Strategy to obtain US Amex

[DC3]

How long after I get the ITIN can I do the Amex GT - would like to get the Hilton Aspire.

My GTs have been based on my relationship with Amex Oz. No ITIN is required for that

 

[nthd_nthd]

Sorted the HSBC Premier Checking Account. But no option to order a debit card? Asked on chat and they said I had to phone. Same for Premier Credit Card.

Part way through the Maza ITIN setup - just need to do the final GPS spoof thing when I’m at a laptop.

Then will go down the path of Amex GT.

Question - did i even need the HSBC Checking Account? I guess its handy to have, and assume getting the HSBC Premier CC will help credit rating (and get me a SUB)

How long after I get the ITIN can I do the Amex GT - would like to get the Hilton Aspire.

Highly recommended HSBC checking account for address verification moving forward plus paying CC in US - without your own checking account you cant pay CC - not the same as in Australia - you can pay with BP or any person account.

Also, when I changed my address for my US Wise account to Las Vegas, my account was requested US ID for verification which I could not provide and they shut down my Wise account. I tried to open again but cant.

 

[DC3]

Also, when I changed my address for my US Wise account to Las Vegas, my account was requested US ID for verification which I could not provide

Was there an expected benefit in changing address?

 

[nthd_nthd]

Was there an expected benefit in changing address?

I changed because I couldn't use my friend's address any longer. That's all. Had to find alternative,

 

[DC3]

I changed because I couldn't use my friend's address any longer. That's all. Had to find alternative,

I see. My Wise account was opened using my Oz address for the purpose of making payments on US credit cards. I hadn’t considered using a US address. Was there a benefit that I’ve missed?

 

[Uncharted6264]

Also to my knowledge - you did need an SSN or ITIN for Amex GT nowadays - maybe this changed again (I thought it became a requirement August last year)

You don't need an SSN or ITIN for Amex personal as of at least 2 weeks ago. You also don't need it for a business card, but the online form is broken for non-ITIN/SSN so you have to do it over the phone.

Also worth noting GT only works once. You need to build history for your next card after that.

 

[djchuckles]

Just tried applying. Says I have to call Amex in the US

 

[Ko0l]

Just tried applying. Says I have to call Amex in the US

Most likely just want to confirm its you that applied and may be required to read out your US address.

Just have your application number, US address and phone number ready. Shouldn't be an issue.

 

[djchuckles]

Ok cool. I used a MyUS address. Is is better to use a family members US address?

 

[DC3]

Also worth noting GT only works once. You need to build history for your next card after that.

Although, I now have 3 x Amex cards, by GT, through on-line applications.

 

[Ko0l]

Although, I now have 3 x Amex cards, by GT, through on-line applications.

From what I understand, the first card is through GT. Subsequent applications after that is approved based on the US Amex credit history.

 

[nthd_nthd]

I see. My Wise account was opened using my Oz address for the purpose of making payments on US credit cards. I hadn’t considered using a US address. Was there a benefit that I’ve missed?

Initially I wanted to use it for address verification pre HSBC checking account open. But Amex didn't accept it. So had to move to my next target, opening up HSBC.

 

[nthd_nthd]

Ok cool. I used a MyUS address. Is is better to use a family members US address?

Definitely. Other services address has a risk of being identified as Commercial Address and the bank won't like it. If you cam use s.o address that's the best.

 

[djchuckles]

Does Maza send ITIN in mail or by email?

 

[DC3]

Does Maza send ITIN in mail or by email?

I used EIN Express. EIN Express emailed me the ITIN, whereas the IRS sent the ITIN by snail mail to my Oz address. I have two copies now. No issues.

 

[Uncharted6264]

Although, I now have 3 x Amex cards, by GT, through on-line applications.

How far after the first card did you apply for the subsequent 2?

And as an additional POI - ITIN/SSN or no, and were any of them business?

Was told on the phone that GT team would not process more than 1 GT, and I pushed back hard waiting for them to call again and ask around. Interested in the timeframe of your cards as you may have already had US credit history at that pt?

 

[Uncharted6264]

Most likely just want to confirm its you that applied and may be required to read out your US address.

Just have your application number, US address and phone number ready. Shouldn't be an issue.

This was a good sign for me, waited until office hours, called, and was immediately approved after verifying a few details

 

[DC3]

How far after the first card did you apply for the subsequent 2?

Maybe 6 months in between each of 3 cards. I successfully applied for Aspire, Surpass and HH credit cards, starting from about 3 years ago. All done on-line. No phone calls. No ITIN at the time, although I’ve received one since then. No SSN. No business cards.

 

[Triben]

I used EIN Express. EIN Express emailed me the ITIN, whereas the IRS sent the ITIN by snail mail to my Oz address. I have two copies now. No issues.

How long it took you get ITIN through EIN Express ?
Was there process easy?if you could share your experience with them that would be really appreciated.

 

[Uncharted6264]

Maybe 6 months in between each of 3 cards. I successfully applied for Aspire, Surpass and HH credit cards, starting from about 3 years ago. All done on-line. No phone calls. No ITIN at the time, although I’ve received one since then. No SSN. No business cards.

Ah ok - unless you have some info otherwise I'd say they almost definitely ignored the GT and went off your US credit history at 6 months, that's a good amt of time especially if they were AMEX's and it was all in-house.