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Interesting, paying through PayPal AU with a US Amex works regardless of the Billing Address but looks like the same might not work for Chase... Something to consider then.

Clarification on the monthly bonus points according to the T&Cs: Noting that the first statement period is quite early, giving the cardholders time to get the physical card. Although there is the option to get it digitally now so you can start spending it early. So given that the second...

I chose the Gold Elite instant status, wouldn't know how the double nights would have went.

Yep, Wise is the safest method to pay off the Amex bill - noting the small fee to pay when you are converting from AUD to USD

Instant Gold Elite for 2025 or double nights for a month now on, also clicking through the Loyaltylobby website mentioned initially.

Yep, it was there - $50 voucher and the PC+ discount for one bottle makes it 228.69 pts / $. With the triple points its 4,175 points in total. Great stuff.

I am still on myUS - Australia Post was an option and I think it got replaced with Aramex. Cheaper, but definitely takes longer for the card to arrive. If it is needed for a SUB then DHL is the go to one but for a replacement one then no rush so I go for Aramex.

Sounds like US global mail is cheaper than myUS these days if it takes only 10 USD to send a US credit card mail. From what I can see it is a subscription service. YMMV depending on the number of cards you get approved for.

Yep got a surprise about the FX rate crashing today, decided to cop it and pay the US Amex bill. On the other hand, the Qantas FX sale with bonus points looked really good, was over 0.6 USD earlier today and locked it in.

Looks like a similar offer to last year - but this time only one stay is required. Successfully registered for the fast track.

BTW, still have my Textnow subscription and it is still working fine for Amex but have heard issues receiving verification texts from other US banks. Is it still the case?

I did get an upgrade from King Acacia Room to the King Waratah Premium a few times but never to a suite. Probably the max you could go.

For Oneworld carriers it seems to be Avios that is the only program which is a transfer partner for all the major US CC companies. BA and QR teaming up and allowing Avios to be pooled makes it easier. Seems to work better for direct routes on Oneworld partner airlines. Will look into it more.

YMMV but US hotel CCs may be of benefit to you if you stay at Hilton or Marriott chains frequently. Either the instant Diamond status with Hilton Aspire or Elite Night credits + status with Marriott cards.

Once we get the ITIN, is it advised that we link it to our AMEX accounts almost immediately or we don't really have to yet and we can start applying for other US cards? I assume other US banks want to know if we have a good credit score first and they want some sort of history.

No hard and fast rule for getting out of pop up jail but it probably took me a year of continuous spending on existing cards (went for the FNCs after spending 15k) to get me out of it. That is what I noticed. Also, no downgrades/upgrades around the time you apply for another card. The SUB for my...

Sounds like an ITIN is the way to go, but sounds like it will be a long process. Will try SH studio. No rush though.

If there was ever an upgrade bonus for the US Amex cards I assume it will come in a targeted email (e.g. Marriott to the Brilliant). Same goes for the Hilton ones. In PUJ at the moment so upgrade offer is the next best option.

Indeed the extra 15 nights + another 35k FNA from the Marriott Biz card for $125 looks good but it sounds like an ITIN is required and an address in the US where you do business. I know in Aus, being a Doordash or Uber driver on the side counts and you need an ABN for that... probably the same...

Thinking of starting the ITIN journey. I have seen from earlier that Maza is the cheapest. Is it still the case or is SH Studio better? Willing to be patient, won't be getting another US card for a while yet.