Strategy to obtain US Amex

[_TheTraveller_]

It is definitely something to do with the ITIN, I believe, as I just tried to submit for my partner (clean profile, not submitted any application since 1st card back in Sept, 75k income, NO ITIN) and I got instant approval.....

If we go back to original recommendations for the journey, it was always recommended that when you got FICO score, that's when you would apply for a 2nd card. Sometimes with GT you could get around it but there was no guarantee.

My guess is that if you tried to apply without an ITIN you might get past it but with an ITIN you're getting flagged cause you have no credit file hence you're getting hit with income verification.

Do you have a credit file on EX or EQ yet? Have you tried looking yourself up?

 

[blacksultan]

9 its issued in Dec 25

Did you do it yourself or use an agent ?

 

[AppleJune]

Did you do it yourself or use an agent ?

I got it thought CAA and I also got the letter confirmation from IRS for the ITIN issued (US address listed on the letter)

 

[AppleJune]

If we go back to original recommendations for the journey, it was always recommended that when you got FICO score, that's when you would apply for a 2nd card. Sometimes with GT you could get around it but there was no guarantee.

My guess is that if you tried to apply without an ITIN you might get past it but with an ITIN you're getting flagged cause you have no credit file hence you're getting hit with income verification.

Do you have a credit file on EX or EQ yet? Have you tried looking yourself up?

I don't think I have a credit file linked to my ITIN on EX or EQ yet, as it's only been 2 months since I got it. When I apply again, I would assume Amex would use its internal score to assess the application.

I tried applying again today through GT without an ITIN for a Hilton no-annual-fee card and still got sent straight to wait 14 days.

Will probably stop for the next 2 months to get more time, just don't want to miss the current 1 free night promo with Hilton

 

[Ktan89]

Is there a AMEX FX calculator or daily rates shown anywhere? I can find Visa and MC but not amex.
Looking to do a points transfer from AU to US - how long does it take?

 

[georgie23]

Is there a AMEX FX calculator or daily rates shown anywhere? I can find Visa and MC but not amex.
Looking to do a points transfer from AU to US - how long does it take?

its ballpark exactly the standard FX rate and usually 5-7 days - but it might not be todays rate it might be in 3 days times when it goes through - its going to be 0.7 x roughly - big picture - its been a pretty good time from the last few years now to do it

 

[Ktan89]

its ballpark exactly the standard FX rate and usually 5-7 days - but it might not be todays rate it might be in 3 days times when it goes through - its going to be 0.7 x roughly - big picture - its been a pretty good time from the last few years now to do it

Ahhh, I thought it'll be locked to the day requested.. here is am trying to time it best HAHA.
Big difference when transferring 1m points though. Probably shouldve done it last week. Knowing my luck the aud will drop now..

 

[georgie23]

Ahhh, I thought it'll be locked to the day requested.. here is am trying to time it best HAHA.
Big difference when transferring 1m points though. Probably shouldve done it last week. Knowing my luck the aud will drop now..

glass is half full - you get to use them in US. I have done it 3 times now and not sure from when I have chatted to them that they have actually actioned it - plus US/AU times zone differences etc etc - makes it practically impossible to know the exact day of when it is transferred

 

[Ktan89]

glass is half full - you get to use them in US. I have done it 3 times now and not sure from when I have chatted to them that they have actually actioned it - plus US/AU times zone differences etc etc - makes it practically impossible to know the exact day of when it is transferred

It is only allowed once a year correct?

 

[georgie23]

It is only allowed once a year correct?

yes

 

[albyd]

That’s right 1x per annum. Having said that, is this meant to be a GT ‘courtesy’? Might there come a point where they say ‘no more’? I hope not but just playing the devil’s advocate here. Getting a haircut to 0.7x then 1:1 to supported airlines is much better than 0.33x to Amex AU’s airline partners. I can see the attraction for many taking this route.

 

[blacksultan]

yes

Once in 12 months

 

[albyd]

I came across this YouTube video courtesy of Gemini earlier today. I think it quite neatly summarises what to do to get started on the path to US credit cards. It also includes some insights I hadn't thought about - like a lease document to prove address residency and a couple of other tips including how to tell if the address you're about to choose is identified as "commercial" or "residential". I think that this thread is worth reading through to get clear on some of the challenges and bank/issuer "foibles" you might encounter which this video doesn't cover. It really isn't a walk in the park as might be implied by this video but it's a good place to start.

YMMV.