Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Pele]

Why's that? Has Amex Blocked you due to "Churning"? Once you get to :yes" with Amex AU, I think you'll need to hold got at least 6 months before you can do a Global Transfer to the US.

I think you're right then, have to look to non-Amex but you may need to go via a "secured" card first to build up your credit profile before you can go for a rewards credit card like one of the Chase ones. I'm not sure which bank will let you open a secured card from AU. Others who follow this thread may have DPs. That otherwise might be your first objective for your upcoming US trip. I would set up a checking account with Chase in branch and start the relationship with Chase that way. I don't think Chase offer secured cards but there are other banks who do and that may be the best way to get into the US card ecosystem in the first instance. Then you eventually have that bank as well as Chase - they say it's always good to have 2 in case one gets shut down. YMMV.

I dont know if i have been blocked or as some people call it 'Dr Ralph'd'!
I had a plat charge card for a couple of years until 2023. Held a few other cards here and there since. Last year i hadnt applied for any cards until Sept when i went for the Velocity Platinum, got rejected with the 'we will send a letter in 5-10 days'. Then in December i got the HSBC Star Alliance card no worries. Went back today and had another crack at the Velocity Platinum and it did ask me to upload payslips but then said they will get back to me in 5-10 days so im pretty sure thats another no.

Anyway i will take on board the advice here and might go for a bit of a walkabout in the USA later in year trying to open bank accounts and let you know how i go!

 

[Ko0l]

Anyway i will take on board the advice here and might go for a bit of a walkabout in the USA later in year trying to open bank accounts and let you know how i go!

No. 1. You need ITIN or SSN, none of that = no credit cards.

Other method of building credit history in the US is through HSBC.

Get HSBC AU Premier, Use that to get HSBC US Premier, use that account to get a HSBC US credit card. Put in an US address and the ITIN that you have to build a credit history.

After 1 yr, you should be good to apply for US Amex and chase.

Your no.1 priority is ITIN and a HSBC US credit card. With that it'll build a US credit history and may even be sufficient to open a starter chase credit card in 6mths if you apply in branch.

 

[albyd]

What’s the deal with Hyatt? I don’t want to spread myself too thin with Hilton and Marriott but considering Hyatt. High status doesn’t get you an upgrade when they’re issuing it like toilet paper. I’m a leisure stayer so not their target market.
Hyatt appears to be a program which has some value after Hilton and Marriott have gone to dynamic pricing and their points are worth a fraction of a cent. Is this why Hyatt is on the radar?

 

[http_x92]

Hyatt appears to be a program which has some value after Hilton and Marriott have gone to dynamic pricing and their points are worth a fraction of a cent. Is this why Hyatt is on the radar?

Globalist is the hardest to attain among the US chains so the status is well recognised. There are a few shortcuts like putting a lot of spend to earn elite night credits each year and periodic double nights but thats it. With every 10 nights (starting from 20, ending at 150), you also get milestone bonuses.

There are features like gifting Suite Upgrades, Guest of Honor, Club Access awards to family and friends as well.

 

[albyd]

Thanks for explaining. I’ll do some more research and I think I might go down this avenue with my Chase points as Hilton especially are a waste of now precious Amex points given it’s going to be harder to earn them from CC usage in AU once we get our ‘reforms’ layer this year.

I can only guess what this will mean for foreign cards like we’re all getting on this thread. I imagine they will be hard to use without paying a surcharge which wipes out the benefit.