Strategy to obtain US Amex

[http_x92]

Anyone do a GT recently for the first time? Do they ask for any docs?
I have US address and US phone number only and dont have anything else.
Looking to get the Personal Plat Gold.
Best to apply online or over the phone?

Basically a US bank statement showing the same address that was on the application.

HSBC Premier AU to US is the easiest method at the moment if you arent in the US anytime soon - set the mailing address to the same one on the GT application.

 

[metaphase]

Anyone do a GT recently for the first time? Do they ask for any docs?
I have US address and US phone number only and dont have anything else.
Looking to get the Personal Plat Gold.
Best to apply online or over the phone?

Yep - see my post above (prob a few pages ago now) for details. Asked for proof of address - Wise not accepted, HSBC statement was accepted on subsequent application. Did both online after logging in to existing Amex account then visiting US site.

 

[Ktan89]

Awesome, thank you. Will look into the HSBC account today.
What's the points conversion rate look like going AU to US points?

 

[metaphase]

Awesome, thank you. Will look into the HSBC account today.
What's the points conversion rate look like going AU to US points?

Amex MR points transfer is at approx the prevailing currency exchange rate.

 

[Ktan89]

Amex MR points transfer is at approx the prevailing currency exchange rate.

That's what the customer rep said but how does one calculate this?

 

[Ko0l]

Is there anyone on here with the HSBC Elite cc who's had luck managing travel portal reservations via the Priceline website?

You may be able to find your trip here:

Priceline - My Profile

www.priceline.com

You'll need to use the email and phone number you entered when making the booking. Note that it only accepts US phone numbers.

If that doesn't work you can also create an account with the same details and hopefully it shows up.

 

[metaphase]

That's what the customer rep said but how does one calculate this?

Just look at xe.com or Google for exchange rates to get the relevant multiplier?

You may be able to find your trip here:

Priceline - My Profile

www.priceline.com

You'll need to use the email and phone number you entered when making the booking. Note that it only accepts US phone numbers.

If that doesn't work you can also create an account with the same details and hopefully it shows up.

Thanks, I tried that using those details but never got anything emailed. Have an account and nothing showing up either. Guess I'll need to try calling Priceline but just wondered if anyone had some DPs - I'm assuming the rate to book is pay now fully cancellable.

 

[sudoer]

how does one calculate this?

You won't know exactly what the rate is until they process the transfer. But it is very very close to the AUDUSD rate shown on Google in my experience.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Anyone thought about getting the WF Autograph?

 

[Ktan89]

You won't know exactly what the rate is until they process the transfer. But it is very very close to the AUDUSD rate shown on Google in my experience.

Just look at xe.com or Google for exchange rates to get the relevant multiplier?

Thank you. So confirming 1,000,000 points will be roughly ~655,000 points

 

[sudoer]

Thank you. So confirming 1,000,000 points will be roughly ~655,000 points

Correct

 

[Ktan89]

That's pretty good. It's 30% more going to the US card right now.

I was planning to distribute my points to multiple FF miles/points next week but will stick with Amex points now and transfer to US Amex once approved.

 

[Ktan89]

For the US number, can I just use a mates one or do I need one for verification and calls from Amex?

With the amex Gold card, does it pick up food spend easily from Australia? Does bar/pubs get included?

Is this calculation also correct:
$10aud bill = $6.54usd charge on the amex (no fx fee)
Then when I pay the bill with wise, it works out roughly the same in AUD plus wise fees?

 

[georgie23]

For the US number, can I just use a mates one or do I need one for verification and calls from Amex?

With the amex Gold card, does it pick up food spend easily from Australia? Does bar/pubs get included?

Is this calculation also correct:
$10aud bill = $6.54usd charge on the amex (no fx fee)
Then when I pay the bill with wise, it works out roughly the same in AUD plus wise fees?

If you want to do this seriously just get a Tello number - it’s $5 a month to receive - you get more and more 2FA now with banks so I would say get own number otherwise it’s a bit tough

 

[sudoer]

For the US number, can I just use a mates one or do I need one for verification and calls from Amex?

Get your own number.

With the amex Gold card, does it pick up food spend easily from Australia? Does bar/pubs get included?

Yes, I would say 90-95% of dining is picked up correctly across all countries I've travelled to with a US Amex. I find cafe bakeries sometimes don't. You may find similar with some pubs if they have accommodation and register their MCC as a hotel/motel.

If you are really bothered, you can ask for transactions to be reassessed with Amex over live chat. I have about a 50% hit rate of getting them fixed up, it does take 60-90 days though.

Is this calculation also correct:
$10aud bill = $6.54usd charge on the amex (no fx fee)
Then when I pay the bill with wise, it works out roughly the same in AUD plus wise fees?

Yes approximately correct. While there is no FX fee, your A$10 bill might come in slightly more than the interbank rate. I did some calcs a year or two ago and found the true cost of spending in AUD or a US Amex, then using AUD to pay the USD bill via Wise to be about 1%.

 

[Ktan89]

If you want to do this seriously just get a Tello number - it’s $5 a month to receive - you get more and more 2FA now with banks so I would say get own number otherwise it’s a bit tough

That's pretty good and I will do this, thank you. I assume its charged in USD? No credit enquiry too?

If you are really bothered, you can ask for transactions to be reassessed with Amex over live chat. I have about a 50% hit rate of getting them fixed up, it does take 60-90 days though.

Awesome that's good to know. Will need to try a few pubs and see how it goes then.

Yes approximately correct. While there is no FX fee, your A$10 bill might come in slightly more than the interbank rate. I did some calcs a year or two ago and found the true cost of spending in AUD or a US Amex, then using AUD to pay the USD bill via Wise to be about 1%.

That's not too bad but once you add in the CC surcharges it does get pretty high huh

 

[georgie23]

No credit enquire for Tello - search the thread very easy to do and works instantly