Strategy to obtain US Amex

[cove]

Yes the $Aud has sunk below 65 cents today. With the minimum pay rates for restaurant workers in California now at $20 this month prices are rising.

 

[Triben]

Yes. I just finished setting up the account. Still waiting for the cards to be sent out.
Initially they emailed asking for multiple documents, including proof of Premier, my Relationship Manager emailed back and said any HSBC staff would be able to confirm my status. I just forwarded that email together with my Relationship Manager details to the Bangalore processing team.
They also asked how I'm supposed deposit money into US account. Replied transfer from Australia because my income from there
They then asked for SSN or ITIN and more forms to fill in, Replied No, I don't have it.

They asked I could go to US branch. I replied no I'm travelling and in Australia for next few months on family matters

Process took about 3 weeks

Emailed back and forth.

Got HSBC global account around 14 Feb, got all my income transfer into there. Approx 20 March got US bank checking and saving accounts

Hi,
Did you apply using Australian address or US address?
And what type account you had in Australia?
Thank you

 

[Triben]

Hi,
Did you apply using Australian address or US address?
And what type account you had in Australia?
Thank you

 

[http_x92]

Exchange rate shoots right back to just over 0.66 USD all of a sudden :0

 

[maverick1]

Exchange rate shoots right back to just over 0.66 USD all of a sudden :0

I took a FX hit coz of this volatility, sold A$12k when it breached .65 couple of days ago and sold another 5k at .6550 last night...I've few chunky purchases at.66xx levels...oh well!

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I took a FX hit coz of this volatility, sold A$12k when it breached .65 couple of days ago and sold another 5k at .6550 last night...I've few chunky purchases at.66xx levels...oh well!

Where do you transfer your USD to? So you transfer AUD into IBKR, then FX into USD and transfer out to a US bank account?

 

[maverick1]

Where do you transfer your USD to? So you transfer AUD into IBKR, then FX into USD and transfer out to a US bank account?

Yeah exactly. I transfer it to my Amex checking a/c to pay the CC bills...

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Yeah exactly. I transfer it to my Amex checking a/c to pay the CC bills...

How is the experience/transfer times?

 

[maverick1]

How is the experience/transfer times?

I use the ACH transfer route, Transfer time is next business day as long its requested and approved before the cut off which is probably 2pm NY time...funds are usually available the following day early morning US time...couple of things to keep in mind is there is T+2 settlement on FX, the USD bal will show in your IBKR profile immediately but is not available for withdrawal. This bit is manageable as I always keep some USD in IBKR for trading so just need to plan ahead...
The only hiccup has been FX vol of late with frequent 1 to 3% moves which does cost a bit and is not IBKR specific but part of this game.........

 

[sudoer]

Amex checking a/c

Any ID required to open?

 

[maverick1]

Any ID required to open?

Sorry. Can't recall if I was asked to supply ITIN when I opened it last year.

 

[albyd]

I opened mine last year and was able to do so with ITIN - also got the welcome bonus - helps to pay AF on my gold card. Reading up thread, it sounded like you need to pay a second AF not to antagonize Amex with closure after the first year. Did I understand that correctly? Aside from the elevated bonus on dining, I prefer my green card which I’m keeping. Is there otherwise a way to leverage gold to platinum? Though I think I’d be happy to close gold and stick with green and Bonvoy brilliant.

 

[levelnine]

Reading up thread, it sounded like you need to pay a second AF not to antagonize Amex with closure after the first year. Did I understand that correctly?

No. What Amex doesn't like is cancellation before the 365 day mark. You're free to cancel within 30 days of the second AF posting and get a full refund of it.

However, routinely cancelling cards in this fashion will increase your odds of ending up in pop-up jail. But it's also possible to end up in pop-up jail even if you keep all your cards open and you pay lots of AFs. Pop-up jail is a black hole, so I don't change my actions in the hope of avoiding it.

 

[maverick1]

Ya. I think Amx has become very sensitive on the personal card front and it also depends on your strategy on how aggressively you want to pursue.

In this 14months journey so far, I've opened 7 Amx cards and closed one (Bevy) few days after the AF was posted - 3 personal and 4 Biz cards IME biz cards are relatively easier to get.
For 2 of the 3 personal cards I was in PUJ . For one I used a referral link to bypass and for the 3rd I used NLL link which helped to bypass. The only personal cards that I would like to pursue from here is brilliant and all the 3 charge cards - but will have to start with green unfortunately current offer is not that great..

I tried getting chase but I think they denied as they have been unable to verify my identity they didn't disclose much details on the call and I don't have access to the letters they sent. So that has made me pursue Amx, given amex is getting harder to get with PUJ and family rules being added left, right and center.
I'll be visiting US next April so will open few checking accounts then..till then gonna be on amx gravy train to collect what I can till then. I'm currently at 4/24 and appreciate that I may have to sit out for chase incase I were to get more aggressive from here...

Also, if anyone is interested..Amex Plat personal is showing 175k SUB for some folks...details in the below link -

(Update) American Express Platinum 175,000 Points Signup Bonus - Doctor Of Credit

American Express is offering a new sign up bonus on the Platinum personal card

www.doctorofcredit.com

 

[velli25]

Data point which is likely mentioned in the thread recently or previously. Have been in pop-up jail for a few months now. AMEX Gold personal March 2023, AMEX Green Sept 2023 (after getting FICO). Have wanted a Hilton Surpass but unfortunately haven't been able to apply due to PUJ. Went onto DOC and applied through a referral link there (nil lifetime language), pulled up data from global transfer and was immediately approved. Stoked!

Just wondering whether I'm able to cancel my gold card now, the AF has posted. Would look to get a refund on the AF. I'd keep the green open, but now with a CC could hopefully build on my FICO which has been average. Thanks!!

 

[velli25]

Another question - can you pay the ATO with your US Amex and receive full points and for it to count towards the minimum spend?

 

[levelnine]

Just wondering whether I'm able to cancel my gold card now, the AF has posted. Would look to get a refund on the AF. I'd keep the green open, but now with a CC could hopefully build on my FICO which has been average. Thanks!!

Once your second AF has posted, you can safely cancel the card and receive a full refund of the second AF within 30 days of the second AF posting.

Post automatically merged: Apr 7, 2024

Another question - can you pay the ATO with your US Amex and receive full points and for it to count towards the minimum spend?

Yes.

 

[simba24]

Just got approved for the Chase IHG One Premier. Initially applied and was requested to provide proof of address and DOB - sent in passport and Amex statement. Called recon line after a couple of days of no response and was told the documents were illegible and I also needed to provide an SSN card. Sent in my ITIN letter and called again. It took a couple of tries to get someone who would look at the documents over the phone rather than waiting for a letter. But after the 3rd attempt they came back to me confirming approval and a $12k limit!

Currently only have 2 Amex's, both via GT with 15 months credit history. Got my ITIN last August but this is my first card that I've used it on.

 

[QF_Flyer]

How do you access US iTunes when you already have an nz account? I was thinking a second, old phone might be more straightforward For otp etc. I have a vpn.

Not sure about NZ, but the app (T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM, by the developer T-Mobile US) is available on the AU App Store. Apple is annoying like that, this one is ok, but other apps I've had to create new country based Apple IDs for the purpose of this (you can switch your existing one around unless you have subscriptions linked to it, like iCloud Plus and Apple Music, which I unfortunately do!).

Post automatically merged: Apr 7, 2024

I thought about doing the same. My suggestion would be not to, someone else was thinking of doing this (upthread lol) and was encouraged not to…

Yep, this is a fair point and I completely get why!

Any messages/DM's I've missed I'll reply to now, sorry I've been offline for a few days!

 

[QF_Flyer]

Another question - can you pay the ATO with your US Amex and receive full points and for it to count towards the minimum spend?

Yes - in fact you can use the US cards to pay most of the Aussie bills which have exclusions over here (like Government payments, certain utilities, car rego, ATO, etc.) and they're treated like any normal purchase.