Strategy to obtain US Amex

[nthd_nthd]

Bad News this morning for me. Woke up to see 2 missed calls from Amex and voice messages. They block my new 1 month old Biz Gold for FR- Suspended all my cards even personal cards, Questioning me about my business and where and how and why I have charges from construction company (for solar) and oversea charges. Now they want to see my 2 month bank statements. Not sure what else but my deadline is 19 Nov.

 

[djchuckles]

Anyone with a checking account have you got Oct statement yet - this is only my second month of that and my Sep one came on 3rd of Oct and was hoping to have the Oct one by now as a proof of address to show Amex for current application - thought by 5th of month it would be out

Did you have any transactions in last month? If not, no statement

 

[levelnine]

Bad News this morning for me. Woke up to see 2 missed calls from Amex and voice messages. They block my new 1 month old Biz Gold for FR- Suspended all my cards even personal cards, Questioning me about my business and where and how and why I have charges from construction company (for solar) and oversea charges. Now they want to see my 2 month bank statements. Not sure what else but my deadline is 19 Nov.

With FR, the main thing they're interested in is that you have the income/assets to pay off your cards — what you're actually charging to the card is of minor importance. Generally first level FR is 2 months of bank statements and pay stubs. Once you upload them to the portal, call straight away — they might be able to clear it on the phone.

 

[georgie23]

Did you have any transactions in last month? If not, no statement

About 15 transactions on it so definitely should be one coming

 

[nthd_nthd]

With FR, the main thing they're interested in is that you have the income/assets to pay off your cards — what you're actually charging to the card is of minor importance. Generally first level FR is 2 months of bank statements and pay stubs. Once you upload them to the portal, call straight away — they might be able to clear it on the phone.

Where do I get pay stub please? Australia?

 

[levelnine]

Where do I get pay stub please? Australia?

Just use your Australian income pay slips if they request pay stubs.

 

[zainman]

I got that one too although they only gave $1k limit which was annoying.

Did you have to fax things? What was the process after that? I haven't heard anything back yet.

 

[blacksultan]

Yes

Don’t you have to wait 30 days before you apply in the US ? Can one apply for the credit card at the same time as the checking account ?

 

[georgie23]

I put an application in before my 30 days previously and was rejected as not premier - I used same one with letter to show was premier - just put P2 on weekend and mine last night
Will advise
I didn't apply for the credit card

 

[georgie23]

Did you have any transactions in last month? If not, no statement

Just clarified with Amex online - statement comes out by 7th the month after so a few more days
The credit card statements seem quicker

 

[mike0430]

Hi All, I wonder which card would be best as first card for amex GT. I am knee on Platinum personal charge card with 175k sub, however, I am not sure if charge card would help me to build up credit history in US at all?
I am planing to apply with ITIN too hopefully it gets uploaded to credit bureaus.

 

[georgie23]

Hi All, I wonder which card would be best as first card for amex GT. I am knee on Platinum personal charge card with 175k sub, however, I am not sure if charge card would help me to build up credit history in US at all?
I am planing to apply with ITIN too hopefully it gets uploaded to credit bureaus.

A couple of things

1. In the charge families most recommend going green then gold then platinum - that way get SUB on each one and perhaps an upgrade offer too
2. I got green first and then platinum wish I had got the gold instead and worked up
3. Charge will help with credit score but dont get utilisation part of score - a mix of charge and credit help so long term want both

Get a card that you plan to keep forever (eg Hilton Honors is free) to help length of history or a useful card to you eg green because want to get into MR points
Going for Platinum is not wrong either if that is what you want and see advantages to you

 

[nthd_nthd]

Hi All, I wonder which card would be best as first card for amex GT. I am knee on Platinum personal charge card with 175k sub, however, I am not sure if charge card would help me to build up credit history in US at all?
I am planing to apply with ITIN too hopefully it gets uploaded to credit bureaus.

If your intention is to build credit history then getting one with free annual fee, so keeping that helps with the age of your history. Then apply for others so you don't block yourself from getting sub for cards from the same family. I.e. if you get Platinum then you can't get Gold later. If you get the Gold then later you can get Platinum. Something like that.

 

[mike0430]

Thank you @georgie23 @nthd_nthd

Think I might get aspire. Do you know if green card is still considered charge card (not countting towards 5/24)? I wonder if downgrading a card affect total age of credit history at all? Thanks.

 

[maverick1]

Tried the Aspire via Hilton website and via amex website as well as biz gold, but no luck for any of those. I'll be a good citizen for a couple months and try again early next year I guess.

I got my 2nd Surpass using the NLL link from DoC website. American Express Hilton Increased Bonuses (Up To 175,000 Points) - Doctor Of Credit

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card-application/apply/partner/personal-card/hil/hilton-honors-surpass-credit-card/ep-hscc-8475#/

 

[georgie23]

green is charge and counts to 5/24 - many business cards don't count towards 5/24
downgrading doesn't change age - its still the same account on the credit file