Strategy to obtain US Amex

[_TheTraveller_]

No have neither of those. Is that what's required?

Yep. You'll need to apply for an ITIN and have a credit history of 1 year or more. This is why the majority of the discussion starts off with global transfer via amex as the first port of call.

 

[nightelves]

Yep. You'll need to apply for an ITIN and have a credit history of 1 year or more. This is why the majority of the discussion starts off with global transfer via amex as the first port of call.

I was told someone was able to open a HSBC US account and then apply for their credit card as well. Was thinking to go that route as I currently don't have an Amex cc and am still within 18 months of getting the bonus points.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I was told someone was able to open a HSBC US account and then apply for their credit card as well. Was thinking to go that route as I currently don't have an Amex cc and am still within 18 months of getting the bonus points.

I think they might be referring to the HSBC Premier CC? I'm not sure if you need an ITIN for that but you definitely will need an ITIN for chase.

 

[mrsquare]

Yep. You'll need to apply for an ITIN and have a credit history of 1 year or more. This is why the majority of the discussion starts off with global transfer via amex as the first port of call.

Do you know if the ITIN need to be attached to a card for over a year, or will an Amex that was applied via GT sufficient to apply for Chase cards? To satisfy the credit history over a year requirement? I’ve had a FICO score for a while now, but only recently got an ITIN.

Post automatically merged: May 3, 2023

I think they might be referring to the HSBC Premier CC? I'm not sure if you need an ITIN for that but you definitely will need an ITIN for chase.

Yeah that would probably be the HSBC premier CC. Chase definitely needs an ITIN.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

An update with my Chase journey. Tried to create an account. Didn't work then I tried calling and it went back and forth 3-4 times with different reps and now it seems like my account is flagged for fraud and I'm pending a call from someone senior(?).

They tried calling me 3 times in a row and the call kept dropping out which is why I think the fraud flag happened.

This has to be the most frustrating experience.

Edit: 3 hours later and multiple phone calls the issue was resolved. I called again and they verified me via the phone call another 3 times before the authentication block was removed by the fraud team and the Rep was able to create an online account for me.

I didn't think their customer service was this bad but here we are. Seems like a lack of training or understanding of systems. Most were very helpful but the one I mentioned about regarding someone from a senior team calling me clearly made that up.

As a side note, does anyone think it's risky putting an ATO payment of 2-3K on the CSP within the first month?

 

[Finale]

Do you know if the ITIN need to be attached to a card for over a year, or will an Amex that was applied via GT sufficient to apply for Chase cards? To satisfy the credit history over a year requirement? I’ve had a FICO score for a while now, but only recently got an ITIN.

No it does not need to be attached to a card. Amex doesn't even report ITIN I believe. And Experian which is Chase's main bureau sees it as an invalid SSN so not sure if they even record it on the file.

An update with my Chase journey. Tried to create an account. Didn't work then I tried calling and it went back and forth 3-4 times with different reps and now it seems like my account is flagged for fraud and I'm pending a call from someone senior(?).

They tried calling me 3 times in a row and the call kept dropping out which is why I think the fraud flag happened.

This has to be the most frustrating experience.

Edit: 3 hours later and multiple phone calls the issue was resolved. I called again and they verified me via the phone call another 3 times before the authentication block was removed by the fraud team and the Rep was able to create an online account for me.

I didn't think their customer service was this bad but here we are. Seems like a lack of training or understanding of systems. Most were very helpful but the one I mentioned about regarding someone from a senior team calling me clearly made that up.

As a side note, does anyone think it's risky putting an ATO payment of 2-3K on the CSP within the first month?

When I contacted Chase on Twitter, I was told to ask for Online Team. It was quite fast and no issue for me at all. I tried 2.8k AUD as the second transaction and had to call in to get the card unblocked. Maybe you can try to split the payment and keep it under $1k USD. Paying via Googlepay/Apple pay might help as well.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

No it does not need to be attached to a card. Amex doesn't even report ITIN I believe. And Experian which is Chase's main bureau sees it as an invalid SSN so not sure if they even record it on the file.



When I contacted Chase on Twitter, I was told to ask for Online Team. It was quite fast and no issue for me at all. I tried 2.8k AUD as the second transaction and had to call in to get the card unblocked. Maybe you can try to split the payment and keep it under $1k USD. Paying via Googlepay/Apple pay might help as well.

Thanks Finale.

Was your 2.8K AUD also a payment to the ATO? I was wondering whether ATO/Beem/Snipp are considered "Cash-like" payments?

 

[Finale]

Thanks Finale.

Was your 2.8K AUD also a payment to the ATO? I was wondering whether ATO/Beem/Snipp are considered "Cash-like" payments?

I did use it to pay ATO. Not worth the fee but I had to meet the min spend on a few cards at that time and had no choice. I believe you cannot use international cards with Beem.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I did use it to pay ATO. Not worth the fee but I had to meet the min spend on a few cards at that time and had no choice. I believe you cannot use international cards with Beem.

I'm assuming you paid directly to the ATO and not via Snipp? I'm in the same scenario unfortunately with an unexpected minimum spend.

 

[Finale]

I'm assuming you paid directly to the ATO and not via Snipp? I'm in the same scenario unfortunately with an unexpected minimum spend.

Yes I paid directly to ATO.

 

[desafinado74]

I tried the C1 pre-approval tool, it keeps giving error on the address page. I'm also using Myus address . Error msg - We can't accept a non-physical address on a credit card application. Please try again using your physical address.

Just use a random physical address for your home address (ie. a hotel or homeless shelter address) and your MyUS address as the mailing address. Many expat Americans use this trick and it seems to work. (Any snail mail will be sent to your mail forwarder such as MyUS , and banks are ok with you using the MyUS addess as the mailing address)

 

[Franko Costa]

Just use a random physical address for your home address (ie. a hotel or homeless shelter address) and your MyUS address as the mailing address. Many expat Americans use this trick and it seems to work. (Any snail mail will be sent to your mail forwarder such as MyUS , and banks are ok with you using the MyUS addess as the mailing address)

There has to be a better option than myUS.

I recently had 2 amex cards not be delivered there (I assume they threw them out)

 

[desafinado74]

There has to be a better option than myUS.

I recently had 2 amex cards not be delivered there (I assume they threw them out)

I currently use US Global Mail, and i am generally happy with them, customer service is very responsive and friendly, and they accept credit / debit cards and all kinds of mail. My Cap 1 debit and credit cards arrived safely and was later forwarded to my Aussie home address.
(I subscribe to their Houston address)

The only cons are that, they charge you if you want additional scans of your mail (The free scan is only for the envelope) and their DHL and Fedex costs are very expensive. (Cheapest option is the USPS international first class mail)

 

[levelnine]

The only cons are that, they charge you if you want additional scans of your mail (The free scan is only for the envelope) and their DHL and Fedex costs are very expensive. (Cheapest option is the USPS international first class mail)

In that circumstance, for Amex do you usually wait 10 days and ask for a replacement card to be sent direct to your international address?

 

[desafinado74]

In that circumstance, for Amex do you usually wait 10 days and ask for a replacement card to be sent direct to your international address?

Yup ! I tried this method last month after an AMEX card went missing (MyUS probably threw it away). Just give AMEX a call and they will do it straight away.

 

[mrsquare]

No it does not need to be attached to a card. Amex doesn't even report ITIN I believe. And Experian which is Chase's main bureau sees it as an invalid SSN so not sure if they even record it on the file.



When I contacted Chase on Twitter, I was told to ask for Online Team. It was quite fast and no issue for me at all. I tried 2.8k AUD as the second transaction and had to call in to get the card unblocked. Maybe you can try to split the payment and keep it under $1k USD. Paying via Googlepay/Apple pay might help as well.

Thanks Finale. I did not know that Amex doesn't report ITIN. Is there then a way to get our ITIN reported prior to applying with other banks? Or is just taking a punt and applying with the ITIN with Chase etc.

On a side note, has anyone had issues pulling their credit reports with an ITIN from the various credit agencies? I’m having issues completing the process with Experian, just getting an internal system error when trying to submit the order.

 

[blacksultan]

I was told someone was able to open a HSBC US account and then apply for their credit card as well. Was thinking to go that route as I currently don't have an Amex cc and am still within 18 months of getting the bonus points.

Yes . Did that through premiere and received cc .

Post automatically merged: May 5, 2023

Thanks Finale. I did not know that Amex doesn't report ITIN. Is there then a way to get our ITIN reported prior to applying with other banks? Or is just taking a punt and applying with the ITIN with Chase etc.

On a side note, has anyone had issues pulling their credit reports with an ITIN from the various credit agencies? I’m having issues completing the process with Experian, just getting an internal system error when trying to submit the order.

Need ssn for most agencies . Itin only works with core credit as far as I know .

 

[Finale]

Thanks Finale. I did not know that Amex doesn't report ITIN. Is there then a way to get our ITIN reported prior to applying with other banks? Or is just taking a punt and applying with the ITIN with Chase etc.

On a side note, has anyone had issues pulling their credit reports with an ITIN from the various credit agencies? I’m having issues completing the process with Experian, just getting an internal system error when trying to submit the order.

If you want to get a report at Ex with ITIN, you have to do it in writing. They see ITIN as an invalid SSN so online account will not work. I used my ITIN first at Citi but not sure if they reported it as I got the EQ account later so it could be Cap1. My ITIN is at SSN field now. I got my first Chase about 8 months later after that Citi.

Regarding Amex reporting ITIN, that was what I heard. I don't know the fact tbh. If you are worried, you could try and see if it shows up in EQ. I know a few people who got Chase cards using ITIN for the first time there. Maybe some members here can confirm as well.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thanks Finale. I did not know that Amex doesn't report ITIN. Is there then a way to get our ITIN reported prior to applying with other banks? Or is just taking a punt and applying with the ITIN with Chase etc.

On a side note, has anyone had issues pulling their credit reports with an ITIN from the various credit agencies? I’m having issues completing the process with Experian, just getting an internal system error when trying to submit the order.

Only Equifax will accept an ITIN. I think in this case it'll just be a gamble. There is no consistent way to getting an Experian report. Some have mentioned myFICO but that seems haphazard and caused some issues for my report in general.

I would apply and see how you go.

 

[maverick1]

Yes . Did that through premiere and received cc .

Post automatically merged: May 5, 2023

Need ssn for most agencies . Itin only works with core credit as far as I know .

I'm still bit unclear on HSBC US CC, I don't have any credit history (still building) nor an ITIN/SSN. I opened a premier account with them few months ago.
Do they not ask for income/resident/address proof for US CC applications? Did you go via your AU RM or do you also have a US based RM that helped ya?