Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Baymax]

From my experience Keep calling multiple times.
Eventually I got someone who could authenticate me by asking random questions to which the answer is always no / never .

Thanks for the reply. Did CS/Fraud team mention callback was the only option for verification? I’ve already tried a few times and all failed. The CS even told me a senior analyst would call me back in 24-48 hours twice but yet happen.

 

[dein_gesicht]

Hi, my DP: C1 let me use myUS to sign up to checking account but called it out as a mail forwarding address when I was trying to apply for the Venture Rewards card which I was planning to use as my daily non-AMEX driver.

They subsequently shut down my checking account - even though it had money in there - they didn't provide a reason other than they didn't want my business but I suspect they suspected Fraud and didn't want any part of it.

I'd avoid myUS if looking to set up with C1. Is there a mail forwarder which C1 accepts for CC apps?

Thanks. This just confirms not to go to the US with myUS address and I need to find an alternative solution

 

[leyy]

Received my SUB on the amex plat charge referall after spending $8K.

It was pretty much instant.

I'll keep the card before the AF renews and i'll either cancel or downgrade to a free card.

Hopefully they give me an upgrade offer again to the plat charge so i can get the SUB again.

 

[super5]

Received my SUB on the amex plat charge referall after spending $8K.

It was pretty much instant.

I'll keep the card before the AF renews and i'll either cancel or downgrade to a free card.

Hopefully they give me an upgrade offer again to the plat charge so i can get the SUB again.

You won't be able to downgrade to a free card, only to the Gold or Green charge card which aren't free.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

One of those documents that prove both "foreign status" and "identity" is "National identification card". Australia does not have a formal National identification card, instead uses the drivers licence as one. Any possibility to argue that the Australian Driver Licence is equivalent of a National identification card that proves foreign status?

In all fairness given how stubborn and inconsistent with how the rules are applied in the US, I would be wary of trying to do it with a DL. We're talking about a country that has issues validating residents from it's own territories.

It might cost you more in mental energy that it's worth. A passport will be infinitely easier.

 

[blacksultan]

Thanks for the reply. Did CS/Fraud team mention callback was the only option for verification? I’ve already tried a few times and all failed. The CS even told me a senior analyst would call me back in 24-48 hours twice but yet happen.

No they don’t advise you to call back in particular . You have to try until the agent you get can use that Method . They can’t call you back unless you have a proper US phone no .

 

[albyd]

Just a DP. I had the same experience. They ended up closing my checking account and sent me a cheque even when they agreed to do a bank transfer. Having said that, the amount did include the sign-up bonus.

+1 was my experience too. When I got my last expensive mail delivery from myUS, the cheque was in there & I banked it via the Amex app. They also included the SUB on the checking account so not an entirely lost cause.

 

[desafinado74]

Hi, my DP: C1 let me use myUS to sign up to checking account but called it out as a mail forwarding address when I was trying to apply for the Venture Rewards card which I was planning to use as my daily non-AMEX driver.

They subsequently shut down my checking account - even though it had money in there - they didn't provide a reason other than they didn't want my business but I suspect they suspected Fraud and didn't want any part of it.

I'd avoid myUS if looking to set up with C1. Is there a mail forwarder which C1 accepts for CC apps?

Try US Globalmail. Some of their addresses don't come up as a mail forwarder. Type in the address by using the link below to check :

ZIP Code™ Lookup | USPS

iPostal1 is another popular mail forwarding company that has even more addresses, some of which don't appear as a mail forwarder.

 

[albyd]

Thanks @desafinado74 I’ll give that a try tomorrow. If I change providers and therefore my mailing address, how long do I need to wait for it to propagate through my credit file before making the C1 application? Are these guys just as much of a rip off as myUS in getting your stuff forwarded (I know it’s what it is and it’s a cost of doing business as I don’t have anyone in the US whose address I can use).

 

[desafinado74]

Thanks @desafinado74 I’ll give that a try tomorrow. If I change providers and therefore my mailing address, how long do I need to wait for it to propagate through my credit file before making the C1 application? Are these guys just as much of a rip off as myUS in getting your stuff forwarded (I know it’s what it is and it’s a cost of doing business as I don’t have anyone in the US whose address I can use).

From what i read from other forums and users here, i believe that it will take a few months for the new address to appear on your credit file. (After you used the new address to pay for AMEX statements for a few months, for example)

With regards to postage costs from US Globalmail, they charge very high for the ultra fast DHL / Fedex options. But i am pretty sure i saw a cheap option, and i believe it was the normal USPS airmail with no tracking (Sorry i am not 100% sure about this, as the last time i used them to send stuff over to Australia was a year ago)

 

[dein_gesicht]

From what i read from other forums and users here, i believe that it will take a few months for the new address to appear on your credit file. (After you used the new address to pay for AMEX statements for a few months, for example)

With regards to postage costs from US Globalmail, they charge very high for the ultra fast DHL / Fedex options. But i am pretty sure i saw a cheap option, and i believe it was the normal USPS airmail with no tracking (Sorry i am not 100% sure about this, as the last time i used them to send stuff over to Australia was a year ago)

I am with US global and find them excellent. There is an annual fee, then you can scan the letter for $3 (plus a little more for multiple pages) and also have it sent untracked for $5-7.

There is an annoying verification process to be accepted though.

 

[desafinado74]

I am with US global and find them excellent. There is an annual fee, then you can scan the letter for $3 (plus a little more for multiple pages) and also have it sent untracked for $5-7.

There is an annoying verification process to be accepted though.

You mean the short interview for completing the 1583 form ? If so, yes, it is a bit annoying, but every mail forwarding company is like that unfortunately.

Hopefully you will goto USA in the near future. I look forward to reading about your checking account opening experiences.

 

[dein_gesicht]

You mean the short interview for completing the 1583 form ? If so, yes, it is a bit annoying, but every mail forwarding company is like that unfortunately.

Hopefully you will goto USA in the near future. I look forward to reading about your checking account opening experiences.

Yes that was correct.

I have the time and the points to go, just need an address

 

[levelnine]

Thinking out loud, I wonder if one could rent a cheap AirBNB (ie a house/apartment with a regular address) for 4-6 weeks, get all the necessary documentation delivered there then switch the address to a mail forwarder. Not sure if it'd work, but something to consider.

 

[desafinado74]

Yes that was correct.

I have the time and the points to go, just need an address

You can change the TX address to the Californian one for both the residential and mailing address, coz the last time i checked, it was not recognised as a mail forwarding address by both the USPS zip lookup site and Cap 1. I know some of the US Globalmail addresses are like this too.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thanks @desafinado74 I’ll give that a try tomorrow. If I change providers and therefore my mailing address, how long do I need to wait for it to propagate through my credit file before making the C1 application? Are these guys just as much of a rip off as myUS in getting your stuff forwarded (I know it’s what it is and it’s a cost of doing business as I don’t have anyone in the US whose address I can use).

3 Months. I updated mine late October. It wasn't until this month did everything report correctly.

For those interested in DPs opening accounts in the US, I've given some experiences upthread without an ITIN.

 

[dein_gesicht]

You can change the TX address to the Californian one for both the residential and mailing address, coz the last time i checked, it was not recognised as a mail forwarding address by both the USPS zip lookup site and Cap 1. I know some of the US Globalmail addresses are like this too.

My biggest issue is that my myUS doesn't show up as a commercial mail receiving agency either, but obviously C1 (and maybe others) are using a different list.

Thus, I could change to the California address, only to waste a lot of time....

 

[nthd_nthd]

For those with chase cards, has anyone used their myUS address as their residential address? I am seriously planning on going to the US to open up a bunch of new checking accounts with all banks, but don't want to try if it will be an instant fail. I get all my mail sent to my TX mail forwarding company

Plan to show: passport, copy of ITIN letter, HSBC and Amex checking statement with TX or myUS address, and Aussie license.

Do you think I would need to take anything else? I don't have a good enough friend in the US whose address I could use

I have 2-3 free days coming up very soon and was considering a trip to the US for checking accounts too, but it would cost me 200K points for Return ticket. However, I am currently accumulating points for my family's big trip after depleting them last year. Any solution that allows me to avoid spending 200k points on opening a checking account is what I seek as spending such amount will greatly hinder my plan of saving enough point for our next big family trip (family of 4). It seems counterproductive to spend so many points when I need them for near future trips.

Capital one if you have an itin

I have ITIN - Can you or anyone please confirm I can open Capital One Checking Account online with my Friend's US address?

I have Talkatone phone# but recall reading upthread that It cant receive Verification Code. What could be other mobile service I can get Please?

I also listen to a suggested Podcast on MS and it's very interesting but still cant create more spending as MS beginner within Aus - lacking creative mind I guess. Any suggestion?

TIA

 

[dein_gesicht]

Thinking out loud, I wonder if one could rent a cheap AirBNB (ie a house/apartment with a regular address) for 4-6 weeks, get all the necessary documentation delivered there then switch the address to a mail forwarder. Not sure if it'd work, but something to consider.

Other option could be:
- rent out airbnb
- change/amend hsbc statement to show the airbnb address
- apply for mail redirection from USPS to be directed to my mail forwarder

This does seem quite bad and could be seen as fraud maybe.

 

[nj12]

From my experience Keep calling multiple times.
Eventually I got someone who could authenticate me by asking random questions to which the answer is always no / never .

I was able to get verified this way also. However I'm discovering how difficult it is to create an online account. I've received my CSP Card and somehow a callback to my textnow number actually worked to verify the card so I've been using it that last couple of days without issue. The battle I'm having now is getting an online account set up with Chase. I've called 3 times over last 24 hours and passed security verification checks with the fraud department only to be told to take two forms of ID into a branch to set up online account which I've replied is not possible as i'm 'travelling abroad'. I even had my last call escalated to a supervisor who obviously couldn't fix it so told me to call back tomorrow and they can set it up for me. I think it's just finding the right person who has the authority to actually create the account and bypass the in-person verification option but as alluded to by TheTraveller and others upthread it appears to be an arduous process.