AmEx Global Transfer to US

tc423 on 16/09/2025 - 13:43
Last edited 18/09/2025 - 23:31

To avoid Amex (AU) devaluing MR from 15 Dec 2025, I successfully did a Global Transfer to Amex (US) without needing an ITIN or SSN. Instead, Amex was able to approve the card using existing credit files from Australia. Here are my 2 cents.

My initial goal was to park my AU points in the US (at a 1.5:1 ratio) since the US program offers stronger transfer rate to airlines (e.g. Avios/AC/ANA/Cathy/Emirates/Qantas/Krisflyer 1:1). Later, I also discovered that some No FX Fee cards can actually be used in Australia.

Timeline

  • 13 Sep: signed up for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and selected “Already an American Express Card Member from another country?” during the application. I immediately received an email stating they would need to call and confirm a few details.
  • 15 Sep: called the Amex GT team (+1 866 929 5160) at 11:30 pm (US ET 9:30 am Mon) to follow up on the application. They verbally confirmed my name, US address, and identification and approved the card on the phone.
  • I will be opening a charge card when this Amex is received.

Card Selection
There are a few cards we might want to consider IMO.

  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy - 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after $5,000 spend in 6 months. $250 annual fee. 1 free night after $15,000 spent. No FX Fee.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant - 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months. $650 annual fee. $25 per month dining credit, MB Platinum Elite Status. Priority Pass (2 guests), 1 free night (from second year). No FX Fee.
  • Amex Green - Charge Card: 40,000 points after $3,000 spend. $150 annual fee. 3 x points on worldwide dining (valued 3% off). 1:1 ratio to most airlines. No FX Fee.
  • Amex Gold - Charge Card: 60,000 points (100k with referral) after $6,000 spend. $325 annual fee. 4 x points on worldwide dining (valued 4% off). $25 per month dining credit, 1:1 ratio to most airlines. No FX Fee.

What do you need

  • US mobile phone. I use Tello $5 per month.
  • US address. borrow from your friend or ATMB (you need to check CMRA
  • Proof of address. I didn’t get asked for it, but you can use Google Fi (postpaid service), as it posts the bill after 2–3 days and refunds the majority if you don’t activate the service.
  • To receive your card, you can get it posted to your US address. Or contact Amex to add an alternative address (AU) and replace the card (avoid this option for the first card as they might deny your second application).

Things to note

  • Marriott Bonvoy Points are valued at $0.7 per point and can be converted to most airlines at a 2.4:1 ratio (2:1 for United). You should apply for Bevy card before Brilliant Card, since you won’t receive a sign-up bonus if you later downgrade.
  • 2-in-90 rule
  • You will likely need to use the physical card in Australia before you can start using Apple/Google Pay to avoid KYC.
  • Amex US doesn't like Churners, better choose a card that you can hold. If you cancel a card within 12 months, Amex may close all cards and your account.
  • Get a credit card before a charge card—it’s better for your credit. You can only GT once and are required to use US credit file from the second card.
Financial

Related Stores

American Express
American Express

Comments

  • nubix on 16/09/2025 - 14:16
    +2

    Thank you for the quality post, this excites me so much, weird…

  • nned2say on 16/09/2025 - 15:19
    +2

    That's interesting. Does Google Fi post the bill to your physical address or your email address?

    • tc423 on 16/09/2025 - 15:28

      PDF bill from your Google Fi app

      • nned2say on 16/09/2025 - 15:34

        Thank you.

  • mskeggs on 16/09/2025 - 15:22
    +1

    I like the game, but the fraudulent address stuff feels like too much risk on a credit application.
    I can imagine that could go very badly 😅 if you missed payments or similar.

    • tc423 on 16/09/2025 - 15:35
      +2

      Yes, I have come across this. The solution is to contact Amex and add an alternative address (au) once you have received the physical card. Later, you can replace the card and have it re-delivered to Australia. (avoid doing this for the first card as they might deny your second card application)

      However, I don’t consider this fraudulent but a grey area, as you used your Australian credit file for the application (including your passport etc).

      • HardQuiz on 17/09/2025 - 06:32

        But the requirement is to have a US address.

        Unless you know someone who lives in the US, it’s hard to justify the random US address used.

  • northshore on 16/09/2025 - 15:40
    +1

    A great guide on your experience - thank you.

    You should apply for Bevy card before Brilliant Card, since you won’t receive a sign-up bonus if you later downgrade.

    Can you elaborate on this? Does this mean if you get the SUB for Bevy, then upgrade to Brilliant, you get a second SUB?

    It looks like Brilliant is a higher tier card vs. Bevy? Not the other way around?

    • tc423 on 16/09/2025 - 15:47
      +1

      Yes, Brilliant is the higher-tier card.

      You can have both cards at the same time, but only if you sign up for Bevy first, which will secure both sign-up bonuses.

      On the other hand, if you sign up for the Gold Charge Card first, you’ll miss out on the sign-up bonus for the Green Card when you downgrade later.

  • freshofftheboat on 16/09/2025 - 17:24
    +1

    Outstanding post. So did they convert your AMEX points to DL at 1:1?

    edit: Which AU AMEX card did you hold prior to transfer?

    • tc423 on 16/09/2025 - 18:41

      Amex platinum. Not yet, I need to get an Amex Gold/Green before I can convert Amex points.

      • LemonShapedRock on 16/09/2025 - 21:27

        If someone has an Explorer currently could you transfer those MR points to the US program using your method?

        • tc423 on 16/09/2025 - 23:56

          Yes. As long as you get Amex US charge card you can convert. 1 time per year.

  • GourmetFoodie on 16/09/2025 - 21:33
    +2

    Wow. Respect + admiration x1000 for this. Honestly in awe of your research and planning here.

  • Tokz666 on 16/09/2025 - 23:52

    Awesome post!!!

    Just some quick questions.

    What all documents did you need to provide?
    Once you receive the statement how do you pay? Do you have a US bank A/c??

    Also dint they do any US ID checks?

    • tc423 on 17/09/2025 - 00:09
      +1

      No documents were required. I plan to use Wise checking IBKR (remote sign up) to pay the statement. I think they only checked my AU credit file and verbally confirmed my name.

      • cheapfab on 18/09/2025 - 22:33

        @tc423 - Which actual address did you use though? Did you create an address via anytimemailbox or did you use a friends actual address?
        I've tried the process and am basically now stuck - got all the way to applying for an Amex card (application went through requiring final confirmation for some details via telephone contact) = however on trying to continue the application process with the Amex GT team via telephone- Amex suggests that the application has been stopped and are saying they need an actual residential address not a mail forwarding address . Gave some excuse about Federal law requiring actual residential address and not a mail forwarded (I used anytimemailbox)

        Basically cant really proceed now unless I can get a US residential address to send it to

  • kiitos on 17/09/2025 - 18:32

    Excellent post. I was of the impression that Amex wasn't widely accepted - or am I mistaken?

  • chillybags on 17/09/2025 - 20:13

    Great post! thank you!

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