Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Viridis]

But I have come to the view that there's little benefit in spelling it out to newbies who aren't prepared to do the work themselves. There's more than enough information already in this thread if you're willing to read it from start to finish, which is what I did over the course of a month before I even considered starting.

I’ve got some sympathy for that view, but ….

When I first started looking at this thread about 18mths ago, there was half the number of pages. It took a long time to read through and I was still left with questions. I’ve noticed now that there is a fair bit of duplication which makes research just that bit more convoluted

i was toying with the idea of compiling a ‘how to’ step-by-step guide, putting it in this thread to be corrected by the true experts (I only have two US Amex and no ITIN or SSN, so still a - happy - novice) and then putting it up on a stand-alone thread.

Then people can be armed with basic knowledge before coming to this thread and asking more informed questions.

I just haven’t yet had time to get started …..

Post automatically merged: Jul 18, 2023

It’s a U.S. one opened ages ago when they were setting these up for Australians and you just needed to have a checking account open (opened in person at a branch). They had a list of cards they’d set up under this program.

They don’t do this anymore unfortunately.

Thanks

Shame

 

[Viridis]

For those interested, the US site is offering a 30% bonus transferring Amex point to BA or Iberia (Avios). I believe QR is offering a 20% bonus for Australian card holders but I haven’t got the email

 

[blacksultan]

I received an offer to receive 50 k MR points for opening and send 5000 USD , an Amex global pay account ( dispute lodged for offer on approved account showing as 30 k MR ) .
Would not accept ssn starting with 900 series ( so they can block itin ?? )
I changed the 9 at start of my itin to 8 and was approved !

 

[larrymull]

This effectively means that they've linked your profiles together and tried to pulled your CR without a score.

I had a similar encounter and they said wait till you get a FICO score. It's a mixed bag. Foolproof would be to wait for a FICO. You can keep trying to apply but I wouldn't hold my breathe given the 4 month gap

I waited for a FICO and then tried a 2nd GT, I got an email requesting further information like bank account statement from a US Bank etc.

I think the application expires early August so will try again then.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I’ve got some sympathy for that view, but ….

When I first started looking at this thread about 18mths ago, there was half the number of pages. It took a long time to read through and I was still left with questions. I’ve noticed now that there is a fair bit of duplication which makes research just that bit more convoluted

i was toying with the idea of compiling a ‘how to’ step-by-step guide, putting it in this thread to be corrected by the true experts (I only have two US Amex and no ITIN or SSN, so still a - happy - novice) and then putting it up on a stand-alone thread.

Then people can be armed with basic knowledge before coming to this thread and asking more informed questions.

I too had thought about a step-by-step guide but I'm in two minds about it. Often when we create guides, people demand more and have expectations of being spoon fed rather than conducting a basic search.

To be frank, the opening post is actually very clear with the exception of some out dated information. From there you can easily skim through or search for keywords through the thread. I would agree with @levelnine that I don't want to make it too easy/low effort. Part of the learning journey helps you understand the consequences/do and do nots of this game and if we make it too easy, people may just ignore the warnings.

An example would be error fares. There are very simple rules regarding error fares such as don't contact the airline to check your ticket or change your flights until a later date. But people still sign up to flyertalk (where some of these are posted) and say that they've contacted the airline regarding the fare to check if it was legitimate which really baffles me sometimes. People just want the outcomes without the rest.

I waited for a FICO and then tried a 2nd GT, I got an email requesting further information like bank account statement from a US Bank etc.

I think the application expires early August so will try again then.

Did they tell you why they wanted a bank account statement? Was it for address verification? If so then that's something to be expected. There is no guarantee that a 2nd GT will be as smooth as your first GT. Always expect to be asked to provide some documentation and if you get approved without then great.

 

[larrymull]

Did they tell you why they wanted a bank account statement? Was it for address verification? If so then that's something to be expected. There is no guarantee that a 2nd GT will be as smooth as your first GT. Always expect to be asked to provide some documentation and if you get approved without then great.

Yes address verification and possible fraud alert on the account. No idea how that came about.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Yes address verification and possible fraud alert on the account. No idea how that came about.

Possibly because you applied overseas (from Australia) or a million other things. I would say set up a bank account in the US if you can. Always good to have a US account for address verification.

I signed up for a bank account while I was there last year purely for the purposes of address verification.

 

[larrymull]

Possibly because you applied overseas (from Australia) or a million other things. I would say set up a bank account in the US if you can. Always good to have a US account for address verification.

I signed up for a bank account while I was there last year purely for the purposes of address verification.

Agree, I am in the process of setting up my ITIN, should be 4-6 weeks away. Also going down the path of HSBC Premier, see what hits first.

 

[Finale]

Far more Canadians have been doing it for far longer than most people in Australia, so no.

But I have come to the view that there's little benefit in spelling it out to newbies who aren't prepared to do the work themselves. There's more than enough information already in this thread if you're willing to read it from start to finish, which is what I did over the course of a month before I even considered starting.

True. When I did all these by myself back then, I got a lot of information from Canadians even though quite limited. When I saw Canadians could get it, I thought I could get it as well. It is more convenient for them as they could cross the border to do stuff and I believe they can easily get US cross boder account with TD bank as well. And it took me over 3 years to get my first US card. We need to thank those Canadians.

Anyway, applied for Ink Preferred and was approved after uploading passport (proof of date of birth) and bank statement (proof of business address and physical address). Same old issue with ITIN and was told there was some mismatched information that they had to fix manually and I had to contact the bureaus to find out.

I tried using another version of my name but that didn't help (Got 3 last name variations in Eq). Still no HP on EQ or EX. Maybe they only pulled TU as my address is Illinois and there is a bit of DP on DoC about TU for Illinois address. Looks like I will never get an automatic approval with Chase.

 

[mrsquare]

I tried using another version of my name but that didn't help (Got 3 last name variations in Eq). Still no HP on EQ or EX. Maybe they only pulled TU as my address is Illinois and there is a bit of DP on DoC about TU for Illinois address. Looks like I will never get an automatic approval with Chase.

Were you able to open EX and TU accounts? I could only open an EQ one and ran into issues using my ITIN trying to open accounts with both EX and TU.

Also, tried signing up for the $4.95 plan with EQ for daily score updates, but also ran into issues with that cause of ITIN.

My EQ score is showing as Excellent now, but Capital One’s pre-approval is still only giving me Fair credit options, so I suspect they might be checking either EX or TU.

 

[funnybrus]

Hi all,

Never had a US card before, but am a citizen with a SSN so looks like the hardest part is done for me. I've trawled through a lot of this thread, but left with a couple of questions:

I don't currently have an AMEX, but eligible for a signup bonus (however disappointing they currently are) again in a few weeks. Is GT much easier than not using it? I've noticed the AMEX website lets you use international credit history?

And in terms of getting the card - has anyone had good experience with a mail forwarder recently?

 

[Finale]

Were you able to open EX and TU accounts? I could only open an EQ one and ran into issues using my ITIN trying to open accounts with both EX and TU.

Also, tried signing up for the $4.95 plan with EQ for daily score updates, but also ran into issues with that cause of ITIN.

My EQ score is showing as Excellent now, but Capital One’s pre-approval is still only giving me Fair credit options, so I suspect they might be checking either EX or TU.

It's not possible to open EX and TU accounts using ITIN. However, I have a credit.com account from when they didn't require SSN. It shows some EX info, not detailed though ie I could see my total limit, number of accounts, how many hard pulls I have but no details like which bank.

 

[blacksultan]

Hi all,

Never had a US card before, but am a citizen with a SSN so looks like the hardest part is done for me. I've trawled through a lot of this thread, but left with a couple of questions:

I don't currently have an AMEX, but eligible for a signup bonus (however disappointing they currently are) again in a few weeks. Is GT much easier than not using it? I've noticed the AMEX website lets you use international credit history?

And in terms of getting the card - has anyone had good experience with a mail forwarder y

You need to have had an Amex card for at least 3 months before you can apply for GT .
Do you have a US credit history ? You may be able to apply directly .

 

[funnybrus]

You need to have had an Amex card for at least 3 months before you can apply for GT .
Do you have a US credit history ? You may be able to apply directly .

No, I haven't lived there since I was an infant.

Was mainly wondering if I needed to do GT or if I could use this:

 

[blacksultan]

No, I haven't lived there since I was an infant.

Was mainly wondering if I needed to do GT or if I could use this:

Can . No harm trying .

 

[mrsquare]

It's not possible to open EX and TU accounts using ITIN. However, I have a credit.com account from when they didn't require SSN. It shows some EX info, not detailed though ie I could see my total limit, number of accounts, how many hard pulls I have but no details like which bank.

Thanks. I thought so. Ah right, I assume from the way you’ve phrased it that that it’s no longer possible to sign up with credit.com without a SSN? Not sure what my EX and TU reports say at this point.

 

[funnybrus]

How are the amex FX rates? They aren't published like MC or Visa.

 

[Finale]

Thanks. I thought so. Ah right, I assume from the way you’ve phrased it that that it’s no longer possible to sign up with credit.com without a SSN? Not sure what my EX and TU reports say at this point.

That was what I heard from some people trying to sign up recently. You can get EX report without SSN but it has to be done in writing and mail it with some identification docs. Not sure if email will work. No idea about TU. Their site only says you have to contact them if no SSN.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

How are the amex FX rates? They aren't published like MC or Visa.

I recall someone doing the math on here and it was about 1%?

 

[funnybrus]

I recall someone doing the math on here and it was about 1%?

Thanks. Takes a good chunk out of any earn with visa/mc usually <0.5%, plus fees to pay the statement in USD.