Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

I think it’s this card’s best SUB ever
View attachment 350778

I read the AF is increasing to $550 soon . Also benefits are changing .

 

[blacksultan]

For those using PlanetExpress, their Gardena address is shutting down so that means if you've used the address it'll need to be updated.

Edit: In the context of your credit files, my understanding is that you'll need to update your address on your accounts e.g. (amex/chase/c1) and give it a month or 2 for it to report correctly.

Did you receive any communication ? I didn’t .

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Did you receive any communication ? I didn’t .

I did not but I found out when I logged in this morning.

 

[Tiki]

Recently approved for the Citi Biz AA 65K/$0AF/$4K/4 months (now up to 75K/$0 AF/$6K/6 months — sadly Citi don't match) & Barclays AA Red 60K+15K AU/$99 AF/no spend/4 months.

Citi is fairly awful to deal with. Need to receive a code in the mail to be approved for the card. Unable to add to Apple Pay — fraud blocked and letter with code takes ages to come, so gave up and just use physical card. You get random fraud warnings, but funnily enough they don't stop you from using the card if you wait 24 hours for them to disappear. Phone app mostly works. Website rarely works, but can do most functions on the phone app.

Barclays much easier, though I got passed on the phone to 8(!) different people to find the right person to verify (you're looking for the security team). But very simple — able to verify on the phone unlike with Citi. As I only need to make one purchase on the card and AU card to get the bonus, won't have to worry about fraud blocks — will be two purchases then into the drawer.

Are you accessing the Citi app and website within Australia without a vpn? Trying to figure out if being overseas is triggering all these fraud alerts. I will have a narrow window while I am transiting LAX and could possibly walk into the Sepulveda branch if I had to prove my identity. I gave up on Cap 1, they just aren't liking my profile as a future customer and don't want hard inquiries on all 3 credit bureaus messing me up with Chase next year once I get past 5/24.

I have a spare cheapie Samsung I can set up as a US Google Pay and download US apps just for the specific use. I don't have to use Google or Apple Pay, as long as I can do the spends online or in person.

 

[qq830821]

Hi all, just want to pick everyone's brain. ive now activated an amex surpass card (obtained through global transfer) can someone please tell me whats the best way to pay off the credt card balance?

 

[levelnine]

Are you accessing the Citi app and website within Australia without a vpn? Trying to figure out if being overseas is triggering all these fraud alerts. I will have a narrow window while I am transiting LAX and could possibly walk into the Sepulveda branch if I had to prove my identity. I gave up on Cap 1, they just aren't liking my profile as a future customer and don't want hard inquiries on all 3 credit bureaus messing me up with Chase next year once I get past 5/24.

I have a spare cheapie Samsung I can set up as a US Google Pay and download US apps just for the specific use. I don't have to use Google or Apple Pay, as long as I can do the spends online or in person.

A US VPN sometimes helps, but that's not what triggers the fraud alerts imo. It seems to not like particularly payments — the online Woolworths gift card portal is a definite no, it seems. Any online gift card retailer Citi doesn't like. I've been using the card exclusively in Australia and 95% of payments go through, so definitely not exclusively related to being overseas.

Having the Citi app (US store only on Apple at least) does help in my experience, if only because the Citi website refuses to let me log in (VPN or not).

 

[Tiki]

A US VPN sometimes helps, but that's not what triggers the fraud alerts imo. It seems to not like particularly payments — the online Woolworths gift card portal is a definite no, it seems. Any online gift card retailer Citi doesn't like. I've been using the card exclusively in Australia and 95% of payments go through, so definitely not exclusively related to being overseas.

Having the Citi app (US store only on Apple at least) does help in my experience, if only because the Citi website refuses to let me log in (VPN or not).

Good to know, thanks. I am after the Citi Premier and would probably be buying gift cards in person at a supermarket but not online. They don't like obvious gift card sellers because people in the US were using them to MS so they probably block that category.

I used to have a Citi log on but it seems to have vanished after I cancelled the card just before Covid hit.

 

[Viridis]

Hi all, just want to pick everyone's brain. ive now activated an amex surpass card (obtained through global transfer) can someone please tell me whats the best way to pay off the credt card balance?

In my opinion, it's direct debit via a US dollar balance in Wise. Has been working well for me for the last 18mths

 

[DC3]

… whats the best way to pay off the credt card balance?

There’s posts upthread for Wise, which I use without any issues, and welcome to AFF

 

[Sora]

Chase bumped up new accounts to $225 for checking from the $200 I last saw.

 

[albyd]

I didn't expect it but I qualified for $350 SUB for my C1 checking. IT tells me though "your funds are currently not available for withdrawal. Please call us at 1-888-464-0727" Has anyone else got this error?

I was considering keeping this account but thinking since I've already been through ID with the Fraud team what else it could be before I transfer more significant $$ to this account. I don't trust them anymore. Will I have any issues getting $$ out of C1?

PS: I'm guessing the point of this activity is to get SUB and close the account to start the waiting period again for another SUB. I've got AMEX & C1 so far. Did a quick google and many banks don't accept ITIN instead of SSN. Any other banks I should be considering which would be reasonably simple for this process?

 

[DC3]

I didn't expect it but I qualified for $350 SUB for my C1 checking. IT tells me though "your funds are currently not available for withdrawal. Please call us at 1-888-464-0727" Has anyone else got this error?

Yes, same here, but I’ll probably just wait it out to see what happens.

 

[Sora]

I didn't expect it but I qualified for $350 SUB for my C1 checking. IT tells me though "your funds are currently not available for withdrawal. Please call us at 1-888-464-0727" Has anyone else got this error?

I was considering keeping this account but thinking since I've already been through ID with the Fraud team what else it could be before I transfer more significant $$ to this account. I don't trust them anymore. Will I have any issues getting $$ out of C1?

PS: I'm guessing the point of this activity is to get SUB and close the account to start the waiting period again for another SUB. I've got AMEX & C1 so far. Did a quick google and many banks don't accept ITIN instead of SSN. Any other banks I should be considering which would be reasonably simple for this process?

I am looking at the same. I do not have an SSN/ITIN. I have to open accounts with my passport and ID documents. I am waiting to see if I will get my Chase bonus & my Bank of America bonus.

My brother is a US Permanent Resident with an SSN, and we had signed up for the American Express Checking for the $250; awaiting the qualification email, hopefully.

He already had the C1, so he cannot open another one and claim this bonus.

There are a few options out there. We got a Chase pamphlet today where you can get $225 with a bonus code, and the normal is $200.

There are a few options out there, but they do require big deposits. Another could be Ally Bank.

I am actively looking for those with a $0 fee.

 

[albyd]

I Googled some options. Many didn't accept my ITIN as they wanted SSN only. I got to the end of account application with BMO and it declined my application (I didn't know that was a thing) for a non-specific reason.

I've tried Chase for a checking account and I couldn't get past the SSN stage. I also found that a number of banks rejected ZIP code 34249 for Sarasota including US Bank. I'm assuming some banks won't service Florida - I know Chase won't offer savings accounts to customers in Florida but I think Checking accounts are fine. It doesn't seem as easy as I thought once I got my shiny new ITIN.

 

[Sora]

I Googled some options. Many didn't accept my ITIN as they wanted SSN only. I got to the end of account application with BMO and it declined my application (I didn't know that was a thing) for a non-specific reason.

I've tried Chase for a checking account and I couldn't get past the SSN stage. I also found that a number of banks rejected ZIP code 34249 for Sarasota including US Bank. I'm assuming some banks won't service Florida - I know Chase won't offer savings accounts to customers in Florida but I think Checking accounts are fine. It doesn't seem as easy as I thought once I got my shiny new ITIN.

Unless you get an ITIN, you will find it difficult to open a US Bank account. Most will require an in person visit if you do not have an ITIN or SSN.

 

[thedamon]

I have an Aspire Card and the Bonvoy Bevy (kind of regret I didn't go for the Brilliant card, but it's my first US Amex so guess I am stuck with it for the credit history). What would be the next cards to apply for that are not Amex? I have an ITIN now as well.

What are considered to be the best cards offered by other issuers?

 

[levelnine]

I have an Aspire Card and the Bonvoy Bevy (kind of regret I didn't go for the Brilliant card, but it's my first US Amex so guess I am stuck with it for the credit history). What would be the next cards to apply for that are not Amex? I have an ITIN now as well.

What are considered to be the best cards offered by other issuers?

The Chase UR-earning cards, especially the CSR/CSP and Ink cards.

 

[shadowwalker91]

I have an Aspire Card and the Bonvoy Bevy (kind of regret I didn't go for the Brilliant card, but it's my first US Amex so guess I am stuck with it for the credit history). What would be the next cards to apply for that are not Amex? I have an ITIN now as well.

What are considered to be the best cards offered by other issuers?

I don't have a Fico score after 11 months, but was able to upgrade my Bevy to Brilliant immediately

 

[PointsLife1]

When I started my journey a few years ago my card of choice was the Bonvoy Brilliant but with lifetime status the increased $200.00 fee didn't seem valuable to me and with it coming up next month decided to try the downgrade path to the now not available to new applicants $95.00 Bonvoy card and was very easy and just used the online chat function to first try for a retention offer and when was denied asked for the $95.00 card and all done via Amex chat and already updated in the app and apple wallet.

 

[QF_Flyer]

Shame there are so few resorts in our region. Only one in Australia. Makes it very hard to use twice per year in my opinion.

The airline fee credit is an improvement insofar as it can be used on Qantas, Virgin, etc now I believe. Loss of $50 compared to the old credit.

Plus loss of Priority Pass.

Definitely not getting $100 more in value to offset the increased AF.

The two Hilton properties in Fiji are where I use mine. I go frequently so having 2x$200 is an upgrade for me.

The airline credit is annoying that it can't be used all at once, but better that it can be used directly (although I now have a heap of UA credit I won't add to, but fair enough).

Loss of PP means I'll have to work out which one is attached to my Amex ICC US$ Platinum card, but as I'll be keeping that for insurance (and as it doesn't affect SUBs in any specific country) that's no big deal.

Slight net negative overall I'd say, but I'll be keeping it anyway. Still haven't been formally notified of any changes, but my card year ends in July, so the AF is some time away anyway.

Post automatically merged: Oct 23, 2023

For those using PlanetExpress, their Gardena address is shutting down so that means if you've used the address it'll need to be updated.

Edit: In the context of your credit files, my understanding is that you'll need to update your address on your accounts e.g. (amex/chase/c1) and give it a month or 2 for it to report correctly.

Thanks for the prompt, no notification here (just like they don't ever receive anything sent to them in my case), but I'll need to make that change as that's my addy.