Strategy to obtain US Amex

[QF_Flyer]

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

Yup, also works for takeout such as Ubereats, Menulog, etc. (and some restaurants I've been to in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, basically everywhere - even a hotel which codes as a restaurant for some reason).

That said, interested in others' take on the Gold - I took it out for SUB, 20% credit at restaurants and 4x/$1, but when year one is up, with the increased annual fee, 4x/$1 alone won't be worth it compared to the Green (majority of my spend is travel related, even restaurants are 3x on Green, so not an enormous loss).

So is there any benefit to keeping it beyond year one? It's not my oldest US card, so that doesn't bother me.

 

[Daventry]

Well, I've had a Citi checking account for a couple years. Today've applied for a Strata Premier with my ITIN and it was an immediate reject :-(

So far I have Amex Plat, Bonvoy Brilliant, Chase IHG Premium and Chase Ink Preferred. Last time I applied for a personal card was over a year ago...

 

[wutiswrongxd]

Hi!

Apologies if this might be OOS, but did anyone here apply for a B1/B2 visa while having an ITIN?
The country where my passport is issued is not eligible for the VWP, so I had to apply for a B1/B2 visa, and had to enter my ITIN on the DS160 form.

I have my interview soon, but scared they might ask questions around the ITIN. Like most people here, I only got it so that I would be able to apply for CCs, so not entirely sure how I would answer such questions, if they should come up.

UPDATE (if anyone should encounter a similar situation): Got my visa approved and issued. No questions asked regarding the ITIN.

 

[georgie23]

Update on my attempt to double dip the upgrade offer from Green to Gold with the 90k bonus and also sign up for a new Gold card with a 75k SUB.

A few weeks ago, I successfully applied for a new Gold card. Today, I tried to accept the upgrade offer from Green to Gold (it expires tomorrow, but I was waiting for a refund), but I was asked for an SSN which I don’t have. I called AMEX, and they informed me that they no longer see the upgrade offer for Gold - only one for Platinum with 125k, since I already have the Gold card. I declined as it didn’t seem worth it.

This is bummer since the 90k offer was a great deal. I can no longer see the Gold upgrade offer in my online account - just the Platinum one. I’m unsure if there was a specific method for accepting both a new card and the upgrade offer, or if I simply waited too long between the new card and the upgrade. I assumed I was fine as long as I accepted it before the email’s expiration date.

Do I have any recourse or alternative ways to still accept the upgrade offer to Gold?

I had an offer of 100K to upgrade Green to Platinum
I applied for a new Platinum card and got a 150K SUB and the upgrade offer went away
From reading elsewhere you may get upgrade offers again but I imagine it will be in another 12 months time once you have had the card for longer than a year

 

[mrblack]

This thread is really long but contains soo much great info!

I'm trying to decipher the options on getting a maleing address for applications. Any info on what service can be used to get the physical card in Aus?

 

[georgie23]

This thread is really long but contains soo much great info!

I'm trying to decipher the options on getting a maleing address for applications. Any info on what service can be used to get the physical card in Aus?

Some options include

MyUS
Planet Express
US Global Mail
Anytime Mailbox

 

[nthd_nthd]

This thread is really long but contains soo much great info!

I'm trying to decipher the options on getting a maleing address for applications. Any info on what service can be used to get the physical card in Aus?

Different people have/had different experience on this journey and within this CC space, things change constantly. So it's important to read as many DPs and decide on the course of actions for yourself. There is no one size fit all. That's why everyone here trying to give insights/inputs and helping each other.

 

[georgie23]

Different people have/had different experience on this journey and within this CC space, things change constantly. So it's important to read as many DPs and decide on the course of actions for yourself. There is no one size fit all. That's why everyone here trying to give insights/inputs and helping each other.

Completely agree
Sometimes info is out of date or works for someone but not for you
Lots of trial and error
So grateful to everyone who shares info

 

[djchuckles]

So I had one last roll of the dice with HSBC. Changed my address back to AU and then submitted an AU utility bill (even though they asked for one with my US address) and they approved!

Whilst I’m not super excited about the card - as I’m new to this - it’s nice to have a non Amex card whilst I wait for my ITIN and FICO to build up. And the 50k points will be of use for something.

I think i recall someone here saying ColesWorth tracks at 3x on the HSBC Premier. But does fuel as well? Looks like its based purely on MCC category rather than geo

 

[Voele]

So I had one last roll of the dice with HSBC. Changed my address back to AU and then submitted an AU utility bill (even though they asked for one with my US address) and they approved!

Whilst I’m not super excited about the card - as I’m new to this - it’s nice to have a non Amex card whilst I wait for my ITIN and FICO to build up. And the 50k points will be of use for something.

I think i recall someone here saying ColesWorth tracks at 3x on the HSBC Premier. But does fuel as well? Looks like its based purely on MCC category rather than geo

Its based on MCC code. Coles, Woolies, IGA, 7eleven, BP, Shell etc etc all track as 3x. Even grocery stores in Europe tracked as 3x for me. I like the HSBC card, its a good non-amex starter card.

Also, the $5/month credit works with AU Netflix.

 

[Grrr]

I like the HSBC card, it’s a good non-amex starter card.

What are the conversions like for reward points -> miles ?

I can’t find anything from a Google, wondering if it’s behind their rewards site login…

 

[Voele]

What are the conversions like for reward points -> miles ?

I can’t find anything from a Google, wondering if it’s behind their rewards site login…

In addition to below's table, you can use miles at US$0.0125 to book travel through their travel portal. Not amazing value but at least another option.

Program	points/$
aerlingus avios	1
BA avios	1
Iberia avios	1
Qatar Avios	0.8
Avianca	0.8
Emirates	1
Eva Air	0.8
Flying Blue	0.8
Qantas	1
TAP	1
Turkish	0.8
ALL	0.5
Wyndham	0.8

 

[Grrr]

In addition to below's table, you can use miles at US$0.0125 to book travel through their travel portal. Not amazing value but at least another option.

Program	points/$
aerlingus avios	1
BA avios	1
Iberia avios	1
Qatar Avios	0.8
Avianca	0.8
Emirates	1
Eva Air	0.8
Flying Blue	0.8
Qantas	1
TAP	1
Turkish	0.8
ALL	0.5
Wyndham	0.8

No Aeroplan

Thanks for the table, very helpful

 

[djchuckles]

Its based on MCC code. Coles, Woolies, IGA, 7eleven, BP, Shell etc etc all track as 3x. Even grocery stores in Europe tracked as 3x for me. I like the HSBC card, its a good non-amex starter card.

Also, the $5/month credit works with AU Netflix.

Great - thank you - shame it’s no longer free, but definitely a good starter non Amex card as you say.

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 10:04 AM

In addition to below's table, you can use miles at US$0.0125 to book travel through their travel portal. Not amazing value but at least another option.

Program	points/$
aerlingus avios	1
BA avios	1
Iberia avios	1
Qatar Avios	0.8
Avianca	0.8
Emirates	1
Eva Air	0.8
Flying Blue	0.8
Qantas	1
TAP	1
Turkish	0.8
ALL	0.5
Wyndham	0.8

Thank you - of those I think it’ll have to be Avios (for use on Qatar). I’ve not really explored Avois much, but am I right in saying I could transfer 1:1 to BA, then transfer 1:1 to from BA to Qatar?

 

[Voele]

Great - thank you - shame it’s no longer free, but definitely a good starter non Amex card as you say.

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 10:04 AM

Thank you - of those I think it’ll have to be Avios (for use on Qatar). I’ve not really explored Avois much, but am I right in saying I could transfer 1:1 to BA, then transfer 1:1 to from BA to Qatar?

That should work, yes. Avios has some sweet spots with short haul partner awards (e.g., Qantas 11,000 Avios + tax in Y to NZ)

Only thing I dont know yet is how long the transfer takes from HSBC to airline program. If anyone has any DP, would love to hear that.

 

[georgie23]

So I had one last roll of the dice with HSBC. Changed my address back to AU and then submitted an AU utility bill (even though they asked for one with my US address) and they approved!

Whilst I’m not super excited about the card - as I’m new to this - it’s nice to have a non Amex card whilst I wait for my ITIN and FICO to build up. And the 50k points will be of use for something.

I think i recall someone here saying ColesWorth tracks at 3x on the HSBC Premier. But does fuel as well? Looks like its based purely on MCC category rather than geo

Will it add to credit score info etc if it is using your Australian address vs US addrss - do you have an ITIN to add to help link profile (if you have one)
Assuming if does link it will be part of Chase 5/24 consideration

 

[djchuckles]

Will it add to credit score info etc if it is using your Australian address vs US addrss - do you have an ITIN to add to help link profile (if you have one)
Assuming if does link it will be part of Chase 5/24 consideration

Yes I wondered the same. I’m waiting on an ITIn. When that arrives I will submit to Amex and HSBC. I think I will change address over to my US address once HSBC card arrives anyhow

 

[Tiki]

Thank you - of those I think it’ll have to be Avios (for use on Qatar). I’ve not really explored Avois much, but am I right in saying I could transfer 1:1 to BA, then transfer 1:1 to from BA to Qatar?

Yes, I do this with BA Avios from Chase. Sometimes QR has J class awards that aren't offered on other Avios partners. QR and BA have the same taxes/fees.

 

[djchuckles]

Yes, I do this with BA Avios from Chase. Sometimes QR has J class awards that aren't offered on other Avios partners. QR and BA have the same taxes/fees.

Yes - though they did just increase the fees didn’t they?

 

[velli25]

I tried to create an Account with myFICO and they needed to do a phone verification. When I contacted them they said Experian had a fraud block on my account and that I need to contact Experian to get the Fraud Alert lifted. I called Experian and it would not let me talk to a human, ir directed me to their website which stated the following: To add a fraud alert to your personal credit report, or to remove an alert you previously requested, please mail us this letter (or the information in it), along with one copy of a government issued identification card, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, etc., and one copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement, etc. Make sure that each copy is legible, displays your name and current mailing address, and the date of issue (statement dates must be recent). We are unable to accept credit card statements, voided checks, lease agreements, magazine subscriptions or postal service forwarding orders as proof.

Anyone gone through this process before?