Strategy to obtain US Amex

[levelnine]

Was just approved for Chase Business Ink Unlimited, 90k points with 6k spend which is the best offer so far. 3% fx but 1.5% cashback helps offset it and I got a bit of USD spend.

I've also done the calculations on the CIU and decided it is worth it. Even if you put the full $6K on non USD spend, it is roughly $AUD280 for 99,000 UR points. A very impressive $AUD0.0028 per point for points that can be redeemed for Hyatt, Singapore, AirCanada, etc.

For Singapore redemptions, for example, that works out at a cheaper cost of acquisition than most Amex USA cards and pretty much any card in Australia, especially considering you can get a Chase Ink every 3 months. Let's hope this new $6k/90K bonus is the new norm!

To add to the successful Chase data points, I recently applied for the Sapphire Reserve. Similar to you, I had to wait a few days for the application to be approved (about 3). It seems my application status went from pending to approved immediately after the credit check hit my report. I called up and got the card sent by courier directly to Australia — incredible service from Chase yet again.

 

[larrymull]

Just tried applying for a US Amex through GT. Used a PO Box that my brother has in Cali, and didn't get the please verify documents, rather Thanks, ****. Can we speak to you on the phone?

I wonder if this is the new process.

 

[tlam]

Just tried applying for a US Amex through GT. Used a PO Box that my brother has in Cali, and didn't get the please verify documents, rather Thanks, ****. Can we speak to you on the phone?

I wonder if this is the new process.

They don’t accept Po Box address, do they? I remember they only accept personal street address, no po box, no commercial address, that’s why???

 

[leyy]

Hi Everyone,

So I have had my Hilton Aspire for 10 months and finally got my FICO score to show on AMEX.

I have been very happy with the Aspire Card.

I have now applied for the Amex Green via GT.

This time I got an email to contact AMEX about my application.

Does anyone know what they will ask? I currently have a Hilton Aspire Card and Aus Amex cards.


Cheers
leyy

 

[larrymull]

Just tried applying for a US Amex through GT. Used a PO Box that my brother has in Cali, and didn't get the please verify documents, rather Thanks, ****. Can we speak to you on the phone?

I wonder if this is the new process.

WOW, I just rang US Amex and they just wanted to verify my name. Even the lady was laughing at that one, verified my name and off we went. I did have a PO Box and a MyUS address on my application done through GT. I have received the approval email.

 

[leyy]

Hi Everyone,

So I have had my Hilton Aspire for 10 months and finally got my FICO score to show on AMEX.

I have been very happy with the Aspire Card.

I have now applied for the Amex Green via GT.

This time I got an email to contact AMEX about my application.

Does anyone know what they will ask? I currently have a Hilton Aspire Card and Aus Amex cards.


Cheers
leyy

Just a data point.

AMEX called me very early this morning around 4:00AM. My textnow service worked like a charm.

AMEX wanted to confirm my Date of birth, my address and that I applied for the Amex Green card.

Once all confirmed card was approved.

 

[larrymull]

Just a data point.

AMEX called me very early this morning around 4:00AM. My textnow service worked like a charm.

AMEX wanted to confirm my Date of birth, my address and that I applied for the Amex Green card.

Once all confirmed card was approved.

I used Hushed as I could never get Textnow working for me.

 

[leyy]

Does anyone know if you get the sign upbonus for different cards?

So I have received the SUB for Aspire Card, Will I get the SUB for the Green card?

I am also planning to apply for the Brilliant Bonvoy card, will i get the SUB for this?

 

[nomad2000]

Does anyone know if you get the sign upbonus for different cards?

So I have received the SUB for Aspire Card, Will I get the SUB for the Green card?

I am also planning to apply for the Brilliant Bonvoy card, will i get the SUB for this?

As long as you haven't had that card before, yes you will.
Note that you may see a popup (infamous Amex popup jail) that might tell you you're not eligible for the SUB even if you haven't had the card before, I suggest you back out from applying and try again at a different time.

 

[levelnine]

I am also planning to apply for the Brilliant Bonvoy card, will i get the SUB for this?

Yes, you can get a SUB for each card once per lifetime (which is about 7 years in Amex's world).

You should review Amex's anti-churning rules (2/90, 1/5, etc) and read up on pop-up jail. All easily found on Google.

 

[leyy]

thanks @maxie2020 and @levelnine

 

[http_x92]

Amex US encourages you to either go for retention bonuses or take the upgrade-downgrade-upgrade path, encouraging you to hold onto the card (although you need to wait for 12 months on the current card to be eligible for such upgrade offers). For example there were Hilton No Fee to the Surpass upgrade offers of 130-150K in the past.

 

[simba24]

Just to add another point. Submitted an application for the HH Aspire via global transfer team. Used MyUS for address and Hushed for phone number. Got asked to call Amex to verify some details. They asked me to confirm name, date of birth and address and approved me! Didn't ask about a bank account. Fingers crossed for getting the card! Has anyone had any issues with the card being sent through MyUS?

 

[desafinado74]

Just to add another point. Submitted an application for the HH Aspire via global transfer team. Used MyUS for address and Hushed for phone number. Got asked to call Amex to verify some details. They asked me to confirm name, date of birth and address and approved me! Didn't ask about a bank account. Fingers crossed for getting the card! Has anyone had any issues with the card being sent through MyUS?

Make sure you write the tracking number for the card from the AMEX site.
Sometimes AMEX does not include the MyUS Suite no. in the address, and thus your card may be stuck in limbo within the MYUS sorting dept. If you have the tracking number, the MyUS staff can find your card and put it into your inbox.

 

[simba24]

All worked okay in the end. Amex did leave out the suite number and MyUS matched it automatically but because of the incorrect suite number I was charged an $8.99 "address correction fee". Slightly annoying but at least it's sorted now

 

[larrymull]

Hi all, I am just curious as to know what cards people usually chase after gaining a US Amex and what cards they work towards. As most of us here have used the GT CC method to get this card we have to wait 6 months until getting a credit score. Do you just stay with AMEX or try and chase some other cards?

 

[nomad2000]

Hi all, I am just curious as to know what cards people usually chase after gaining a US Amex and what cards they work towards. As most of us here have used the GT CC method to get this card we have to wait 6 months until getting a credit score. Do you just stay with AMEX or try and chase some other cards?

I got an HSBC credit card right around the same time that I got my HSBC US account opened.
Got the Amex Green after that.
Got a business card from Amex couple months ago and the Apple card.
Waiting for some history to build up to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Also when I get the Chase card, I'd like to get the Savor one card from Capital One and the Citi Premier.
Basically I look for cards with no foreign transaction fees and decent multipliers.

 

[Tiki]

If you have your eyes on any Chase cards, don't forget the 5/24 rule. You can't have 5 new cards or more within a 24 month period. I am waiting for Chase to run a better SUB on the CSP which probably won't happen until Feb or March but I am not in a hurry. It's gone up to 80k or even 100k in the past and they are currently running specials on their Ink cards but the minimum spend is too high on those.

 

[larrymull]

If you have your eyes on any Chase cards, don't forget the 5/24 rule. You can't have 5 new cards or more within a 24 month period. I am waiting for Chase to run a better SUB on the CSP which probably won't happen until Feb or March but I am not in a hurry. It's gone up to 80k or even 100k in the past and they are currently running specials on their Ink cards but the minimum spend is too high on those.

Do you need a SSN or ITIN on those or do they just look at the 5/24 and credit score?

 

[nomad2000]

Do you need a SSN or ITIN on those or do they just look at the 5/24 and credit score?

Definitely need an ITIN or SSN for Chase cards, a good credit score (670+) a year of credit history and/or a bank account with Chase to get your first Chase card.