Strategy to obtain US Amex

[_TheTraveller_]

Just applied for Chase Business Hyatt and got this message:



Wonder what my chances are.

Give this number a call and if it's two weeks then you've got a good chance. 800-453-9719.

Regarding C1, I've received my bonus but struggled to add an external account. It wouldn't verify my phone number and I have a Google Fi account. Strangely enough when I initially opened the C1 account I had to go through the verification process and I received text messages via the CSR over the phone but it's all of a sudden not working. Very odd.

Any experiences like that? I know C1 is very heavy on automation so it could be a number of things. Also still haven't received my debit card at PlanetExpress.

 

[levelnine]

For those who have the Chase Ink Cash or Chase Ink Unlimited, how do you meet the minimum spend without getting hit with fx fees?

You can't. Factor it into the cost of acquisition of the points. Still cheaper than pretty much any other way of acquiring highly valuable points (eg Avios/Aeroplan/Hyatt/Singapore/United) en masse.

 

[GDale]

Give this number a call and if it's two weeks then you've got a good chance. 800-453-9719.

Regarding C1, I've received my bonus but struggled to add an external account. It wouldn't verify my phone number and I have a Google Fi account. Strangely enough when I initially opened the C1 account I had to go through the verification process and I received text messages via the CSR over the phone but it's all of a sudden not working. Very odd.

Any experiences like that? I know C1 is very heavy on automation so it could be a number of things. Also still haven't received my debit card at PlanetExpress.

Can I ask if you've previously received any cards through PlanetExpress and if so, did you have to submit the notarised form to them?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Can I ask if you've previously received any cards through PlanetExpress and if so, did you have to submit the notarised form to them?

Plain envelope/USPS require the notarized form. These are debit cards and the like. I don't believe courier delivered items will be an issue but I have submitted the form regardless.

It's a bit hit and miss. There instances where neither of those shipping methods have delivered successfully.

 

[albyd]

C1 doesn’t allow MyUS for resi address for CC applications. What has everyone been using to get to ‘yes’ from C1?

Are there going to be issues down the track if I’ve advised C1 of Sarasota address when opening checking account to establish a profile with them & now notify a different address on my CC application? What will be the effect on my credit report as well? Everything is going to Sarasota.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Give this number a call and if it's two weeks then you've got a good chance. 800-453-9719.

Regarding C1, I've received my bonus but struggled to add an external account. It wouldn't verify my phone number and I have a Google Fi account. Strangely enough when I initially opened the C1 account I had to go through the verification process and I received text messages via the CSR over the phone but it's all of a sudden not working. Very odd.

Any experiences like that? I know C1 is very heavy on automation so it could be a number of things. Also still haven't received my debit card at PlanetExpress.

Called the number and it connects me to the Fraud Operations department. WTF?

 

[Igreen]

Called the number and it connects me to the Fraud Operations department. WTF?

Thats correct to verify ur id

 

[Igreen]

For those who have the Chase Ink Cash or Chase Ink Unlimited, how do you meet the minimum spend without getting hit with fx fees?

Depends upon how much you value the chase points. Lets say u value it @ 2c (USD) per point. With the unlimited you get 2 points per dollar. So for every $ spend u r earning 4% (4c). FX fee is 3%. so u r making 1c per dollar.
Furthermore, most cards (Amex Gold, Citi Premier, C1 Venture) have an annual fee for earning 90k points or less. So think the 3% FX fees as the annual fee to get the SUB.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

C1 doesn’t allow MyUS for resi address for CC applications. What has everyone been using to get to ‘yes’ from C1?

Are there going to be issues down the track if I’ve advised C1 of Sarasota address when opening checking account to establish a profile with them & now notify a different address on my CC application? What will be the effect on my credit report as well? Everything is going to Sarasota.

Most likely will impact your credit report since your ID is linked to the Sarasota address. When you apply with another bank or even C1 with a new address they'll ask you to verify your address as you have a different address on your reports.

C1 seems like a lot more effort than it's worth these days.

Called the number and it connects me to the Fraud Operations department. WTF?

No need to WTF. Plenty of DPs in this thread where people get connected to fraud. Your application has been flagged for fraud and they most likely just want to confirm that you applied.

If you called the number and put in your ITIN and it transferred you to fraud then that's most likely what happened. Speak to them. Confirm you applied and proceed from there.

Normally once you put in your ITIN, it will tell you whether you've been approved, 7-10 business days or 2 weeks. 2 weeks is the best message and 7-10 business days often requires some additional verification.

Depends upon how much you value the chase points. Lets say u value it @ 2c (USD) per point. With the unlimited you get 2 points per dollar. So for every $ spend u r earning 4% (4c). FX fee is 3%. so u r making 1c per dollar.
Furthermore, most cards (Amex Gold, Citi Premier, C1 Venture) have an annual fee for earning 90k points or less. So think the 3% FX fees as the annual fee to get the SUB.

That is a very good way to look at it. If those SUBs are still available then I'll take up the offer. Might line up a few AA purchases in USD.

 

[DC3]

... WTF?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

The game isn't for the faint of heart! I get anxious/nervous whenever I call the banks as well

It's like I'm going into the principal's office.

 

[Finale]

The game isn't for the faint of heart! I get anxious/nervous whenever I call the banks as well

It's like I'm going into the principal's office.

Can you imagin how I felt when I called Chase, Citi, and Cap 1 when there was no DP here at all? To make it worse, English isn't my mother tongue. One time I had to pretend there was an issue with the line and hung up because I couldn't understand anything the agent said

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Thats correct to verify ur id

Yes I saw I actually had a missed call at like 4am from the same number that also called in June when I got CSP so probably all fine.

 

[albyd]

C1 seems like a lot more effort than it's worth these days.

Agree I think while C1 has a good product it’s way too much work. I was planning to use it as my ‘go to’ card given its earn rate (@ current exchange rate) is a little better than Amex platinum & it’s a Visa which means much easier acceptance. Shame about the exchange rate risk. I’m going to can the 2 accounts I’ve set up with C1 there is too high a risk they will trap my modest $US if I use them in that account to get the $350 SUB as I can only get into internet banking each time by SMS verification which is too much effort.

I’m trying to open a new Citi account and the online system rejects my ITIN. Anyone had any experience with this before? Their SUB for their checking account beats C1 hands down.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Agree I think while C1 has a good product it’s way too much work. I was planning to use it as my ‘go to’ card given its earn rate (@ current exchange rate) is a little better than Amex platinum & it’s a Visa which means much easier acceptance. Shame about the exchange rate risk. I’m going to can the 2 accounts I’ve set up with C1 there is too high a risk they will trap my modest $US if I use them in that account to get the $350 SUB as I can only get into internet banking each time by SMS verification which is too much effort.

I’m trying to open a new Citi account and the online system rejects my ITIN. Anyone had any experience with this before? Their SUB for their checking account beats C1 hands down.

I have a Citi account but got it in person without an ITIN so I can't comment on that.

Is there any reason why you're keep your funds in the C1 account rather Wise?

I'm surprised you being asked to use an SMS verification every time you log in. Normally they recognise your device and don't request an SMS. I only had issues when trying to add an external account/update phone numbers and it just didn't want to send the me text. Who is your current mob provider?

 

[albyd]

I have a Citi account but got it in person without an ITIN so I can't comment on that.

Is there any reason why you're keep your funds in the C1 account rather Wise?

I'm surprised you being asked to use an SMS verification every time you log in. Normally they recognise your device and don't request an SMS. I only had issues when trying to add an external account/update phone numbers and it just didn't want to send the me text. Who is your current mob provider?

I currently use HSBC as my transactional account & fund it from Revolut to cover US CC bills. Works well though Revolut value proposition is slipping (for instance there's now a difference with the spot exchange rate and they charge to make transfers - at least to HSBC).

Might set up high interest account with AMEX given I now have 3 cards with them and now have an ITIN.

Was going to set up C1 to take the mantle and have a CC there too. Chase, I'm in limbo though I'm looking at CSP to be enabler for Ink Business SUB.

Citi Seemed easy enough as I've dealt with them for years with their Premier card (though now my soon to expire card was shipped to MyUS but nothing is showing there - I've had the mail option from when they were offering it). What's the likelihood of of Citi sending my CC to AU given I'm "travelling"?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I currently use HSBC as my transactional account & fund it from Revolut to cover US CC bills. Works well though Revolut value proposition is slipping (for instance there's now a difference with the spot exchange rate and they charge to make transfers - at least to HSBC).

Might set up high interest account with AMEX given I now have 3 cards with them and now have an ITIN.

Was going to set up C1 to take the mantle and have a CC there too. Chase, I'm in limbo though I'm looking at CSP to be enabler for Ink Business SUB.

Citi Seemed easy enough as I've dealt with them for years with their Premier card (though now my soon to expire card was shipped to MyUS but nothing is showing there - I've had the mail option from when they were offering it). What's the likelihood of of Citi sending my CC to AU given I'm "travelling"?

That's interesting. Is it worthwhile considering completely cutting out the need for a US based checking account? I'm not sure if this was possible with Revolut but with Wise you can directly pay your CC bills from the card issuer. Seems like a hassle if there isn't a need beyond signing up for SUBs.

Can I ask who is your current provider that you receive your C1 2FAs?

I just noticed that Citi is reducing the checking fees but making it more expensive to get the fee waived ($250 p/m which would need to cop fees from Wise) so I might be looking elsewhere as well if C1 doesn't fix itself.

I don't think there is any harm in calling Citi and see what they say? Worse comes to worse they say no.

 

[albyd]

So with Wise, does it function as an account which the issuer can DD? That's what I do with Citi and Amex from HSBC. Only really looking at Citi for the $1,000 checking SUB (I wish I had enough $US to qualify for the $2,000 SUB but I don't ).

I'll give Citi a call on Monday - they had previously said I had to convert to "simplified banking" happy to do that but the agent I got wasn't very helpful.

Hope I can get to "yes" with CSP then decide what I do - may set up Chase Checking for $200 SUB & try to use it as my main US transactional account which is what I'd intended with C1.

 

[DC3]

I can only get into internet banking each time by SMS verification which is too much effort.

Try disconnecting your VPN before logging-in

 

[albyd]

ok - thought that I needed to login from a US IP but will try that. I'd originally created my C1 accounts using a VPN.