Strategy to obtain US Amex

Thanks all for all the information. Today I finished reading to this last thread and wow, I learned so much from all of you. Thank you and sending my respect to all the contributed and sharing your experience journey for all newbie like me. To Sum up what I read

1. Get a US phone plan - some reported that some services not working when receiving OTP - this is what currently worrying me. I could not set up Talkatone or TextNow or v.v. so I purchased a Skype US phone number

2. With so many variable at MyUS and the like in forwarding mails/CC letter I would play my safe bet borrowing my friend's address but going long term - I dont think I want to bother them forwarding my mail few times a month - Hoping for a long term plan but.

3. I closed my Amex CC before pandemic and have not reapplied for it so I will try applying and use Nova Credit route to see how it goes.

4. If I am successful for that 1st US card then I will move on to apply for ITIN with suggestion to use SH Studio. It's expensive but I guess worth the investment?

5. Set up HSBC Au account to be able to set up HSBC US check account and/or HSBC US Credit Card? Do I need to go down this path as I have to move all my incomes to have 9K going into HSBC Au Account to be eligible for Global Account?

6. Wait for my credit to build around 8 months to 1 years then try my luck with Chase/Cap1/VentureX?

7. After 1st Card I then apply for other Amex Personal cards and Business cards if I have ITIN (Is this right or Do I need to get LLC for Business Cards?)

Thank you all for any feedback on my summary. Too much reading and few sleepless night creating my headache. And I guess more Headache to come dealing with US Amex hahaha.


Just found out "I apologize but without a U.S SSN or ITIN you would not be able to apply through Nova there criteria for Nova change a little over a month ago." So My 1st step now is to get ITIN
 
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_TheTraveller_ said:
It's a mixed bag. Some banks will not like VOIP numbers and will refuse to to issue verification SMSs to them.
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Could you please recommend me ones that works? Cant obtain T-mobile from Amazon at the moment. Does Tello work outside US? I Never use e-sim before as well.
 
nthd_nthd said:
Could you please recommend me ones that works? Cant obtain T-mobile from Amazon at the moment. Does Tello work outside US? I Never use e-sim before as well.
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My Post Paid service with Google Fi isn't accepted by C1 either. C1 gives you a warning telling you that it won't accept Prepaid or VOIP so YMMV.

Some have gotten Trello to work with Chase and Amex but I can't be certain. Others could chime in on this.

Also sometimes they won't issue you an OTP but will do so next month.
 
Google Voice works with Chase. It also works with Bank of America; it does not work with U.S Bank.

Not sure about other banks, though.

When you may need to receive a code for a bank transfer for verification, it does not seem to work for me, even though they work for requiring a verification code for accessing the app.
 
Sora said:
Google Voice works with Chase. It also works with Bank of America; it does not work with U.S Bank.

Not sure about other banks, though.

When you may need to receive a code for a bank transfer for verification, it does not seem to work for me, even though they work for requiring a verification code for accessing the app.
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I'm saying this as a precaution because it really is YMMV. Google Voice did not work with Chase for me. They specifically mentioned multiple times that they cannot send an SMS to that phone number. Hence I would generally recommend others to get a proper line that isn't VOIP to avoid disappointment.

People with T-Mobile prepaid sims or Trello or Textnow have reported different experiences so it depends on your appetite for risk and change.
 
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Hi Everyone

Do I have to get HSBC premier and get HSBC US checking account for my US CC journey? Or is it ok just to use Wise or Revolux or any other Wire methods without checking Account?
Is it a must to have a checking account for getting Chase CC ? I have other travel plans coming and dont see myself getting to US any time soon - so in person banking is not an option for now until 2026 maybe.

Also, I am applying for AU Amex - if successful, how long do I wait until I can do GT?

thanks for any info.
 
nthd_nthd said:
Hi Everyone

Do I have to get HSBC premier and get HSBC US checking account for my US CC journey? Or is it ok just to use Wise or Revolux or any other Wire methods without checking Account?
Is it a must to have a checking account for getting Chase CC ? I have other travel plans coming and dont see myself getting to US any time soon - so in person banking is not an option for now until 2026 maybe.

Also, I am applying for AU Amex - if successful, how long do I wait until I can do GT?

thanks for any info.
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Wise is fine. GT minimum timeframe was 3 months I believe.

Edit: by 3 months I mean 3-4 statement periods.
 
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nthd_nthd said:
Could you please recommend me ones that works? Cant obtain T-mobile from Amazon at the moment. Does Tello work outside US? I Never use e-sim before as well.
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I've been using Tello and it's been pretty reliable, works with AMEX for me. Once you sign up, you can install the e-sim on your phone. The e-sim only works with WiFi calling unless you activate it in the US apparently, but as long as you have wifi, it will receive calls and texts to that number. You can also use the MyTello app to make calls without having to switch sims.

Another perk I've found is when travelling, you can get a data only sim and still use the My Tello app to call if you need to since it comes with minutes to other countries.
 
itsjackson said:
I've been using Tello and it's been pretty reliable. Once you sign up, you can install the esim on your phone. The esim only works with WiFi calling unless you activate it in the US apparently, but as long as you have wifi, it will receive calls and texts to that number. You can also use the MyTello app to make calls without having to switch sims.
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Does Tello work for Chase, C1 and Citi?

Found this on Reddit:

I was finally forced to add my Tello number to my Capital One account. Tried to access my virtual credit card numbers and it refused to verify with my Google Voice number that's been on the account since I opened it in 2014. Called customer service and they said that some features have additional security checks and that even though I can receive 2FA codes on my Google Voice number the system will require a real mobile number for certain functions like managing VCCs. As soon as I added my Tello number everything unlocked but if I accidentally choose my Google Voice number for verification when trying to manage my VCCs it still won't work.
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So it seems like it may work for certain things but not others. You may receive 2FA codes for logins but not other functionalities. Sounds exactly like my experience with Google Fi. Even though it's a postpaid phone number, I can't seem to get SMS' for adding external accounts but I can use it for 2FA login.

I also had a very strange experience previously with Citi where I started off being able to receive SMS and phone calls for 2FA then suddenly it was disabled and I had to call in for 2FA every time. Not sure if their databases were being updated or fraud detection was barring functionalities. Citi also locked my account because I didn't activate their debit card (which I never received) so that could also lead to some functionalities being disabled. I'm hoping that's why my C1 account isn't allowing me to use the App for 2FA and once I receive/activate the card, I can use the App for 2FA. Otherwise it might be a length of opening the account as well? 30 days after you open your account will you get App 2FA access? No idea.
 
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Sora said:
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.
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Thank you for replying. Please keep us updated with your Bofa credit card application experience :) Chase has no fee credit cards but you don't have ITIN right ? Do you plan to apply for an ITIN in the future ?

I have an ITIN and managed to open a C1 checking account and their no fee credit card. ( SavorOne) Hopefully when I visit the US, I can use it to open a Chase and Bofa checking account.
 
desafinado74 said:
Thank you for replying. Please keep us updated with your Bofa credit card application experience :) Chase has no fee credit cards but you don't have ITIN right ? Do you plan to apply for an ITIN in the future ?

I have an ITIN and managed to open a C1 checking account and their no fee credit card. ( SavorOne) Hopefully when I visit the US, I can use it to open a Chase and Bofa checking account.
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Have you had any issues with 2FA/OTP with C1 with TextNow?
 
_TheTraveller_ said:
Have you had any issues with 2FA/OTP with C1 with TextNow?
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Funny enough no, but I must say C1's security system can a pain to deal with. Initially I had difficulties adding an external account, as it didn't accept my Textnow or T Mobile number. But 6 weeks after I first signed up with them, I was able to use the app to get a code and add an external account from there.
 

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