Strategy to obtain US Amex

[DC3]

Contrary to the experience of many others AMEX didn't accept MyUS for me to provide the first card, I was able to change it to that for a replacement card. I needed to give my friend's address for a physical.

Would this have been an initial application by phone where the address was manually checked, rather than online?

 

[Amogh92]

Would this have been an initial application by phone where the address was manually checked, rather than online?

No it was through the global transfer site, all online

 

[Viridis]

Okay, sorry to be a pest but I've been about to hit the 'Enter' button a couple of times but then thought "what if ......"

Sooooo,

You go through the Global Transfer process and you get a shiny new US (or in my case UK) Amex delivered to your Australian address via a mail forwarding company. I have an Australian Platinum Charge card. I won't be cancelling it. Based on the comments of others on this thread, this doesn't seem to be a problem.

Has nobody received a call from Amex querying why they are in two places at once?

I will still be putting most of my charges on my Australian PC but will be spending online with my proposed UK one and locally when I travel there once or twice a year

Clearly the intent of the service is that you're moving abroad given the details that you're required to provide - is this wilful ignorance on Amex's part or are the 'systems' not linked up?

 

[DC3]

… Has nobody received a call from Amex querying why they are in two places at once?

I will still be putting most of my charges on my Australian PC but will be spending online with my proposed UK one and locally when I travel there once or twice a year

Clearly the intent of the service is that you're moving abroad given the details that you're required to provide - is this wilful ignorance on Amex's part or are the 'systems' not linked up?

There is no obligation to cancel existing cards. I would not be over-thinking this. You can be in as many places as you like. Amex U.S.A. doesn’t seem interested in where I am at any given time.

I don’t have any experience with Amex UK.

 

[Viridis]

There is no obligation to cancel existing cards. I would not be over-thinking this. You can be in as many places as you like. Amex U.S.A. doesn’t seem interested in where I am at any given time.

I don’t have any experience with Amex UK.

Thank you

 

[BlueHorizonUK]

I am not sure why you want a U.K. Amex when the US one is a million times better?

 

[Viridis]

I am not sure why you want a U.K. Amex when the US one is a million times better?

Perhaps. But spend more time in the UK than the US. A £GBP denominated card would be more helpful than a $USD one.

I'm in BA EC so will get the BA Premium card with Avios. Yes, I know, not Hilton Diamond Status, but it suits me and my Aussie PC gets most everything else I want

 

[BlueHorizonUK]

Perhaps. But spend more time in the UK than the US. A £GBP denominated card would be more helpful than a $USD one.

I'm in BA EC so will get the BA Premium card with Avios. Yes, I know, not Hilton Diamond Status, but it suits me and my Aussie PC gets most everything else I want

Just to add that if you get the Amex using global transfer you wouldn’t be able to apply for any other U.K. card as the companies here do address verification and if you are not o the electoral roll then you wouldn’t be accepted. So Amex maybe the only card you get get in the U.K.

 

[blacksultan]

Thank you

I have an Amex Uk . Try and make your first purchase at a Uk merchant to prevent a fraud alert . You may then have to provide a Uk bank statement to prove address .

 

[Igreen]

When applying using GT, it’s your relationship with Oz Amex (including Oz credit history) that counts. Most who apply using GT would not have an established credit history in the US anyway.

There have been past posts upthread advising that only 1 x GT is allowed by Amex, and that further card applications will need be by using SSN/ITIN. However, I have had the Aspire (by GT) for almost 2 years, followed by the fee-free Hilton card in June this year (another GT). I did not go down the FICO path when applying for the second card.

I agree. My Mrs got her first card using GT in Dec 20. Then applied in Aug 21 by calling Amex. She got her Brilliant Bonvoy card FICO score in June 21 I think

 

[nj12]

When applying using GT, it’s your relationship with Oz Amex (including Oz credit history) that counts. Most who apply using GT would not have an established credit history in the US anyway.

There have been past posts upthread advising that only 1 x GT is allowed by Amex, and that further card applications will need be by using SSN/ITIN. However, I have had the Aspire (by GT) for almost 2 years, followed by the fee-free Hilton card in June this year (another GT). I did not go down the FICO path when applying for the second card.

I agree. My Mrs got her first card using GT in Dec 20. Then applied in Aug 21 by calling Amex. She got her Brilliant Bonvoy card FICO score in June 21 I think

I can also confirm this is correct for those looking to add a second Amex without ITIN/SSN as I have just been approved for the No Annual Fee HIlton card. I have had the Hilton surpass since February and noticed my FICO score had appeared earlier this month so I thought I'd apply for another.

For those interested in the process this time round I applied online not using the GT link but on the US Amex website for card applications which allows you to tick the box indicating you don't have a SSN. The card was not instantly approved and I got a message saying I needed to call to provide further information. My initial thought was that they might want address verification which would have been a problem. The rep did ask for my address which is a myus one but no other proof was required. Then he asked for my SSN and I informed him I had given my passport number for the previous card approval as I did not yet have a SSN. After I told him I had an Amex account in Australia and gave details he updated the application and card was approved. The only issue now is waiting to see whether USPS First Class mail will get to my myus address. I have a premium+mail subscription so I'll report back if it arrives.

Now I have two it might be time to start the process of getting an ITIN for future cards.

 

[blacksultan]

I can also confirm this is correct for those looking to add a second Amex without ITIN/SSN as I have just been approved for the No Annual Fee HIlton card. I have had the Hilton surpass since February and noticed my FICO score had appeared earlier this month so I thought I'd apply for another.

For those interested in the process this time round I applied online not using the GT link but on the US Amex website for card applications which allows you to tick the box indicating you don't have a SSN. The card was not instantly approved and I got a message saying I needed to call to provide further information. My initial thought was that they might want address verification which would have been a problem. The rep did ask for my address which is a myus one but no other proof was required. Then he asked for my SSN and I informed him I had given my passport number for the previous card approval as I did not yet have a SSN. After I told him I had an Amex account in Australia and gave details he updated the application and card was approved. The only issue now is waiting to see whether USPS First Class mail will get to my myus address. I have a premium+mail subscription so I'll report back if it arrives.

Now I have two it might be time to start the process of getting an ITIN for future cards.

If you have trouble receiving new card as per my experience you can call and identify yourself using you Le existing card - in my case I used an expired US Amex . Just submitted my forms for an ITIN today .

 

[DC3]

… Just submitted my forms for an ITIN today .

Sina B?

In post # 2151, pyusha mentioned US$375 for the EIN. I’m thinking that it’s about time to follow this up.

Edited

 

[blacksultan]

Sina B?

Yes

 

[http_x92]

Now with Revolut and Wise well established in the Australian market, I'm guessing its another way to pay off US credit cards.

HSBC seems like they are shutting up shop in the US barring a few customers who have Premier. Was considering that if HSBC didnt exit.

 

[Viridis]

I am not sure why you want a U.K. Amex when the US one is a million times better?

I've re-evaluated my options and decided that you're probably right and I'm going to pursue a Hilton Aspire Amex from the US

So, to summarise 114 pages of discussion that has often speared off on wild tangents ........ ,

1. setup a myUS account and go for the Premium option. Not assured of working but more likely than the freebie (they do a manual assessment of your 'application' to open an account - how quaint) Waiting on my to be opened

2. Use Apartment (Apt) instead of Suite in the address line - seems to have worked for others

3. Setup a US cell phone number. The online process for a Google Voice number doesn't work anymore because one of the intermediary sites has shut down. I've gone with the OpenPhone App and hope that it can accept texts from system generated security systems

But a couple of further questions ....

a. has anybody - non US citizens - had any issues with FATCA? I remember changing my Citi cell phone contact from a +61 to a +1 for the duration of a 4wk visit to the US (to accommodate any text challenges to purchases made on my Citi credit card) and I was inundated with paperwork when I got back to Australia. Sorted it but can do without the agro'

b. I have Citi and HSBC accounts that can pay off the card and accommodate the "for further credit" process that is required. But I aslo have a Wise account that has US Bank details that can accept Direct Debits. Tried it for my US ICC Amex but the system failed and it was a paper process - welcome to the 21st century

With a proper US based Amex can you set up Direct Debit from your online account like you can in Australia and the UK?

Thanks in advance

 

[blacksultan]

I've re-evaluated my options and decided that you're probably right and I'm going to pursue a Hilton Aspire Amex from the US

So, to summarise 114 pages of discussion that has often speared off on wild tangents ........ ,

1. setup a myUS account and go for the Premium option. Not assured of working but more likely than the freebie (they do a manual assessment of your 'application' to open an account - how quaint) Waiting on my to be opened

2. Use Apartment (Apt) instead of Suite in the address line - seems to have worked for others

3. Setup a US cell phone number. The online process for a Google Voice number doesn't work anymore because one of the intermediary sites has shut down. I've gone with the OpenPhone App and hope that it can accept texts from system generated security systems

But a couple of further questions ....

a. has anybody - non US citizens - had any issues with FATCA? I remember changing my Citi cell phone contact from a +61 to a +1 for the duration of a 4wk visit to the US (to accommodate any text challenges to purchases made on my Citi credit card) and I was inundated with paperwork when I got back to Australia. Sorted it but can do without the agro'

b. I have Citi and HSBC accounts that can pay off the card and accommodate the "for further credit" process that is required. But I aslo have a Wise account that has US Bank details that can accept Direct Debits. Tried it for my US ICC Amex but the system failed and it was a paper process - welcome to the 21st century

With a proper US based Amex can you set up Direct Debit from your online account like you can in Australia and the UK?

Thanks in advance

Yes you can set up direct debit . I have . Can even have other cardholders debit from your account .
1 ) why is a premium account better ? Is it viewed more favourably by Amex for the purpose of approval ?

 

[Viridis]

There’s 114 pages on this thread so there is every chance I got this wrong but I got the impression that if you had a paid myUS account there was more success in having your Amex card arrive In your suite. As, I say, a lot of reading so I may have got the wrong end of the stick

 

[DC3]

… why is a premium account better ? Is it viewed more favourably by Amex for the purpose of approval ?

The Premium account refers to the MyUS account type, not Amex.

 

[DC3]

…I aslo have a Wise account that has US Bank details that can accept Direct Debits. Tried it for my US ICC Amex but the system failed …

I’ve set up my Aspire for ‘AutoPay’ direct debiting of monthly payments. Wise works without any problem. Wise provided banking details for Evolve Bank and Trust.