Strategy to obtain US Amex

[PointsLife1]

What’s everyone’s experience with MyUS delivering their parcels? Choose FedEx priority for my Bonvoy Brilliant package. Delivery place last Friday, was meant to take 1-3 days. However, scheduled delivery is only next Tuesday, way more than the 1-3 days quoted. Has this been what most have experienced too? Wondering if it’s some anomaly in delivery these days due to restrictions etc (do recall DC3 mentioning his card took circa 10 days to get delivered? Not sure what delivery method was used though).

Another point that irked me was that the package had arrived in Melbourne yesterday morning around 7am, but stayed stuck in the FedEx facility the whole day due to it “not being due for delivery” yet”. Understand they’ve probably set up their delivery schedules for the day and all, but surely they knew this package was incoming and would have allocated a delivery slot for it and had it delivered earlier instead of sitting on it lol. /rant over

On a side note, with the benefits of the Bonvoy Brilliant, I’ve enrolled for Priority Pass, note that someone upthread have mentioned we can call up to ask for our membership number once enrolled to set up the app and digital card? Is this calling into Amex or PP directly? If Amex, would livechat work too? And with the Marriott elite status, how long did that take to process for most?

Priority Pass but they send the card to MyUS so I never received mine unfortunately as I assume it’s a normal letter. Good reminder to call and ask for a replacement next card I get to PostScanMail. Although my IHG card is on route to Australia right now so missed that boat this time.

 

[mrsquare]

Priority Pass but they send the card to MyUS so I never received mine unfortunately as I assume it’s a normal letter. Good reminder to call and ask for a replacement next card I get to PostScanMail. Although my IHG card is on route to Australia right now so missed that boat this time.

Gotcha! Thanks, do you recall what details PP required before releasing the PP membership no? Pity it’s sent in a mail. PostScanMail works? Someone mentioned recently that it triggered verifications from Amex.

 

[PointsLife1]

Gotcha! Thanks, do you recall what details PP required before releasing the PP membership no? Pity it’s sent in a mail. PostScanMail works? Someone mentioned recently that it triggered verifications from Amex.

I just called PP and they wanted to verify my address and then I asked for the number to add to the app. PostScanMail would work now as PP didn’t seem to care too much about bank style verification just the address matches.

 

[albyd]

What’s everyone’s experience with MyUS delivering their parcels? Choose FedEx priority for my Bonvoy Brilliant package. Delivery place last Friday, was meant to take 1-3 days. However, scheduled delivery is only next Tuesday, way more than the 1-3 days quoted. Has this been what most have experienced too? Wondering if it’s some anomaly in delivery these days due to restrictions etc (do recall DC3 mentioning his card took circa 10 days to get delivered? Not sure what delivery method was used though).

Another point that irked me was that the package had arrived in Melbourne yesterday morning around 7am, but stayed stuck in the FedEx facility the whole day due to it “not being due for delivery” yet”. Understand they’ve probably set up their delivery schedules for the day and all, but surely they knew this package was incoming and would have allocated a delivery slot for it and had it delivered earlier instead of sitting on it lol. /rant over

On a side note, with the benefits of the Bonvoy Brilliant, I’ve enrolled for Priority Pass, note that someone upthread have mentioned we can call up to ask for our membership number once enrolled to set up the app and digital card? Is this calling into Amex or PP directly? If Amex, would livechat work too? And with the Marriott elite status, how long did that take to process for most?

I've found the same - I usually choose the "cheapest" delivery option from MyUS and it gets to SYD pretty quickly but then it sits there for a week or so - I'm assuming because I've chosen the less expensive route and they forcibly wait until the "scheduled" delivery time to release it (I'm ranting now aren't I?)

 

[PointsLife1]

I just called PP and they wanted to verify my address and then I asked for the number to add to the app. PostScanMail would work now as PP didn’t seem to care too much about bank style verification just the address matches.

As Amex doesn’t allow the restaurant benefit anymore not sure the physical card is all that useful as you can just show the app. I want to get CSR or Citi Prestige now for restaurant PP.

 

[Finale]

Amex cut priority pass restaurant late 2019. I totally forgot about it and tried to use it last trip at Sydney T3. Thankfully I got the Citi one.

Normally when I updated the address at Amex, it got updated at PP too but last time it didn't. If you update the address in the future, you should check at PP as well. Mine got sent to the old address. Doesn't really matter though as the expired card will work or can use app.

 

[DC3]

... seems like they are sending the card with USPS to my Sarasota residence gonna wait and see what will happen there before getting them to redirect ...

And that is the issue. MyUS doesn’t normally accept ordinary mail (letters) from the United States Postal Service, whereas courier-delivered items (i.e., with tracking) are okay.

So, the higher-end cards, which are courier-delivered from Amex to My US, are okay. The others, that are just sent in an envelope through the USPS mail may not make it into the MyUS system. I wonder whether Amex would send out the enveloped cards by courier if requested (i.e., “delivery to be expedited”)?

The MyUS system is not perfect, as a test envelope (containing an old expired credit card) that I sent to my suite from Oz, 12 months ago, actually made it back to me weeks later, even though I was not subscribed to the mail option. So, anything’s possible I guess. Some may get through while others don’t.

 

[DC3]

... I just got approved for my second card(Hilton Surpass) via GT. was 7 months since my first ...

That is certainly good news. . So, it’s definitely possible to use GT more than once. I’ve been holding off in applying for another Amex card, after getting the Aspire 12 months ago.

My other concern is with Amex sending an enveloped card (via USPS) to MyUS, delivery of which is somewhat uncertain. And I’m not keen on changing my Amex address to Oz.

 

[jbmemories]

That is certainly good news. . So, it’s definitely possible to use GT more than once. I’ve been holding off in applying for another Amex card, after getting the Aspire 12 months ago.

My other concern is with Amex sending an enveloped card (via USPS) to MyUS, delivery of which is somewhat uncertain. And I’m not keen on changing my Amex address to Oz.

Are you on the premium version of MyUS (that includes the mail?); did you have to fill out that USPS Form 1583?
I spoke with a rep for Shipito last night and it seems that they allow mail (including Credit Cards) to be sent to the free tier account - however, they need Form 1583 notarised and sent (can use Notary Cam) to get it sorted. So might look into that route as a cost-effective pathway; I just need to find out whether they are a CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency) or non CRMA (like MyUS).

 

[DC3]

Are you on the premium version of MyUS (that includes the mail?); did you have to fill out that USPS Form 1583? ...

I have had a notarised Form 1583 ready to send for some months. However, I had noticed that MyUS has removed the ability to upload via their website. When I enquired about this a couple of months ago, they advised that they no longer offer Premium + Mail. Didn’t sound too promising.

So, if not handling USPS mail, then they no longer need Form 1583.

Edit: My membership is Premium. I no longer see the option for “Premium + Mail” membership (which had allowed for USPS letters to be processed), on the MyUS website

Update. Just found the emails from late last year. Extracts:

My email to MyUS: “.. I have a notorised USPS Form 1583 and two identity documents which need to be uploaded to MyUS.com. Would you be able to advise how I may do this, please? ..”

Response from My US: “.. Thank you for contacting us. We do apologize, however we no longer offer Premium +Mail Membership. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me ..”

 

[thizho]

What’s everyone’s experience with MyUS delivering their parcels? Choose FedEx priority for my Bonvoy Brilliant package. Delivery place last Friday, was meant to take 1-3 days. However, scheduled delivery is only next Tuesday, way more than the 1-3 days quoted. Has this been what most have experienced too? Wondering if it’s some anomaly in delivery these days due to restrictions etc (do recall DC3 mentioning his card took circa 10 days to get delivered? Not sure what delivery method was used though).

Another point that irked me was that the package had arrived in Melbourne yesterday morning around 7am, but stayed stuck in the FedEx facility the whole day due to it “not being due for delivery” yet”. Understand they’ve probably set up their delivery schedules for the day and all, but surely they knew this package was incoming and would have allocated a delivery slot for it and had it delivered earlier instead of sitting on it lol. /rant over

On a side note, with the benefits of the Bonvoy Brilliant, I’ve enrolled for Priority Pass, note that someone upthread have mentioned we can call up to ask for our membership number once enrolled to set up the app and digital card? Is this calling into Amex or PP directly? If Amex, would livechat work too? And with the Marriott elite status, how long did that take to process for most?

I've used MYUS for shipping 7 packages from US over the past year. None arrived within the quoted time frame.

Unsure if their estimates are inaccurate, or if there are genuine COVID delays. I've found all major carriers are using COVID as a reason for not delivering within stated timeframes.

Post automatically merged: Feb 6, 2021

Curious if people who have been approved for Chase/Citi cards are using MYUS/mail forwarding addresses too? Or are you using a friend/relatives address...

 

[mrsquare]

I just called PP and they wanted to verify my address and then I asked for the number to add to the app. PostScanMail would work now as PP didn’t seem to care too much about bank style verification just the address matches.

Cheers I’ll give them a call later to get my PP set up.

I've found the same - I usually choose the "cheapest" delivery option from MyUS and it gets to SYD pretty quickly but then it sits there for a week or so - I'm assuming because I've chosen the less expensive route and they forcibly wait until the "scheduled" delivery time to release it (I'm ranting now aren't I?)

Thanks for the DP, when you say cheapest option, is that the non-courier option (i.e. not FedEx or UPS)? If mine ends up being delivered Tuesday as scheduled, it’ll have been sitting for the better part of a week too! And via FedEx no less.

That is certainly good news. . So, it’s definitely possible to use GT more than once. I’ve been holding off in applying for another Amex card, after getting the Aspire 12 months ago.

My other concern is with Amex sending an enveloped card (via USPS) to MyUS, delivery of which is somewhat uncertain. And I’m not keen on changing my Amex address to Oz.

Indeed good to know that GT can be used more than once. I’ll probably utilise that to get the Bonvoy Business card. Anyone knows if that comes in a parcel or just normal mail? I’m thinking it is probably just normal mail based on the price range of its AF. May I know what the concern with changing the Amex address to an Oz one is?

I've used MYUS for shipping 7 packages from US over the past year. None arrived within the quoted time frame.

Unsure if their estimates are inaccurate, or if there are genuine COVID delays. I've found all major carriers are using COVID as a reason for not delivering within stated timeframes.

Ah, glad to see I’m not the only one getting issues with their quoted delivery time frames. I was just wondering if I should be kicking up a fuss with them. Probably a convenient excuse for them in these times.

 

[Sapz]

So, it’s definitely possible to use GT more than once

Do you think it is something to do with how many Aus Amex cards you are holding? I have 3 Aus cards. So 3 x GTs are possible?

I’m not keen on changing my Amex address to Oz

Is this something to do with building up US credit?

 

[DC3]

... Ah, glad to see I’m not the only one getting issues with their quoted delivery time frames. I was just wondering if I should be kicking up a fuss with them ...

Delays may be more due to the courier rather than with MyUS.

 

[DC3]

Do you think it is something to do with how many Aus Amex cards you are holding? I have 3 Aus cards. So 3 x GTs are possible?

Is this something to do with building up US credit?

I have reduced my Oz Amex cards to just the Reserve. It seems that there is limited evidence on how many GTs we can have. The Amex site indicates one, but it seems like a second application may possibility work.

I applied for my Aspire as a resident of Sarasota. I’m cautious of making address changes in case it raises any red flags should I apply for another card, either by GT or using US credit score. Both have their pluses/minuses it seems.

 

[DC3]

May I know what the concern with changing the Amex address to an Oz one is? ...

Mostly, not wanting to raise any flags at Amex should I apply for another card. I guess that I’m erring on the side of caution at this stage.

 

[DC3]

... I just need to find out whether they are a CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency) or non CRMA (like MyUS).

And that’s a good point. Otherwise, the address will be flagged by Amex for sure, if on the registry as a mail receiving agency.

 

[Finale]

I gave up starbucks last year (along with Aspire credit). I even got a friend in the US to do everything for me (failed with pending payments).

Tried to reset the password and it still said wrong login so I set up a new account on the app using VPN and everything is working good now. The app didn't take my card until I updated the address by moving an apartment number to address line 1, same as in Amex account. Not sure if that was a coincidence. I could also reload using a second card without having to connect to VPN.

Can I use the app to buy ground coffee or coffee beans? Not sure if they sell those in store. I haven't been inside starbucks for like 10 years.

 

[ForestZ]

Sorry to hear nj12 and very frustrating as you seem to have done the right things especially the USPS lookup indicating N. Almost all of us started with Sarasota and I use PostScanMail now out of California. Not sure if the charge card variety makes any difference (Green, Gold, Platinum) Not 100% but most started with Aspire or Brilliant and then Green.

Hi PointsLife1, thanks for sharing your experience. I just got my ITIN last week. My first US card was through GT Amex Aspire, 7 months but no FICO as yet. Any Suggestion what should I get for the second card using ITIN?

 

[PointsLife1]

Hi PointsLife1, thanks for sharing your experience. I just got my ITIN last week. My first US card was through GT Amex Aspire, 7 months but no FICO as yet. Any Suggestion what should I get for the second card using ITIN?

Nice one getting ITIN and should open up options with Citi and Chase down the road but they seem to want 1 year with FICO. Based on what you said another AMEX card would be my suggestion and add the new ITIN on application. My second card was the Green card but had to call in and confirm details doing a 3 way call with Capital One checking. Having said that maybe waiting for FICO to generate before the next card could make it easier. What card are you thinking of? Hilton Surpass could fill out the Hilton lineup nicely with great signup bonus right now. After multiple Amex cards with FICO and ITIN working fill out Chase for 5/24.