Strategy to obtain US Amex

[nj12]

Does the Fico score appear under the "Profile" tab in your AMEX account ?
(Thank you and others for replying)

It used to but now i've noticed it appears under Payment and Credit options

 

[desafinado74]

It used to but now i've noticed it appears under Payment and Credit options

Oh ok ! Thanks for letting me know.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Does the Fico score appear under the "Profile" tab in your AMEX account ?
(Thank you and others for replying)

I think it's under "Payments and xx_". It's been moved recently. Otherwise you can check under the app as well.

I hope you do have a checking account ready as I think I lucked out!

 

[desafinado74]

I think it's under "Payments and xx_". It's been moved recently. Otherwise you can check under the app as well.

I hope you do have a checking account ready as I think I lucked out!

Currently i am just using the WISE checking account. But once i get my ITIN, will apply for the AMEX checking account, and a Chase and Capitol One when i visit USA next time. (It was interesting to read about your bank experiences in NYC)

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Currently i am just using the WISE checking account. But once i get my ITIN, will apply for the AMEX checking account, and a Chase and Capitol One when i visit USA next time. (It was interesting to read about your bank experiences in NYC)

I'm not sure WISE would be sufficient to determine proof of address if they requested it but I hope you don't need it in the end. Banking definitely can be a bit finicky in the US!

 

[Igreen]

A data point for those holding the Aspire: my recent stay at the Conrad Bali triggered the $250 resort credit just 5 days after checking out. Some blogs online suggest the credit usually takes 3-4 weeks and Amex T&C state up to 12 weeks, so I was quite pleased to see it post before my next statement.

Can highly recommend this as an alternative to our only domestic resort option, Hilton Surfers Paradise. Depending on rates you can sometimes get close to squeezing two nights into the $250 credit - just keep in mind that you need to book a flexible 'pay at hotel' rate, paying in advance on Hilton.com won't trigger the credit.

Hilton Bali is also classed as a resort, I can't comment on the property but it's worth mentioning they have a "Free Bonus Points" rate right now that comes with 5k points for no additional cost.

View attachment 309208

I stayed at the Conrad Hilton Bali and it was amazing. As a Diamond member they upgraded my room to a pool outside my room, free brekkie in the restaurant (amazing), Afternoon and Evening canape & Drinks.

Post automatically merged: Dec 7, 2022

If you obtain your Hyatt card at year end( Nov ) does your total spend in the calendar year count towards the spend required for additional night ? Is it carried forward into next year ?

You need to spend $15k in a year (calendar) to get your free night. So if you spend 15k in 2022 and another $15k in 2023...you will get 2 free Cat 1-4 certs

 

[Igreen]

On the topic of checking accounts ...

For anyone that is eligible, there is an incredible offer on Amex's business checking account at the moment: 60K MR for simply putting $5K in the account for 60 days and doing 10 transfers in/out.

I recently combined that with a Business Platinum card for 180K MR (170K + 10K for an employee card), which I got by calling up and asking for the offer.

240K MR for $USD695 is a fairly good deal, especially as I can offset most, if not all, of that annual fee through the Dell and airline credits.

I am not sure why i bailed out of the business checking account even with an SSN. Did they ask any questions such as state issued ID in US?

 

[levelnine]

I am not sure why i bailed out of the business checking account even with an SSN. Did they ask any questions such as state issued ID in US?

What do you mean by bailed out? There's still time to sign up.

Asked for verification of ID. The automatic system requires a US drivers licence, which I don't have, so I had to do a NotaryCam appointment. Took all of 5 minutes and my application was approved 12 hours later.

 

[blacksultan]

I stayed at the Conrad Hilton Bali and it was amazing. As a Diamond member they upgraded my room to a pool outside my room, free brekkie in the restaurant (amazing), Afternoon and Evening canape & Drinks.

Post automatically merged: Dec 7, 2022

You need to spend $15k in a year (calendar) to get your free night. So if you spend 15k in 2022 and another $15k in 2023...you will get 2 free Cat 1-4 certs

Thanks

 

[desafinado74]

I'm not sure WISE would be sufficient to determine proof of address if they requested it but I hope you don't need it in the end. Banking definitely can be a bit finicky in the US!

Haha, you are right with regards to the confusing nature of American banking. Apparently in NYC, the banks are required to demand a utility bill as proof of residence. But this rule does not apply to many other states. Check out the experiences of this Canadian when he tried to open an account with Chase and BoA in Seattle :

Opening US Bank Accounts for Canadians | Frugal Flyer

Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to open Chase & Bank of America accounts as a Canadian.

frugalflyer.ca

Just before i visit USA, i think i will open a Google Fi account via VPN with my MYUS address on it, just in case a utility bill is demanded.

I will try Chase, Capital One and Citi when i am over there.

 

[dein_gesicht]

I am looking to go down this option. However, I use the card mainly for business purposes and wondering if people have issues when it comes to reconciling the receipts with xero and invoices. Any insight would be appreciated

 

[sudoer]

before i visit USA, i think i will open a Google Fi account via VPN

Interested to hear if you have any success. I've tried multiple times with various VPN tricks (tunnelling at the wifi router level etc), GPS spoofing, etc. Didn't have any luck and many others online have reported the same thing since about 18 months ago

 

[ithongy]

If you obtain your Hyatt card at year end( Nov ) does your total spend in the calendar year count towards the spend required for additional night ? Is it carried forward into next year ?

What is the SUB of CSP compared to WOH? You can convert chase UR points to Hyatt points.

 

[desafinado74]

Interested to hear if you have any success. I've tried multiple times with various VPN tricks (tunnelling at the wifi router level etc), GPS spoofing, etc. Didn't have any luck and many others online have reported the same thing since about 18 months ago

Have you tried to change to the American version of Google Play ? And then download Google Fi from there ? It might work. One of my phones has the US version of Google Play installed and i managed to download the Amex US and Passport Remitly apps.

Anyway, i will report back here if i have succeeded or failed in installing Google Fi.

 

[sudoer]

Yeah I also have a US Google account for the Amex US app - no dice.

 

[levelnine]

What is the SUB of CSP compared to WOH? You can convert chase UR points to Hyatt points.

CSP SUB is pretty much always superior to WOH, but WOH is handy for the ongoing free night (worth more than the CSP's $50 hotel credit) and the EQNs.

 

[ithongy]

CSP SUB is pretty much always superior to WOH, but WOH is handy for the ongoing free night (worth more than the CSP's $50 hotel credit) and the EQNs.

Get both of under 5/24. I’ve got CFU, CF, CSP, WOH, CIC, CIU cards. In way under 5/24 and might get a Marriott card then product change after one year to Ritz Carlton card.

 

[nj12]

I signed up for HSBC Global Account last month and 3 different agents via chat and 1 via email have told me that to obtain Premier status I need to maintain 6 months of $9000 deposits per month. The terms and conditions state that the 6 months relates to maintaining Premier status not obtaining it in the first place. Interested if anyone else who got Premier status had to complete the continuous 6 months of deposits or was it instant?

 

[levelnine]

Get both of under 5/24.

Depends on your alternatives. I'd take an Amex Plat 150K or C1 VX 75K over the WOH card if I were slot constrained.

 

[Igreen]

I signed up for HSBC Global Account last month and 3 different agents via chat and 1 via email have told me that to obtain Premier status I need to maintain 6 months of $9000 deposits per month. The terms and conditions state that the 6 months relates to maintaining Premier status not obtaining it in the first place. Interested if anyone else who got Premier status had to complete the continuous 6 months of deposits or was it instant?

Nope...I got it in the first month itself in OZ. However getting the US version setup was an arduous process of nearly 2 months.