Strategy to obtain US Amex

[GerrardGerrard]

My credit limit is only $5k on my HSBC US credit card, do you think I could pay off my balance before the statement is produced to free up my credit limit?

I know over paying is generally frowned upon but is there a possibility of account closure if I do?

 

[albyd]

Aside from credit balances in credit cards, American banks call paying down our accounts and running them up again in the same billing cycle “credit cycling” and they don’t like it. Best to try to get a limit increase. How long have you had your card for? Usually 6 months since your last limit increase or since the credit card approval is a good rule of thumb.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Does anyone have the CSR or CSRB? Wanted to get your thoughts on the value proposition on these cards if you were to hold them long term.

I originally wanted to get the CSRB so it doesn't count towards ?/24 but I'm not sure I can hit 40K AUD in 6 months and CSR's values a bit hit and miss for the long term.

 

[albyd]

I hold the CSR. Tried for the CSRB in July but got declined as I had gotten my ink Preferred in Feb so Chase felt that was too soon and I had too much credit with Chase relative to my income and limits at other banks. I ended up converting my CSP to CSR.

In short, I think the CSR/CSRB cards are worth it if the credits are usable for you otherwise a less expensive card like CSP is better value so you're not trying to get as many offsets from the credits (coupon book) to lower your effective AF. I think the $300 Travel credit in its current form is reasonably easy to trigger and I use the Apple credits. The balance we'll see. I also use the bonus spend categories. Maintaining Hyatt transfers at 1:1 was one of my motivators to get the card. If Hyatt doesn't move the needle for you, get the CSP if you don't already have it.

YMMV.

 

[DC3]

I'm not sure I can hit 40K AUD in 6 months

If they don’t close you down first.

Sorry about that. I just didn’t have a great experience with them. All history now. Let us know how you get on.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I hold the CSR. Tried for the CSRB in July but got declined as I had gotten my ink Preferred in Feb so Chase felt that was too soon and I had too much credit with Chase relative to my income and limits at other banks. I ended up converting my CSP to CSR.

In short, I think the CSR/CSRB cards are worth it if the credits are usable for you otherwise a less expensive card like CSP is better value so you're not trying to get as many offsets from the credits (coupon book) to lower your effective AF. I think the $300 Travel credit in its current form is reasonably easy to trigger and I use the Apple credits. The balance we'll see. I also use the bonus spend categories. Maintaining Hyatt transfers at 1:1 was one of my motivators to get the card. If Hyatt doesn't move the needle for you, get the CSP if you don't already have it.

YMMV.

Fair assessment. The 1:1 is important but at the same time I may look at just moving over to Bilt for Hyatt if I can get approved for it. I think in the first year if I can hit the SUB, it'll be worth it. At a minimum, the effective AF would be $495. I think the $500/1000 edit credit can't be valued at face value given the 2 night requirement.

Do you have plans on getting the Freedom Flex as well? the rotating categories could be lucrative.

 

[DAC1]

Does anyone have the CSR or CSRB? Wanted to get your thoughts on the value proposition on these cards if you were to hold them long term.

I originally wanted to get the CSRB so it doesn't count towards ?/24 but I'm not sure I can hit 40K AUD in 6 months and CSR's values a bit hit and miss for the long term.

I have the CSR. As mentioned above, the fee is practically $495 as the travel credit is easy to use. Also used the Apple credits and I am finding the Open Table ones easy to use too (if there is a period I am not in the US I just buy gift cards). The edit and hotel credits have a few decent Australian/NZ options so while I haven’t used them yet, I expect I will be able to.

I will be keeping it.

 

[albyd]

Do you have plans on getting the Freedom Flex as well? the rotating categories could be lucrative.

the Edit is purported to be expensive hotels so we’ll see. I suspect it’s much like Amex FHR just 2 night rather than one night (US Platinum) required stay.

I was previously thinking of turning my CSP into a Freedom Unlimited id I got the CSRB.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I have the CSR. As mentioned above, the fee is practically $495 as the travel credit is easy to use. Also used the Apple credits and I am finding the Open Table ones easy to use too (if there is a period I am not in the US I just buy gift cards). The edit and hotel credits have a few decent Australian/NZ options so while I haven’t used them yet, I expect I will be able to.

I will be keeping it.

Ah the GC trick works with Open Table as well so that's good news. A few of my preferred hotels are also on the edit but I guess the out of pocket cost with the Edit is higher than FHR.

the Edit is purported to be expensive hotels so we’ll see. I suspect it’s much like Amex FHR just 2 night rather than one night (US Platinum) required stay.

I was previously thinking of turning my CSP into a Freedom Unlimited id I got the CSRB.

That's a good idea but Freedom Unlimited still has the FX fee unlike the flex. I wonder when they'll get rid of it.

 

[albyd]

That's a good idea but Freedom Unlimited still has the FX fee unlike the flex. I wonder when they'll get rid of it.

I was going to bottom drawer it. Though I think they’ve got rid of the FX fee which is a nice bonus …

 

[RealtimeY]

Then I realised it was sent to the mailing address, which is the MyUS Suite.

Same thing just happened to me.... did you end up asking them to re-send it to Australia?

 

[http_x92]

Same thing just happened to me.... did you end up asking them to re-send it to Australia?

I learned to be proactive when I applied for the 2nd one, just after I got approved. Tell them to send it to the Australian address as soon as the card shows up in the app.

In the meantime, they will treat the one that went to MyUS as a lost card and cancel the old MC card number and give you a new one.

 

[Tiki]

If anyone is interested in Avios, there is an elevated offer for 90k Avios which is only available on BA's website. It's in the Use Avios section. If you apply through that link it will give you a fresh application. No place to log into Chase if you are already a customer. For some reason, this triggered a fraud alert on their side. They sent a message in my Chase account to call them, They sent a code to my Chase app and I had to click something that confirmed I am on the phone with a Chase rep. After that, he took a couple minutes to process it and I was approved instantly. The card showed up right away in the app and I could add it to Apple Wallet.

I then had to call back and ask for another department to expedite the card to Australia which they did on 18 Sept. They use UPS and the card arrived today from their facility in Ohio via Louisville, Honolulu and Sydney. From Sydney it appears they use a truck to Brisbane.

Minimum spend is a bit much, $5000 but we are doing a big road trip next month and I can prepay some of NZ trip in January to finish this card and also the Citi Strata Premier which is coming Monday via Planet Express and DHL.

 

[levelnine]

Does anyone have the CSR or CSRB? Wanted to get your thoughts on the value proposition on these cards if you were to hold them long term.

I originally wanted to get the CSRB so it doesn't count towards ?/24 but I'm not sure I can hit 40K AUD in 6 months and CSR's values a bit hit and miss for the long term.

Neither are long term keepers for me. I downgrade CSR to a fee free card after first year. And I cancel CSRB after the first year as no downgrade option. Both worth it for the elevated SUB in the first year, however.

 

[GerrardGerrard]

Aside from credit balances in credit cards, American banks call paying down our accounts and running them up again in the same billing cycle “credit cycling” and they don’t like it. Best to try to get a limit increase. How long have you had your card for? Usually 6 months since your last limit increase or since the credit card approval is a good rule of thumb.

Only had card coming upto 1 month, they said I can ask for a credit limit increase 60 days after opening the account.