Strategy to obtain US Amex

metaphase said:
Interestingly just had a letter through from HSBC US via my virtual mailbox after updating my US mailing address details -

There's then a 7-page form that has to be completed! o_O Unhelpfully then then suggest replying by post although I'm going to try emailing them to see if there's an online submission route! Has anyone else had this?

PS addendum - looking into it in more detail was actually quite easy to reply (e.g., their online payment verification system can't handle non-US number formats) and I suspect it may have been me opening a savings account that pays interest that did it!
Click to expand...
Yes you can email them. Send it to [email protected]
 
I'm using a combination:
  • CSP which is 3.3x on dining (with 10% annual bonus);
  • US Citi Strata Premier which is 3x on Supermarkets & 3x on hotel stays including dining within hotels
  • AMEX Plat with 5X for airlines including on the Qantas marketplace includes Woolies gift cards - this one is a bit of an expensive one - need to make the rebates pay - I've just got it so jury's out.
I think the only "catch-all" cards are the 2X on all categories like the C1 cards if you can get them.

At the current exchange rate of $A1=$US0.65, that works out to:
  • 2x = 1.3 pp$A (better than using an AU Platinum AMEX just without the stigma of asking if Amex is accepted)
  • 3x=1.95 pp$A
  • 5x = 3.25 pp$A
That's before any QF points.

YMMV

PS: Keen to hear others' experiences.
 
Last edited:
albyd said:
I'm using a combination:
  • CSP which is 3.3x on dining (with 10% annual bonus);
  • US Citi Strata Premier which is 3x on Supermarkets & 3x on hotel stays including dining within hotels
  • AMEX Plat with 5X for airlines including on the Qantas marketplace includes Woolies gift cards - this one is a bit of an expensive one - need to make the rebates pay - I've just got it so jury's out.
I think the only "catch-all" cards are the 2X on all categories. At the current exchange rate, that works out to:
  • 2x = 1.3 pp$A (very much like using an AU Platinum AMEX just without the stigma of asking if Amex is accepted)
  • 3x=1.95 pp$A
  • 5x = 3.25 pp$A
That's before any QF points.

YMMV

PS: Keen to hear others' experiences.
Click to expand...
Woaa thank you for really details info
 
albyd said:
I'm using a combination:
  • CSP which is 3.3x on dining (with 10% annual bonus);
  • US Citi Strata Premier which is 3x on Supermarkets & 3x on hotel stays including dining within hotels
  • AMEX Plat with 5X for airlines including on the Qantas marketplace includes Woolies gift cards - this one is a bit of an expensive one - need to make the rebates pay - I've just got it so jury's out.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you got your Chase matter resolved? What did they end up wanting from you?
 
I got through to the banker at the branch who got it unlocked. I did receive emails during the assessment process wanting residency proof similar to C1 which I ignored after my CSP got approved. This makes me reluctant to apply for an Ink. Don’t want to put my CSP and associated points at risk. Or am I being too timid?
 
I got Citi ages ago. I don't know the DP is valid now. At the time, you needed to hold a checking account & apply under a program they had for non US residents. They’ve since discontinued that program.

I suspect from reading this thread that Citi might be notionally easier to deal with than Chase. Though, everything is tightening up.
 
albyd said:
I'm using a combination:
  • CSP which is 3.3x on dining (with 10% annual bonus);
  • US Citi Strata Premier which is 3x on Supermarkets & 3x on hotel stays including dining within hotels
  • AMEX Plat with 5X for airlines including on the Qantas marketplace includes Woolies gift cards - this one is a bit of an expensive one - need to make the rebates pay - I've just got it so jury's out.
I think the only "catch-all" cards are the 2X on all categories like the C1 cards if you can get them.

At the current exchange rate of $A1=$US0.65, that works out to:
  • 2x = 1.3 pp$A (better than using an AU Platinum AMEX just without the stigma of asking if Amex is accepted)
  • 3x=1.95 pp$A
  • 5x = 3.25 pp$A
That's before any QF points.

YMMV

PS: Keen to hear others' experiences.
Click to expand...
But there is also the forex spread cost when spending and transferring to pay card ?
 
Dangj said:
Our of curious, which cc y’all using for general spending everyday ? Use US cc just 1x and have to pay transfer fee which don’t make sense to me
Click to expand...
You can also think about spending on a card that gives you a spend bonus (eg a Hilton/Hyatt card that gives you a free night award after $X spend).
 
blacksultan said:
But there is also the forex spread cost when spending and transferring to pay card ?
Click to expand...
That's one of the risks of this strategy - there's both an FX spread on the card and on the method you choose to pay your card bill to top up your US bank account.

If you’re lucky, it won’t be very much and this is a winning strategy … at least until it’s shut down like earning on AU cards will soon be.
 
Surely another risk is that passing yourself off as a US resident feels like even if it is not technically) fraud? Not that fraud seems to be a crime in the US anymore.
 

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