Apply for the US version Amex Gold or Amex Platinum as an UK resident
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I read from an article from Nova Credit suggesting that people lives outside of US can apply for any American Express Personal Card using your foreign credit history from select countries (UK credit history deemed acceptable).
However, I am not sure if I would be qualified for sign-up bonus points for US version Amex Gold or Amex Platinum card if I already had a UK version Amex card?
@ashp67172008 – I think you are maybe reading about people emigrating to the US rather than a UK resident being able to apply for US cards to take advantage of the higher welcome bonuses there.
In order to apply in the US you would need a US address and social security number and while you would generally also need a local credit record, when someone relocates, Amex will often accept their foreign credit history before they have established a local one. Obviously there are exceptions and some people spend significant amounts of time in UK/US so may have cards from both countries, but they will also have the necessary credit footprint in both places.
Looking at the site you mention I think it’s just using Nova Credit (presumably for a fee) to do what you have always been able to do with Amex if you move country. Amex lets you use your history with them in one country to open an account in a new country you have moved to. You can’t open a card in a country you have no link to.
A mate of mine had French and UK platinums and then called Amex and persuaded them to give him a US one. At the point of application, they didn’t need a US address other than insisting on sending the actual card to a US address, so he used a mail forwarding service. He doesn’t have US residency of citizenship or a SSN etc but had a long history with Amex from cards held in Europe.
Because it was a call sign-up process, there was no one-off bonus.
I think it’s a fee-free card when used outside of the US so he uses it all the time in Europe and is able to accumulate MRs at a quicker rate than on the UK card as it’s $1 per MR just as it’s £1 per MR if I remember correctly.
Having UK Amex cards won’t affect your eligibility for US Amex subs.
Be aware that it’s harder to make use of the perks for the US Amex Platinum if not normally residing in the US.
The Green or Gold would be better in most cases in my opinion, but YMMV.
I am a UK citizen and not migrating to the US and have 2 US amex card. I had to use notarise service to confirm my identity, but it was helped because I already have an US bank account and residential address also.
This is definitely doable as I am holding US AMEX/Chase and now having any significant ties to the U.S.
My top tip for doing this is not to apply for a charge card as your first U.S. Amex card. This is give you a better credit score as you want credit agencies to know what credit limit you have so far.
To get started you will need to get a U.S. address, U.S. Bank account and U.S. phone number. First one is easy. Bank account will not be as easy as you will need to apply in branch and show proof of address in U.S. (which will come when you get your first statement). Phone number can be tricky too but certain apps will allow you to get an eSIM which you can use via WiFi overseas.
Hope this helps – the cards in the U.S. is much more lucrative!
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