Strategy to obtain US Amex

[albyd]

I'm thinking of applying for a Chase business card (like one of the Inks or the Reserve (I've already had the ABP so won't get the SUB again). I recently tried to open a business checking account and it refused to let me progress as I didn't have an SSN, only an ITIN - I was welcome to go to a branch. Just checking is that the same with business CCs now? Otherwise, how do I get to "yes" with "just" an ITIN?

TIA

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I'm thinking of applying for a Chase business card (like one of the Inks or the Reserve (I've already had the ABP so won't get the SUB again). I recently tried to open a business checking account and it refused to let me progress as I didn't have an SSN, only an ITIN - I was welcome to go to a branch. Just checking is that the same with business CCs now? Otherwise, how do I get to "yes" with "just" an ITIN?

TIA

It's the identical to personal chase cards. Very straight forward. The hurdle would be getting approved!

 

[albyd]

Thank you - I'll give it some thought before applying I think. Shame I can't get the business checking account but can live with that if I can get the business CC. I'm especially keen on the non-AMEX charge card aspect as I believe aside from the CIBP, the Chase Business Reserve is a charge card from the looks of it.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thank you - I'll give it some thought before applying I think. Shame I can't get the business checking account but can live with that if I can get the business CC. I'm especially keen on the non-AMEX charge card aspect as I believe aside from the CIBP, the Chase Business Reserve is a charge card from the looks of it.

I think neither the CIP and CBR are charge cards. Both have limits.

 

[albyd]

Thanks for the heads up. They refer to the CBR as a "pay in full" card - thought that was the alternate term for a "charge" card (no preset limit is Amex's terminology).

Sapphire Reserve for Business Credit Card | Chase.com

Earn 8x points on Chase Travel, enjoy access to our airport lounge network, and get over $2,500 in annual value.

creditcards.chase.com

I can see the same "pay in full" term for the Ink Business Premier:

Ink Business Premier(R) Credit Card: Cash Back | Chase

Earn 2.5% Cash back on large purchases, 2% Cash back on all other business purchases, and enjoy premium benefits and cash back rewards. Apply now!

creditcards.chase.com

Interested in getting clear on what they are before I spend much time on this "project" now that C1 is a definite no go.

 

[Tiki]

Just back from a trip to Indonesia (Moluccas) and Turkiye. I used the Barclays AAviator in most places that accepted credit cards with no issue. I had a travel notification online. I'm hoping they will see a decent usage and I am a good customer so when I go for the Hawaiian card it won''t be a problem.

Meanwhile I got my statement and paid the annual fee and recieved an email that my 70k AA have been earned and will post after the next statement which should be on 19 Oct.

They sent a duplicate card probably the original after I requested an expedited card to PE. Since I already had one card in hand I used the el cheapo 20-28 day service. It showed up after 2 weeks via Asendia and Startrack/Aus post. I wasn't there to sign for it, my husband found it at the door.

 

[blacksultan]

Just had my ink biz preferred card worked . Already have the ink cash .
Is it still safe to call in and ask chase to have card redirected overseas directly ?

 

[albyd]

Just logged into the Chase app - am currently in Italy, they've offered me an Ink Unlimited. I'm wondering whether I complete the SUB spend then when the points post (apparently, they're cash back but posts at UR points but has 3% FCC). Might then asking to convert the Ink Unlimited to one of the other ink cards work as a pathway For my CSP, they wanted US issued state ID (like C1) from me which they overrode and approved the card as it was applied for in branch.

Just checking if there are any DPs from more experienced members before I pull the rip cord on this strategy.

Also, I've had a big change in my declared income. I had a one-off increase due to a property settlement so could prove that income if had a FR. My income has "normalised" now. I can report that lower level. Will that likely trigger a FR? I'd like to avoid that if I can. Extra SUB points aren't worth it if I put it all at risk.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Just had my ink biz preferred card worked . Already have the ink cash .
Is it still safe to call in and ask chase to have card redirected overseas directly ?

Yes you can try.

Just logged into the Chase app - am currently in Italy, they've offered me an Ink Unlimited. I'm wondering whether I complete the SUB spend then when the points post (apparently, they're cash back but posts at UR points but has 3% FCC). Might then asking to convert the Ink Unlimited to one of the other ink cards work as a pathway For my CSP, they wanted US issued state ID (like C1) from me which they overrode and approved the card as it was applied for in branch.

Just checking if there are any DPs from more experienced members before I pull the rip cord on this strategy.

Also, I've had a big change in my declared income. I had a one-off increase due to a property settlement so could prove that income if had a FR. My income has "normalised" now. I can report that lower level. Will that likely trigger a FR? I'd like to avoid that if I can. Extra SUB points aren't worth it if I put it all at risk.

For Chase, even if they say you're pre-approved, you're not. You still need to go through the verification steps if they flag you for verification.

Re the income, I think you can keep declare the appropriate amount.

 

[albyd]

Thanks @_TheTraveller_ , I think I'll hang five on this "strategy" and enjoy my trip. My CSP is my main daily driver. I'd hate to lose it due to chasing more SUBs which are nice but small in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Phoenix-1]

This is definitely better, but the value proposition of the AF / bonus points still seems to lean towards the Amex Plat. I went ahead and applied last night (I had a 175k SUB offer on my Amex Gold card) and received a "we need more info please call" screen. After calling up they asked for ITIN & identification documentation to be uploaded, which I did promptly. Now just waiting patiently.

Called up 48 hrs later to check the status and they approved me on the spot after asking a few verification questions.

 

[albyd]

I'm considering the Plat via upgrade from my Green. They're offering me 125K MR points SUB for $895 AF. That works out to approx $A0.01 per point - that's "OK" though since points earning from AU cards will soon be gone. Does the US Plat card have any features/credits I might not have seen the value of? If it was the ABP (which I've had before and there are no upgrade offers for) with the 2x on Charges > $US5K which interests me most - the other "benefits" I can take or leave. Do AU merchants like DEFT charge the same for all Amex cards? I saw my CSP is at nearly 5% as well as my Citi card. I haven't tested out Amex yet.

 

[Tiki]

I'm considering the Plat via upgrade from my Green. They're offering me 125K MR points SUB for $895 AF. That works out to approx $A0.01 per point - that's "OK" though since points earning from AU cards will soon be gone. Does the US Plat card have any features/credits I might not have seen the value of? If it was the ABP (which I've had before and there are no upgrade offers for) with the 2x on Charges > $US5K which interests me most - the other "benefits" I can take or leave. Do AU merchants like DEFT charge the same for all Amex cards? I saw my CSP is at nearly 5% as well as my Citi card. I haven't tested out Amex yet.

I don't have this card but I did see a good analysis on YouTube from Frequent MIler a couple weeks ago. Apparently there are a lot of "coupons" involved. It's actually a good channel to subscribe to if you're in the US credit card game.

 

[maverick1]

I'm considering the Plat via upgrade from my Green. They're offering me 125K MR points SUB for $895 AF. That works out to approx $A0.01 per point - that's "OK" though since points earning from AU cards will soon be gone. Does the US Plat card have any features/credits I might not have seen the value of? If it was the ABP (which I've had before and there are no upgrade offers for) with the 2x on Charges > $US5K which interests me most - the other "benefits" I can take or leave. Do AU merchants like DEFT charge the same for all Amex cards? I saw my CSP is at nearly 5% as well as my Citi card. I haven't tested out Amex yet.

Have you already explored the 175k NLL offers? Card has the potential to pay off for itself if you are travelling and booking hotels with the $600 hotel credit.
I got the card back in sep just before the AF increase, used the Resy credit to buy a egiftcard for $100. I'm not sure when I'll be able to use it as I don't see myself travelling to US before 2027, but unlike AU, US gift cards don't expire only risk being that restaurant still being in biz.
Then i bought the Lulu physical card towards end of sep and have it sitting at myus.
Have ordered the 2nd one couple of days ago to use this quarters credit with the idea I'll consolidate them into one package and have them shipped here and use it someday. So won't be able to get the full US$150 value as it will cost shipping and maybe storage fees, but hoping to derive some value.
I plan to do the same during Mar & Apr next year if this one works well.
And then there is the $200 airline incidental credit which can be used in some creative ways.
I don't value priority pass much just because of the quality these days, we either prefer eating in standalone restaurants or prefer the airline lounge if available and its also a benefit which I have on couple of cards.
This card also earns 5X when buying GC from Qantas Marketplace.
Hope it helps.