Strategy to obtain US Amex

[djchuckles]

I got a 10k points for $2k on a supp gold card. Does that $2k count to my overall $6k SUB spend?

 

[thedamon]

I've been able to use Equifax.com to check credit score using a VPN forever, now whichever VPN location in the US I use on NordVPN gives me a "please give us a call" message. Really annoying. Anyone know a workaround?

 

[Franko Costa]

I've been able to use Equifax.com to check credit score using a VPN forever, now whichever VPN location in the US I use on NordVPN gives me a "please give us a call" message. Really annoying. Anyone know a workaround?

You can't use equifax with a vpn. I have called up and the first thing they ask is "are you using a VPN?" Turn it off and it will work

 

[levelnine]

I got a 10k points for $2k on a supp gold card. Does that $2k count to my overall $6k SUB spend?

If you are within the minimum spend requirement time frame for your SUB, yes.

 

[djchuckles]

If you are within the minimum spend requirement time frame for your SUB, yes.

Thanks - and yes- took the supp card out a few weeks into my 6 months

 

[Voele]

Tried to redeem hilton GCs at the Hilton in Queenstown yesterday. Spent quite a bit of time with the duty manager trying to figure out how to redeem them, but he/we couldnt figure it out. Anyone that has been successful redeeming these and any idea what the staff did to get them to work?

 

[djchuckles]

With AUD weakening and predictions it will go lower, what are people doing to limit losses on US cards? Transferring money now ahead of spending?

 

[GDale]

Tried to redeem hilton GCs at the Hilton in Queenstown yesterday. Spent quite a bit of time with the duty manager trying to figure out how to redeem them, but he/we couldnt figure it out. Anyone that has been successful redeeming these and any idea what the staff did to get them to work?

It's been a long time since I've used one, but if I recall correctly those gift cards are issued by amex and should be processed as a regular card transaction at check out. It gets a bit complex for non-US properties because it's hard to figure out just how much should be charged in the local currency to use up the USD amount - I think invevitably you'd be left with some change on each card.

Separately, there have long been reports that acceptance of the cards outside of the US is patchy, and no one knows exactly why they're being declined - so it could just be that too.

 

[Voele]

It's been a long time since I've used one, but if I recall correctly those gift cards are issued by amex and should be processed as a regular card transaction at check out. It gets a bit complex for non-US properties because it's hard to figure out just how much should be charged in the local currency to use up the USD amount - I think invevitably you'd be left with some change on each card.

Separately, there have long been reports that acceptance of the cards outside of the US is patchy, and no one knows exactly why they're being declined - so it could just be that too.

I see. Thats exactly what we tried. Looks like their payment processor didnt accept it. I guess I'll save them up until I find a property where I can use them.

 

[Tiki]

With AUD weakening and predictions it will go lower, what are people doing to limit losses on US cards? Transferring money now ahead of spending?

Also need to consider how expensive minimum spends will be in AUD. This game was much easier back in the good old days when minimum spends were max $3000 USD which was about $3600-3800 AUD. Now a typical $5000 USD spend is $8000 AUD!

 

[djchuckles]

Also need to consider how expensive minimum spends will be in AUD. This game was much easier back in the good old days when minimum spends were max $3000 USD which was about $3600-3800 AUD. Now a typical $5000 USD spend is $8000 AUD!

Indeed. 4x per $ used to be closer to 3x per AU$. Now it’s more like 2.4x. With the better transfer rates to airlines it’s still ahead of cards like AU Plat charge by a country mile but certainly diminishing

 

[Franko Costa]

How much does everyone churn here? Do people track their points? I think I sold more than I've used this year just due to more churning

Looking forward to 2025

 

[djchuckles]

How much does everyone churn here? Do people track their points? I think I sold more than I've used this year just due to more churning

Looking forward to 2025

I track my points with AwardWallet mainly

 

[levelnine]

How much does everyone churn here? Do people track their points? I think I sold more than I've used this year just due to more churning

Looking forward to 2025

I don't track annual totals super closely, but I'm well into the 8 figures of points earn this year.

It's been a very good year on the churning front. Let's hope 2025 is another good one.

 

[georgie23]

I don't track annual totals super closely, but I'm well into the 8 figures of points earn this year.

It's been a very good year on the churning front. Let's hope 2025 is another good one.

lets hope you spend them well - amazing year

 

[Franko Costa]

I don't track annual totals super closely, but I'm well into the 8 figures of points earn this year.

It's been a very good year on the churning front. Let's hope 2025 is another good one.

Nice work. It's too hard to keep track. Amex remains my main as I build up chase, but I've 7m for 2024.

I am tempted to start discord/whatsapp for OZ focused churners, but not sure about effort/take up from others here

 

[Voele]

I don't track annual totals super closely, but I'm well into the 8 figures of points earn this year.

It's been a very good year on the churning front. Let's hope 2025 is another good one.

Nice work. It's too hard to keep track. Amex remains my main as I build up chase, but I've 7m for 2024.

I am tempted to start discord/whatsapp for OZ focused churners, but not sure about effort/take up from others here

7 to 8 figures is just mindblowing to me . Did $30k in my first three months and have been pretty happy with that so far. Cant wait to get higher credit limits and more cards approved.

I'm up for an oz group!

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I am tempted to start discord/whatsapp for OZ focused churners, but not sure about effort/take up from others here

Happy to be your first joiner/subscriber!

 

[306]

I've finally been approved for my first GT 2 days ago, the green card, but I used a free myus address as the mailing address, probably change to a free planet express later (other free suggestions welcome)

The faq says "Letter mail that is sent to your MyUS and MyUK address will be refused and returned to sender", I assume they are not allowed to open and scan your mail without submitting a USPS form 1583, and they no longer provide +mail accounts in any case.

I guess I should of did my research on this first. Will wait out the 10 days, and ask them to send to a US hotel as I will be there the first 2 weeks of Jan, hopefully the timelime works out and there are no delays.

The odd point was somehow they thought I was in the military and my application was delayed awaiting documentation, this was cleared up with a phone call and card immediately approved, after I had already previously uploaded my ID.

Thanks to georgie23 for helping out too.

 

[QF_Flyer]

Nice work. It's too hard to keep track. Amex remains my main as I build up chase, but I've 7m for 2024.

I am tempted to start discord/whatsapp for OZ focused churners, but not sure about effort/take up from others here

I would def be up for joining a Discord/Whatsapp/Telegram for AU people, I've been in a few for the UK market too and the interest is huge, even considering their market, so I think you'd be on to something (the UK ones generally stipulate that referrals are for the admin/owner of the group, so you could make a fair amount of points doing that).

As for my annual stats, I have genuinely no idea, as I'm across so many programs, it's def in 7 figures, but I don't think quite 8 figures. So somewhere between 1-10M