Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

Thanks, that's very helpful

I've read that Google Voice, TextNow, Talkatone all have varying success... is anyone aware of a US prepaid SIM or eSIM similar to what you can get here with Aldimobile (eg PAYG 365 day expiry, rather than a monthly fee) ?

Try T-mobile .

 

[Grrr]

AMEX Platinum is still best for keeping it simple at 2.25 MR at all retailers (except government).

The Explorer at 2 MR is even simpler I guess...

I'll keep an eye out for a bigger SUB; 150k seems to be a regular offering, but they did do 240k in 2021

 

[desafinado74]

Thanks, that's very helpful

I've read that Google Voice, TextNow, Talkatone all have varying success... is anyone aware of a US prepaid SIM or eSIM similar to what you can get here with Aldimobile (eg PAYG 365 day expiry, rather than a monthly fee) ?

Tello is another good option.

 

[Fil-Ski]

I received my Amex Green card last week and I have spent about $5k on the card over the last week

I have made a few transfers to bring the balance down to zero

What I’m finding however is that the card is getting declined more and more frequently. Partly due to spending limits

I have used the online chat but they are not very helpful

Anyone have similar issues?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thanks, that's very helpful

I've read that Google Voice, TextNow, Talkatone all have varying success... is anyone aware of a US prepaid SIM or eSIM similar to what you can get here with Aldimobile (eg PAYG 365 day expiry, rather than a monthly fee) ?

YMMV. I use Google Fi and am OK with the costs as I use it overseas. There are multiple DPs on here with other using different services which have been successful.

I received my Amex Green card last week and I have spent about $5k on the card over the last week

I have made a few transfers to bring the balance down to zero

What I’m finding however is that the card is getting declined more and more frequently. Partly due to spending limits

I have used the online chat but they are not very helpful

Anyone have similar issues?

Be very careful as some issuers do not like their customers cycling the limit. If it's your first Amex you might want to be patient with the card. Some issuers will consider it as high risk behaviour and undertake a financial review which will be far more frustrating than needing to be patient.

There isn't much you can do besides letting Amex's algo do it's thing so you can build up your relationship with them.

 

[sudoer]

I think from reports, it can only be downloaded with a US Appstore account. If you're on Android, I'm not sure - I'm sure someone else on Android will jump in to confirm if it's available on the AU Google Play store or if it's available on Google Play at all.

One needs a burner Gmail account set to US play store for the Amex US app on Android also.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Does anyone with a CSP have any DPs on giftcards.com.au for Coles? I recall that WW GCs don't work but I can't seem to find the post on here where someone mentioned something about giftcards.com.au./

 

[Grrr]

How far apart from your 1st, 2nd and 3rd GT?

So if I I’m telling them I’m moving countries hence please send me a US card (I presume this is the rationale behind the GT program to begin with), Amex doesn’t ask questions if I do this multiple times from the same origin country over 1-2 years ?!

I was chatting about this to one of my American relatives yesterday (getting him ready to receive my card down the track !) and he also mused that if I use the GT program to get a US card, but then all my transactions are in Aus, this would raise red flags...

I presume this hasn't been an issue for the multiple owners on here ?

 

[N0mad]

Hi all,

is there a Wiki on this? looking at the OP it's from 2018 and has not been updated since. Hoping there is a simpler resource then reading potentially 300 + pages.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I was chatting about this to one of my American relatives yesterday (getting him ready to receive my card down the track !) and he also mused that if I use the GT program to get a US card, but then all my transactions are in Aus, this would raise red flags...

Non-issue. Travelling for work. Temp relocation for work etc.

 

[levelnine]

Do US Amex cards charge at the Amex rate or the higher International rate on Sniip?

 

[http_x92]

Do US Amex cards charge at the Amex rate or the higher International rate on Sniip?

It's the full 3% for international Amex cards.

 

[N0mad]

going back to an earlier question, is there a wiki on this process or can someone point me to some pages that contain the current process for this?

really appreciate any help someone can provide.

 

[levelnine]

DoC is reporting that a Hilton Biz 130K points link is still avoiding pop-up jail for anyone needing a quick hit of Hilton points: American Express Hilton Business Card - 130,000 Points [Avoids PUJ] - Doctor Of Credit

 

[sudoer]

this process

Meaning what exactly? I'm not sure we want this to be concisely documented as it's only going to increase the likelihood of changes...

 

[N0mad]

Meaning what exactly? I'm not sure we want this to be concisely documented as it's only going to increase the likelihood of changes...

thanks for taking the time to respond, is there a place in this thread to start reading from which will enable me to make sense of this? I assume most people within this thread learnt how to do it form somewhere.

 

[albyd]

I think it’s a gradual process over the years. We’ve all shared our experiences which is why the thread is so long and popular.

It’s a journey which is why it’s so hard to distill into a concise ‘handbook’.

That’s prob not the answer you were looking for but agree, any attempt to turn our ‘hobby’ (I reckon that’s the best way to describe it) into a ‘handbook’ will likely have adverse consequences.

 

[Viridis]

thanks for taking the time to respond, is there a place in this thread to start reading from which will enable me to make sense of this? I assume most people within this thread learnt how to do it form somewhere.

Without wishing to be a smart a**** I would recommend starting at the very beginning.

The OP gives a good summation of what is trying to be achieved and the basics of how one does it. When I started there was only about 170 pages and, over a few days, I read through the lot. If for no other reason it means that the questions that you subsequently ask are informed.

People on the forum are incredibly helpful (at least that’s what I found) but part of the reason the thread is so long is because the same questions get asked over and over again; and there is, rightly, some frustration with that and people’s desire for an instant fix. There’s many people on this thread that have expended huge time & effort to achieve an outcome, are more than happy to share their experience (I am a happy beneficiary of their knowledge) but do expect a little effort on your part.

In summary you need an Australian Amex, a US phone number, a US postal address and to engage in the Amex Global Transfer process. You also need time & patience. But it is essential that you do the homework.

 

[DC3]

… over and and over and over …………..

 

[N0mad]

thank you all for responding, i'll spend some time looking into it further.

much appreciated.