Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Tiki]

My PP app was showing I had 8 out of 10 visits valid until July 2024. I just happened to look at my digital card and it shows the membership has expired 1 Feb 2024. Needless to say I am pretty upset about this. I paid a $95 annual fee last July with no hint I was not going to get my full entitlements. This seems like some kind of fraud. I would have cancelled the card and not paid the fee if I had known I wouldn't get my full 10 visits.

 

[furiousmango]

For anyone who likes IHG, Chase is out with a new offer on their personal card: 140K points + Diamond status until end of year.

‎I can't post the link due to a bug with AFF software. This link is not yet public. But it probably will become public soon. If you can't wait, DM and I'll find a way to share it with you.

Damn, just got approved for the standard 140k offer - terrible timing. BOFA secured card and Amex Gold Charge since Nov 22 as a point of reference

 

[levelnine]

Damn, just got approved for the standard 140k offer - terrible timing. BOFA secured card and Amex Gold Charge since Nov 22 as a point of reference

As a consolation, you're now in the Chase ecosystem. I found the first card was the hardest to get approved for. After that it has been smooth sailing.

 

[velli25]

Speaking of a FICO score, can anyone explain how/why AMEX changed their index? I applied for the Marriott Bonvoy June 2023 and received a score in the 9000s after Sept 2023, but from Jan 2024, my score is now in the 700s.

Similar to me - opened a Gold charge card May 23. Green card in Oct 23. FICO sept initially was ~680 and now it's dropped to 660's. Pay all the accounts on time and put a small amount of spend on the cards.

I tried a 3rd GT for a Hilton Aspire but was in pop up jail.

 

[DC3]

…opened a Gold charge card May 23. Green card in Oct 23. FICO sept initially was ~680 and now it's dropped to 660's. Pay all the accounts on time and put a small amount of spend on the cards …

I find that my FICO score drops a bit after about 1-2 months from opening a new card (I have 3 x Amex cc, as well as a charge card) then eventually it creeps back up again, going a bit higher than the original score. Just takes time.

 

[blacksultan]

As a DP in response to my app for the Aa biz card Citibank has requested me to complete Form 4506 -C which authorises them to obtain my tax transcript from the IRS . I of course don’t file my taxes with the IRS except for minuscule amount in first year required as a result of itin application . Anyone has any experience with this ? I received my first Citi Personal card 2 months ago .

 

[ETW]

My PP app was showing I had 8 out of 10 visits valid until July 2024. I just happened to look at my digital card and it shows the membership has expired 1 Feb 2024. Needless to say I am pretty upset about this. I paid a $95 annual fee last July with no hint I was not going to get my full entitlements. This seems like some kind of fraud. I would have cancelled the card and not paid the fee if I had known I wouldn't get my full 10 visits.

Good grounds for a retention bonus chat July rolls around

 

[nj12]

My PP app was showing I had 8 out of 10 visits valid until July 2024. I just happened to look at my digital card and it shows the membership has expired 1 Feb 2024. Needless to say I am pretty upset about this. I paid a $95 annual fee last July with no hint I was not going to get my full entitlements. This seems like some kind of fraud. I would have cancelled the card and not paid the fee if I had known I wouldn't get my full 10 visits.

Priority pass discontinued for all Amex Hilton cards on Feb 1 2024 if you had the card prior to January 2023. If you enrolled or renewed (including Upgrading card product) between Feb. 1, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024, membership is valid through Oct. 31, 2024. Big loss for those who relied on PP for lounge access.

 

[Tiki]

Priority pass discontinued for all Amex Hilton cards on Feb 1 2024 if you had the card prior to January 2023. If you enrolled or renewed (including Upgrading card product) between Feb. 1, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024, membership is valid through Oct. 31, 2024. Big loss for those who relied on PP for lounge access.

That's what I don't get. I got the card in July 2022 and used my 10 visits. Then I renewed the card in July 2023 and paid $95 annual fee. I think new "benefits" were announced a couple months later. I have prebooked trips for March and April, mostly in Y and some late night connections so i was relying on using PP lounges. They changed the rules AFTER I paid my annual fee. If they announced it in July, I would have cancelled the card and not paid the fee. So I am feeling very cheated by Amex in that they took my money and are not providing the package I signed up for with this card. I can't use $50 quarterly credit, maybe just once as there are limited Hilton properties where I am going (Phiippine islands, Guyana, Peruvian Amazon). And I can't seem to use buying $50 worth of points because they are processed by points.com.

We should be getting the PP visits up to the next annual fee/renewal date. Does anyone know any way to get this done? I honestly don't know how Amex is getting away with changing the rules on a credit card where the annual fee has already been paid.

 

[Tiki]

Good grounds for a retention bonus chat July rolls around

I have no interest in keeping this card. Even if they waived this years annual fee, there is some kind of 13 month rule so they would "get" me next year.

And apparently there is "family" language on the Green card now so even if I get out of pop-up jail, I had the Gold card in July 2013 and it's one in a lifetime for this family.

 

[Igreen]

That's what I don't get. I got the card in July 2022 and used my 10 visits. Then I renewed the card in July 2023 and paid $95 annual fee. I think new "benefits" were announced a couple months later. I have prebooked trips for March and April, mostly in Y and some late night connections so i was relying on using PP lounges. They changed the rules AFTER I paid my annual fee. If they announced it in July, I would have cancelled the card and not paid the fee. So I am feeling very cheated by Amex in that they took my money and are not providing the package I signed up for with this card. I can't use $50 quarterly credit, maybe just once as there are limited Hilton properties where I am going (Phiippine islands, Guyana, Peruvian Amazon). And I can't seem to use buying $50 worth of points because they are processed by points.com.

We should be getting the PP visits up to the next annual fee/renewal date. Does anyone know any way to get this done? I honestly don't know how Amex is getting away with changing the rules on a credit card where the annual fee has already been paid.

Have you message the chat team and see what they say. I doubt they will give you PP access but they might give you a credit on your AF

 

[Daventry]

Hi,

I just tried to check my FICO score on the Amex app, got an error message and immediately received below email:

“MyCredit Guide cancelation request received”

“
American Express® MyCredit Guide has been proud to serve you and will miss having you as a valued member.

This email serves notice that we've canceled your enrollment.

This action will not affect any other American Express accounts you have.”

There is a link to re-enroll but I get the same error and email when I click it.

Have also tried with a US VPN, same result.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Hi,

I just tried to check my FICO score on the Amex app, got an error message and immediately received below email:

“MyCredit Guide cancelation request received”

“
American Express® MyCredit Guide has been proud to serve you and will miss having you as a valued member.

This email serves notice that we've canceled your enrollment.

This action will not affect any other American Express accounts you have.”

There is a link to re-enroll but I get the same error and email when I click it.

Have also tried with a US VPN, same result.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks.

Up the top there is a search bar. Type in FICO and it should be one of the options

 

[Daventry]

Up the top there is a search bar. Type in FICO and it should be one of the options

Got it, thanks!

 

[Grrr]

Hi all

I've trawled through nearly 6000+ posts on this thread - what an odyssey !

Hoping for some advice on my situation; please correct me if I've misunderstood or missed anything from what I've read

My situation:
- hoping to accumulate points to transfer into Aeroplan (have HSBC SA card, but looking for something better in the long term)
- won't make use of hotel or restaurant rewards/bonuses
- I have lots of US relatives, so can use one of their addresses as a US address

My ideas so far:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Aeroplan seem like good options, but am I correct in saying that I need to establish a FICO score before I can apply for them (and they don't need a SSN or ITIN ?)
- hence apply for a local AMEX - considering the AMEX Essential as $0 AF but can still earn MR that I can eventually transfer over
- these Amex (and the Chase cards above) don't charge a currency conversion fee, so it's generally manageable to pay for most things in Aus using one of these cards
- Wise/Revolut seem to be the current best options for paying off the US card in the absence of a US banking account
- after 3-6 months, GT to either AMEX Green or EveryDay; Green will be slower to build a FICO as it is a charge card ?
- then another ?6-9 months, then can try for a Chase card ?

Thanks for any feedback

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Hi all

I've trawled through nearly 6000+ posts on this thread - what an odyssey !.....

Welcome Grrr!

CSP will require 13-14 months credit history to apply for meaning that you're looking for at least a 16-24 month window assuming everything goes well. CSP will require an ITIN or SSN to apply with.

Sticking with Amex may be an easier solution especially if you're only looking for Aeroplan points. Apply for an AU Amex whether it be Platinum or Explorer and wait 3-4 months before attempting a global transfer. Don't quote on me on the 3-4 month wait as those are DPs I've read on here.

Amex also doesn't require an ITIN for GT so you won't need to go through the onerous steps of applying for one. Every 12 months you're also able to transfer your AU Amex points to your US account based on the current conversion rate.

I'm not sure if you want only an Amex Essentials card given the low earn rates and poor SUB. Explorer or Plat will be far better as you'll be able to transfer them to US Amex Membership Rewards (MR) later down the road. As for a US card, Amex green might be an OK card if you eat out, take public transport and book flights since that provides x3 on those categories and no FX.

I don't see a point in Chase unless you're looking for Hyatt or getting into the churning business which doesn't sound you are.

 

[Grrr]

I'm not sure if you want only an Amex Essentials card given the low earn rates and poor SUB. Explorer or Plat will be far better as you'll be able to transfer them to US Amex Membership Rewards (MR) later down the road.

Thanks @_TheTraveller_
Amex it is !

Even with the eg 275k sign up bonus going on at the moment with Platinum, I’m not going to use the hotel award, and will not actively look for restaurants covered in the restaurant award, so struggled to see the value given the massive AF

My thinking with the local Essentials card was just to have a free card that lets me get onto the US system in eg 4 months - or am I missing something with the value proposition in a Platinum ?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thanks @_TheTraveller_
Amex it is !

Even with the eg 275k sign up bonus going on at the moment with Platinum, I’m not going to use the hotel award, and will not actively look for restaurants covered in the restaurant award, so struggled to see the value given the massive AF

My thinking with the local Essentials card was just to have a free card that lets me get onto the US system in eg 4 months - or am I missing something with the value proposition in a Platinum ?

The value is the SUB. Even explorer has 100k SUB which is equiv to 65K~ US MR points. Considering that you only have 1 Amex opportunity per 18 months it would be a waste to use it on the Essentials card.

Something else to consider is that some users on here use their AU Amex exclusively for AU spend as the transfer rates work out better for non-bonus categories. There is a degree of optimised spending you can do but you might not find it worthwhile.

Assuming 1 AUD = 0.65 USD and using the US green card and AU explorer as an example:

$10 AUD public transport = 6.5 USD (x3) = 19 US MR points (Green Card)
$10 woolies shop = 6.5 USD = 6-7 US MR points (Green Card)

Optimised

$10 AUD public transport = 6.5 USD (x3) = 19 US MR points (Green Card)
$10 woolies shop = 20 AU MR points = 13 US MR points (Explorer Card)

I hope this makes a bit more sense.

 

[Grrr]

I hope this makes a bit more sense.

Thanks, that's very helpful

I've read that Google Voice, TextNow, Talkatone all have varying success... is anyone aware of a US prepaid SIM or eSIM similar to what you can get here with Aldimobile (eg PAYG 365 day expiry, rather than a monthly fee) ?

 

[albyd]

I use TextNow. It works with Amex but not with other banks. It's free if you make a minimum usage but otherwise to get a number assigned to you for a year, the price is modest. I think from reports, it can only be downloaded with a US Appstore account. If you're on Android, I'm not sure - I'm sure someone else on Android will jump in to confirm if it's available on the AU Google Play store or if it's available on Google Play at all.

You may also look at AU Edge card - 3 points at Supermarkets and Petrol Stations (if you drive a petrol car) - no AF in the first year and $200 travel credit effectively offsets the AF after the first year. That drags more of your potential spending in the bonus points net.

One App

AMEX Platinum is still best for keeping it simple at 2.25 MR at all retailers (except government).

Depends on your tolerance for AFs.

YMMV