Strategy to obtain US Amex

Sora said:
I have a new ITIN, approved for a secured card with Capital One Quicksilver Card.

I’m opening a checking account with them.

They’re literally the only bank I’ve had any success with in terms of a credit card approval. Very hard it seems now to open bank accounts without doing it in person.
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Did Cap1 ask you for ID verification for the credit card?
 
Sora said:
I applied and was conditionally approved. I decided I’ll get it to build my credit.

It was sent for review. I had to upload my ITIN and my passport, it was then approved a day or two later.

I didn’t need to provide anything else beyond that.
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Wow that's a great data point in that case! Many of us (me included) have struggled to get a Cap1 card because they only seemed to accept US driver licenses. Did you apply using a US VPN at all?
 
GDale said:
Wow that's a great data point in that case! Many of us (me included) have struggled to get a Cap1 card because they only seemed to accept US driver licenses. Did you apply using a US VPN at all?
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Nah, not any VPN. Just my usual connection here. I did use my brothers physical address in the USA though.

Not sure if that makes any difference, but its the same address on the ITIN letter.

Those were the only two things, my ID and the ITIN letter.

I have submitted earlier my checking account request, same thing, they needed my ITIN. Let's see how my application goes, but if my card is approved, I can't see why the checking account won't be.
 
GDale said:
Wow that's a great data point in that case! Many of us (me included) have struggled to get a Cap1 card because they only seemed to accept US driver licenses. Did you apply using a US VPN at all?
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I did this, they accepted ITIN and Aussie passport, opened the account and then closed it a few days later due to unspecified “risk”.
 
Sora said:
Nah, not any VPN. Just my usual connection here. I did use my brothers physical address in the USA though.

Not sure if that makes any difference, but its the same address on the ITIN letter.

Those were the only two things, my ID and the ITIN letter.

I have submitted earlier my checking account request, same thing, they needed my ITIN. Let's see how my application goes, but if my card is approved, I can't see why the checking account won't be.
Click to expand...
That seems to be a big part of it with C1. They’d previously been asking for US State ID and my AU passport just wouldn’t be accepted. They knew I was using a VPN but wouldn’t say so. I had previously opened a checking account and they shut everything down without notice. They sent me a check by mail (the Americans are big on that rather than bank transfers like we are)..

I applied without a VPN just for kicks and got approved for a card. I have other checking accounts so not interested in a C1 account. CCs (I have two now and their ’Business’ Cards are both working. I hope they continue to work long term as I don’t want any credit just a payment method particularly as October 1 is fast approaching. That’s my story YMMV. The learning from my long post for me is ‘don’t use a VPN’ and it might just work. YMMV.
 
GDale said:
have struggled to get a Cap1 card
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I’ve had a Cap1 basic Venture One for almost 2y now. They gave me a $500 limit initially, then increased to $2k after about 1 year, and just last week increased the limit to $4k.

I’m still in their low credit score basket though, as pre approval won’t get me any of the good Venture cards.

I also can’t open any checking accounts - they specifically say online application is for US residents only
 
albyd said:
That seems to be a big part of it with C1. They’d previously been asking for US State ID and my AU passport just wouldn’t be accepted. They knew I was using a VPN but wouldn’t say so. I had previously opened a checking account and they shut everything down without notice. They sent me a check by mail (the Americans are big on that rather than bank transfers like we are)..

I applied without a VPN just for kicks and got approved for a card. I have other checking accounts so not interested in a C1 account. CCs (I have two now and their ’Business’ Cards are both working. I hope they continue to work long term as I don’t want any credit just a payment method particularly as October 1 is fast approaching. That’s my story YMMV. The learning from my long post for me is ‘don’t use a VPN’ and it might just work. YMMV.
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I would be unable to provide a state based ID. Though, they never asked for it - all I got in the email was a request for my ID and ITIN.


This is their document for ID documents, not sure if that helps anyone.

But, yes, I feel sometimes rather than seriously trying to circumvent systems with a VPN, just use one without it, seems like it works and since you can provide documents such as an ITIN & a Passport, I think that is all they would require to confirm validity. I hope they don't start asking for VISA's soon.

I will know more about my checking account in business hours, hopefully a smooth process. I use my brothers US address so no forwarded, and I use a Saily eSIM for SMS and calls etc.
 
When I check the application for a C1 checking account, I remember that you need to select that you are a US resident; otherwise, it won't proceed to the next stage for opening the account online. There is no other option, which would result in a W-9 form instead of a W-8BEN form being issued for the account. I was approved, but I didn't accept the application and called them to cancel it since I don't want trouble with tax stuff later on. That was last year not sure if anything change now
 
Wondering if I've gone about this the wrong way.. Applied for HSBC US Premier through the online portal, they wrote asking for travel and income documentation.

If I call the HSBC International Banking Center, am I able to get approved without needing them based off my AUS Premier status?
 
million_thanas1968 said:
Wondering if I've gone about this the wrong way.. Applied for HSBC US Premier through the online portal, they wrote asking for travel and income documentation.

If I call the HSBC International Banking Center, am I able to get approved without needing them based off my AUS Premier status?
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You are on the right track - they also ask for travel within the next few months if that is one of the reasons you listed in the application. Also mention that you will be doing Global transfers from the Premier AU account.
 
Sora said:
I would be unable to provide a state based ID. Though, they never asked for it - all I got in the email was a request for my ID and ITIN.


This is their document for ID documents, not sure if that helps anyone.

But, yes, I feel sometimes rather than seriously trying to circumvent systems with a VPN, just use one without it, seems like it works and since you can provide documents such as an ITIN & a Passport, I think that is all they would require to confirm validity. I hope they don't start asking for VISA's soon.

I will know more about my checking account in business hours, hopefully a smooth process. I use my brothers US address so no forwarded, and I use a Saily eSIM for SMS and calls etc.
Click to expand...
Decided to try again after your positive data point, but this is the ID verification requirement I get:

1786363077350.png

Looks like I just did another hard pull for no benefit :(
 

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