Strategy to obtain US Amex

[_TheTraveller_]

What brand/type of gift card would that be? As far as I am aware Coles/Woolies/supermarket-type gift card purchases don’t ‘code’ as gift cards (for US card data purposes), so just curious as to the transaction that may have caused the purchase to be flagged specifically as a gift card

Edited

It was via gift card exchange. I've purchased WW gift card online and it was coded as "groceries" but definitely not groceries from Chase's perspective since I didn't earn x3 via online groceries (both online and groceries).

I wonder if they categorise them beyond just the codes.

 

[DC3]

It was via gift card exchange. I've purchased WW gift card online and it was coded as "groceries" but definitely not groceries from Chase's perspective since I didn't earn x3 via online groceries (both online and groceries).

I wonder if they categorise them beyond just the codes.

Interesting. I had previously read where supermarket purchases in Oz don’t code in a format suitable for US card issuers to identify the product (as gift cards for example).

Maybe someone else will have more information.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Also ran into my first Verified by Visa issue.... Had to call into chase to unblock a purchase on ba.com. This doesn't seem fun at all....

The purchase was for 87 AUD as well....

 

[levelnine]

Also ran into my first Verified by Visa issue.... Had to call into chase to unblock a purchase on ba.com. This doesn't seem fun at all....

The purchase was for 87 AUD as well....

Did they give you any verification option?

Never encountered any fraud blocks from Chase and both users in my household have pretty much never used the cards inside the US.

My new cards with Amex always get fraud blocked, on the other hand. Usually cleared after a phone call.

 

[blacksultan]

CIP just got flagged for fraud. Called and had it resolved.

I've only made a few minor purchases the past two days but I think buying a gift card this evening probably flagged it.

Told them I was in Australia for the next two months

Lp

Did they give you any verification option?

Never encountered any fraud blocks from Chase and both users in my household have pretty much never used the cards inside the US.

My new cards with Amex always get fraud blocked, on the other hand. Usually cleared after a phone call.

my chase cards don’t work for coles gift cards site

Post automatically merged: Aug 30, 2023

It was via gift card exchange. I've purchased WW gift card online and it was coded as "groceries" but definitely not groceries from Chase's perspective since I didn't earn x3 via online groceries (both online and groceries).

I wonder if they categorise them beyond just the codes.

The website name gives it away .

 

[mattr00]

Ok great
Will that impact my ability to create a FICO score

Or temporarily change address to Oz (haven’t looked if there is mailing address vs billing address)

Temporarily .

How do you update your temporary address? Also, mailing/billing address is restricted to US only from what I could see.

Not sure how others found it, but Amex claims if SSN isn’t provided for additional cardholders it will be closed in 60 days

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Did they give you any verification option?

Never encountered any fraud blocks from Chase and both users in my household have pretty much never used the cards inside the US.

My new cards with Amex always get fraud blocked, on the other hand. Usually cleared after a phone call.

No verification options. Based on what I've seen, chase's implementation of VbV is to approve every transaction but not all merchants like that. So you have to call in to get it waived.

Apparently it happens a lot to expats in the EU.

I definitely think it might be the name that raised flags.

 

[Tiki]

I activated mine no problem but then had a fraud alert when I tried adding the card to Apple Pay, which they eventually lifted after some SMS verification thing (the code they sent in the mail never arrived).

Initially I also found that when I paid the card the funds weren't credited immediately and often they would hold for 7-14 days before restoring the credit limit unless they would do a 3 way call with my US bank to verify the payment. After a few months this stopped being an issue.

Citi also gave me the lowest limits compared to Cap1, Chase, Amex.

How do you initiate the payment? I ususally initiate from the credit card's bank and they usually post in 48 hours. I have a B of A checking account which I top up with Wise as required and leave only ~$100 as a buffer. I avoid fees by depositing at least $250 USD a month. I've had this account for 40 years so I don't know if it is an option for non-US citizens.

 

[Tiki]

Last year when I was doing a minimum spend on an Amex I bought Visa gift cards at Coles to pay a mechanic who didn't take Amex. No problems. I think they just coded as grocery.

 

[Tiki]

Huge news for Chase users: 30% bonus on transfers to Avios until 22 Sep.

Now to decide how much to transfer. If only Qatar would bring back its award availability ....

I wish I was under 5/24! But I think this promo comes around every year. I do have 33k I can transfer to 42,900 which is enough for 1 way BNE-IST on QR, bargain!

Are taxes the same when redeeming QR on BA Avios or QR Avios? I only looked on BA Avios.

 

[blacksultan]

How do you update your temporary address? Also, mailing/billing address is restricted to US only from what I could see.

Not sure how others found it, but Amex claims if SSN isn’t provided for additional cardholders it will be closed in 60 days

Overseas add can be updated via phone or chat .
You can let them know AU do not have ssn or itin and provide pasport details instead .

 

[georgie23]

Overseas add can be updated via phone or chat .
You can let them know AU do not have ssn or itin and provide pasport details instead .

Do you have additional cards? - I'm still weighing up what the advantage to me will be as it will really only be my wife using it and she pays 99% via ApplePay and my card has just been loaded on her phone already.

 

[georgie23]

Question: Is there an advantage or disadvantage to paying off charge card early or regularly in cycle - trying to understand how credit score is impacted and what advantages or disadvantages there are.

Thanks

 

[blacksultan]

Do you have additional cards? - I'm still weighing up what the advantage to me will be as it will really only be my wife using it and she pays 99% via ApplePay and my card has just been loaded on her phone already.

I do . You might want to wait until the offer bonus points adding and spending .
AU counts to chase 5/24 though you can call and have it disregarded . Also helps in building credit .

 

[maverick1]

Update - got a welcome email after all the drama, but later in the day my wire transfer from IBKR to C1 was rejected and sent back. Will try transferring from HSBC bank today. C1 is such a pain.

Update 2 - I got my US$350 signup bonus today
1st Transfer of 251 from HSBC on Aug 23
2nd transfer of 251 from IBKR on Aug 24
Bonus US$350 credited on Aug 29.
I think I might need to do a tax return coz of this?

 

[blacksultan]

Update 2 - I got my US$350 signup bonus today
1st Transfer of 251 from HSBC on Aug 23
2nd transfer of 251 from IBKR on Aug 24
Bonus US$350 credited on Aug 29.
I think I might need to do a tax return coz of this?

What was the bonus offer ?

 

[maverick1]

What was the bonus offer ?

• Capital One is offering a $350 bonus when you open a new 360 checking account and complete the following requirements:
  • Using promo code BONUS350
  • Set up and receive at least 2 direct deposits each of $250 or more within 75 days of account opening
• Open a 360 Checking account between 12:00 a.m. ET on August 2, 2023 and 11:59 p.m. ET on October 18, 2023. When you open your account, ensure you enter in the promotional code BONUS350 in the Promo Code box.
• Set up and receive at least 2 qualifying direct deposits each of $250 or more to your 360 Checking account within 75 days of account opening. A Qualifying Direct Deposit is a regular periodic payment, such as salary, pension, government payments (for example, Social Security), or other monthly income that occurs as an Automated Clearing House (ACH) or Real-Time Payment network credit from your employer or an outside institution. ACH credits or fund transfers initiated via the Capital One website or mobile app and wires are not considered a Qualifying Direct Deposit.
• Your bonus will be deposited into your account within 60 days after you have completed the requirements above. This 60-day period begins the day after your second Qualifying Direct Deposit has been posted to your account.
• If you have or had an open 360 Checking, Simply Checking, Total Control Checking or Money Teen Checking account as a primary or secondary account holder with Capital One on or after January 1, 2021, you will be ineligible for the bonus. If your account is in default, closed or suspended, or otherwise not in good standing, you will not receive the bonus.
• This account is subject to approval. This offer cannot be combined with any other 360 Checking account opening offers. Only one promotional code is accepted per account. Bonus is only valid for one new 360 Checking account. The amount of your bonus will be reported on IRS form 1099-INT to the IRS (and your state revenue authority, if required).
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
• This account has no monthly fees to worry about.
  
  

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Are you getting the account Maverick1?

 

[levelnine]

The amount of your bonus will be reported on IRS form 1099-INT to the IRS (and your state revenue authority, if required).

That means you'll need to submit a tax return.

I'm going to need to do one for the first time in a while as a result of referral bonuses. I think there is some free software out there that allows you to do it relatively easily.

 

[QF_Flyer]

I have received almost everything there . They don’t send pics of cards though and require you to mail it out .

They even lie to me about things being delivered, someone's screwing up somewhere, but when I've verified the address a billion times, and even DHL's tracking confirms it's the same address (and that the suite number was included) and they still lie about it being delivered, I'm going to assume the problem lies with them. Good it's working out for you at least, but I'm just glad the cards are useless until I activate them.

Post automatically merged: Aug 31, 2023

Has anyone got around the 18 month exclusion for bonus points for Amex oz by cancelling all oz Amex cards and then doing A GT application from US to oz ? Do you think it might work ?

Yes it would 100% work, Amex cards from different countries are entirely separate wrt SUBs