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I am considering moving back to the US this year. Part of that plan was to ask AmEx to shift my UK-issued card to the US. At some point, I will be coming back to the UK (sadly!), so I’ll need to do that process in reverse – is that a problem? I have a small existing credit record in the US; does the AmEx help at all there? Specifically, the problem I foresee is getting approval for rental properties etc. (although, there is a point that my employer will help here, to some unknown extent).
My understanding is that the type of card you can hold depends on your country of residence? Otherwise we’d all be applying for the US cards with their huge SUBs, lol.
AmEx UK can pass some of your information to AmEx US:
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/customer-service/global-card-relationshipThe signup bonuses for the Amex US has changed if you are eyeing them, a quick research would reveal them — I cannot remember the details.
Obviously Chase US can be pretty generous with Avios/BA SUPs, too.When I was living in the US, they did a credit check for rentals. You may have to put a bigger deposit or pay some months upfront. No need to say for any member of this forum that the US card market is pretty insane, you may bag a good number of miles there.
My understanding is that the type of card you can hold depends on your country of residence? Otherwise we’d all be applying for the US cards with their huge SUBs, lol.
Yes, indeed. My country of residence will be changing, hence the question.
So you can keep a UK-issued card in the US?
Though I imagine you’d want to go for those massive SUBs …I am considering moving back to the US this year. Part of that plan was to ask AmEx to shift my UK-issued card to the US. At some point, I will be coming back to the UK (sadly!), so I’ll need to do that process in reverse – is that a problem? I have a small existing credit record in the US; does the AmEx help at all there? Specifically, the problem I foresee is getting approval for rental properties etc. (although, there is a point that my employer will help here, to some unknown extent).
I just got a US Amex last month, but did not involve Amex UK. I personally have a relatively limited US credit record, but do have a long-standing US bank account and address, and just applied directly to Amex US for the card. I intend to keep both UK and US cards.
If I hadn’t been approved, I was planning to phone Amex US afterwards to ask about global transfer and reconsidering my application on basis of credit history in the UK.
Using Global Transfer allows you to apply for a US Amex using their knowledge of your credit in the UK.
After a successful application your UK Amex will remain as is unless you do something. Just be aware no SUB AFAIK when using Global Transfer.
There is no reason why you couldn’t hold both – we have a variety of both US and UK AmEx cards.
I don’t know of any other financial institution that makes moving countries easier than AmEx. The “receiving” country will make their enquiries with your “home” branch and approval is normally super quick and painless.
So you can keep a UK-issued card in the US? Though I imagine you’d want to go for those massive SUBs …
Yes – I hadn’t considered applying directly given I assumed Amex US would want me to have a local history before approving, but… you know… that might not be true.
I just got a US Amex last month, but did not involve Amex UK. I personally have a relatively limited US credit record, but do have a long-standing US bank account and address, and just applied directly to Amex US for the card. I intend to keep both UK and US cards.
Good to know – this might be the route to do it! Now to work out how many points I can get on various SUBs!
Using Global Transfer allows you to apply for a US Amex using their knowledge of your credit in the UK.
After a successful application your UK Amex will remain as is unless you do something. Just be aware no SUB AFAIK when using Global Transfer.
Not true. I just applied Amex Hilton US version this year using GT, 150k Hilton points have been credited already
I don’t know of any other financial institution that makes moving countries easier than AmEx. The “receiving” country will make their enquiries with your “home” branch and approval is normally super quick and painless.
HSBC premier does. But that’s in theory. Their branches will act like they are dealing between north and South Korea.
Some Asian banks also do. Like DBS who have their Treasures program.
There is no reason why you couldn’t hold both – we have a variety of both US and UK AmEx cards.
I won’t be surprised if Amex tightens a bit on this front. Tax residency and cross border financial selling is getting more scrutiny from regulators. Amex is already asking applicants to provide information on Amex cards in other countries, though who knows how many comply.
ICC products have already been taken off market.There is no reason why you couldn’t hold both – we have a variety of both US and UK AmEx cards.
I won’t be surprised if Amex tightens a bit on this front. Tax residency and cross border financial selling is getting more scrutiny from regulators. Amex is already asking applicants to provide information on Amex cards in other countries, though who knows how many comply.
ICC products have already been taken off market.One is always tax resident in the US if a citizen, praise the Lord! 🤣
I don’t know of any other financial institution that makes moving countries easier than AmEx. The “receiving” country will make their enquiries with your “home” branch and approval is normally super quick and painless.
HSBC premier does. But that’s in theory. Their branches will act like they are dealing between north and South Korea.
Some Asian banks also do. Like DBS who have their Treasures program.
Indeed, the HSBC execution is laughable. I’m told Citi is meant to be better, but no personal experience.
Did it last year.
1. Amex US can offer you a card based on your Amex history in the UK (through the Global Transfer service).
2. You can keep your UK card as long as you have a UK address (actually, they don’t ask whether you want to keep it or close it, they don’t care), so you don’t have to switch from the US back to the UK.
3. GT does not stop SUB, the limitation is that you can only apply through a public link rather than refer if you want to GT (if you have US credit history, you can try refer), so Hilton Aspire is a good choice as the SUB is the same for applying directly or through refer (gold and platinum is not a good choice with GT, as you get much more through refer, if I were you, I will apply for these cards in the future).Ok chatgpt
lol, reading JudeCobb’s post again does sound like it was generated by AI.
One point to add to this discussion. Some airlines wouldnt accept points or vouchers if you dont change the address on the account to where you hold the card. For example, you wont receive BA avios from the US BA card, if you hold a UK BA card and your BAEC is tagged to UK residence.
Did it last year.
2. You can keep your UK card as long as you have a UK address (actually, they don’t ask whether you want to keep it or close it, they don’t care), so you don’t have to switch from the US back to the UK.
I’m now in NZ and thinking it might be worth closing the majority of my UK cards (inc Amex) once I get a local card arranged through Global Transfer. It will reset the clock on any sign up bonuses and presumably I can Global Transfer back to the UK (or wherever) if/when I move on. The only issue is where to transfer the amassed MR points – Avios are only useful on Qatar and Qantas down here, hotel schemes offer worse value, or transfer them at the FX rate to NZ MR… decisions, decisions.
Did it last year.
2. You can keep your UK card as long as you have a UK address (actually, they don’t ask whether you want to keep it or close it, they don’t care), so you don’t have to switch from the US back to the UK.
I’m now in NZ and thinking it might be worth closing the majority of my UK cards (inc Amex) once I get a local card arranged through Global Transfer. It will reset the clock on any sign up bonuses and presumably I can Global Transfer back to the UK (or wherever) if/when I move on. The only issue is where to transfer the amassed MR points – Avios are only useful on Qatar and Qantas down here, hotel schemes offer worse value, or transfer them at the FX rate to NZ MR… decisions, decisions.
Bonvoy the best option if you have no plans for now. Take the hit on value, but worth the flexibility. On resetting the clock in UK, you need atleast one way to keep your credit record updated. Either a credit card, utility bill, council tax etc. Closing all of them could make lenders suspicious when you try to re-apply.
Did it last year.
2. You can keep your UK card as long as you have a UK address (actually, they don’t ask whether you want to keep it or close it, they don’t care), so you don’t have to switch from the US back to the UK.
I’m now in NZ and thinking it might be worth closing the majority of my UK cards (inc Amex) once I get a local card arranged through Global Transfer. It will reset the clock on any sign up bonuses and presumably I can Global Transfer back to the UK (or wherever) if/when I move on. The only issue is where to transfer the amassed MR points – Avios are only useful on Qatar and Qantas down here, hotel schemes offer worse value, or transfer them at the FX rate to NZ MR… decisions, decisions.
Bonvoy the best option if you have no plans for now. Take the hit on value, but worth the flexibility. On resetting the clock in UK, you need atleast one way to keep your credit record updated. Either a credit card, utility bill, council tax etc. Closing all of them could make lenders suspicious when you try to re-apply.
Marriott might be a good shout but NZ has a dearth of American chain hotels (the Aussie Rydges and Indonesian Quest seem to be the largest here). The one UK card I’m not cancelling is my MBNA Horizon so I’ll probably stick the odd transaction through that when I’m in Aus, Canada or back home. I’m also keeping my UK current account open, as far as they’re concerned I live with my mother again 🙂
Bonvoy points are useful because they can be transferred to a lot of airlines, not just to use in hotels. They are almost MR-like.
Marriott might be a good shout but NZ has a dearth of American chain hotels (the Aussie Rydges and Indonesian Quest seem to be the largest here).
As Rui N says, its not about redeeming for hotel stays, Bonvoy has more airline partners than Amex. You lose a bit of value, but increase your flexibility.
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