Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Sora]

I noticed you said you opened a Chase checking account. I had a look at their application process and note that they ask if you are a USA citizen or have a green card, if you answer no to both then then you can't progress. How did you get around that?

Additionally they ask for a US drivers license or State ID.

I am in the USA, so I went to a local branch.

As far as I am aware, you can open it with an ITIN, if I can open it without one then... Not sure about doing that online as I did check and it's not an option. You may need to visit a branch to complete the process.

Being Chase, it was required of me to have a document to prove my address, which I used my Bank of America account statement.

 

[levelnine]

Something like $96 a month.

US phone plan prices are outrageous compared to Australia.

Fortunately my $8/year Textnow number works most of the time. Interestingly with Chase, it works fine for their Internet banking & about 50% of the time with phone operators — sometimes they are able to send a text but sometimes they are not.

 

[Sora]

US phone plan prices are outrageous compared to Australia.

Fortunately my $8/year Textnow number works most of the time. Interestingly with Chase, it works fine for their Internet banking & about 50% of the time with phone operators — sometimes they are able to send a text but sometimes they are not.

Yeah, some banks don't like VOIP or what they classify as secondary numbers. Similar to how you work it with Stripe & Square, cannot remember which, but the number I have with Google Voice didn't work on one of them, it's comes down to the service you use.

The prices are crazy high, that is why I do not enjoy their phone plans, its like paying what we do back home, but good thing is they have a 30 day trade in on the phone

 

[desafinado74]

Opening in branch was easy.

Just need a passport; take a credit or debit card as a secondary ID or your driver's license I didn’t need proof of address she just took it from me. Chase wanted an address confirmation from a bill or a bank statement, a offer letter or similar from another bank doesn't work.

Verizon was easy. So, I did an application online, but they do require an SSN/ITIN, so even though you can complete the application online, you won't pass as it does require that SSN/ITIN that you cannot bypass. You need to call them to send you a new link that allows you to bypass the SSN/ITIN option, and from my understanding, they run the process and credit application through Nova on Transunion.

You will most likely need to talk with their credit management team, that is just to provide them with your passport and Visa. I am on the Visa Waiver so that one sufficed to confirm I was residing in the USA.

The operator remained on the line whilst I went through the entire process with credit management and once it was all done, I was approved and proceeded with the order as normal with them.

Are non US citizens allowed to get a phone account ?

I think with Verizon only you can do it online and over the phone, if you do it via AT&T you may need to go in store.

Many thanks for the detailed reply. Do BofA and Chase allow you to get the 2FA codes via their apps or email?

Anyway, I hope you are having a great time over there.

 

[Sora]

Many thanks for the detailed reply. Do BofA and Chase allow you to get the 2FA codes via their apps or email?

Anyway, I hope you are having a great time over there.

For when I need to access the codes, they're via phone only. SMS & Voice calls.

That applies to both BOFA & CHASE. When it comes to U.S Bank, they only allow numbers from a phone carrier, not Google voice, and the same applies.

Plus I asked when I get my ITIN, do I need to attend a branch or can I add it via a call, she said it needs to be in branch as you need to sign to confirm its yours. That means I will not be getting a secured card from them.

I wonder if that applies to BOFA & CHASE.

UPDATE:

U.S Bank you can go in with your passport & a secondary card like a debit/credit card, and then open your account. Quite painless, but I find they could be a little more strict than BOFA and CHASE. But overall, a nice experience.

 

[Sora]

For those living in Sacramento, or using a Sacramento address, there is an offer for $300.

Earn Up to $300 | BluPeak Credit Union

Earn up to $300 with BluPeak's limited time new member offer by opening a checking account, setting up direct deposit, and keeping your account open.

www.blupeak.com

This one seems easy with $100 for opening the account and $200 for a $500 direct deposit.

 

[Franko Costa]

What about talkatone?

On another note, I got my ITIN yesterday and was approved for a biz card today. Happy days

 

[Sora]

What about talkatone?

On another note, I got my ITIN yesterday and was approved for a biz card today. Happy days

You could use that, I did try and it worked.

If you use something like NOX Player and then download a Turkish VPN, you could use the TextMe app and pay $0.64 a month for a number if you're paying in USD. OR $1 AUD.

 

[desafinado74]

For when I need to access the codes, they're via phone only. SMS & Voice calls.

That applies to both BOFA & CHASE. When it comes to U.S Bank, they only allow numbers from a phone carrier, not Google voice, and the same applies.

Plus I asked when I get my ITIN, do I need to attend a branch or can I add it via a call, she said it needs to be in branch as you need to sign to confirm its yours. That means I will not be getting a secured card from them.

I wonder if that applies to BOFA & CHASE.

UPDATE:

U.S Bank you can go in with your passport & a secondary card like a debit/credit card, and then open your account. Quite painless, but I find they could be a little more strict than BOFA and CHASE. But overall, a nice experience.

Thank you very much for the detailed reply.

When do you normally need to use the codes? When linking external accounts to your checking accounts? ( I also currently use Textnow, and thinking of giving Tello a try)

And are you planning to apply for Chase / BOFA credit cards in the future?

 

[nthd_nthd]

I had more luck with Talkatone than text now but if you can part with $10USD just get a T-Mobile eSim and use that

Could you or someone here please help me with a link to T-Mobile eSim that $10 - All my search returned with minimum $50USD. Am I searching the wrong thing? Also, thanks for all the information. I have been reading from page 1. I could not set up Talkatone as well.

 

[nthd_nthd]

There’s referral links for 10% off available. Happy to send one through if you’d like.

Yes please

 

[albyd]

in addition to TextNow which works with Amex for text verifications but with no one else, I’ve been using the $3/month T mobile prepaid sim which I heard about on this thread and bought off Amazon.

I’ve Googled this link. When it takes me to the Amazon link in the app, it says they’re out of stock. Works well with receiving messages from other banks - hope it can continue. I did have one bank claim they couldn’t send me a verification text as it was voip - I’ve got the SIM card in my phone using WiFi calling. Works for me. YMMV. Hope it still is for sale.

https://www.amazon.com.au/T-Mobile-Month-Plan-Roaming-Countries/dp/B08KLBGPR1

 

[Daventry]

Applied for a Capital One checking account and got a message asking to give them a call… Will they just ask me to email a bank statement as proof of address?

Left it till the last minute (last day to be eligible for the welcome bonus is tomorrow)

 

[nthd_nthd]

I also used SH Studio, been over a month since the application.
Application process has 2 parts - signing the form and a quick video call.
I went directly to their website to avoid Fiverr Fee. It was cheaper to pay US$250 directly to them.

Can you please share details how to contact them directly?

 

[Sora]

Thank you very much for the detailed reply.

When do you normally need to use the codes? When linking external accounts to your checking accounts? ( I also currently use Textnow, and thinking of giving Tello a try)

And are you planning to apply for Chase / BOFA credit cards in the future?

I have noticed it when you change device, that’s where I’ve mainly hit the required verification, signing in etc. Required when you signup etc.

Not so much for transfers.

When say linking U.S Bank to Chase, it takes you to the login of U.S Bank, it offered me both mobile and email as verification, so each bank might have its only security policies as to how it verifies you.

Otherwise I will see if I can get a cheap $3 T-Mobile sim whilst I’m here.

For credit cards I’ll try at BOFA tomorrow in branch and for Chase I’m not sure because they don’t offer secured cards. And, I believe you need an SSN/ITIN so I won’t touch them for now.

All I can find is Students who can use their passports.

 

[levelnine]

Looks like that T-Mobile SIM card on Amazon is simply this: T-Mobile Prepaid

Might pick one up when I'm next in the US and see how it goes.

Available on Ebay. But they don't ship internationally: Ultra Mobile PayGo | $3/mo. Pay As You Go Plan + SIM Card with Talk, Text & Data 853455004693 | eBay

 

[Sora]

Looks like that T-Mobile SIM card on Amazon is simply this: T-Mobile Prepaid

Might pick one up when I'm next in the US and see how it goes.

Available on Ebay. But they don't ship internationally: Ultra Mobile PayGo | $3/mo. Pay As You Go Plan + SIM Card with Talk, Text & Data 853455004693 | eBay

It says unlimited $2 for 1 day and $10 for 7 … hmm.

 

[levelnine]

It says unlimited $2 for 1 day and $10 for 7 … hmm.

That's to upgrade to that amount of talk and text. Otherwise 100 mins/100 text per month.

My main concern is there might not be wifi calling, which will make it impossible to receive calls overseas.

 

[Sora]

That's to upgrade to that amount of talk and text. Otherwise 100 mins/100 text per month.

My main concern is there might not be wifi calling, which will make it impossible to receive calls overseas.

Let me ask them via T-Mobile SMS chat and find out.

So far they’re telling me the lowest they have is $10, but this $3 does have WiFi calling I’m told.

 

[levelnine]

Let me ask them via T-Mobile SMS chat and find out.

So far they’re telling me the lowest they have is $10, but this $3 does have WiFi calling I’m told.

Shockingly, it seems like all plans have it: Wi-Fi Calling | What is Wi-Fi Calling & How Does it Work - Ultra Mobile