Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Ktan89]

How long does it take to transfer from AU to US? They've deducted from my AU account on Monday and still nothing in my US points balance. Should I be worried?

 

[blacksultan]

How long does it take to transfer from AU to US? They've deducted from my AU account on Monday and still nothing in my US points balance. Should I be worried?

About a week . Don’t worry

 

[Ktan89]

About a week . Don’t worry

Alright. Thank you

 

[Darkpulsar]

Tried to pay my origin energy bill A$150 via Amex Green on GPay but payment declined and got a fraud alert lol. Called and was told to do notarycam and ring back since no US ID.

Would this just be a random automated alert? Did GT in late Jan so have had first statement repaid a couple days ago. Approx U$2.1k owing atm, had nothing decline till now

 

[N0mad]

Tried to pay my origin energy bill A$150 via Amex Green on GPay but payment declined and got a fraud alert lol. Called and was told to do notarycam and ring back since no US ID.

Would this just be a random automated alert? Did GT in late Jan so have had first statement repaid a couple days ago. Approx U$2.1k owing atm, had nothing decline till now

just so you know, notary cam will ask for your address, while the purpose for me doing it was i wanted card posted to Australia i was lucky as i had forgotten my US address and didn't have it handy. Lucky she was after the address i was at during the notary cam.

 

[nthd_nthd]

This pre-approval keeps appearing in my account but I always hit error message

What can I do please?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

This pre-approval keeps appearing in my account but I always hit error message

What can I do please?

Not sure if it's related to the fact that you have an ITIN but Chase pre-approval doesn't mean much. You can be 5/24 and still get an offer only to be denied. If you actually want the card then apply.

 

[Franko Costa]

This pre-approval keeps appearing in my account but I always hit error message

What can I do please?

I would try using a VPN or another browser. Tbh if you have an ITIN that might be the issue

 

[albyd]

I think ITIN is the issue. I applied for CIBP on website using usual application route. I agree, pre-approval doesn’t mean anything other than you’ve met the basic requirements and passed a soft pull. Pre-approved doesn’t mean you’re home and hosed. Don’t use a VPN Chase hates that and you’ll likely get a fraud block.

YMMV.

 

[metaphase]

Yep I think my problem the first time around with Amex was VPN too, seems safer to not use!

 

[albyd]

Strangely enough, have been using VPN with Amex and Citi for years and have worked fine. Now all AU IP.

 

[Grrr]

P2 got an email offering Amex’s CreditSecure service. Has anyone tried this with an ITIN ?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Applied for Citi AA biz card and was instantly approved to my surprise.

I think I was 0/6 for new cards, 5/24, last HP was in December.

 

[nthd_nthd]

Applied for Citi AA biz card and was instantly approved to my surprise.

I think I was 0/6 for new cards, 5/24, last HP was in December.

Did you have any AA cards or Citi cards previously?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Did you have any AA cards or Citi cards previously?

No. I did have a checking account but that was closed due to inactivity.

 

[nthd_nthd]

No. I did have a checking account but that was closed due to inactivity.

Nice. Congrats. I'm hoping for that card too but got rejected multiple times last year

 

[metaphase]

I'd be grateful for any thoughts as to next steps, in particular around timing - from this thread I've definitely taken on board the importance of not rushing things!

I currently have the following:

• US shipping address & mobile number [since Jul 2025]
• HSBC Prem US checking & savings accounts [since Aug 2025]
• HSBC Elite CC (love it for travel spend!) [since Sep 2025]
• Amex Hilton Aspire (via GT) [since Oct 2025]

My ITIN application is in progress (being sent to IRS this week) - have provided my US shipping address on that too.

Once I receive that (hopefully in the next couple of months) it will have been over six months since opening my Amex via GT.

Am I right it would be reasonable to apply for another Amex then but this time and when doing so I enter my ITIN in the application form to 'link' it to my Amex history to date? Do I just apply directly on the Amex US site and put ITIN in SSN field? I'm probably looking at the Amex Green as I've got a chunky MR balance and the 1:1 redemption ratio for SQ there looks appealing ($150 annual fee and currently 40k MR for $3k spend seems decent too)

I'm also interested in the Chase IHG card - would you leave it a while after the 2nd Amex application with an ITIN to allow some credit file to build up first? Would it be worth opening a Chase checking account when I'm next in the US using my ITIN as a prelude to applying for the CC?

Open to any other suggestions re timing or application sequence!

 

[itsjackson]

Can ask for annual fee to be waived as a points redemption . And they will gift you the points if you don’t have any or enough !

Could you elaborate on how this works?