Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Ko0l]

Is it worth the $395 fee?

You do get a 25k companion award, which can be used on anyone you are traveling with. That will offset at least half the fee or more depending on how you value it. The award can also be topped up with points for a more expensive flight.

The partner award fee is also waived which will save ~$100 after a few partner award bookings.

Besides that, it's mainly for people who want to spend to earn elite status with AS.

Extra $300 for 15k pts, 25k companion award, 3 x foreign spend and waived partner award fees is definitely worth getting over the signature version. IMO

 

[levelnine]

Extra $300 for 15k pts, 25k companion award, 3 x foreign spend and waived partner award fees is definitely worth getting over the signature version. IMO

It's an interesting equation.

If you're looking purely for the cheapest points, the Ascent/Biz cards are better.

If you're looking to acquire points without affecting your 5/24 status, the Biz card is the choice.

If you're looking for the most value out of a single card, the Summit is prob the best choice given the extra 15-20K points & 25K cert are likely valued at more than $300. Though it's very YMMV. Personally, I'd never pay $USD300 for 15-20K points and a 25K cert because I generally attain points at far less cost than that.

The 3x on foreign spend is the dark horse. Spend $130K on foreign spend, earn OWE & 390K AS miles. If you can do that spend without breaking a sweat, it's not a bad value proposition.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thank you. Curious to hear what people's strategy's have been for new cards. I've mostly had AMEX personal / business cards and sitting at 4/24, this will drop to 3/24 in October. I've got the Chase Sapphire Preferred and will likely go for the Ink Business (is the general rule still wait 3 months between Chase applications?). Would it be silly for me to burn up a spot with the AA card that's being removed? AA redemptions are insanely cheap domestically. Otherwise most reading from ToP and forum suggest Chase Business application -> Chase personal cards and then others.

Im on same boat at 4/24 but not dropping off until April next year.
Because of this 5/24 rule I am tossed and turned between should I keep the spot or move on to so many other cards that potentially Become Collectibles and will be no longer available for applications but they are So Good as well.
Still can't decide

Atmos Summit was suppose to take my 5/24. I called again to see whether I could get a tracking number but instead, the approved application was now in secondary? This seems like a BoA thing where you get approved then you get declined or flagged for secondary. Apparently I need to submit documents so I'll see where I'm at. I have a feeling the application is dead as BoA only accepts documents via snail mail .

But anyways, if I had the Atmos, I would be gardening for 12 months to get past 5/24. Chase Inks are now 4-6 months instead of every 3 months. Not as churnable as before. My previous experiences with banks like Barclays and Citi hasn't been great either so it's been a struggle there as well. I really wanted the Atmos card as I do like AS's program but alas it's not meant to be (for the moment).

I was interested in the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant as my 5/24 slot but I'm not sure if it's currently worth it.

Edit: Thinking more about it, it might be a bullet dodged. Seems like BoA has some terrible stories with the card being used abroad...

 

[Tiki]

I woke up (yes early) to an email and scan of my Fedex from Barclays. I went with the more expensive DHL mailout $65 because I am leaving for Indonesia Maluku Islands in 2 weeks and wanted to be sure it arrived before I left. Otherwise I could have gone with the $20 option. For customs declaration I looked at an old DHL envelope from Chase and put Business Documents $5 value.

Hopefully it will arrive in time to pay my Tello bill for next month. I think my first transaction should be in the USA. Otherwise, I can donate to a charity or something.

 

[Tiki]

Atmos Summit was suppose to take my 5/24. I called again to see whether I could get a tracking number but instead, the approved application was now in secondary? This seems like a BoA thing where you get approved then you get declined or flagged for secondary. Apparently I need to submit documents so I'll see where I'm at. I have a feeling the application is dead as BoA only accepts documents via snail mail .

But anyways, if I had the Atmos, I would be gardening for 12 months to get past 5/24. Chase Inks are now 4-6 months instead of every 3 months. Not as churnable as before. My previous experiences with banks like Barclays and Citi hasn't been great either so it's been a struggle there as well. I really wanted the Atmos card as I do like AS's program but alas it's not meant to be (for the moment).

I was interested in the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant as my 5/24 slot but I'm not sure if it's currently worth it.

Edit: Thinking more about it, it might be a bullet dodged. Seems like BoA has some terrible stories with the card being used abroad...

Barclays Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard: New 80K Welcome Offer

The Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard has a newly-increased welcome offer of 80,000 miles after $2,500 in spend.

frequentmiler.com

You could try the Hawaiian card as it will be withdrawn eventually. I will probably get one in Nov or whenever I can do another Barclays card. Not sure what their version of 5/24 is.

The Atmos cards will be around next year and from then onwards.

 

[scibo10]

I’’m looking to get the Citi Strata Premier and wanted to get people’s experiences on applying for the card and using it in Australia.

I have Amex Green and Aspire (both via GT), CSP and C1 Savor cards, but no Citi cards as yet. I'm currently 1/6 and 2/12, but will drop to 0/6 and 1/12 by the end of October. Has anyone successfully applied online with an ITIN for Citi cards without holding any?

For those that have a Citi card, was it easy to activate the card in Oz and use without getting an account blocked for fraud. I know there are issues with using Apple Pay, but will look to use the physical card if I get it. Thanks!

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Barclays Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard: New 80K Welcome Offer

The Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard has a newly-increased welcome offer of 80,000 miles after $2,500 in spend.

frequentmiler.com

You could try the Hawaiian card as it will be withdrawn eventually. I will probably get one in Nov or whenever I can do another Barclays card. Not sure what their version of 5/24 is.

The Atmos cards will be around next year and from then onwards.

I had such a hard time with Barclay's last time where I tried faxing things so many times and it just never worked. They wouldn't accept a passport or a foreign DL. It was just ridiculous.

I'm thinking it might just take this as a blessing in disguise that I didn't get the Atmos. I could try to churn another Ink in a week or 2.

I’’m looking to get the Citi Strata Premier and wanted to get people’s experiences on applying for the card and using it in Australia.

I have Amex Green and Aspire (both via GT), CSP and C1 Savor cards, but no Citi cards as yet. I'm currently 1/6 and 2/12, but will drop to 0/6 and 1/12 by the end of October. Has anyone successfully applied online with an ITIN for Citi cards without holding any?

For those that have a Citi card, was it easy to activate the card in Oz and use without getting an account blocked for fraud. I know there are issues with using Apple Pay, but will look to use the physical card if I get it. Thanks!

From what I've read, mobile payments are high risk. It's preferrable to pay with the physical card. I had a Citi checking account and tried to apply for an AA card with an ITIN. Immediately denied

---

For a non-churning strategy, two currencies I want to target is WoH and Atmos. The only card that has both is BILT and there are no SUBs for that either. Atmos would have been good as a first year card but definitely hard to justify in the long term. I don't think I would have been pumping 200K AUD through the card to get OWE. I think levelnine spoke about this earlier, at the end of the day it might just probably best to keep hitting the SUBs to maximise value rather than optimising for the best spend patterns.

If you think about Atmos' spending structure, it's 3x on FX. VX is already 2x on all spend and if you pair it up with S1, you get 3x on some other categories. With 2 cards, you're AF neutral with similar earn potential. Downside is that you're not in the Atmos ecosystem. I need to do a few more calculations on the whole Atmos thing to see how the long term calculations work out.

Next steps would be to apply for a BoA account and try for the Atmos in branch if the numbers add up.

---

For those interested in C1, I recommend VX then Venture when the sign up bonuses are good. Once you've held the Venture for 3-4 months, C1 will let you product change to S1. Saves you a slot if you're trying to get the C1 duo.

 

[blacksultan]

Earning rate: 3X Alaska Airlines ✦ 3x dining ✦ 3x foreign transactions ✦ 1X elsewhere

3x Foreign transactions without forex fee is heaven for US

Who else thinking of this card?

P2 and I are on the border 4/24 but so many cards we want to get before they gone but don't know what to do as don't want to be blocked out of Chase

Did you have to download and print forms from intralinks.com as well ?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Did you have to download and print forms from intralinks.com as well ?

Personal cards didn't seem that complicated. You apply via the phone but if you get flagged for a secondary review then it's over because they only accept mail in documents.

I was flagged for fraud then that got cleared. Fraud got cleared and the credit team approved it. It was then pulled back for secondary according to the rep. You can call and try to apply. It seems like I would have been immediately approved if it wasn't for all these weird hiccups.

 

[blacksultan]

I woke up (yes early) to an email and scan of my Fedex from Barclays. I went with the more expensive DHL mailout $65 because I am leaving for Indonesia Maluku Islands in 2 weeks and wanted to be sure it arrived before I left. Otherwise I could have gone with the $20 option. For customs declaration I looked at an old DHL envelope from Chase and put Business Documents $5 value.

Hopefully it will arrive in time to pay my Tello bill for next month. I think my first transaction should be in the USA. Otherwise, I can donate to a charity or something.

Or you. Can $5 credit to PE for future use .

Personal cards didn't seem that complicated. You apply via the phone but if you get flagged for a secondary review then it's over because they only accept mail in documents.

I was flagged for fraud then that got cleared. Fraud got cleared and the credit team approved it. It was then pulled back for secondary according to the rep. You can call and try to apply. It seems like I would have been immediately approved if it wasn't for all these weird hiccups.

So why can’t someone send documents by mail ? Even by using a service where you can email and they print and mail for you ?

 

[scibo10]

Thanks @_TheTraveller_ . I can’t seem to ever get pre-approved for the VX, even though I’ve held the Savor Card for almost a year. I’m hoping when I drop back to 0/6 next month I might have a shot. I just keep getting approved for C1’s ‘for GOOD credit’ cards atm.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Or you. Can $5 credit to PE for future use .

So why can’t someone send documents by mail ? Even by using a service where you can email and they print and mail for you ?

I'm not sure I want more people handling my doc's than needed.

Thanks @_TheTraveller_ . I can’t seem to ever get pre-approved for the VX, even though I’ve held the Savor Card for almost a year. I’m hoping when I drop back to 0/6 next month I might have a shot. I just keep getting approved for C1’s ‘for GOOD credit’ cards atm.

Should have aimed for VX first. Have you tried the VX specific pre-approval?

Edit: Get Pre-Approved for a Capital One Credit Card | Capital One

 

[blacksultan]

royal orchid ( Thai ) does not appear as a transfer partner for US MR while it does for AU MR .
Does anyone have any further on any current issue ?

 

[Tiki]

Or you. Can $5 credit to PE for future use .

Good idea, thanks. I will def be getting another card in Nov, hopefully that Hawaiian one will still be around. I'll keep an eye on the us blogs as they usually flag when a card is being discontinued. They gave us heads up on Barclays AA ending 30 Sept. But I didn't want to mess with it while I am overseas.