Strategy to obtain US Amex

[nthd_nthd]

Question regarding building Credit.

1. Anyone here is able to build their Credit to above 800 with just Credit Card? And how long did it take you to go beyond 800?

Here in Australia, we have variable of Credits mortgage, car loan, personal loan, phone/utilities v.v. But we are lacking all those in America.

2. Also - How do you access to Freeze / unFreeze Credit 3-bureau. I have not figured out how to access Experian or TransUnion. Up to now, I am still relying on Equifax to check my score/history/Inquiries from all 3 with Very limited access to Experian and TransUnion.

Thanks

 

[blacksultan]

Question regarding building Credit.

1. Anyone here is able to build their Credit to above 800 with just Credit Card? And how long did it take you to go beyond 800?

Here in Australia, we have variable of Credits mortgage, car loan, personal loan, phone/utilities v.v. But we are lacking all those in America.

2. Also - How do you access to Freeze / unFreeze Credit 3-bureau. I have not figured out how to access Experian or TransUnion. Up to now, I am still relying on Equifax to check my score/history/Inquiries from all 3 with Very limited access to Experian and TransUnion.

Thanks

My equifax core credit score is 806 .
Did not do anything consciously .

 

[nthd_nthd]

My equifax core credit score is 806 .
Did not do anything consciously .

How many years after your 1st card till your score go to 800 please?

 

[blacksultan]

How many years after your 1st card till your score go to 800 please?

Can’t remember maybe on the past year . Got my first card in 2020 .

 

[nthd_nthd]

Can’t remember maybe on the past year . Got my first card in 2020 .

Thank you. Appreciate your DP - so that approx. 5 years.

 

[blacksultan]

Thank you. Appreciate your DP - so that approx. 5 years.

Almost 6 now

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Out of curiosity, anyone see any issues with sending Amex US metal cards to Amex AU for disposal? I got an envelop for my AU plat charge.

 

[Tiki]

Out of curiosity, anyone see any issues with sending Amex US metal cards to Amex AU for disposal? I got an envelop for my AU plat charge.

Just destroy it at home.

 

[desafinado74]

Hi everyone,
I am currently in San Francisco, and tried to open a Chase and BofA checking account today.
The Chase experience was disappointing. The banker wasn't very enthusiastic and friendly,
but the worst part was that the American address that i used as a residential address (It shows up as non CRMA in both Smartly and USPS) was rejected by the Chase system, because Chase used to have a branch downstairs ! (It is a tall office building ) I was very disappointed as i really wanted to get into the Chase ecosystem (I guess i am fated not have a relationship with Chase lol)

With regards to Chase, the banker just asked for my passport and a Capital One bank statement for ID verification purposes.

I then had a much better experience with BofA. The banker was more helpful and friendly, and he set up the checking account for me. He also applied for the Atmos credit card on my behalf, and i got approved instantly with a 13k limit (This card is the one with the $95 annual fee)

He also requested my passport and my physical Capital One credit card for ID verification purposes. All up, the appointment took 45 mins.

I gave him my ITIN, American residential address, and also my Tello and Textnow numbers (They both can receive BofA security codes)

Interestingly, the banker put down my Australian address as the residential address, and the American address as the mailing address.

I have attached the banker's business card here (Don' worry, i am not getting commissions from him lol ) So, if anyone of you is visiting San Francisco in the future, and is interested in opening a BofA checking account and credit card, i highly recommend this guy and branch.

I hope my info helps !

 

[DAC1]

Thanks for your DPs @desafinado74

worst part was that the American address that i used as a residential address (It shows up as non CRMA in both Smartly and USPS) was rejected by the Chase system,

I set up a Chase account myself two weeks ago in branch. Interestingly, while I provided them with a legitimate residential address, I was able to provide them with a mailing address (that is a CMRA).

The banker was actually able to force it so all correspondence actually went to the mailing address. She was also particular on ensuring that everything else was set up as paperless.

So YMMV but if you can provide a residential address (even if it’s not where you want things mailed), you might still have some luck.

Interestingly, the banker put down my Australian address as the residential address, and the American address as the mailing address.

This is standard for BofA.

 

[desafinado74]

Thanks for your DPs @desafinado74



I set up a Chase account myself two weeks ago in branch. Interestingly, while I provided them with a legitimate residential address, I was able to provide them with a mailing address (that is a CMRA).

The banker was actually able to force it so all correspondence actually went to the mailing address. She was also particular on ensuring that everything else was set up as paperless.

So YMMV but if you can provide a residential address (even if it’s not where you want things mailed), you might still have some luck.



This is standard for BofA.

Thank you for the reply. Was your residential address from a mail forwarder like Anytime mailbox? Both my residential and mailing addresses are from mail forwarders.

And may i ask which branch did you goto? I will be in New York for the rest of the week. I am also thinking of applying for a Wells Fargo card lol

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Can one put down a friend's real US address initially then change to a forwarder later even if its CMRA?

 

[DAC1]

Thank you for the reply. Was your residential address from a mail forwarder like Anytime mailbox? Both my residential and mailing addresses are from mail forwarders.

No my residential is a real address. The point is more get something that proves you have a real ‘residential’ address and then separately get them to send everything to the mail forwarder.

And may i ask which branch did you goto? I will be in New York for the rest of the week. I am also thinking of applying for a Wells Fargo card lol

Will DM you.

Can one put down a friend's real US address initially then change to a forwarder later even if its CMRA?

Short answer is no. Longer answer is you might get away with it momentarily but their systems will eventually catch on and will ask you to provide a real address or they might even just shut you down. A few of the Canadian cross-border banks that operate in the US have done that recently.

 

[albyd]

Which Canadian banks? I'm considering RBC for a GT into Canada for work. I know HSBC are no longer in Canada so RBC has taken over the 'old' HSBC Canada business.

 

[blacksultan]

Which Canadian banks? I'm considering RBC for a GT into Canada for work. I know HSBC are no longer in Canada so RBC has taken over the 'old' HSBC Canada business.

Rbc closed down my account as I could not provide Canadian connection .

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Rbc closed down my account as I could not provide Canadian connection .

Have you tried reaching out to Chase recently? I've read somewhere someone's account got re-opened after 2 months.

 

[blacksultan]

Have you tried reaching out to Chase recently? I've read somewhere someone's account got re-opened after 2 months.

Eligible to call now as im at 30 day mark after last call . Waiting for few days for credit report to be updated with recent spending as one of reasons for rejection on last call was less then 20 % of cl spent .

 

[DAC1]

Which Canadian banks? I'm considering RBC for a GT into Canada for work. I know HSBC are no longer in Canada so RBC has taken over the 'old' HSBC Canada business.

Most recent reports are BMO but have seen a few DPs of shutdowns with RBC and TD.