Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

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)

10 days from approval . Approx 1 week by dhl .

 

[blacksultan]

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?

My us have just restarted offering mail subscription . If you can provide them tracking they may locate your envelope quicker .

 

[nomad2000]

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!

Just called the Chase recon line, they verified my ITIN over the phone and said an specialist is assigned to the application and they'll get back to me within 1 to 2 weeks...

 

[nomad2000]

Just called the Chase recon line, they verified my ITIN over the phone and said an specialist is assigned to the application and they'll get back to me within 1 to 2 weeks...

Called again and got a request to submit an ITIN letter..

Update 1: Called again just now and they confirmed they got the doc, the verification team processed the application and I got denied. Insufficient credit history and no accounts with Chase, so the Chase relationship is a thing as it comes up in denial reasons.

Update 2: Called reconsideration and asked for a reconsideration, they set my application back to pending and told me it'd take a couple days for them to review it. My gut feeling is it'd be denied again.

 

[Ecco]

I was just reading that you can sometimes apply for a US amex card if you have an overseas amex card. I have an nz amex card. i have family living in the states and could put down their address. I read amex will look at your nz credit record.
just wondering if anyone did under has done this. I’m looking for The better us earn rates. I can achieve 2mr for every $1 spent in Nz. The Marriott transfer rate.

 

[levelnine]

181 pages of glorious reading await you: Strategy to obtain US Amex

 

[Ecco]

Thanks. I’m not trying to split the atom or anything like that. Just thought someone might have managed to to do it. I’ll have a scan through that thread.

 

[sudoer]

I believe you need to wait 10 days after the expected arrival date at MyUS.

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).

Data point: no issue requesting a replacement card one day after expected arrival at MyUS (i.e. 10 days after approval). ID verification was very simple using just the 3 digit CVC from another US Amex card.

 

[Finale]

Called again and got a request to submit an ITIN letter..

Update 1: Called again just now and they confirmed they got the doc, the verification team processed the application and I got denied. Insufficient credit history and no accounts with Chase, so the Chase relationship is a thing as it comes up in denial reasons.

Update 2: Called reconsideration and asked for a reconsideration, they set my application back to pending and told me it'd take a couple days for them to review it. My gut feeling is it'd be denied again.

The main reason is history. They don't normally approve anything less than 1 year. Citi is the same I believe. Relationship could help in this case but still no guarantee. In the past, having $10k with Chase could help you get a credit card, not sure about these days. I think you will have more chance when it gets closer to 12 months mark.

CSP is overrated imo. I hardly use the card and it's been almost 2 years. I spend more on Citi Premier. Not sure why I still hold CSP.

 

[nomad2000]

The main reason is history. They don't normally approve anything less than 1 year. Citi is the same I believe. Relationship could help in this case but still no guarantee. In the past, having $10k with Chase could help you get a credit card, not sure about these days. I think you will have more chance when it gets closer to 12 months mark.

CSP is overrated imo. I hardly use the card and it's been almost 2 years. I spend more on Citi Premier. Not sure why I still hold CSP.

Thanks, makes sense!
Is there any suggestion beyond AmEx for a similar card like the Citi Premier that would have good multipliers and wouldn't require 1 year of history at all?

 

[levelnine]

Is there any suggestion beyond AmEx for a similar card like the Citi Premier that would have good multipliers and wouldn't require 1 year of history at all?

Most US credit card providers require some credit history (including a score) to attain their premium cards.

Citi Premier is also very inquiry sensitive. Need basically 0 inquiries within the last 6 months.

Your best bet is to stick to Amex, especially as they do soft pulls for subsequent cards, until you have built up a credit history in the US. Then you can move out to other providers.

 

[Finale]

Thanks, makes sense!
Is there any suggestion beyond AmEx for a similar card like the Citi Premier that would have good multipliers and wouldn't require 1 year of history at all?

Not really. Cap 1 also likes people with a credit history and even more difficult than Chase. Citi is getting difficult now especially after opening a lot of accounts. See what Chase says. You might be lucky. For now I think it's best to not apply for cards you don't really want. Hard pulls will bring the score down and if you are approved for that card, it will be more difficult to apply for a good one in the near future.

 

[albyd]

In short, Amex Global Transfer and your relatives’ US address is all you need.

Please let us know how you go and which card you get.

 

[blacksultan]

Not really. Cap 1 also likes people with a credit history and even more difficult than Chase. Citi is getting difficult now especially after opening a lot of accounts. See what Chase says. You might be lucky. For now I think it's best to not apply for cards you don't really want. Hard pulls will bring the score down and if you are approved for that card, it will be more difficult to apply for a good one in the near future.

Is the fact that we actually don’t live in the us or have a physical presence a factor in this level of difficulty in being approved ?

 

[exmc]

CSP is overrated imo. I hardly use the card and it's been almost 2 years. I spend more on Citi Premier. Not sure why I still hold CSP.

What's your current set up? I think CSP/CSR is valuable because of the transfer out option to Hyatt. Tremendous value compared to Marriott and Hilton.

 

[albyd]

Is the fact that we actually don’t live in the us or have a physical presence a factor in this level of difficulty in being approved ?

You need to give them your relatives’ address as your US address otherwise you won’t be approved. For instance … you’re planning to move to the US for work …

 

[DC3]

Is the fact that we actually don’t live in the us or have a physical presence a factor in this level of difficulty in being approved ?

I thought that you had a (friend’s) US address that you had used. Maybe that is no longer the case? Or, you were commenting, generally.

 

[blacksultan]

I thought that you had a (friend’s) US address that you had used. Maybe that is no longer the case? Or, you were commenting, generally.

I did . Now I have a planet express address . I’m just wondering if banks can figure out in spite of halving an address that we are not actually residing in the US through other means of not being active in the country .

 

[Finale]

What's your current set up? I think CSP/CSR is valuable because of the transfer out option to Hyatt. Tremendous value compared to Marriott and Hilton.

I transfer to Krisflyer so CSP/CRS aren't special. I spend most on Prestige. I also pay for Plat, Business Plat, Aspire and Venture X plus some other cards (11 total) so not planning to add CSR soon. Maybe wait another 2 years (4 years total) then downgrade CSP and get a bonus on CSR.

Is the fact that we actually don’t live in the us or have a physical presence a factor in this level of difficulty in being approved ?

I don't think it's that much easier for people living there. I think having SSN, real address, relationship with the bank and public record make things just a bit easier.

 

[blacksultan]

How long should one wait before applying for the second chase card ? I had my first one approved in aug and the aspire around then as well .
Is it ok to have it delivered to planet express and then request chase to have a replacement sent to oz ?