Strategy to obtain US Amex

cathalm8 said:
Just called and verified my identify by receiving a one time code to phone. Was approved then within a few minutes.

It’s the Chase INK business preferred. I was approved with a 5k usd limit only so I am assuming I am probably reaching my total over credit limit. I probably need to reduce my 28k limit on the CSR as i do not need that?
Click to expand...
Congrats .5 k is normal . You can transfer limits between cards . Personal to personal . And biz to biz . Or reduce if not required .
 
Applied for WOh biz . Looked good . Then said they could not verify me and I needed to go to branch . interestingly they said someone could go to branch on my behalf with an authorisation letter and 2 forms of id !
 
If anyone has a tello referral they may share the same .
FYI I was informed fraud alert for ID theft was set up because personal details used in my application did not match those of my existing accounts .
 
Check out post 11689 :

It’s a faff - you need to do it a day before the amount is due - but the plus side of that is you also rollover any minutes etc.

Click on My Telo and then make manual payment - you shoudl then be able to choose your Tello dollars - it also means you don’t pay taxes so you save just over $1 each month too - just don’t forget to do it the day before the renewal day - I believe you can do it the day of, if you do it before 8pm ET - but double check that
 
Thought it might be useful as a newbie to US credit cards to share my experience to date and say the best time to start is today, wish I had done this years ago.

Phone: I went with Tello for my esim and am very happy with it, can call US and receive texts no problems

Mail: I decided on traveling mailbox and they have been good and costs are acceptable. I spent some hours putting all their site addresses in a Zip code checker to ensure I selected a non PMB address.

ZIP Code™ Lookup | USPS

US Address Verification by Smarty


I think it is $195UDS p.a. you see a picture of the envelope online and they open and scan it for free on request so you can read it and decide if you want it posted. My card took about 7 days to come and I paid $30.96 USD couriered and tracked by DHL. Letters cost $6.58USD first class post for a single letter and $7.98 when they posted two together in a single envelope. One took 5 days and one almost 2 weeks.


I got the Bonvoy Brilliant as my global transfer card in March 2026 due to the 200,000 points bonus with no real problems. My Accor signature is now paid with this. I have been with Amex NZ for 10yrs with an excellent record


I actually wanted the Green card as a long-term keeper and to enable transfer of points earned in New Zealand to the US for better travel partners, but the Brilliant offer was too good. I clicked on the apply for Green card in May just to see what would happen and lo and behold after almost 6 weeks of sending passport picture, copy of ITIN, copy of Tello invoice I finally got accepted for the card. It took a few phone calls to confirm the data they wanted and the need for US utility payment took a bit of effort, but they accepted my Tello invoice after I sent it a few times, so I guess it depends on who reviews the documents.


I did not expect to get any Amex card so soon after the Bonvoy Brilliant card so am really pleased. I guess I need to go to the US now and open a few bank accounts and get serious.
 
Last edited:
Traveler999 said:
Mail: I decided on traveling mailbox and they have been good and costs are acceptable. I spent some hours putting all their site addresses in a Zip code checker to ensure I selected a non PMB address.

ZIP Code™ Lookup | USPS

US Address Verification by Smarty
Click to expand...

Appreciate the info, I have been looking to get away from MyUS. What are the mail forwarding costs like? Can you select between different couriers? (UPS, DHL, Fedex etc)
 
sudoer said:
Appreciate the info, I have been looking to get away from MyUS. What are the mail forwarding costs like? Can you select between different couriers? (UPS, DHL, Fedex etc)
Click to expand...
My Amex was sent by DHL, I cannot remember the price but pretty sure it was less than $30US for slower (7?) day delivery. I will report back in a week or so when I forward my green card. DHL were the cheapest courier with longer delivery date, cannot recall if others were avaliable but it cost heaps for expedited delivery which I declined
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.

Recent Posts

Currently Active Users

Total: 3,204 (members: 39, guests: 3,165)
Back
Top