Strategy to obtain US Amex

[DAC1]

Many thanks for the detailed reply ! I am surprised that BofA requires the residential address to be a foreign one.
How do you find BofA in general ? Do you have any issues logging in from Australia ? And what sort of documents did you provide for proof of address and ID verification when you opened the checking account?

I find BofA okay but it’s not really my primary bank (those are HSBC US and SoFi). No decent high-interest account options. Transfers to other banks are quick (usually next business day, as opposed to PNC/HSBC which are often 3 business days). To me, I am only leaving it open with USD$1-2k in it (along with a small transfer to and from one of my other bank accounts each month) to maintain a BofA relationship (I want to apply for the Atmos Summit sometime after I have 2-3 years of history).

No issues logging in from Australia and I never use a VPN.

They needed proof of US address and they accepted a bank statement. They also asked for Australian passport and drivers licence.

 

[desafinado74]

I find BofA okay but it’s not really my primary bank (those are HSBC US and SoFi). No decent high-interest account options. Transfers to other banks are quick (usually next business day, as opposed to PNC/HSBC which are often 3 business days). To me, I am only leaving it open with USD$1-2k in it (along with a small transfer to and from one of my other bank accounts each month) to maintain a BofA relationship (I want to apply for the Atmos Summit sometime after I have 2-3 years of history).

No issues logging in from Australia and I never use a VPN.

They needed proof of US address and they accepted a bank statement. They also asked for Australian passport and drivers licence.

Oh i see! BofA sounds pretty straightforward to apply for. With regards to SoFi, was it easy to apply online for the checking account?

 

[DAC1]

Oh i see! BofA sounds pretty straightforward to apply for. With regards to SoFi, was it easy to apply online for the checking account?

Very easy to do while being in the US. I never managed to make it work in Australia (even on VPNs and residential proxies).

 

[_TheTraveller_]

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

It doesn't matter if your ITIN is attached to your US Amex account because you'll have a credit file purely on the basis that you have a credit card open. It may take 9-12 months to generate a FICO score and then you apply for your 2nd cards with your ITIN. You're getting rejected because your file/FICO score hasn't been generated rather than your ITIN isn't attached to your amex account.

Amex will always pull your credit file from the bureaus (even if you're an existing customer).

You need to be careful that you don't get flagged for credit seeking. As DC3 loves to say, patience. It's not a 6 month game, its a 3-5 year game.

I tried to add my newly issued ITIN to my Hilton Amex account, but all three agents I spoke to said it’s only possible when applying for a new card.

Can someone please let me know how you went about adding your ITIN to Amex for credit reporting purposes?

Doesn't matter. Next time you apply, apply with an ITIN assuming you have a credit file already.

Oh i see! BofA sounds pretty straightforward to apply for. With regards to SoFi, was it easy to apply online for the checking account?

Both are easy but BoA you'll need to be in the US. SoFi, from my experiences will require you to be in the US as well. a US VPN will not work.

 

[nthd_nthd]

BoA you'll need to be in the US

Is this for CC or Checking or Both please?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Is this for CC or Checking or Both please?

Checking. CC can be done over the phone. It's very likely you'll get flagged applying with an ITIN over the phone where they'll ask you to go in.

 

[DAC1]

Checking. CC can be done over the phone. It's very likely you'll get flagged applying with an ITIN over the phone where they'll ask you to go in.

The way to get around that is to have a BOA checking account with your ITIN linked first. Anecdotally, those who have done that have better luck and not needed to verify in branch. Plus ensuring you have at least 2 years of US credit history.