Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Ko0l]

Was any spend attempted, or just red flag on activation only

Red flag on activation. Not sure what is the problem.

They tried to send a text code to my Tello number and couldn't and they said need the back end team to do a security/fraud review and will call me in 24-48hrs to finalise the review.

Called up a few times and same response, can't access my account as its now fraud locked and only the fraud team can unlock. Can't talk directly with the team.

 

[levelnine]

Red flag on activation. Not sure what is the problem.

They tried to send a text code to my Tello number and couldn't and they said need the back end team to do a security/fraud review and will call me in 24-48hrs to finalise the review.

Called up a few times and same response, can't access my account as is locked and only the fraud team can unlock. Can't talk directly with the team.

As I mentioned upthread, happened to P2 recently. They explained that it was due to the card being sent overseas. Hasn't happened before, so maybe they've had a spate of fraud that's made them more sensitive to this action. Took a few attempts to find the right person to get the block lifted, but it was someone from the customer protection group.

 

[DC3]

I got approved my second GT (Gold card) and is there any issues asking replacement card send it my Australian address after 10 days?
Anyone had any experience?

Yes, on-line is my preferred method using the GT page. No point in trying to apply by phoning agents.

 

[QF_Flyer]

Someone on Facebook telling me if you start with Aspire or Surpass, you can’t get the SUB on any lower Hilton cards. Is that true?

No, I started with Aspire, then Surpass, can still get business and the standard personal. It’s once per card per lifetime (in theory), not per reward “currency”/family of cards.

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 6:58 PM

I got approved my second GT (Gold card) and is there any issues asking replacement card send it my Australian address after 10 days?
Anyone had any experience?

No issues at all, I’ve done 4x via GT and had all the physicals sent to AU.

 

[DC3]

OMAAT has been mentioned here previously, but this link contains some useful information regarding Amex cards:

My American Express Credit Card Strategy: Perks & Points

Here's my strategy for maximizing Amex credit cards. Which should you have, which should you spend money on, and how do you get approved?

onemileatatime.com

 

[Tiki]

What is a good non-Amex alternative ?

Amex is great, but there is a chunk of spend that won’t take Amex, and I’d like it to end up with Star Alliance…

The HSBC card was fine for the first year, but doesn’t really stack up for me given the limits on points earning once the AF kicks in…

For me, Chase has the best cards, especially the Sapphire Preferred and Ink cards, also UA cards give expanded award availability. But what works for me as a US/AUS citizen with a SSN doesn't always work for others. You need a good Fico score which comes with time.

 

[cathalm8]

Any way of using the Amex plat credit in AU easily? No real need to fly delta United etc in AU

Iam wondering about this too. Is there any way to get value out of the current USA Platinum card credits / benefits in Australia?

It offers $200 Hotel Credit for booking through their portal. Wondering is there easy redemption of this for hotels worldwide and in Australia?

$240 Digital Entertainment Credit – Wondering if this can be used for subscriptions to Disney + etc in Australia?

Uber cash back can only be used in USA.

$200 Airline Fee Credit. This doesn’t seem useful unless you are flying and buying ‘incidentals’ on USA carriers?

That’s about it from what I can see so not many avenues to offset the $695 fee?

Any experiences or data points welcome.

 

[cathalm8]

DP: I just had P2 approved for a gold card by applying online with a passport number plus 2 zeros for the SSN and then calling them up to confirm she doesnt have an SSN. She no longer has an AMEX aus but she does have a AMEX US green since November 23. So they relied on the US history. Was quite easy actually.

 

[georgie23]

Amex Platinum Card Review: The King Of Perks

A detailed review of the American Express Platinum Card, one of the most perks-rich cards, which was recently refreshed. Is it worth it?

onemileatatime.com

This is a pretty good rundown on what the perks are
I am just getting card shipped so can't really comment on how useful I will find it
I got a 150K SUB so did it mostly for the SUB and may not keep beyond the next year - will review it after full 12 months

 

[djchuckles]

Amex Platinum Card Review: The King Of Perks

A detailed review of the American Express Platinum Card, one of the most perks-rich cards, which was recently refreshed. Is it worth it?

onemileatatime.com

This is a pretty good rundown on what the perks are
I am just getting card shipped so can't really comment on how useful I will find it
I got a 150K SUB so did it mostly for the SUB and may not keep beyond the next year - will review it after full 12 months

I think I will go gold instead - just trying to find a working link for the 100k SUB

 

[georgie23]

I think I will go gold instead - just trying to find a working link for the 100k SUB

In all honesty it would have been a better move for me too
But figured I might get the platinum and downgrade to gold and then apply for gold too

If you get offered a upgrade bonus (eg green to platinum) and you accept I assume that means you get a platinum card and green ceases to exist?

 

[georgie23]

I think I will go gold instead - just trying to find a working link for the 100k SUB

[YMMV] American Express Gold Card: 100,000 Points + 20% Back On Restaurants Up To $100 - Doctor Of Credit

American Express is offering 100,000 points after $6,000 in spend within the first six months of card membership on the refreshed gold card. You also get 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within six months of card membership up to $100 back. Offer...

www.doctorofcredit.com

I followed some links from the comments section for the Platinum one - I am not sure if can find one for gold this way

(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

 

[pyramidforce]

Iam wondering about this too. Is there any way to get value out of the current USA Platinum card credits / benefits in Australia?

It offers $200 Hotel Credit for booking through their portal. Wondering is there easy redemption of this for hotels worldwide and in Australia?

$240 Digital Entertainment Credit – Wondering if this can be used for subscriptions to Disney + etc in Australia?

Uber cash back can only be used in USA.

$200 Airline Fee Credit. This doesn’t seem useful unless you are flying and buying ‘incidentals’ on USA carriers?

That’s about it from what I can see so not many avenues to offset the $695 fee?

Any experiences or data points welcome.

200 credit can be used on all hotels through their portal, so there should be at least one hotel in AU you want to stay at.
You can sign up for some of the streaming services if you use a VPN + Address in the US
Uber won't be useful
You can load e.g. 200 US into something like United Mileage Bank every year but when will you actually use it? Save 20 years for a Business class flight or slum it 18 hrs in economy to SFO...I'm hoping there is a way to use this one because if we can then it would be 200hotel+240streaming+200 airline, which combined with things like hotel status, 5x on flights, etc make it a card worth considering in the long term. For me.

 

[cathalm8]

200 credit can be used on all hotels through their portal, so there should be at least one hotel in AU you want to stay at.
You can sign up for some of the streaming services if you use a VPN + Address in the US
Uber won't be useful
You can load e.g. 200 US into something like United Mileage Bank every year but when will you actually use it? Save 20 years for a Business class flight or slum it 18 hrs in economy to SFO...I'm hoping there is a way to use this one because if we can then it would be 200hotel+240streaming+200 airline, which combined with things like hotel status, 5x on flights, etc make it a card worth considering in the long term. For me.

Thanks for the advice.

So can the 200 credit can be used to purchase flights or reduce costs of flights if you add it to their 'bank' or can it only be used for in flight purchases?

 

[pyramidforce]

Thanks for the advice.

So can the 200 credit can be used to purchase flights or reduce costs of flights if you add it to their 'bank' or can it only be used for in flight purchases?

It normally can't be used for flights but sometimes it works, who knows why, and it almost always works with United Travel Bank (literally just prepaying for a future ticket) because it codes differently from a normal United Airlines purchase or something.

 

[djchuckles]

[YMMV] American Express Gold Card: 100,000 Points + 20% Back On Restaurants Up To $100 - Doctor Of Credit

American Express is offering 100,000 points after $6,000 in spend within the first six months of card membership on the refreshed gold card. You also get 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within six months of card membership up to $100 back. Offer...

www.doctorofcredit.com

I followed some links from the comments section for the Platinum one - I am not sure if can find one for gold this way

(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

Had a go - but seems only links for the business ones (Not sure if there’s much difference between Business Gold and regular Gold

 

[georgie23]

Had a go - but seems only links for the business ones (Not sure if there’s much difference between Business Gold and regular Gold

Amex Business Gold Card Review: Up To 4x Points

A detailed review of the Amex Business Gold Card, which offers up to 4x points and some great perks. Is this card right for your business?

onemileatatime.com

American Express Gold Card Review: Worth It

A detailed review of the rewarding Amex Gold Card, offering up to 4x points on dining and supermarkets, plus over $400 in annual credits.

onemileatatime.com

This will hopefully explain differences

 

[djchuckles]

Thank you.

It’s a few months before I can apply anyway so have to hope for a decent SUB stil being around then.

 

[djchuckles]

Amex Business Gold Card Review: Up To 4x Points

A detailed review of the Amex Business Gold Card, which offers up to 4x points and some great perks. Is this card right for your business?

onemileatatime.com

American Express Gold Card Review: Worth It

A detailed review of the rewarding Amex Gold Card, offering up to 4x points on dining and supermarkets, plus over $400 in annual credits.

onemileatatime.com

This will hopefully explain differences

Ok so Business doesn’t have the 4x global restaurants so its a no for me

 

[georgie23]

Ok so Business doesn’t have the 4x global restaurants so its a no for me

Yes that was my recollection - for Aussies the personal was better