Getting a US credit card not that hard after all...

[Revenesque 2]

I'm almost 8 months preggo, still stuck in Vancouver, BC because MSP and my extended health care will not cover me if I give birth outside of the province of BC within the last two months of my due date. My CR-1 visa is still on hold in Montreal until baby and I are ready to immigrate (which the earliest would be in mid-November due to baby's paper work).

Anyhoo, I thought I'd give American Express a call to check out what is needed to start the process to transfer my Canadian American Express card (had this for about a year) to the American one. I described my situation and desire to have the credit card set up before I even move to the US. Apparently, I won't be transferring it--I'd just get a new American Amex using my Canadian credit.

All I need is an American address (check!); US checking or savings account (check!); and Canadian ID e.g. passport or drivers license (check!). SSN, US employment or American ID not even needed. So I start the application on the phone with the call centre agent...then I hit a snag.

I haven't been using my Canadian Amex card over the last six months. This isn't my favorite card to use--no incentive, not too many day-to-day vendors accept it, etc. To remedy that, the agent told me to start using it and make payments to it, then call back in a few weeks to resume the application.

Oki Doki--I immediately went to McDonalds and bought a caramel sundae with my Amex card. Who knew McD's accept Amex?

:-)

[raymaga 25]

I have an American Express Card and a Canadian Tire Mastercard (Options Mastercard)which I still use and I've lived in the U.S. for 6 years. I just gave them my change of address.

[TimandJoyce 1]

I filled out an application for American Express at the airport in April. (Just so that I could get the free gift..lol) Even though I don't work, and we have very little yearly income, lo and behold, it came in the mail!! So cool, now I can start building a little credit. This one is a for Delta miles (yay) and the first year is free...the second..um...not so free..

Ugh! *hits herself in the forehead*...btw...that's great it was an easy transfer!

Edited July 17, 2010 by TimandJoyce

[Bern. 3]

I filled out an application for American Express at the airport in April. (Just so that I could get the free gift..lol) Even though I don't work, and we have very little yearly income, lo and behold, it came in the mail!! So cool, now I can start building a little credit. This one is a for Delta miles (yay) and the first year is free...the second..um...not so free..

Ugh! *hits herself in the forehead*...btw...that's great it was an easy transfer!

An American airport or Canadian? I will have to try this

Edited July 17, 2010 by Bern.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Very cool Raven! I don't understand why a lot of stores don't accept Amex. I have problems at work all the time because most of our carriers won't accept Amex payments and people get angry. It's become a pretty mainstream credit card, It makes no sense to accept Discover but not Amex.

I always get bothered at the airport for credit cards but I've never gone for it. I've been getting a lot of letters from Capital one asking me to apply for a card as well. It may be smart for me to try and help built my credit, but I hate the fact my husband and I have so many credit cards between us. It just makes me feel uncomfortable for some reason, even though we don't use half of them.

I'm hoping that the new car we bought together will help build my credit? I'm not sure how that works.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Very cool Raven! I don't understand why a lot of stores don't accept Amex. I have problems at work all the time because most of our carriers won't accept Amex payments and people get angry. It's become a pretty mainstream credit card, It makes no sense to accept Discover but not Amex.

I always get bothered at the airport for credit cards but I've never gone for it. I've been getting a lot of letters from Capital one asking me to apply for a card as well. It may be smart for me to try and help built my credit, but I hate the fact my husband and I have so many credit cards between us. It just makes me feel uncomfortable for some reason, even though we don't use half of them.

I'm hoping that the new car we bought together will help build my credit? I'm not sure how that works.

A lot of stores don't accept AMEX because they have higher fees for vendors. I think it's becoming more popular though. It is a good credit card company, there is a lot of security and perks. I want to get one eventually, but I don't need another card right now.

My first credit card was the Capital One card and it was alright. The interest is really high and my limit is only $750. I wish I had just waited and got one from the bank (Chase), which I eventually did and my limit is a lot higher and the interest is still high, but lower than Capital One. I think I got a card from the bank so easily because we have a high combined income and because we have big savings... it was way too easy for me, so that has to be the reason since I had zero credit.

The new car will affect your credit if you financed it and your name is on the financing agreement. The ownership paperwork won't affect your credit (at least I don't think so).

[TimandJoyce 1]

An American airport or Canadian? I will have to try this

It was American. I really didn't expect to get the card. So far, it's been accepted where I've used it.