Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Grrr]

added both my mum and sister as Authorized Users (AUs) to help kickstart their US credit history.

Do they ask for an ITIN ?

 

[nthd_nthd]

Do they ask for an ITIN ?

No

 

[blacksultan]

Quick DP for anyone looking to help family members build a US credit profile from scratch:

Back in 2020, I opened a Chase World of Hyatt card and added both my mum and sister as Authorized Users (AUs) to help kickstart their US credit history.

Fast forward to this year: my sister is now getting regular pre-screened credit card mailers in the post from US banks. My mum hasn't received a single mailer—I suspect due to age.

If you have family wanting to break into the US credit card game, adding them as an AU to an older card in good standing is an easy way to help them establish history. Once they leverage that score to get approved for their own primary cards, you can safely remove them as an AU.

Did it take 6 years to get mailers ?

 

[DAC1]

Yes definitely premier, I always go through the premier line too. Very odd that no one else has experienced this apart from me

It seems you keep providing them with an unhelpful story. Access your accounts only with US VPNs/US residential IPs. Tell them you’re calling from within the US. Use your US numbers. Change the system clock on your phone before calling them. Make sure your US addresses are on your account. Etc etc

Plus, what is the worst that can happen if your HSBC US account gets closed? It is a helpful and generally easy to obtain US card but it’s by no means one that anyone should die in a ditch over if they cannot get it.

 

[ithongy]

Did it take 6 years to get mailers ?

Sorry due to neurodivergent burnout I don’t recall. Just happened to see a few mailers and one was sent this week.

 

[blacksultan]

Sorry due to neurodivergent burnout I don’t recall. Just happened to see a few mailers and one was sent this week.

Ok. Coz my family members have approx 4 years history via same method .

No

But they need an itin to eventually create and view their credit history right ?

 

[GerrardGerrard]

It seems you keep providing them with an unhelpful story. Access your accounts only with US VPNs/US residential IPs. Tell them you’re calling from within the US. Use your US numbers. Change the system clock on your phone before calling them. Make sure your US addresses are on your account. Etc etc

Plus, what is the worst that can happen if your HSBC US account gets closed? It is a helpful and generally easy to obtain US card but it’s by no means one that anyone should die in a ditch over if they cannot get it.

OK I have got my Tello US esim so I'll call of that next time.

Do I really need a VPN? I've read posts in this thread saying it could be a bad thing and lead to account being blocked?

 

[DAC1]

OK I have got my Tello US esim so I'll call of that next time.

Do I really need a VPN? I've read posts in this thread saying it could be a bad thing and lead to account being blocked?

I can’t believe you weren’t calling off a US number, that should be a given.

I have accounts across six US financial institutions and use a VPN or a residential IP to access all of them. Have never had a problem.

Jury is out as to whether you ‘actually’ need them.

 

[diamondhands]

I can’t believe you weren’t calling off a US number, that should be a given.

I have accounts across six US financial institutions and use a VPN or a residential IP to access all of them. Have never had a problem.

Jury is out as to whether you ‘actually’ need them.

I had no issues calling HSBC off my Australian number but I did tell them I was calling off that number while in the US. It did take a number of calls before I was approved so I think the biggest battle is getting a helpful operator.

 

[GerrardGerrard]

I can’t believe you weren’t calling off a US number, that should be a given.

I have accounts across six US financial institutions and use a VPN or a residential IP to access all of them. Have never had a problem.

Jury is out as to whether you ‘actually’ need them.

Well I called off a US number with VPN and got the application sent to my email so thank you that has worked.

I've filled in the application and signed it. What can I expect next? Is the turnaround quite quick on a decision? Do they often ask for alot of proof?

Again thanks!