Strategy to obtain US Amex

[albyd]

I am aiming for mid April next year, hopefully the Global Entry program is open to every Aussie by then.

Funny enough, i am planning to stay at the Conrad Downtown, which is near the 911 Memorial. It is good to know that you were fine with the subway system, though there are so many funny and scary videos of the NYC subway system on Youtube

By the way, did Chase and Citi ask for a utility bill from you ?

I presented my HSBC statement with my US address on it and my AU Passport and my ITIN Letter and that all seemed fine. They didn't ask for a utility bill. I was surprised Citi didn't just go off the fact I was an existing CC customer and went for all of it but I had it which I'm happy with.

I agree, Conrad is well located for a lot of attractions downtown including 911 memorial, the new WTC building and the Statue of Liberty, etc.

As this is your first time in NYC, I'd suggest giving the Circle Line cruise some consideration. It circumnavigates Manhattan Island in about 3 hours and highlights all the major landmarks you might like to visit. I found it very helpful my first time in NYC. Can also catch the Ferry from the wharf near Conrad up to the mid-town docks and a short walk to Circle Line from there.

 

[desafinado74]

I presented my HSBC statement with my US address on it and my AU Passport and my ITIN Letter and that all seemed fine. They didn't ask for a utility bill. I was surprised Citi didn't just go off the fact I was an existing CC customer and went for all of it but I had it which I'm happy with.

I agree, Conrad is well located for a lot of attractions downtown including 911 memorial, the new WTC building and the Statue of Liberty, etc.

As this is your first time in NYC, I'd suggest giving the Circle Line cruise some consideration. It circumnavigates Manhattan Island in about 3 hours and highlights all the major landmarks you might like to visit. I found it very helpful my first time in NYC. Can also catch the Ferry from the wharf near Conrad up to the mid-town docks and a short walk to Circle Line from there.

Many thanks for the Circle Line tip. How many days did you stay in NYC this time ?

It is good to know that the banks did not ask for utility bills, as i was wondering if i should subscribe to Google Fi just to generate a utility bill Anyway, i will open some banks accounts when i first land in San Francisco (Looking at Chase, Wells Fargo and BofA at the moment) Let us know how you go with the Citi checking account (I am still undecided about opening an account with Citi, as i have come across so many negative comments about Citi)

By the way, i highly recommend Tello if you want to dump Textnow. (I have both, but i much prefer Tello)

 

[Voele]

The main exceptions are Barclays sometimes asks for it on application and Amex sometimes asks for it if you're applying for lots of cards, especially while carrying high balances, or subjects you to financial review. In these circumstances, they'll ask for a 4506C (proof of your income from the IRS).

Out of curiosity in case of a potential future scernario: You mentioned a while back that you have survived Amex financial review before. How did you survive if they expect 4506C only? Do you have a US income?

 

[albyd]

Many thanks for the Circle Line tip. How many days did you stay in NYC this time ?

It is good to know that the banks did not ask for utility bills, as i was wondering if i should subscribe to Google Fi just to generate a utility bill Anyway, i will open some banks accounts when i first land in San Francisco (Looking at Chase, Wells Fargo and BofA at the moment) Let us know how you go with the Citi checking account (I am still undecided about opening an account with Citi, as i have come across so many negative comments about Citi)

By the way, i highly recommend Tello if you want to dump Textnow. (I have both, but i much prefer Tello)

I was only in NYC 6 nights this time - hardly worth it - was more to show my kids the city - put my own Hobby to last which means I didn't get to do more than visit a local Chase and Citi branch and I couldn't get an appointment for NYCID until after I was due to leave. In hindsight, should've visited the branches earlier in the trip. Live and learn. Next trip will be for 2 weeks I think instead of the short one this time.

I'm a Citi US customer of many years. I haven't needed to call them much and so far (I hope I don't jinx myself now) haven't tripped many fraud alerts. I opened my account back in the days when they were opening CCs for non-US residents, so I gave them my AU address at the time then changed it when they said they were going to close my accounts due to a policy change on non-residents. TextNow has worked fine with Citi - I suspect maybe the banker at Citi entered the wrong Mobile number into my Checking account which is why I wasn't getting the security codes as just got a security code for a purchase on my Citi CC on my TextNow number.

Is the Tello experience the same as TextNow? I seem to be getting security texts from AMEX, Citi and Chase on there. Call Center staff can't send me security texts though. If Tello can handle them all, then I might change. Can I port my TextNow number or need to get a new one?

This is a little OT - I use Telstra mobile so used Wi-Fi calling with Global YO as my data connection on my iPhone. worked really well when outside of Hotel Wi-Fi range. Wi-Fi calling only works with Telstra and not the other networks, but the cost of Global YO was much less than the $A10/day roaming pack. Couldn't call non-AU numbers even though I have an international call pack with Telstra but worked well. Thought I'd mention it as worked really well. YMMV.

 

[levelnine]

Out of curiosity in case of a potential future scernario: You mentioned a while back that you have survived Amex financial review before. How did you survive if they expect 4506C only? Do you have a US income?

Submitted bank statements and Australian pay slips; they were accepted without comment.

 

[Voele]

Submitted bank statements and Australian pay slips; they were accepted without comment.

Good to know!

 

[albyd]

Apart from the ease of opening accounts it’s a pretty cr@p bank. I’ve banked with them since they were Midland Bank in UK for over 40 years but won’t be too sad to see them go. They’ve been promising Osko / NPP for about 5 years.

I've been using HSBC in AU for ages. It's got its shortcomings with its AU offering. I'm happy to continue banking with HSBC.

Should HSBC AU be jettisoned, assuming we'll lose Premier status everywhere unless of course we deposit significant monies to get Premier in another jurisdiction. Unless of course, there is another HSBC country with as easy a qualifying criteria as AU to Qualify as Premier?

 

[Grrr]

Submitted bank statements and Australian pay slips;

Australian bank statements ?

 

[levelnine]

Australian bank statements ?

One AU & one US. During FR, one has to be the account where you pay off your Amex card.

 

[georgie23]

This is a little OT - I use Telstra mobile so used Wi-Fi calling with Global YO as my data connection on my iPhone. worked really well when outside of Hotel Wi-Fi range. Wi-Fi calling only works with Telstra and not the other networks, but the cost of Global YO was much less than the $A10/day roaming pack. Couldn't call non-AU numbers even though I have an international call pack with Telstra but worked well. Thought I'd mention it as worked really well. YMMV.

With Tello can just change month to month so can purchase an unlimited data and talk for $25 - can use that for the time you are in US and still use Telstra with wifi calling
I have that here with Telstra line 1 and Tello line 2 - currently only 100 min per month but can change month to month or any time to what I need

 

[albyd]

With Tello can just change month to month so can purchase an unlimited data and talk for $25 - can use that for the time you are in US and still use Telstra with wifi calling
I have that here with Telstra line 1 and Tello line 2 - currently only 100 min per month but can change month to month or any time to what I need

And What's your experience with receiving verification texts from US Financial Institutions including where it's manually sent e.g. by a call center Agent trying to verify you (like I said, TextNow works for Chase automated texts but didn't work when the call center agent tried to send me a code).

 

[georgie23]

And What's your experience with receiving verification texts from US Financial Institutions including where it's manually sent e.g. by a call center Agent trying to verify you (like I said, TextNow works for Chase automated texts but didn't work when the call center agent tried to send me a code).

I only have Amex, HSBC and SoFi and works with them - I can't speak of Chase

 

[djchuckles]

From what i read via Reddit (And mentioned by Americans) any income that is from the high 6 figures onwards (ie. 200k) will attract greater scrutiny. Personally i put USD$80k as my income and so far so good.

Interesting. I always put 250 but will adjust accordingly

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 1:35 PM

I've been using HSBC in AU for ages. It's got its shortcomings with its AU offering. I'm happy to continue banking with HSBC.

Should HSBC AU be jettisoned, assuming we'll lose Premier status everywhere unless of course we deposit significant monies to get Premier in another jurisdiction. Unless of course, there is another HSBC country with as easy a qualifying criteria as AU to Qualify as Premier?

Yeah not sure. I initially qualified in UK but not sure the home status is or was ever maintained when I moved here 14 years ago

 

[Finale]

From what i read via Reddit (And mentioned by Americans) any income that is from the high 6 figures onwards (ie. 200k) will attract greater scrutiny. Personally i put USD$80k as my income and so far so good.

I started low about 50k and increased slowly. Even 50k was no issue getting a Platinum card. Now I'm using 82.5k after 9 years. There is really no need to go too high to obtain more cards or a higher credit limit. My total limit now is over $100k and holding 15 cards.

 

[desafinado74]

I was only in NYC 6 nights this time - hardly worth it - was more to show my kids the city - put my own Hobby to last which means I didn't get to do more than visit a local Chase and Citi branch and I couldn't get an appointment for NYCID until after I was due to leave. In hindsight, should've visited the branches earlier in the trip. Live and learn. Next trip will be for 2 weeks I think instead of the short one this time.

I'm a Citi US customer of many years. I haven't needed to call them much and so far (I hope I don't jinx myself now) haven't tripped many fraud alerts. I opened my account back in the days when they were opening CCs for non-US residents, so I gave them my AU address at the time then changed it when they said they were going to close my accounts due to a policy change on non-residents. TextNow has worked fine with Citi - I suspect maybe the banker at Citi entered the wrong Mobile number into my Checking account which is why I wasn't getting the security codes as just got a security code for a purchase on my Citi CC on my TextNow number.

Is the Tello experience the same as TextNow? I seem to be getting security texts from AMEX, Citi and Chase on there. Call Center staff can't send me security texts though. If Tello can handle them all, then I might change. Can I port my TextNow number or need to get a new one?

This is a little OT - I use Telstra mobile so used Wi-Fi calling with Global YO as my data connection on my iPhone. worked really well when outside of Hotel Wi-Fi range. Wi-Fi calling only works with Telstra and not the other networks, but the cost of Global YO was much less than the $A10/day roaming pack. Couldn't call non-AU numbers even though I have an international call pack with Telstra but worked well. Thought I'd mention it as worked really well. YMMV.

Tello is my backup option in case Textnow fails. But so far i have been impressed by Tello's customer service, prices, packages, and website. I can receive Cap 1 texts from Tello. To be fair to Textnow, it works with AMEX and Cap1 for me too.

Ok i shall put Citi on my wish list then Might as well, just in case they come out with a great card in the future.

With regards to HSBC Premier, i think Premier customers will be safe. HSBC USA still has the Premier side of business, even though they closed their retail branches a few years ago. There are rumours that they may sell their retail operations in Malaysia and Indonesia too. But apparently, they will keep the Premier banking business.

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 3:17 PM

I started low about 50k and increased slowly. Even 50k was no issue getting a Platinum card. Now I'm using 82.5k after 9 years. There is really no need to go too high to obtain more cards or a higher credit limit. My total limit now is over $100k and holding 15 cards.

Yes, keeping a low profile at the start is a great strategy