Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Franko Costa]

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

I actually have a sticker on each card to help me remember the difference between the surpass and the aspire

 

[_TheTraveller_]

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

Amex suggests otherwise

Edit: Ended up calling amex to get the new metal card delivered to Aus. Rep seemed a bit suspicious and reluctant or perhaps they just thought it was strange to change the design of the card?

 

[sudoer]

Amex will send by FEDEX courier, delivery on Monday 22nd

You might want to remove your attachment - your redactions are slightly transparent

 

[DC3]

You might want to remove your attachment - your redactions are slightly transparent

Thanks, will fix

 

[DC3]

Amex suggests otherwise

Amex will send by FEDEX courier, delivery on Monday 22nd:

 

[sudoer]

Amex will send by FEDEX courier, delivery on Monday 22nd:

What unusual is that both yours and my screens have "Change Shipping Method" options, but @_TheTraveller_ does not.

Possibly something to do with shipping to CA addresses? Can't think of any other reason it would be different.

 

[charli]

I have been approved us amex card .i used my friends address .my friend told me mails not under home owners names most likely return back .
Is that true ?
Any body know about this ?
Please let me know

 

[DC3]

I have been approved us amex card .i used my friends address .my friend told me mails not under home owners names most likely return back .
Is that true ?
Any body know about this ?
Please let me know

What country? And welcome to AFF.

 

[sudoer]

my friend told me mails not under home owners names most likely return back

How would USPS or a courier know the names of the home owner and all residents? Can't imagine how this is a thing at the postal delivery level.

It might be something if they live in a complex with a concierge etc.

 

[charli]

What country? And welcome to AFF.

Australia

 

[DC3]

Can't think of any other reason it would be different.

Maybe we are both seen as valued customers, held in high esteem.

Edit: Perhaps some issue after The Traveller spoke with the Amex CSO, who sent it via snail mail by mistake

 

[DC3]

Australia

Sounds rather unusual. Is there more to this that we should know in order to provide useful advice?

 

[levelnine]

my friend told me mails not under home owners names most likely return back .
Is that true ?

No, unless they have some specific arrangement in place at their residence (eg they live in an apartment complex and the mail comes through a concierge who rejects anything not addressed to a listed resident).

 

[Finale]

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?

It has been this way for quite a long time now when doing GT. I think you can't even do GT with some promos. P2 just got ITIN using Sh studio on Fiverr. You can get 10% off using a referral code or a promo code. Paid about $251 after the discount. Started the process on Feb 10 and got it yesterday.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Gotta give it to Amex/DHL. Called Saturday morning about a replacement card. Arrived today.

 

[Franko Costa]

Anyone here signed up to Pepper for MS?

 

[Leroy87]

So I've had a crack at signing up for AMEX Green via GT...

Online process was smooth enough - got a 'call us' page at the end of the application and reps from Amex Home Depot have left messages on my US number (middle of the night) to call back during business hours. I'll try and do that this week once I'm awake at a useful time.

A few days after applying (and before I've made any phone calls) I got an email saying "we've reached a decision". It takes me to a page requiring SSN and Zip Code to see the application result. Anybody had that before? I don't have an SSN and when the online application asked for ID it let me use my passport instead

Passport number and zip code don't work on that page in case anybody was wondering

 

[Finale]

So I've had a crack at signing up for AMEX Green via GT...

Online process was smooth enough - got a 'call us' page at the end of the application and reps from Amex Home Depot have left messages on my US number (middle of the night) to call back during business hours. I'll try and do that this week once I'm awake at a useful time.

A few days after applying (and before I've made any phone calls) I got an email saying "we've reached a decision". It takes me to a page requiring SSN and Zip Code to see the application result. Anybody had that before? I don't have an SSN and when the online application asked for ID it let me use my passport instead

Passport number and zip code don't work on that page in case anybody was wondering

Didn't happen to me but to P2 2 times. Both times Amex just needed some more info. First time, they wanted to do address verification. Second time Amex just wanted a confirmation that P2 applied.

 

[Grrr]

So following on from @AFF Editor 's article today on earning Aeroplan points in Aus…

If my main aim in getting a US Amex is for the 1:1 to partners like Aeroplan, given that Aus - US MR transfer currently occurs at ~ 0.6-0.65, would I be better off just going via the Aus MR -> Bonvoy -> Aeroplan route at 0.625 ?

 

[prozac]

So following on from @Matt Graham ’s article today on earning Aeroplan points in Aus…

If my main aim in getting a US Amex is for the 1:1 to partners like Aeroplan, given that Aus - US MR transfer currently occurs at ~ 0.6-0.65, would I be better off just going via the Aus MR -> Bonvoy -> Aeroplan route at 0.625 ?

Link?