

Can’t do a referral and GT in the same application, it’s either or.

For those who aren't receiving Amex cards, I realised that they no longer put the Apt/Suite numbers on their card mail that has Plantation, FL listed on the front. My Apt # was handwritten which I assume if it wasn't, I would have never received it. Makes sense why I never received my Green and Aspire cards.

I recently had a HP and declination from C1 this month but I've also applied with Chase and was declined but no HP. Any risks in trying again this month with Chase?

Believe you recently got your ITIN too right? How did you access your credit reports? I’ve tried experian and I keep getting errors.

Also, did I do a balls-up by trying to use my ITIN to apply for a Citi card right off the bat? Got denied. Assuming that it’s due to no history with the ITIN yet?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Can’t do a referral and GT in the same application, it’s either or.


Believe you recently got your ITIN too right? How did you access your credit reports? I’ve tried experian and I keep getting errors.

Also, did I do a balls-up by trying to use my ITIN to apply for a Citi card right off the bat? Got denied. Assuming that it’s due to no history with the ITIN yet?

Experian is no dice. I'm not sure how anyone with an ITIN can get access to their Experian report online. Equifax is OK since they accept ITINs. My C1 application clearly pulled the correct report with my Amex and ITIN on the same file but I'm not sure if Experian has my ITIN.

I applied for CSP for the 80K but I reckon I'll get declined.