Strategy to obtain US Amex

[_TheTraveller_]

no, just been 4 US business days..

Let us know how you go. I normally call around 8-9am EST (10/11PM AEST).

 

[maverick1]

Let us know how you go. I normally call around 8-9am EST (10/11PM AEST).

will do. Is there a specific # you call? I called 800 453 9719 this morning..

 

[_TheTraveller_]

will do. Is there a specific # you call? I called 800 453 9719 this morning..

Yep. 1 to check status, put your ITIN, then 1 to confirm you applied, then 0 to speak to operator.

 

[sudoer]

Might have been discussed already but the Aspire card got a redesign about 6 months back and is now issued as a metal card.

I'm a sucker for metal cards, but also found the Aspire looked too similar to the Surpass and it was difficult to tell them apart, so I looked into getting a new card and thought I'd document the process for others.

The new design is beautiful - almost black with a navy shimmer under certain light. It looks far nicer than the old design. It's a tad lighter than my Aus issued Plat Charge (14g v 17g) but still noticeably heavier than a regular plastic card (5-6g). The front is smooth with all details engraved making it a little thinner than the old card.



Getting a replacement card was quick and painless. I used Live Chat to ask for an alternate shipping address to be added to all my cards as I was "spending a few months overseas". I made no mention of wanting the new card design at this stage.

Live Chat went through some security questions (mothers birthday and CVC) to add the address. They told me it could take up to 24 hours for the address to be added to the account.

The following day I logged back in and went to Menu > My Account > Card Services > Card Management > Replace a card > I want to change my card's design



The next step will default to your US address, but if you click "Ship to a different address" you should be able to select your Australian address. The shipping method will automatically update to DHL. It will quote a 7-10 day delivery estimate but took two business days for me.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Might have been discussed already but the Aspire card got a redesign about 6 months back and is now issued as a metal card.

I'm a sucker for metal cards, but also found the Aspire looked too similar to the Surpass and it was difficult to tell them apart, so I looked into getting a new card and thought I'd document the process for others.

The new design is beautiful - almost black with a navy shimmer under certain light. It looks far nicer than the old design. It's a tad lighter than my Aus issued Plat Charge (14g v 17g) but still noticeably heavier than a regular plastic card (5-6g). The front is smooth with all details engraved making it a little thinner than the old card.

View attachment 380085

Getting a replacement card was quick and painless. I used Live Chat to ask for an alternate shipping address to be added to all my cards as I was "spending a few months overseas". I made no mention of wanting the new card design at this stage.

Live Chat went through some security questions (mothers birthday and CVC) to add the address. They told me it could take up to 24 hours for the address to be added to the account.

The following day I logged back in and went to Menu > My Account > Card Services > Card Management > Replace a card > I want to change my card's design

View attachment 380086

The next step will default to your US address, but if you click "Ship to a different address" you should be able to select your Australian address. The shipping method will automatically update to DHL. It will quote a 7-10 day delivery estimate but took two business days for me.

View attachment 380087

Interesting! So do you keep the same Card #?

 

[sudoer]

Interesting! So do you keep the same Card #?

Yep same card number with new expiry/CVC.

I'm not sure whether the old CVC/expiry would continue to be honoured but I don't have any recurring payments on this card so won't find out.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Yep same card number with new expiry/CVC.

I'm not sure whether the old CVC/expiry would continue to be honoured but I don't have any recurring payments on this card so won't find out.

Thanks... Might go down this path as well. I too am a sucker for metal cards . Does anyone have any ideas whether this might impact addresses being reported to agencies?

 

[sudoer]

Does anyone have any ideas whether this might impact addresses being reported to agencies?

I can't say for sure but I would expect not. The addresses listed on my profile show like this:

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I was hoping to have it expedited to my US address so I can consolidate it with some other items but it looks like they'll only ship it via USPS First Class Mail. I definitely don't want to risk it!

 

[sudoer]

I was hoping to have it expedited to my US address so I can consolidate it with some other items but it looks like they'll only ship it via USPS First Class Mail. I definitely don't want to risk it!

That's strange - is this for an Aspire or a different card? If shipping a replacement Aspire to my US address I can pick Fedex as an option:



If I order a replacement Surpass to a domestic US address it will only ship as USPS First Class though.

 

[DC3]

That's strange - is this for an Aspire or a different card? If shipping a replacement Aspire to my US address I can pick Fedex as an option:


If I order a replacement Surpass to a domestic US address it will only ship as USPS First Class though.

Amex “Elite cards” (e.g., Aspire) ship via courier. The others, including Surpass, ship snail mail via USPS, and may not make it into the Sarasota suite, IME.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Amex “Elite cards” (e.g., Aspire) ship via courier. The others, including Surpass, ship snail mail va USPS, and may not make it into the Sarasota suits, IME.

Mine is an Aspire card

 

[DC3]

Mine is an Aspire card

Good, because courier delivery it should be, not USPS.

 

[Daventry]

Speaking of metal cards... How do you dispose them once they're expired? I know you can send your AUS metal card back to Amex AUS for recycling, but sending them your US cards would raise an eyebrow...

 

[DC3]

Speaking of metal cards... How do you dispose them once they're expired? I know you can send your AUS metal card back to Amex AUS for recycling, but sending them your US cards would raise an eyebrow...

Add them to your collection of expired cards?

 

[Daventry]

Add them to your collection of expired cards?

Ha! Good point but unfortunately that's not one of my hobbies. Yes, some of them look cool and would be worth keeping them, but can't be bothered keep yet another Amex Plat...

 

[levelnine]

I don't like metal cards for the same reason — more hassle to dispose of. I've resigned myself to keeping a huge pile of dead credit cards and throwing them into the regular trash once they are well and truly expired (years later).

 

[sudoer]

Does anyone have a Bonvoy Brilliant and want a ref bonus? Please PM me.

 

[Daventry]

Does anyone have a Bonvoy Brilliant and want a ref bonus? Please PM me.

Sent!

 

[sudoer]

Sent!

Thank you but it seems there is a bug preventing referrals + global transfers at the moment according to Reddit. Just tried a direct application also, but I'm in pop-up jail .. ugh.

I think it's time for me to get an ITIN. Does anyone have recent experiences/recommendations for ITIN CAAs?