Strategy to obtain US Amex

[levelnine]

Thanks for the advice - I think I'll have to give this some thought - the points earn with the exchange rate where it is, is pretty ordinary on the Bonvoy card but I think I'll need to suck it up if I want to get out of pop up jail.

I honestly wouldn't bother unless you have unlimited credit card spend and can afford to throw some away on regular US card spend.

US Amex business cards tend to have much higher chances of avoiding pop-up jail, so I'd try them if you're keen to acquire some more US MR.

 

[Tiki]

With only 3 days left it's not looking good. I will give it one last try on the 23rd but not holding my breath. I can't afford the minimum spend on Amex business cards. I will probably wait until I get out of Chase 5/24 jail and get an Ink next year in time for buying a car so I can make the spend. One of those Inks has 0% on purchases for the first year.

 

[maverick1]

Same here actually lol I will report back when i finally get to visit USA in a few years time.

lol. I only foresee making a trip around 26 FIFA WC.

 

[desafinado74]

lol. I only foresee making a trip around 26 FIFA WC.

Funny enough i was thinking of 2026 too !
Being a soccer fan, i love the WC, but not sure if i want to go there during the WC. The hotel and flight costs would be astronomical.

 

[DC3]

Amex usually wants to see spend on all their cards …

Agreed. Anyone throwing Amex cards into the sock drawer probably needs to get them back out if looking to apply for new cards with bonus offers.

 

[georgie23]

Spoke to CS after notary review and they posting out replacement card to Australia via DHL and updating phone number to new cell number. Hopefully arriving in a week. Thanks to everyone for all the advice and help - I hope I can contribute to someone else too in the future with some knowledge

 

[mattr00]

Agreed. Anyone throwing Amex cards into the sock drawer probably needs to get them back out if looking to apply for new cards with bonus offers.

FWIW I'm putting about 1.5-2k USD on Bonvoy Brilliant and 1k USD on a Green (both acquired in the last ~2months) and I'm in pop up jail for Gold Resy and 90k

 

[_TheTraveller_]

FWIW I'm putting about 1.5-2k USD on Bonvoy Brilliant and 1k USD on a Green (both acquired in the last ~2months) and I'm in pop up jail for Gold Resy and 90k

Another variable is that the cards are too fresh?

 

[maverick1]

FWIW I'm putting about 1.5-2k USD on Bonvoy Brilliant and 1k USD on a Green (both acquired in the last ~2months) and I'm in pop up jail for Gold Resy and 90k

Amex has a 2 in 90 day rule. They usually don't approve more than 2 cards in a 90 day period.

 

[albyd]

I’m reluctant to put much spend on my Bonvoy basic. Keep it for the ‘free’ night certificate. Got a nice upgrade when I used it at Westin MEL (it was on a Tuesday and there were no events on so there's that.

I honestly wouldn't bother unless you have unlimited credit card spend and can afford to throw some away on regular US card spend.

US Amex business cards tend to have much higher chances of avoiding pop-up jail, so I'd try them if you're keen to acquire some more US MR.

Sadly, I agree. I didn't want to cancel it so will need to use it more than I currently do even though that will lead to some increase in complexity.

 

[mattr00]

Amex has a 2 in 90 day rule. They usually don't approve more than 2 cards in a 90 day period.

I thought this generally applies for credit cards only, not charge cards

 

[maverick1]

I thought this generally applies for credit cards only, not charge cards

Yes, sorry you are right 2 in 90 doesn't apply to charge cards.

 

[Finale]

FWIW I'm putting about 1.5-2k USD on Bonvoy Brilliant and 1k USD on a Green (both acquired in the last ~2months) and I'm in pop up jail for Gold Resy and 90k

I had 6 cards with Amex and hardly spend on 4 of them. Then signed up for Gold and then Green a few weeks later and got SUB for both of them (60K + 90K + 30K referral). My guess about popup jail (if you already spend on all cards) is maybe accounts are too new or history a little too short. I also heard it could be offer specific, ie changing link for worse offer could stop the popup.

I think give it time. Offers will come back and could be even better. When I first started, I got like 35K for Gold, 60K for Plainum and I was so excited .

One of those Inks has 0% on purchases for the first year.

It's normally the fee free ones which have 3% Fx fee. I'm still making use of it Thankfully I have quite a bit of USD spend.

 

[levelnine]

I think give it time. Offers will come back and could be even better.

Really agree with this. The US credit card market keeps going from strength to strength for foreigners (it's more debatable for US consumers as their airlines have devalued at a rate of knots). There's no reason to rush to get Amex's once-in-a-lifetime offers, especially if they are not at all time highs. I see pop-up jail as an opportunity to apply for other cards and come back to them later on.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I haven't really had any issues Planet Express but they're a bit mind boggling when they're not willing to assist.

My CIP was delivered on 10AM Friday to the CA warehouse via UPS overnight and usually they check it in on the same day. Instead of the Dock it was delivered to the front office. So it's been 2 business days and it still hasn't been processed. I've messaged them and they said check back tomorrow but it has been received (? not sure if confirmed). I have some flights I need to pay by the 5/9 and I'm a little concerned by Planet Express' indifference.

I could ask Chase to mail it out internationally but I'm a little concerned whether that would impact my profiles similar to what was mentioned upthread. Thoughts? FWIW, this will be my 2nd Chase card and I've been corresponding with them via secure message and they've been overwhelmingly helpful.

 

[blacksultan]

I haven't really had any issues Planet Express but they're a bit mind boggling when they're not willing to assist.

My CIP was delivered on 10AM Friday to the CA warehouse via UPS overnight and usually they check it in on the same day. Instead of the Dock it was delivered to the front office. So it's been 2 business days and it still hasn't been processed. I've messaged them and they said check back tomorrow but it has been received (? not sure if confirmed). I have some flights I need to pay by the 5/9 and I'm a little concerned by Planet Express' indifference.

I could ask Chase to mail it out internationally but I'm a little concerned whether that would impact my profiles similar to what was mentioned upthread. Thoughts? FWIW, this will be my 2nd Chase card and I've been corresponding with them via secure message and they've been overwhelmingly helpful.

I have had three cards sent by chase to oz . No issues . What is the issue mentioned upthread ?

 

[levelnine]

I could ask Chase to mail it out internationally but I'm a little concerned whether that would impact my profiles similar to what was mentioned upthread. Thoughts?

I was the person who found out that my requests to mail cards to Australia appear to have resulted in the creation of multiple Chase customer profiles on the back end. Apart from causing some hassle in merging my cards into a single online banking profile, it hasn't caused me any troubles.

I certainly would not hesitate in requesting a card be posted to Australia for fear of having multiple profiles created.

 

[desafinado74]

To those of you who have the Hilton Aspire card :

I got approved for the Aspire card in early June 2022, and received my first free night cert on 11 August 2022.

Based on this, when do you all think that this year's free cert will arrive ? ( I have already paid this year's annual fee 3 weeks ago) I plan to use this year's cert in early October for an overseas trip, so I hope to get it before then.

 

[Daventry]

Decided to apply for a Chase card on Sunday. Yesterday got a phone call while a was at work from a US number that according to Google is from Chase.
Got an email last night asking to provide proof of ITIN/SSN and address.

They don’t mention credit card statements among examples of proof of address. I hope my last Amex statement is enough

 

[Finale]

To those of you who have the Hilton Aspire card :

I got approved for the Aspire card in early June 2022, and received my first free night cert on 11 August 2022.

Based on this, when do you all think that this year's free cert will arrive ? ( I have already paid this year's annual fee 3 weeks ago) I plan to use this year's cert in early October for an overseas trip, so I hope to get it before then.

I think it's 2 months after the annual fee hits your account. I signed up in July and annual fee in August. My first cer came in September (2018) and after that in October (2019-2022). My guess is your one will come next month if you haven't got it already.