Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Baymax]

I was able to get verified this way also. However I'm discovering how difficult it is to create an online account. I've received my CSP Card and somehow a callback to my textnow number actually worked to verify the card so I've been using it that last couple of days without issue. The battle I'm having now is getting an online account set up with Chase. I've called 3 times over last 24 hours and passed security verification checks with the fraud department only to be told to take two forms of ID into a branch to set up online account which I've replied is not possible as i'm 'travelling abroad'. I even had my last call escalated to a supervisor who obviously couldn't fix it so told me to call back tomorrow and they can set it up for me. I think it's just finding the right person who has the authority to actually create the account and bypass the in-person verification option but as alluded to by TheTraveller and others upthread it appears to be an arduous process.

Thanks for all the advices. I’ve managed to activate the card today. Somehow, Chase system decided to let the rep calling me back on the same $3 SIM.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Every time I apply for a card I get anxious....

Applied for CIC and got 7-10 day message via the phone. Time to wait and see...

 

[super5]

You can try Tello or Textnow or one of those old T Mobile $3 pre paid sim cards that you can buy from Ebay.

Does Textnow still work for Australians? I remember Textnow would not let me get a US number until I gave another US number (which I don't have) to get a verification code. Has this changed recently?

Does Tello need another US number to get a verification code as well?

The old T Mobile $3 prepaid sim you mentioned, is pre-activated by the seller. I am guessing this means the seller can recover the account whenever they want. Is there any danger they can steal/hijack your prepaid account, after your ebay protection period ends? This happens often with preactivated VPN accounts sold on ebay, the moment protection period ends, the seller recovers the VPN account to resell.

 

[arctan]

I am hoping someone could help me with AMEX GT (from AU to US card). The application requires a utility bill or phone bill with US address. Just wondering whats the best way to get this part sorted.
I am also trying to buy a Ultra PayGo prepaid US sim card online so I can get a US mobile number. Does anyone have a better way to get a US mobile phone number? The Ebay store is charging me $80 bux for the prepiad sim with 5 bux credit.

 

[albyd]

Can go for a virtual number with the TextNow app - can pay much less than that to get to keep the number for 12 months. Receives Amex text IME.

There’s also a T-mobile prepaid for $US5/month available on Amazon though there is an upfront cost. Just depends on how long you wish to keep the number. You can use the T-mobile SIM in an Aussie mobile with WiFi calling to avoid the high roaming costs and can get verification texts from a
Wider range of US banks that way. YMMV.

 

[blacksultan]

I am hoping someone could help me with AMEX GT (from AU to US card). The application requires a utility bill or phone bill with US address. Just wondering whats the best way to get this part sorted.
I am also trying to buy a Ultra PayGo prepaid US sim card online so I can get a US mobile number. Does anyone have a better way to get a US mobile phone number? The Ebay store is charging me $80 bux for the prepiad sim with 5 bux credit.

US bank statement may work as well .

 

[arctan]

US bank statement may work as well .

Thats the problem. I dont have any US bank account at the moment. Is there anything else I could use to get approved?

 

[arctan]

Can go for a virtual number with the TextNow app - can pay much less than that to get to keep the number for 12 months. Receives Amex text IME.

There’s also a T-mobile prepaid for $US5/month available on Amazon though there is an upfront cost. Just depends on how long you wish to keep the number. You can use the T-mobile SIM in an Aussie mobile with WiFi calling to avoid the high roaming costs and can get verification texts from a
Wider range of US banks that way. YMMV.

Thanks for the tips. I'll take a look at the TextNow app and T-Mobile prepaid. Do they also provide statement that I could use as utility/phone bill for US address verification?
I plan to rent PlanetExpress or MyUS for US address and mail package forward, but I heard it's not easy to get approved with those public addresses. Is this true?

 

[albyd]

IME C1 is a no go with MyUS especially if you want a credit card. Haven’t tried other service providers with C1 yet.

It’s currently working for Amex IME. Your main challenge will be getting a US bank account so you can use that statement as proof of address with Amex if they’ll accept it (as it won’t be a utility bill). Once you have that an ITIN (US TFN for foreigners), you can likely open banking accounts remotely.

 

[arctan]

IME C1 is a no go with MyUS especially if you want a credit card. Haven’t tried other service providers with C1 yet.

It’s currently working for Amex IME. Your main challenge will be getting a US bank account so you can use that statement as proof of address with Amex if they’ll accept it (as it won’t be a utility bill). Once you have that an ITIN (US TFN for foreigners), you can likely open banking accounts remotely.

Thanks albyd. I will look into obtaining a ITIN first then. What US bank account do you suggest to open when I get ITIN?

 

[albyd]

If you can meet the requirements, you can go via HSBC Premier to get a US account seems to be a well-trodden path - don’t need an ITIN for that. Otherwise Amex have checking and savings accounts you should be able to open once you get an ITIN. I went with Citi US as at the time, they were opening them for foreigners. That policy changed but might have changed back since. I opened mine in branch.

 

[DC3]

I am hoping someone could help me with AMEX GT (from AU to US card). The application requires a utility bill or phone bill with US address …

Must be something new. I’ve managed to get several Amex cards by applying for GT on-line, without having to do that. Unfortunate development.

 

[arctan]

Does Textnow still work for Australians? I remember Textnow would not let me get a US number until I gave another US number (which I don't have) to get a verification code. Has this changed recently?

Does Tello need another US number to get a verification code as well?

The old T Mobile $3 prepaid sim you mentioned, is pre-activated by the seller. I am guessing this means the seller can recover the account whenever they want. Is there any danger they can steal/hijack your prepaid account, after your ebay protection period ends? This happens often with preactivated VPN accounts sold on ebay, the moment protection period ends, the seller recovers the VPN account to resell.

I heard Skype (get US mobile number) and Google Fi both work but they cost more to subscribe.

 

[super5]

I heard Skype (get US mobile number) and Google Fi both work but they cost more to subscribe.

Someone in this thread tried to apply for a Amex GT with a Skype US number, and said this failed because Amex recognised the Skype number as a VOIP number.

I have no knowledge of Google Fi, but I know Google Voice requires a real US number to be able to use it, I suspect Google Fi must be similar.

Everyone is recommending TextNow here, are you sure this works, because last time I tried, you need an existing US number to get a TextNow US number.

 

[http_x92]

Thats the problem. I dont have any US bank account at the moment. Is there anything else I could use to get approved?

I got that request first up as well, managed to find a way to get my Wise US bank account statement which sufficed. Bit complicated as you have to change it to a US address, but luckily you can change it back to AU later on. Worked for me but this was 2 years ago. I think that method got tighetened up. YMMV.

 

[maverick1]

Must be something new. I’ve managed to get several Amex cards by GT without having to do that. Unfortunate development.

must be a while ago when you got your first GT...I was asked to supply address proof back in Feb'23 when I applied for my 1st GT...

 

[arctan]

Someone in this thread tried to apply for a Amex GT with a Skype US number, and said this failed because Amex recognised the Skype number as a VOIP number.

I have no knowledge of Google Fi, but I know Google Voice requires a real US number to be able to use it, I suspect Google Fi must be similar.

Everyone is recommending TextNow here, are you sure this works, because last time I tried, you need an existing US number to get a TextNow US number.

I heard the Google Fi works as a phone bill (with US address). I haven't tried it yet so I am not too sure how it works.

 

[DC3]

must be a while ago when you got your first GT...I was asked to supply address proof back in Feb'23 when I applied for my 1st GT...

Yes, several years ago. My most recent was the Green charge card in June 2023, but they already knew that I was in Sarasota anyway.

 

[blacksultan]

Thats the problem. I dont have any US bank account at the moment. Is there anything else I could use to get approved?

Probably not . Explore hsbc us thru hsbc premiere aus .

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thats the problem. I dont have any US bank account at the moment. Is there anything else I could use to get approved?

I would suggesting starting from scratch and getting your ducks lined up before applying for anything. If you're in the US you can apply for Citi without an ITIN.