Strategy to obtain US Amex

[aaa99]

At Woolworths self checkout, you're prompted to sign on screen and the roaming staff member "verifies" it. They seem relatively accustomed to doing this (presumably for tourists)

Never used the physical care at Woolworths. But digital card seems to work fine.

Edit: if you the premier card, it is 3x for groceries. Could be additional bonus when buying those weekly gift card offers in store

 

[sudoer]

Never used the physical care at Woolworths. But digital card seems to work fine.

To clarify - I was just commenting on how Woolworths self checkout handles signature cards generally.

For Woolworths purchases I'd normally use a Wish GCs (purchased using HSBC at 5X) but in the above case, I used my Chase WoH card for a bunch of small value transactions with the physical card to season it before switching to Google Pay.

My Chase WoH seems to have no signature-free threshold for small value transactions ... even $10 requires a signature!

 

[levelnine]

Only problem is the Costco I usually fuel up at is unmanned and the only option is to insert the card and put pin in. They really need to upgrade their hardware tbh, I can't believe they don't have a contactless option by now.

Petrol pumps can be difficult with US cards. In Europe where they require a PIN, I often gave up and used an Australian card instead.

In addition to trying 0000 and the ZIP code associated with the card, sometimes you can ring up the bank and ask them to set a PIN for transactions (as opposed to ATM withdrawals) — some US banks do that.

 

[cathalm8]

Hey guys I just applied for a new chase card, have a few with them already. I couldnt find the link for the British airways avios card while signed in so I applied without signing it.

After submitting the application its asking me for an ID verification and only options are drivers licence (assuming its USA issued one) or state ID, neither of which I have. Wondering has anyone came across this or got around it somehow?

I havent received any reference number to call and discuss it but i did get an email from AMEX saying 'weve noticed a change in your credit report' so sounds like a hard pull has occurred.

I called the status line and confirms application being reviewed and will find out in 2 weeks.

 

[DAC1]

Hey guys I just applied for a new chase card, have a few with them already. I couldnt find the link for the British airways avios card while signed in so I applied without signing it.

After submitting the application its asking me for an ID verification and only options are drivers licence (assuming its USA issued one) or state ID, neither of which I have. Wondering has anyone came across this or got around it somehow?

I havent received any reference number to call and discuss it but i did get an email from AMEX saying 'weve noticed a change in your credit report' so sounds like a hard pull has occurred.

I called the status line and confirms application being reviewed and will find out in 2 weeks.

You have to call Chase. You can get the application status (including application number) on the app if you already have Chase accounts.

 

[PikachuFF]

Hey all, I'm relatively new to the game but I've been reading through the thread.

Quick timeline:

• HSBC Elite - Jan 2026
• Amex Green (now Classic Green, I guess) - April
• ITIN - applied July, received September

I've seen mixed opinions on providing the ITIN to HSBC (I asked chat support and they sent me a W-8BEN form to complete). I thought it would be good to help build history, but curious what other people think?

If not, I'm thinking next step will be to get another Amex (looking at one of the Marriott Bonvoy cards next, but I'm open to general recommendations too).

 

[metaphase]

My understanding was there was no easy way to get HSBC to add it so I've not tried. I applied for a 2nd Amex successfully with the ITIN. My next plan is to open a Chase checking account when next over in person using ITIN and with a view to an IHG CC just over a year from my original HSBC application.

 

[PikachuFF]

My understanding was there was no easy way to get HSBC to add it so I've not tried. I applied for a 2nd Amex successfully with the ITIN. My next plan is to open a Chase checking account when next over in person using ITIN and with a view to an IHG CC just over a year from my original HSBC application.

Thanks! I also saw someone mention that the HSBC card might slip under the 5/24 radar. Do you know if it's counted or not in your case?

 

[metaphase]

Thanks! I also saw someone mention that the HSBC card might slip under the 5/24 radar. Do you know if it's counted or not in your case?

No idea I'm afraid, not sure how I would work that out - I think Chase and BoA are the ones that mainly use that??

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Does anyone have any experiences trying to pay QBE insurance with a US card? It seems to be denying the transaction and Chase has said the transaction isn't making it through. I'm just not sure if QBE doesn't like foreign cards.

 

[AppleJune]

You can call HSBC and ask them to provide you with the W-8BEN form to attach the ITIN to your account, which will eventually link to your credit card.

Thanks! I also saw someone mention that the HSBC card might slip under the 5/24 radar. Do you know if it's counted or not in your case?

US credit history usually depends on many factors, not just an ITIN, name, DOB, phone number (maybe), and address, so even without an ITIN, your credit profile may already exist based on information from HSBC. My HSBC reported to Equifax and Experian, and they did a soft pull when I submitted my application.

 

[AppleJune]

Does anyone have any experiences trying to pay QBE insurance with a US card? It seems to be denying the transaction and Chase has said the transaction isn't making it through. I'm just not sure if QBE doesn't like foreign cards.

Coles Prepaid Mastercard currently has no activation fee. Maybe use Chase to buy it to bypass the issue

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Coles Prepaid Mastercard currently has no activation fee. Maybe use Chase to buy it to bypass the issue

Yeah unfortunately I can't make multiple transactions with QBE.

 

[Darkpulsar]

Does anyone have any experiences trying to pay QBE insurance with a US card? It seems to be denying the transaction and Chase has said the transaction isn't making it through. I'm just not sure if QBE doesn't like foreign cards.

Might be the payment processor blocking it for potential fraud. PayPal via postbillpay or bpay via sniip worth a shot.

My HSBC reported to Equifax and Experian, and they did a soft pull when I submitted my application.

Does HSBC do monthly soft pulls for account reviews for everyone? Noticed it happens on the 11th each month.

Any issues with putting biggish spend on 2nd chase card - CSP? In the 2nd statement period now and only used for smaller transactions, was planning to book flights for about U$4k equivalent for two. Was thinking if I should split the payments or just buy together. Likely direct with airline as Chase Travel for flights seems to have a lot of bad experiences online...

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Any issues with putting biggish spend on 2nd chase card - CSP? In the 2nd statement period now and only used for smaller transactions, was planning to book flights for about U$4k equivalent for two. Was thinking if I should split the payments or just buy together. Likely direct with airline as Chase Travel for flights seems to have a lot of bad experiences online...

Should be fine I reckon. I remember putting 3K+ on the first statement! As long as your name matches one of the pax I think it should be okay.

 

[AppleJune]

Might be the payment processor blocking it for potential fraud. PayPal via postbillpay or bpay via sniip worth a shot.


Does HSBC do monthly soft pulls for account reviews for everyone? Noticed it happens on the 11th each month.

Any issues with putting biggish spend on 2nd chase card - CSP? In the 2nd statement period now and only used for smaller transactions, was planning to book flights for about U$4k equivalent for two. Was thinking if I should split the payments or just buy together. Likely direct with airline as Chase Travel for flights seems to have a lot of bad experiences online...

My HSBC do a few soft pulls as well.

I usually do small/normal spending for the first 3-4 months before making any big purchases (Amex).I don't have Chase yet

Sniip - can't use international card for Bpay anymore, only to BSB/Acc number; they sent an email on Thursday last week, but he can do Coles Mastercard and Bpay with Sniip, but AUDUSD rate is bad for spending in AUD atm, so I don't even want to bother with using my US card

 

[_TheTraveller_]

AUDUSD rate is bad for spending in AUD atm, so I don't even want to bother with using my US card

Am I misisng something here? With AUD being so high isn't it a better time to spend in USD?

 

[AppleJune]

Am I misisng something here? With AUD being so high isn't it a better time to spend in USD?

AUD is high if the bill is in USD, then it's good to spend, but if you spend in AUD, then the amount you need to pay off in USD is also higher than when the rate is low cause more USD is exchanged for AUD

When AUDUSD drop back to 0.6 later, then it costs you more AUD to exchange for the previous amount of USD that you spent- if it drops. But if it keeps increasing to 0.8, then it's good

 

[_TheTraveller_]

AUD is high if the bill is in USD, then it's good to spend, but if you spend in AUD, then the amount you need to pay off in USD is also higher than when the rate is low cause more USD is exchanged for AUD

Ah yes. In that context then it's poor value. Good for those FXing as they spend. Great time for those who are hitting subs through AUD spend though.

 

[GerrardGerrard]

My HSBC do a few soft pulls as well.

I usually do small/normal spending for the first 3-4 months before making any big purchases (Amex).I don't have Chase yet

Sniip - can't use international card for Bpay anymore, only to BSB/Acc number; they sent an email on Thursday last week, but he can do Coles Mastercard and Bpay with Sniip, but AUDUSD rate is bad for spending in AUD atm, so I don't even want to bother with using my US card

Would there be a problem if I started putting high spends on my brand new HSBC credit card?

Also you mentioned you noticed HSBC pull soft checks, how do you check this? Which sites have you signed up for to see your credit history?