US credit card offer

[DC3]

... If you're not living in the US, or at the very least there in person to apply for that first card, I imagine your chances starting off would be near zero, unfortunately.

I think that sums it up pretty well. These USA cc offers are not realistic for probably 99% of us, unfortunately. The average non-US citizen/resident has next to no hope.

Good for those who have already got some benefit through previous/current residency, etc. However, it seems to be almost impossible to open a US bank account let alone cashing in on cc deals from Australia.

 

[DC3]

That's harder but not impossible. I am sure you can sign up for a US Credit Card being based in Oz. Please correct me if this is not the case


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marki, would you be able provide some information on how to go about this, from Australia, please?

I am interested in doing this, but have not found a way to do it as yet. It seems pretty much impossible.

 

[cove]

Well it isn't impossible but it takes time to get credit established in the US.
I would rate it as a level of difficulty of 8 out of 10.

 

[DC3]

Well it isn't impossible but it takes time to get credit established in the US.
I would rate it as a level of difficulty of 8 out of 10.

Not 10/10? That's a relief.

As a non-US citizen/resident, what would be the best/easiest way to open a US bank account from Australia?

I seem to recall that you have given information some time back, but can't find it now.

I'm thinking that opening a USA bank account would be a starting point. Based on information that I've seen on the web, I sent HSBC USA an application to open a US bank account which they would have received about six weeks ago, but I've had no feedback from them on that as yet.

I've also applied to the IRS for an ITIN just prior to that, but I gather that a response, one way or the other, may take 10-plus weeks (and maybe months).

 

[casanovawa]

I had a look a bit ago on the web about getting an SSN, i wonder if you put in an applciation to work at Camp America or something and then applied for a work visa and on the visa application you can ask to be given a SSN...

Whether you actually then ever took up the offer, but if you could end up with an SSN that would be half the riddle perhaps solved...

But Cove, so with that card you don't get charged any FX fees so it could be used to buy things out here etc, but as you say you sacrifice about 1% on the foreign exchange rate??? Hmmm, maybe i might have to call my sister over in the US and see if she is interested in applying for a new card...

 

[DC3]

I had a look a bit ago on the web about getting an SSN, i wonder if you put in an applciation to work at Camp America or something and then applied for a work visa and on the visa application you can ask to be given a SSN...

Whether you actually then ever took up the offer, but if you could end up with an SSN that would be half the riddle perhaps solved...

This would seem to rule out that possibility for anyone considering getting a SSN by that method:

... If you are required to obtain a social security number, you must apply in person in the United States to an official of the Social Security Administration, but please note that you must wait until at least 48 hours after you have been validated by your Camp Director in the SEVIS system as having safely arrived at camp ...

http://www.campamerica.co.uk/page/social-security/127

 

[legroom]

. Hmmm, maybe i might have to call my sister over in the US and see if she is interested in applying for a new card...

What's the point (about the points)?

She would be the primary AC holder and all points would accrue in her name.

Thinking of transferring out to your AC later ?

It could be messy.

 

[cove]

I did do a blog in AFF called "Establishing A Credit Rating In America" which is behind "Frequent Flyer Fiend And The Game".
We got our Social Security Numbers in 1984 so we are out of date on that process.
I read Frugal Travel Guy and One Mile At a Time as they are both helpful.

 

[drsmithy]

This would seem to rule out that possibility for anyone considering getting a SSN by that method:

... If you are required to obtain a social security number, you must apply in person in the United States to an official of the Social Security Administration, but please note that you must wait until at least 48 hours after you have been validated by your Camp Director in the SEVIS system as having safely arrived at camp ...

Social Security

FWIW, when I moved to the US in 2009, most expat forums recommended waiting a few weeks after entry before applying for an SSN due to the substantial amount of manual processing involved in both migrant entry and SSN allocation.

It took probably 4-5 weeks from the day we arrived in the US to the day our SSNs were issued.

 

[DC3]

I did do a blog in AFF called "Establishing A Credit Rating In America" ....

Thanks for that link. A very interesting read I must say.

 

[cove]

Later this week we will both have secured the bonus AA miles. Mine was a bit more convoluted purely because my starting credit limit was set at $10,000 so I had to re-load the card to get to $10,000 spent this week.

 

[WA flyer]

Later this week we will both have secured the bonus AA miles. Mine was a bit more convoluted purely because my starting credit limit was set at $10,000 so I had to re-load the card to get to $10,000 spent this week.

Being US issued, do Citi award points for ATO spend?

 

[cove]

They probably award points for all sorts of expenditure. I have found losing 1% on exchange to be acceptable to run up stuff from Australia and I have to book some AA flights for our staff so that's 2 points per dollar. I think the Citi Select exclusions on insurance and the like from May 1st will not apply on the US card.

 

[ferni]

I have a US SSN from 10 years ago when i worked at ski resorts for a few years....i did have a bank account when I was there but closed it when I left.... My main source of income is PAYG in AU.... any ideas if I would be able to get a US CC?

 

[cove]

Our journey started with opening a US Bank account and talking to the Irish assistant manager who had the same problem when he arrived in the US.
You would want a real strategy so that the points/miles you earn are not earned and wasted. This year we will be there 3 times and it is our plan to do round the world travel where we go to Los Angeles, New York and London on the AA points.
We bought distressed property using zillow.com as our helper.

 

[cove]

Another AFFer has had his US Citi card issue so he will be pretty excited all week I think. Those first 100,000 AA miles are the hardest to get.

 

[cove]

Not to be outdone by Mrscove I applied and received a limit increase from Citi to be equal with my partner.

 

[cove]

Last night I received an email to tell me that we could each get another Citi Executive card and get another 100,000 AA miles each.
Mrscove would get me certified if I went down that path so I think I can just work our two cards hard/harder/hardest.
So far I have enjoyed paying bills that the Australian Citi Select don't now pay any points on. That gives me a real buzz.

 

[cove]

I have a land tax bill that could go onto these 2 cards and that would mean getting about 50,000 AA miles for about $210 less a tax deduction for the $210 but always subject to a foreign exchange risk that has so far been close to zero.
Our flying lives can be quite sweet.

 

[Beta4Me]

I have a land tax bill that could go onto these 2 cards and that would mean getting about 50,000 AA miles for about $210 less a tax deduction for the $210 but always subject to a foreign exchange risk that has so far been close to zero.
Our flying lives can be quite sweet.

What about forex fees?