Question
I am looking for a (miles earning) US credit card as a non-resident.
The few options I checked so far all required a US SSN. Any company/FF program offering them to non-residents?
Thanks.
Answer
I have a SSN, still no chance to get a US based CC.
Answer
If you are not a US resident there is very very little chance that you will get a US-based credit card. You're only hope may be a secured card, but even then I doubt it. Have you checked with banks in Australia to see if any of them offer US$ credit card accounts? Some of the large American banks may offer such cards. It's worth a call.
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I wish I were 1,000 miles away
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Thats better for LH's CC you only need a bank account in D, no need to be a resident.
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You might try getting an AT&T calling card, and then 'upgrading' it to a Universal Mastercard or Visa. A US bank account (showing a 'residence' in the US) will be helpful.
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I have an US bank account + SSN no way to get a CC.
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Originally posted by peter42:
I have an US bank account + SSN no way to get a CC.
Hi. Even though I'm a graduate student in the US and have SSN, I'm technically non-US resident. For the IRS, US resident does mean permanent resident. However, I didn't have any problem in getting several US credit cards. What is your physical address, peter42?
Answer
He must have a bad credit or something.
If you have a SSN and no credit file. One will be created for you, at the starting credit limit of $500. This is usually seen with student credit cards offered on campus.
Secured cards don't offer FF points. Worse yet, they require annual fee of over $100 just to keep the account open. This fee with charged through different way, assessment charge, initiation fee, account management fee, etc. It's there.
You might be able to get a debit card that still earns FF miles. If you have a checking account with the issuing bank, then they can open a card based on it. You don't need to be a resident to open a checking account. Any government ID will do... passport, employment letter, drivers license, etc.
Answer
Hmm, seems not so easy.
I can get a free debit card with a brokerage account at TD Waterhouse, but I am more after a miles earning credit card.
Here in Australia it wasn't a big deal. Being not permanent resident and getting a CC was done in two weeks.
Maybe I set up a US savings account first and then ask for a CC later.
Let's see.
Answer
Originally posted by hoieunkim:
Hi. Even though I'm a graduate student in the US and have SSN, I'm technically non-US resident. For the IRS, US resident does mean permanent resident. However, I didn't have any problem in getting several US credit cards. What is your physical address, peter42?
I live in Germany, but I studied in the US too and then tried to apply for CC too with no success, except for Amex, which was good since they give flight discount to students.
[This message has been edited by peter42 (edited 02-01-2001).]
Answer
Originally posted by MoreMiles:
He must have a bad credit or something.
If you have a SSN and no credit file. One will be created for you, at the starting credit limit of $500.
I do not have a bad credit history. The problem was as long as I studied in the US the visa status (not being permanent resident) and now, taht I do not have an address there.
Answer
I managed to get a secured Amex Optima card without being a resident, without a SSN and without a US bank account. I simply opened a private mail box and applied (and spendt endless hours on the phone with AMEX ...)
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Answer
The problem with non-resident is that you can accumulate debt and run away. They will not be able to do anything. It makes no difference for them to ruin your credit since next time you come back, you will probably get a new SSN... You can even apply for a name change at the original country and have a new passport.
With this new passport and name, you can start from beginning again. So they don't want foreigners to max out their $10,000 on their card and disappeared.
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I perfectly understand the urge of banks to secure their debts. But I would be willing to deposit an amout of money matching my credit linit with them, if they would pay resonable interest on that deposit and let me have the CC of my choice without a SSN.
Maybe in the next live.
Answer
Originally posted by FoxPro:
I perfectly understand the urge of banks to secure their debts. But I would be willing to deposit an amout of money matching my credit linit with them, if they would pay resonable interest on that deposit and let me have the CC of my choice without a SSN.
Maybe in the next live.
The strange thing is, that you can do it in Germany for example, but not in the USA.
[This message has been edited by peter42 (edited 02-03-2001).]