Strategy to obtain US Amex

[_TheTraveller_]

I assume an ITIN or SSN is a must

100% Chase asked for ITIN or SSN in person when I was in NY. Citi didn't give a rats about what I had. Very lax.

Re the plat card, I recall someone on this forum mentioning double stacking SUB + upgrade? Perhaps a few (many) pages back from one of the veterans on here.

 

[Tiki]

I'm interested in a Citi Premier but very antsy because many people on FT are reporting they get odd fraud alerts and if they can't verify your phone number you have to wait for a snail mail letter with a code to be verified so you can use the card. I will be in LAX in Oct so maybe I can avoid this if I apply in branch?

I had to jump through enough hoops with B of A and Amex to have my identity verified last year and expect Ciiti to be the same if I apply online.

Does anyone have experience with this card?

 

[albyd]

I’ve had Citi Premier for ages. It’s my daily driver for bonus category and non Amex spend.

Only time I’ve needed to speak with Citi fraud team when activating the card for Apple Pay when I transfer phones.

As for the application process, the branch helped me to apply after I had my checking account open for the qualifying period. So my experience might be a little different there.

 

[Igreen]

I'm interested in a Citi Premier but very antsy because many people on FT are reporting they get odd fraud alerts and if they can't verify your phone number you have to wait for a snail mail letter with a code to be verified so you can use the card. I will be in LAX in Oct so maybe I can avoid this if I apply in branch?

I had to jump through enough hoops with B of A and Amex to have my identity verified last year and expect Ciiti to be the same if I apply online.

Does anyone have experience with this card?

Nightmare. If you get a new phone or Change Apple id, Apple removes the card from wallet. Their verification process is a hit and miss. I have to wait nearly 4 weeks each time.

If you are going to use the physical card or not doing alot of changes on your phone (Apple wallet etc), it should be smooth sailing once setup.

 

[Tiki]

I would only use the card for online purchases like tickets, bills, insurance and such, in person I would use it at supermarkets for 3x. I have CSP on Apple wallet but I don't need this card on Apple as well.

Can you get Citi to send it to Australia? My friend in the US is happy to take a pic front and back and send it to me and he is completely trustworthy about not using the cards. But he has had health problems and doesn't go out much. I hate to impose on him to go to the post office. I could use the card online for a while until I can maybe report it "lost" and get Citi to send it here?

I would use the online banking to turn it off and on as required to keep it safe.

 

[Igreen]

I would only use the card for online purchases like tickets, bills, insurance and such, in person I would use it at supermarkets for 3x. I have CSP on Apple wallet but I don't need this card on Apple as well.

Can you get Citi to send it to Australia? My friend in the US is happy to take a pic front and back and send it to me and he is completely trustworthy about not using the cards. But he has had health problems and doesn't go out much. I hate to impose on him to go to the post office. I could use the card online for a while until I can maybe report it "lost" and get Citi to send it here?

I would use the online banking to turn it off and on as required to keep it safe.

I think they "might" only do it if you say it is lost/stolen. Check fraud card replacement policy is. Be prepared not to use it for couple of weeks.

 

[georgie23]

can't verify your phone number

Would using an esim like Tello work? I have that setup and its been working for receiving bank codes and calls - all very seamless - have 2 lines on my iphone so can receive at any time

 

[georgie23]

I'm interested in a Citi Premier but very antsy because many people on FT

Just was curious what FT was - assuming another forum?

 

[Tiki]

Would using an esim like Tello work? I have that setup and its been working for receiving bank codes and calls - all very seamless - have 2 lines on my iphone so can receive at any time

I think the issue is that the phone number is used to verify your identity so it has to be in your name. I use Text Now which can receive certain codes but it isn't like a telco in my name.

FT is FlyerTalk, like AFF but more US focussed but with an international membership.

 

[georgie23]

Ok thanks
I just went with Tello as it's 5 a month and I wanted a fool proof system - yes compared to TextNow can see the difference - I started with Talkatone but ran into issues even with paying their monthly bill so decided to just get a solution that worked for me

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Ok thanks
I just went with Tello as it's 5 a month and I wanted a fool proof system - yes compared to TextNow can see the difference - I started with Talkatone but ran into issues even with paying their monthly bill so decided to just get a solution that worked for me

Just be mindful that not all short codes work. I know for some services, Amex codes will work but Chase codes won't work.

 

[georgie23]

Just be mindful that not all short codes work. I know for some services, Amex codes will work but Chase codes won't work.

Is that with tello or mobile services in general? - Due to Tello being a prepaid MNVO service?

 

[georgie23]

I tried to do a search and it seemed that Capital One may be an issue - I am a long way off needing anything better - my first Amex via GT arrived last week so I'm very much a baby to all of this.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Tello/comments/136rly5

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Is that with tello or mobile services in general? - Due to Tello being a prepaid MNVO service?

I'm not sure if Tello is affected but there are a few DPs upthread. The few DPs upthread might be related to the services being MNVO.

For me, Chase didn't accept GV.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Does anyone have any DPs on whether paying bills via PostPay or at the Post Office count as shipping on the CIP?

 

[QF_Flyer]

Update:

My green card arrived via DHL
Have it up and running
Created account, added to Apple pay and have been able to add to paypal and pay for a few things already

I have setup wise account and need to search back how to setup autopay

Question - to people who have AU Paypal did you just add to that account or create a new US PayPal account

Aussie PayPal account, works fine.

 

[QF_Flyer]

I haven't really had any issues Planet Express but they're a bit mind boggling when they're not willing to assist.

My CIP was delivered on 10AM Friday to the CA warehouse via UPS overnight and usually they check it in on the same day. Instead of the Dock it was delivered to the front office. So it's been 2 business days and it still hasn't been processed. I've messaged them and they said check back tomorrow but it has been received (? not sure if confirmed). I have some flights I need to pay by the 5/9 and I'm a little concerned by Planet Express' indifference.

I could ask Chase to mail it out internationally but I'm a little concerned whether that would impact my profiles similar to what was mentioned upthread. Thoughts? FWIW, this will be my 2nd Chase card and I've been corresponding with them via secure message and they've been overwhelmingly helpful.

I've never once had anything arrive at Planet Express. They're an address only afai am concerned, not somewhere to receive things. And their CS is useless.

Post automatically merged: Aug 28, 2023

To those of you who have the Hilton Aspire card :

I got approved for the Aspire card in early June 2022, and received my first free night cert on 11 August 2022.

Based on this, when do you all think that this year's free cert will arrive ? ( I have already paid this year's annual fee 3 weeks ago) I plan to use this year's cert in early October for an overseas trip, so I hope to get it before then.

Also wondering this, July 2022 approval and similar receipt of certificate. Second AF is long paid now (well, a month or so).

 

[georgie23]

Aussie PayPal account, works fine.

Just added to my Aussie and authorised code so looking good

 

[blacksultan]

I've never once had anything arrive at Planet Express. They're an address only afai am concerned, not somewhere to receive things. And their CS is useless.

Post automatically merged: Aug 28, 2023

Also wondering this, July 2022 approval and similar receipt of certificate. Second AF is long paid now (well, a month or so).

I have received almost everything there . They don’t send pics of cards though and require you to mail it out .

 

[blacksultan]

Has anyone got around the 18 month exclusion for bonus points for Amex oz by cancelling all oz Amex cards and then doing A GT application from US to oz ? Do you think it might work ?