Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Grrr]

I would update a DP for CAP1 360 chking account for benefit of others looking for some help

So is this a checking account opened online with no ITIN/SSN ??!

 

[desafinado74]

So is this a checking account opened online with no ITIN/SSN ??!

You will need to provide your ITIN when applying for the account.

 

[blacksultan]

Saw this info burried earlier in this thread but thought I would update a DP for CAP1 360 chking account for benefit of others looking for some help

Applied for account online using US rental address
Used Tello number
Used Passpt number with 2 additonal numbers for SS
Completed app and then got screen to call in to provide more information for application
Called in and Rep sent link SMS to upload photo of passpt
Uploaded passpt photo
Rep approved and opened account while on phone
Got online access details emailed and just deposited some $ from Wise account
Updated mailing address to Anytime address

No previous credit history so now would be apply for Amex??

Did you use an Aussie passport ? What do you mean by 2 additional numbers for SS ?

 

[Grrr]

Given the sad demise of Maza, does anyone have a referral/discount code for an alternative ITIN service ?

The usual suspects (SH Studio, EINExpress) appear to be $500 without discount

Interestingly, it appears you can send a certified copy of your passport (rather than the original) when applying, but the certification does need to be done by the US consulate (looks like it would be around $100 all up). This is also a mail in service, but at least it’s local post rather than mailing it to Texas !

Just not sure which is the dodgier option - sending my passport in the mail (even locally), or having some random person on the internet take copies of it

 

[georgie23]

ITIN Service: Get US Credit Cards as a Canadian | Frugal Flyer

Frugal Flyer’s in-house ITIN service. Complete our form and receive a W-7 ITIN application and 1040-NR tax return with further instructions for IRS filing.

frugalflyer.ca

This seems an interesting website and is Canada focused - they offer a $140 CAD service - may be worth asking if they can do an Australian one

 

[Ko0l]

This seems an interesting website and is Canada focused - they offer a $140 CAD service

That only covers the easy part which is filling in the 1 pg form with your details. If you are going to go for that. You may as well do the whole process yourself and save the $140.

The hard part is mailing in the form, getting your passport notarised etc which that service does not cover.

The whole point of paying $400 to a CAA is so they can help certify your passport and mail in the application in for you.

The form itself is only 1 page and really easy to fill in yourself.

 

[georgie23]

Thanks - I paid SSH and got mine that way so I didn't really look into the specifics at all, just noticed the cheaper price

 

[blacksultan]

Given the sad demise of Maza, does anyone have a referral/discount code for an alternative ITIN service ?

The usual suspects (SH Studio, EINExpress) appear to be $500 without discount

Interestingly, it appears you can send a certified copy of your passport (rather than the original) when applying, but the certification does need to be done by the US consulate (looks like it would be around $100 all up). This is also a mail in service, but at least it’s local post rather than mailing it to Texas !

Just not sure which is the dodgier option - sending my passport in the mail (even locally), or having some random person on the internet take copies of it

Maza is dead ?

 

[Grrr]

The form itself is only 1 page and really easy to fill in yourself.

For those who have either completed a W7 themselves (or used a CAA), what reason was successfully used (a-h) for requesting the ITIN ? Assuming of course it was solely for US card purposes

I think I'm going to have a crack at doing it myself

 

[pyramidforce]

For those who have either completed a W7 themselves (or used a CAA), what reason was successfully used (a-h) for requesting the ITIN ? Assuming of course it was solely for US card purposes

I think I'm going to have a crack at doing it myself

I have not done myself, but I hears the strategy is to declare an expectation of need to pay US income tax and pay tax on gambling in the first year. Then, declare $85 of online gambling winnings every 2-3 years to keep the ITIN active or just ignore it.

 

[shaggyaus]

Saw this info burried earlier in this thread but thought I would update a DP for CAP1 360 chking account for benefit of others looking for some help

Applied for account online using US rental address
Used Tello number
Used Passpt number with 2 additonal numbers for SS
Completed app and then got screen to call in to provide more information for application
Called in and Rep sent link SMS to upload photo of passpt
Uploaded passpt photo
Rep approved and opened account while on phone
Got online access details emailed and just deposited some $ from Wise account
Updated mailing address to Anytime address

No previous credit history so now would be apply for Amex??

Hi mate - thanks for sharing this as this could be very helpful! I did try with an ITIN and as expected, it requires the person to go into a branch. When you used your passport number, what two numbers did you use at the end, or was it just random?

 

[georgie23]

Tried to apply for Amex Hilton Honors - as 3rd card and declined - just updated to new address (moving away from MyUS) a few days ago and they wanted a proof of new address. Tello phone number is not registered to me (I think all prepaid don't show up on a database). So now need a letterhead from existing US bank to show my address - I don't have and was awaiting to setup HSBC - did mentiona that have two Amex Green and Platinum on file and they have phone number present but it didn't seem to matter.

Bummer - seemed to be going well - will need to wait and get proof of US bank account to show - or need a postpaid mobile to show my address - this is not really an easy option either

DP - don't apply too soon after address change with Amex - maybe allow a few months of statements to go through

 

[djchuckles]

Does anyone know how often HSBC create statements? My account has been open since late August. I had an interim one Aug 30 and another Sept 3 but nothing since….

 

[Triben]

Tried to apply for Amex Hilton Honors - as 3rd card and declined - just updated to new address (moving away from MyUS) a few days ago and they wanted a proof of new address. Tello phone number is not registered to me (I think all prepaid don't show up on a database). So now need a letterhead from existing US bank to show my address - I don't have and was awaiting to setup HSBC - did mentiona that have two Amex Green and Platinum on file and they have phone number present but it didn't seem to matter.

Bummer - seemed to be going well - will need to wait and get proof of US bank account to show - or need a postpaid mobile to show my address - this is not really an easy option either

DP - don't apply too soon after address change with Amex - maybe allow a few months of statements to go through

I had similar issue with my 2nd card (AMEX GOLD), I changed my US address week before I applied, Amex asked me provide address verification which I couldn't provide, but I waited until my US AmEx card (1st Card) statement to be generate.
Call them and explained as I'm already AMEX customer, they checked and approved.
to my understanding address need to be 30 days old before you applied but generating new statement "required address verification" status would clear from their system.

 

[georgie23]

I had similar issue with my 2nd card (AMEX GOLD), I changed my US address week before I applied, Amex asked me provide address verification which I couldn't provide, but I waited until my US AmEx card (1st Card) statement to be generate.
Call them and explained as I'm already AMEX customer, they checked and approved.
to my understanding address need to be 30 days old before you applied but generating new statement "required address verification" status would clear from their system.

Oh thats great news - I have two cards currently and will have a new statement in 2 and 7 days - will wait till they come through and then call back and see if I can get verification that way.
I tried multiple times to get him to see that I had an account for more than a year already but that didn't seem to factor
Fingers crossed

 

[djchuckles]

I had similar issue with my 2nd card (AMEX GOLD), I changed my US address week before I applied, Amex asked me provide address verification which I couldn't provide, but I waited until my US AmEx card (1st Card) statement to be generate.
Call them and explained as I'm already AMEX customer, they checked and approved.
to my understanding address need to be 30 days old before you applied but generating new statement "required address verification" status would clear from their system.

I had the 30 day issue with the HSBC statement as because it was an interim one it didn’t cover a 30 day period. They did resolve this eventually by calling HSBC on a 3 way call

 

[georgie23]

I had the 30 day issue with the HSBC statement as because it was an interim one it didn’t cover a 30 day period. They did resolve this eventually by calling HSBC on a 3 way call

Was this with your first Amex card or had you had a history with Amex?

 

[djchuckles]

Was this with your first Amex card or had you had a history with Amex?

First Amex

 

[Finale]

ITIN Service: Get US Credit Cards as a Canadian | Frugal Flyer

Frugal Flyer’s in-house ITIN service. Complete our form and receive a W-7 ITIN application and 1040-NR tax return with further instructions for IRS filing.

frugalflyer.ca

This seems an interesting website and is Canada focused - they offer a $140 CAD service - may be worth asking if they can do an Australian one

Canadians are luckier than us. Their passport office can certify a true copy for something like $50 which can be used at IRS. Australian one wouldn't do it for me. I'm not sure about now but if you can get the passport office to certify it, it will work as IRS requires the certification from the issuing agency. If you can get the passport certified, you don't even need their service.

For those who have either completed a W7 themselves (or used a CAA), what reason was successfully used (a-h) for requesting the ITIN ? Assuming of course it was solely for US card purposes

I think I'm going to have a crack at doing it myself

I was quite lucky doing it when the Amazon royalty income method still worked and the US consulate certified my passport. Heard it didn't work these days. You can check w-7 instructions and see if you can make one of those in exception tables work. I think it is much easier to just get CAA to do it. It costs 3-4 times more but you will definitely get it. Even with Amazon method in the past, I heard some people had to do it like 3 to 4 times. I was lucky and got it on my first try.

A cheaper way is if you happen to be in the US, go to IRS in person. Or send your passport by mail which is quite risky even if you use an exiring one.

 

[zainman]

Hey guys, first time poster but long time lurker!

Spent the last year reading the thread and data points and so far have managed to open up 3 personal cards (1 x HSBC and 2 x AMEX) and 2 business cards (2 x AMEX). Received ITIN about a month ago via Maza.

I'm planning to make a large purchase towards the end of November (~$10k AUD) all in one go and on my Amex Biz Gold charge card, so just wanted to check if there's any need to notify AMEX of this purchase or should I just slowly build up between now and then (end Nov) on small amounts up around ~$1k or so? I just got the Biz Gold card last week (175k MR and $15k spend).

Welcome!

I thought you could only get 1 Amex biz card per 90 days? You mentioned you applied within 3 weeks? Maybe I misunderstand the AMEX application rules