Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

Yes mate, I downloaded the T-Mobile eSIM app from the iOS app store and set everything up

Yes mate, I downloaded the T-Mobile eSIM app from the iOS app store and set everything up using that!

ta !

 

[DC3]

. I can't buy gift cards online, it will trigger a claw back according to people on Flyertalk.

Coles and Woolies in-store gift gift cards in Oz are the way to go. Amex don’t know that the purchase is gift cards. FT wouldn’t know about this.

 

[Tiki]

Coles and Woolies in-store gift gift cards in Oz are the way to go. Amex don’t know that the purchase is gift cards. FT wouldn’t know about this.

Ok that’s good. I did see some of them were mostly MSing and got caught because Amex can see what you bought.

 

[Tiki]

I got the welcome email from Priority Pass and messed up the address and phone. I created an account and can log in and I have it active on the app. But I was trying to get the physical card sent to Australia so I opened the account with my Aussie phone and post code. But PP has my US address embedded in my account and I can't change it. So now it looks like:

123 Main Street
Orlando
4000
Residence AUS

Does anyone know how to edit it?

 

[DC3]

I created an account and can log in and I have it active on the app. But I was trying to get the physical card sent to Australia …

Is there a benefit to having a physical card? I have never used it, only the app-based version. Am I missing something?

 

[Daventry]

Any recommendations for my first US Amex card?

I got asked for proof of address when I first applied 7 months ago providing a myUS address. Didn’t have any US checking accounts then. I do now so I could use their statements as proof of address and also have an ITIN.

If I understood correctly I should keep this first card long term, not just cancel after a year, because that’s how you build up a good credit score in the US.

I was almost convinced to apply for Platinum due to the signup bonus but the earning rate doesn’t convince me, especially if I have to keep paying its annual fee for years. In terms of earning rate vs fee, Green Amex looks the most appealing to me - 3x on worldwide restaurants, public transit and travel.

Another factor to consider is that a few weeks back someone posted that charge cards take longer to generate your credit score than credit cards.

Hilton Aspire looks interesting, but the 7x points on dining only applies in the US. If the $250 statement credit were valid on any Hilton property and not just some resorts, it’d be great.

Any tips?

 

[DC3]

Any recommendations for my first US Amex card?

I got asked for proof of address when I first applied 7 months ago providing a myUS address. Didn’t have any US checking accounts then. I do now so I could use their statements as proof of address and also have an ITIN.

If I understood correctly I should keep this first card long term, not just cancel after a year, because that’s how you build up a good credit score in the US.

I was almost convinced to apply for Platinum due to the signup bonus but the earning rate doesn’t convince me, especially if I have to keep paying its annual fee for years. In terms of earning rate vs fee, Green Amex looks the most appealing to me - 3x on worldwide restaurants, public transit and travel.

Another factor to consider is that a few weeks back someone posted that charge cards take longer to generate your credit score than credit cards.

Hilton Aspire looks interesting, but the 7x points on dining only applies in the US. If the $250 statement credit were valid on any Hilton property and not just some resorts, it’d be great.

Any tips?

I suggest getting a credit card. Then, downgrade/upgrade/downgrade/upgrade rather than close. If you feel that the Aspire is not appealing, then it may not be the one for you.

Edit: Also, regarding charge cards and credit score: Do Charge Cards Affect My Credit Score the Same as Credit Cards? - NerdWallet.

 

[Daventry]

I suggest getting a credit card. Then, downgrade/upgrade/downgrade/upgrade rather than close. If you feel that the Aspire is not appealing, then it may not be the one for you.

Do you get the sign up bonus when downgrading from Platinum to Green or only when upgrading from Green to Platinum?

 

[nomad2000]

I got the welcome email from Priority Pass and messed up the address and phone. I created an account and can log in and I have it active on the app. But I was trying to get the physical card sent to Australia so I opened the account with my Aussie phone and post code. But PP has my US address embedded in my account and I can't change it. So now it looks like:

123 Main Street
Orlando
4000
Residence AUS

Does anyone know how to edit it?

A couple years back, I called them to edit my email and address on file. It was a UK phone number I think, I suggest calling them to change it

 

[DC3]

Do you get the sign up bonus when downgrading from Platinum to Green or only when upgrading from Green to Platinum?

You may be offered a bonus to upgrade a card. I am yet to experience this.

Edit: Terminology

 

[blacksultan]

Do you get the sign up bonus when downgrading from Platinum to Green or only when upgrading from Green to Platinum?

No sign up or downgrade bonuses only for upgrades after a min year .

 

[Daventry]

No sign up or downgrade bonuses only for upgrades after a min year .

Thanks, I guess it makes more sense for them to encourage you take a higher fee card than a cheaper one.

 

[DC3]

Thanks, I guess it makes more sense for them to encourage you take a higher fee card than a cheaper one.

Downgrade after 12 months, then do the upgrade. Rinse and repeat.

 

[blacksultan]

Thanks, I guess it makes more sense for them to encourage you take a higher fee card than a cheaper one.

You might want to consider an mr card with no AF as your first card as you can keep it forever at no cost and use it to warehouse your MR points transferred from oz . Everyday Is a great option.

Post automatically merged: Jul 30, 2022

I was offered bonus to upgrade to platinum on my gold . Downgraded to green and was immediately offered 60k to upgrade back to gold .

 

[Tiki]

Is there a benefit to having a physical card? I have never used it, only the app-based version. Am I missing something?

I would be ok with the digital one for this upcoming trip, just wasn't sure if some lounges don't take the digital one.

Post automatically merged: Jul 30, 2022

Downgrade after 12 months, then do the upgrade. Rinse and repeat.

Do you have to pay the annual fee everytime you re-upgrade? Like if I downgrade the Hilton Surpass to the free Hilton card, then later they offer me an upgrade back to Surpass?

Do I lose access to Priority Pass while the card is downgraded?

 

[blacksultan]

I would be ok with the digital one for this upcoming trip, just wasn't sure if some lounges don't take the digital one.

Post automatically merged: Jul 30, 2022

Do you have to pay the annual fee everytime you re-upgrade? Like if I downgrade the Hilton Surpass to the free Hilton card, then later they offer me an upgrade back to Surpass?

Do I lose access to Priority Pass while the card is downgraded?

Yes . Af on a pro rata basis .

 

[Daventry]

I would be ok with the digital one for this upcoming trip, just wasn't sure if some lounges don't take the digital one.

Post automatically merged: Jul 30, 2022

Do you have to pay the annual fee everytime you re-upgrade? Like if I downgrade the Hilton Surpass to the free Hilton card, then later they offer me an upgrade back to Surpass?

Do I lose access to Priority Pass while the card is downgraded?

Yes, you lose PP when downgrading. At least that’s the case with UK Amex Platinum.

 

[levelnine]

Any recommendations for my first US Amex card?

I got asked for proof of address when I first applied 7 months ago providing a myUS address. Didn’t have any US checking accounts then. I do now so I could use their statements as proof of address and also have an ITIN.

If I understood correctly I should keep this first card long term, not just cancel after a year, because that’s how you build up a good credit score in the US.

I was almost convinced to apply for Platinum due to the signup bonus but the earning rate doesn’t convince me, especially if I have to keep paying its annual fee for years. In terms of earning rate vs fee, Green Amex looks the most appealing to me - 3x on worldwide restaurants, public transit and travel.

Another factor to consider is that a few weeks back someone posted that charge cards take longer to generate your credit score than credit cards.

Hilton Aspire looks interesting, but the 7x points on dining only applies in the US. If the $250 statement credit were valid on any Hilton property and not just some resorts, it’d be great.

Any tips?

You've got quite a lot of research to do. I suggest you doing some Googling of US credit card basics as there is a lot you are missing. Also go back to the start of this thread and read from scratch.

A few tips:
- You should apply for an Amex through GT
- You need to consider the value of the points, not just the earning rate (Hilton points are worth way less than MRs)
- You can product change a Hilton Aspire to a Hilton no annual fee card to keep that credit line open forever
- You need to factor retention bonuses into the calculation for the ongoing value of Amex cards

 

[QF_Flyer]

Coles and Woolies in-store gift gift cards in Oz are the way to go. Amex don’t know that the purchase is gift cards. FT wouldn’t know about this.

Yep this, in the US there's a third level of purchase data reported between vendors and the card co's, so they can identify what sort of things you're buying from specific retailers - the only way this could work in our favour is, for example, if a gambling establishment sold food, and the card co was then able to tell this apart from a cash transaction.

Elsewhere in the world has no such thing, yet...so all data is based off the MCC. You could buy anything at all from Woolies, for e.g., and it'll all code as supermarket.

Edit: here's a very basic summary of how this works in image form.

 

[Tiki]

Yep this, in the US there's a third level of purchase data reported between vendors and the card co's, so they can identify what sort of things you're buying from specific retailers - the only way this could work in our favour is, for example, if a gambling establishment sold food, and the card co was then able to tell this apart from a cash transaction.

Elsewhere in the world has no such thing, yet...so all data is based off the MCC. You could buy anything at all from Woolies, for e.g., and it'll all code as supermarket.

Edit: here's a very basic summary of how this works in image form.
View attachment 286291

That's good to know! I wonder if there is any way to buy foreign currency in Australia and have it code as something else? I need some Indonesian and maybe some Turkish currency. I need to pay the guides in cash.