Strategy to obtain US Amex

[larrymull]

Post automatically merged: Sep 7, 2022

Does anyone know the trick to add csp to Apple Wallet . I can’t add it . I get the contact card issuer / try later message constantly . Does using a vpn help ?

I've tried many different ways, even different computers and even created new email addresses, no luck so far. Very weird.

 

[Finale]

Amex Plat Retention Offer. 30K points with $3,000 spend. Exactly the same as last year. Shame some people got 40-50K but I won't complain since I got the offer last year as well and only spend around 10K on the card.

 

[levelnine]

Amex Plat Retention Offer. 30K points with $3,000 spend. Exactly the same as last year.

Was this after your AF posted?

 

[Finale]

Was this after your AF posted?

Nope I normally asked before. My AF posts mid Sep. Last year I got the offer in July. This year early Sep. And will try again next year after AF which should be over 13 months.

 

[lilkid28]

There’s Wise, as mentioned by some posters upthread. I’ve been using Wise for about two years without any issues. The transaction fee suits my small payments.

Amex AutoPay, monthly, works well, debiting the Wise balance (through Evolve Bank and Trust)

+1 for Wise using the exact setup @DC3 mentioned. Works flawlessly, loading my Wise account with USD is either instant (for amounts under the PayID/Osko cap) or 4-5 hours for amounts above the cap.

I agree that Wise is a good and easy solution. My only caveat is that you do get charged a fee of about 0.5% (unlike Revolut), so you want to make sure you're getting good value out of your points because you incur two costs that you don't have with Australian cards — namely, the Wise transfer fee and exchange rate risk.

That's why I only spend on my US cards when working towards a sign up bonus (which for me is pretty much always) because the return on spend is so high (typically 15+%) that it offsets these costs or when I am overseas where I can't earn points on my Australian cards without a foreign transaction fee.

Thanks for the replies. I have set up a Wise account and got my US bank account details. Do I make a payment from Wise platform to Amex or can I go to Amex My Account - Make a Payment and enter my Wise US bank account details (Routing number and account number)? I've tried the latter, which resulted in the bank account "linked" showing as Evolve Bank and Trust, and made a payment at about 12AM earlier. It shows as successful but my Wise account hasn't been debited yet after some 12 hours. Have I done something wrong or just wait?

 

[sudoer]

Do I make a payment from Wise platform to Amex or can I go to Amex My Account - Make a Payment and enter my Wise US bank account details (Routing number and account number)? I've tried the latter, which resulted in the bank account "linked" showing as Evolve Bank and Trust, and made a payment at about 12AM earlier. It shows as successful but my Wise account hasn't been debited yet after some 12 hours. Have I done something wrong or just wait?

You've done the right thing - just wait. The account will be debited within 48 hours. Amex reflects the payment to your account immediately.

 

[lilkid28]

You've done the right thing - just wait. The account will be debited within 48 hours. Amex reflects the payment to your account immediately.

Thanks. A bit anxious as I missed the due date by a few days and got slugged US$29 late payment fee and US$120 interest... CS on chat said they can only waive the US$29 fee..

 

[nj12]

I just applied for Amex Hilton Business Card and got the "We need more information" message. It would be my 4th US Amex overall and 1st Business. I received my ITIN in February and was eventually approved for an Amex Green card using ITIN in April. Anyone know what to reasonably expect when I call in? I'm hoping it's not another address verification as I still don't have a bank statement to provide this. Looking at HSBC Premier as I can't see any other way past this for future cards.

 

[Finale]

I just applied for Amex Hilton Business Card and got the "We need more information" message. It would be my 4th US Amex overall and 1st Business. I received my ITIN in February and was eventually approved for an Amex Green card using ITIN in April. Anyone know what to reasonably expect when I call in? I'm hoping it's not another address verification as I still don't have a bank statement to provide this. Looking at HSBC Premier as I can't see any other way past this for future cards.

It could be just that they needed to verify it was you who applied (Identity verification).

If you have SSN/ITIN, you can also check app status at
Status Check Authentication

Sometimes you can confirm that you are the one who apply there by entering some more details.

If you already have a card with them, I do not think they will ask for address verification again. If they do, you can use your existing card details.

I heard sometimes they want to ask about your business like what you do or why you want a business card. Can just tell them you need to keep work expenses separated.

Soemtimes you can get approved even without calling.

Have you called?

 

[nj12]

It could be just that they needed to verify it was you who applied (Identity verification).

If you have SSN/ITIN, you can also check app status at
Status Check Authentication

Sometimes you can confirm that you are the one who apply there by entering some more details.

If you already have a card with them, I do not think they will ask for address verification again. If they do, you can use your existing card details.

I heard sometimes they want to ask about your business like what you do or why you want a business card. Can just tell them you need to keep work expenses separated.

Soemtimes you can get approved even without calling.

Have you called?

Thanks for the helpful response Finale. Had several missed calls Friday after midnight. I've used the status check Authentication and it says I need to provide SSN and Photo ID. For my Amex Green they wanted a copy of my ITIN, Photo ID and evidence of address. I just uploaded ITIN letter and Passport and card was approved. Given its my first Business card I wasn't sure if it was likely to be a more scrutinised process. I'll call tonight when the line is open again and hopefully I can get approval. I'll report back after the phone call and decision.

 

[nj12]

It could be just that they needed to verify it was you who applied (Identity verification).

I called Amex today and they more or less wanted to verify my identity as Finale suggested might be the case. I was asked to verify my address, phone number (text now is fine) and ITIN no. I was also asked for SSN but advised that I had applied with ITIN. They used my Amex Green profile and just made sure the information matched and then it was approved. No questions were asked about the business. As others have noted it seems that the approval process for an Amex Business card is quite straightforward (at least in this instance) once you have been approved for a personal card with ITIN.

 

[sudoer]

Could someone please fill me in on what happens when Amex sends a card to MyUS via USPS?

I previously signed up for the Aspire which was successfully delivered to MyUS via Fedex. I've recently signed up for the Surpass, which is being delivered to MyUS via USPS. I've seen discussion about needing a different type of MyUS subscription to receive regular post, am I best off waiting the 10 days and contacting Amex to ask them to create another card and send to Australia?

 

[thizho]

Could someone please fill me in on what happens when Amex sends a card to MyUS via USPS?

I previously signed up for the Aspire which was successfully delivered to MyUS via Fedex. I've recently signed up for the Surpass, which is being delivered to MyUS via USPS. I've seen discussion about needing a different type of MyUS subscription to receive regular post, am I best off waiting the 10 days and contacting Amex to ask them to create another card and send to Australia?

In my experience the card usually ends up in the suite, but it can take 2-3 extra weeks.

Perhaps they have a different process for sorting mail v packages?

I just wait 10 days and then request for the card to be sent to Australia.

 

[nj12]

Could someone please fill me in on what happens when Amex sends a card to MyUS via USPS?

I previously signed up for the Aspire which was successfully delivered to MyUS via Fedex. I've recently signed up for the Surpass, which is being delivered to MyUS via USPS. I've seen discussion about needing a different type of MyUS subscription to receive regular post, am I best off waiting the 10 days and contacting Amex to ask them to create another card and send to Australia?

All 3 of my personal cards Surpass, Hilton No Annual Fee and Amex Green were sent by USPS and none arrived at MyUS address and I have the Mail subscription. For all of these cards I've called Amex and told them "I'm currently in Australia". They have advised me each time to wait 10 days and then call again so they can expedite the card to Aus. I've had no issues doing this and each time the card has arrived within a week to my Aus address (after initial 10 day wait). Saved me $30-$40 each time so no complaints from me.

 

[sudoer]

Appreciate the information - is that 10 days from Amex sending via USPS, or 10 days after the expected arrival date at MyUS?

And roughly how long did it take for the replacement card to reach Australia? (travelling to Japan in less than 4 weeks so might get it posted straight there instead)

 

[nj12]

Appreciate the information - is that 10 days from Amex sending via USPS, or 10 days after the expected arrival date at MyUS?

And roughly how long did it take for the replacement card to reach Australia? (travelling to Japan in less than 4 weeks so might get it posted straight there instead)

Looking back through the timeline my Amex Green was approved on 19/04 and I received the DHL package at my AUS address on 16/5 so it was almost 4 weeks total. I believe you need to wait 10 days after the expected arrival date at MyUS. I think I waited 14 days so it's possible I could have received the card in 3 weeks to Aus address had I called them on the 10th day. With my Hilton Amex Business Card that I just got approved for they agreed to expedite it with Fed Ex so should receive that in MyUS by Wednesday. If they haven't sent the card yet you could call and say you are travelling this week and they may be able to expedite the card by Fed Ex to your MyUS address.

 

[thizho]

Appreciate the information - is that 10 days from Amex sending via USPS, or 10 days after the expected arrival date at MyUS?

And roughly how long did it take for the replacement card to reach Australia? (travelling to Japan in less than 4 weeks so might get it posted straight there instead)

I can confirm that 10 days after the card has been issued you are able to request a replacement (not 10 days after expected arrival).

I'm in WA and it usually takes around 1 week to get to me (I didn't keep a record of the exact dates).

 

[nomad2000]

I've got a question for the good people of this forum.
First a bit of background,
I've got an ITIN.
I've got my first Amex card back in March 2022, then the green card in Apr 2022 (both through GT). Got an HSBC mastercard too around the same time, it's been 6 and a half months since I started establishing my credit.
Amex does not yet show my FICO score but I got it through credit.com.
Can't see Transunion score but my EQ and EX FICOs are hovering around 730s.
I got a business Amex card last week and got my limit increased to 15k on my Amex card as well.
CapitalOne preapproval tool shows me that I'm pre-approved for their SavorOne card, I applied for the Wells Fargo Autograph card but got denied due to short credit history (haven't called their recon line yet), Apple card showed that I'm approved for a $2k limit.
But the main card I'm looking for is CSP, I've decided to take the plunge and applied for it a couple days ago, got the 30 days notice online.
Called in and got the 2 weeks message, then the next day it was changed to 7-10 days, a call to their verification department said it's with the lending team and they don't need any more info at the moment. Checked again last night and it was changed to Pending with 2 weeks decision.
Now I'm wondering if any one of you have applied for the CSP and what your experience has been.
I know I don't have much of a history but since I wasn't auto declined, does this mean I have a good chance of approval?

Thanks!

 

[levelnine]

I know I don't have much of a history but since I wasn't auto declined, does this mean I have a good chance of approval?

Consult this flowchart for Chase (click for higher resolution version):

https://imgur.com/a/oXlPW

 

[Finale]

I've got a question for the good people of this forum.
First a bit of background,
I've got an ITIN.
I've got my first Amex card back in March 2022, then the green card in Apr 2022 (both through GT). Got an HSBC mastercard too around the same time, it's been 6 and a half months since I started establishing my credit.
Amex does not yet show my FICO score but I got it through credit.com.
Can't see Transunion score but my EQ and EX FICOs are hovering around 730s.
I got a business Amex card last week and got my limit increased to 15k on my Amex card as well.
CapitalOne preapproval tool shows me that I'm pre-approved for their SavorOne card, I applied for the Wells Fargo Autograph card but got denied due to short credit history (haven't called their recon line yet), Apple card showed that I'm approved for a $2k limit.
But the main card I'm looking for is CSP, I've decided to take the plunge and applied for it a couple days ago, got the 30 days notice online.
Called in and got the 2 weeks message, then the next day it was changed to 7-10 days, a call to their verification department said it's with the lending team and they don't need any more info at the moment. Checked again last night and it was changed to Pending with 2 weeks decision.
Now I'm wondering if any one of you have applied for the CSP and what your experience has been.
I know I don't have much of a history but since I wasn't auto declined, does this mean I have a good chance of approval?

Thanks!

It is rare that Chase approves those with less than 1 year of a credit history but still possible. If this is your first card with them, you will likely be approved after they request the documents ie passport, itin and proof of address (bank statement). I got 7-10 days message, then I called them and they asked me to send documents. I didn't get the 2 weeks message.

This is my experience Strategy to obtain US Amex

That chart isn't 100% accurate. 7 to 10 days message could also mean they need to verify your identity. I also got 7 to 10 days message on my second app and was approved on the phone.

Good luck!