Strategy to obtain US Amex

[albyd]

What about "fancy" cards like the Platinum? I agree, basic cards, come in a plain envelope.

 

[olorinn]

What about "fancy" cards like the Platinum? I agree, basic cards, come in a plain envelope.

My Business Platinum also came in a box, a smaller version of the personal Platinum box.

 

[albyd]

ok thanks for the heads up. I'll wait an extra day to see what comes across as the pic I've received of the envelope, it doesn't look like much of anything whereas I think the platinum will be more ostentatious of sorts.

 

[metaphase]

Certainly the Hilton Aspire Amex came in a box and was flagged as a package by my forwarded - I ended up picking up in person when visiting the US rather than shipping it onwards, as I'd timed my application for an upcoming trip

 

[georgie23]

Has anyone successfully been able get an Experian credit report through Myfico with an ITIN?

Myfico failed to retrieve my Experian report due to missing SSN. I responded telling them I have an ITIN and no SSN so there is nothing to update. But wondering if I should pursue further with experian.

View attachment 497002

You can mail and they can physically post you a copy of your credit file - only way I know of

 

[QF_Flyer]

Just a quick one. I've previously received a US Platinum Personal AMEX. My forwarder Anytime Mailbox refused delivery and I was able to get it to AU as I was "travelling". I've taken up an upgrade offer from my Green Business to AEBP. Something has arrived from Amex in a plain envelope. Before I press the button and get them to forward it and it's not my card (I believe the forwarder won't accept cards, so I'm not game to get them to open the envelope and scan the contents, just checking in as I'm sure other people who follow this thread have received an AEBP before. Does it come in a plain envelope or "fancier" packaging like the personal Platinum?

Recently (December) opened a new ABP, came in the same sort of fancy box, via courier instead of USPS, that APP, Bonvoy Brilliant and Aspire came in. Green, Gold and Surpass were just attached to a normal letter.

 

[albyd]

Thanks for your feedback. I'm glad I waited an extra day. Something came from FedEx. I also got an email from AMEX that my card was delivered. I've chosen the Expedited forwarding option. I don't think it will be anywhere "cheap" just like sending it with the slow boat with USPS and no tracking so we'll see what the difference is. I have some spend to put on them which I've been holding off including my BAS Quarterly and Land Tax (they definitely don't miss me).

 

[Grrr]

I’ve had no success in obtaining a Chase credit card. Their fraud algorithm can be a nightmare. I decided to move on after several failed attempts.

What are the alternatives to Chase (and C1 who are even more conservative) for non-Amex spend with a wide variety of airline partners ?

 

[albyd]

I reckon it's AMEX - 5X on the Platinum - just need to figure out if you can get enough value from the "coupon book" credits to make back much of the $US895 ($A1260) AF. I don't think the 5X on travel will be sufficient "win" to justify the fee. I'll downgrade my platinum card at the end of the first year as I can't spend enough on Woolies Vouchers on the Qantas store (airline spend) to make it worthwhile for me. If you could buy open loop (MC and Visa) Gift cards with "cash" rather than QFF points only, then I'd reconsider (I guess that's why Qantas have that restriction).

 

[DAC1]

What are the alternatives to Chase (and C1 who are even more conservative) for non-Amex spend with a wide variety of airline partners ?

Probably Bilt for a very wide range.

In my view, based on my flying patterns, HSBC US also has enough to make it somewhat worthwhile. It is 1:1 for Qantas, Emirates, Avios (BA/IB although strangely not QR directly) and TAP Portugal. It is 1.25:1 for Turkish, Flying Blue, EVA and LifeMiles.

 

[metaphase]

Probably Bilt for a very wide range.

In my view, based on my flying patterns, HSBC US also has enough to make it somewhat worthwhile. It is 1:1 for Qantas, Emirates, Avios (BA/IB although strangely not QR directly) and TAP Portugal. It is 1.25:1 for Turkish, Flying Blue, EVA and LifeMiles.

I'm a big fan of HSBC's Elite card - 5x on travel and 2x on dining has worked well for me and the 1.5c/point at their travel portal is another decent option instead of points too. One thing I've realised though is their autopay setup is rubbish - it takes the full amount owing on the payment date, not the full statement amount minus any credits (as Amex and all other cards do). Means I missed out on a month's interest on about $3k this month so have switched it off and will just sort internal HSBC transfer instead!

 

[Dangj]

Just got approved for csp cc, is there any way I can ask them to ship to me in aus just like Amex ?

 

[Grrr]

I'm a big fan of HSBC's Elite card - 5x on travel and 2x on dining has worked well for me and the 1.5c/point at their travel portal is another decent option instead of points too. One thing I've realised though is their autopay setup is rubbish - it takes the full amount owing on the payment date, not the full statement amount minus any credits (as Amex and all other cards do). Means I missed out on a month's interest on about $3k this month so have switched it off and will just sort internal HSBC transfer instead!

The $95 AF HSBC card has the same transfer partners right ?

Which is generally easier to get- HSBC or Citi Strata (seems to have a similar range of partners) ?

Does having US HSBC premier checking make any difference to their approval process for cards ?

 

[georgie23]

Just got approved for csp cc, is there any way I can ask them to ship to me in aus just like Amex ?

I wouldnt on first card try - I have just paid for my 2 Chase cards to be shipped over but certainly dont do it on your first

The $95 AF HSBC card has the same transfer partners right ?

Which is generally easier to get- HSBC or Citi Strata (seems to have a similar range of partners) ?

Does having US HSBC premier checking make any difference to their approval process for cards ?

HSBC is almost guarantee - everyone who has premier seems to get it

 

[DAC1]

The $95 AF HSBC card has the same transfer partners right ?

Which is generally easier to get- HSBC or Citi Strata (seems to have a similar range of partners) ?

Does having US HSBC premier checking make any difference to their approval process for cards ?

HSBC is far easier. Don’t even need an ITIN.

And yes, same transfer partners for both HSBC cards.

 

[Grrr]

HSBC is far easier. Don’t even need an ITIN.

Any benefit to broadening the number of institutions involved by trying to get a Citi ? Or makes no difference in terms of credit history etc ?

 

[DAC1]

Any benefit to broadening the number of institutions involved by trying to get a Citi ? Or makes no difference in terms of credit history etc ?

It depends on what you’re looking to achieve. It can possibly help but Citi is more prone to giving you headaches with things like fraud locks on foreign purchases.

 

[Grrr]

It depends on what you’re looking to achieve. It can possibly help but Citi is more prone to giving you headaches with things like fraud locks on foreign purchases.

Yikes, maybe I'll stick to HSBC if CSP is rejected again in 3 months
I just want to get points for the decent amount of spend that I can't put on Amex (a couple of insurance payments).
I had dismissed HSBC previously because they didn't do Aeroplan, but having looked more carefully, both HSBC and Citi do useful 'less common' airlines like Turkish...

 

[DAC1]

Yikes, maybe I'll stick to HSBC if CSP is rejected again in 3 months
I just want to get points for the decent amount of spend that I can't put on Amex (a couple of insurance payments).
I had dismissed HSBC previously because they didn't do Aeroplan, but having looked more carefully, both HSBC and Citi do useful 'less common' airlines like Turkish...

You could just go for HSBC now if you wanted. I’ve had mine for 8 months and there’s no trace of it on any of my credit reports. So it seems like reporting by HSBC is spotty.

 

[Grrr]

You could just go for HSBC now if you wanted. I’ve had mine for 8 months and there’s no trace of it on any of my credit reports. So it seems like reporting by HSBC is spotty.

Good and bad I suppose... I'm only 3/24, so would actually hope that using it would improve my credit score over time, so would be a bit annoyed if it didn't make a difference