applying for US credit card in UK?

Hi everyone,

I read that US American Express credit cards can be transferred to the UK in order to start building UK credit. I don't have a credit card with them, and was wondering if anyone here has ever applied for a US credit card after having moved here? Could I literally just apply there on the US website and put my English address? Would it matter that I no longer live there?

Thanks for any tips!

tevian

I successfully got a UK AmEx based on my US one, so that part definitely works.

I'm not sure about applying for a US AmEx with a UK address, though. I haven't had any issues with notifying my US CC companies that I've moved abroad, but it may be different when applying for a new card.

Glad to hear it worked for you equestrianerd.

I'm kicking myself now for not getting one before I left. I wonder if I could apply for one using my mom's address, and then transfer it here after a few months. Apparently I still get preapproved AmEx offers sent to her address. Has anyone ever done anything like this? Or would the fact that I told my other credit cards that I already moved here get back to American Express somehow?

equestrianerd, how did you use your US AmEx to get a UK one?  Is there some way to contact them and explain?

equestrianerd, how did you use your US AmEx to get a UK one?  Is there some way to contact them and explain?

It was pretty easy. I filled everything out online here:

http://www.americanexpress.com/globaltransfers/global_card_transfer_en.shtml

They sent me a letter telling me what extra documentation they wanted (copies of bills proving residence, certified copy of my passport proving identity), and about a month later they wrote me telling me my account was all setup. As a bonus, my limit on my UK card is 5x what the one on my US card is , and that's before applying any exchange rate.

My only complaint is that I now have two logins for americanexpress.com. I don't know if it's possible to consolidate both cards into one login, but since I'm not using my US one, it's not a huge deal to me (except for needing to remember two usernames).

I wonder if I could apply for one using my mom's address, and then transfer it here after a few months. Apparently I still get preapproved AmEx offers sent to her address. Has anyone ever done anything like this? Or would the fact that I told my other credit cards that I already moved here get back to American Express somehow?

I don't see how AmEx would know, so it's worth a shot. Worst case scenario you get declined and have to reapply again. Might be worth applying over the phone (if you can call US numbers) so that you can get instant feedback on whether you'd be approved or not.

Hi there,

I'd say if you are getting pre-approved US AMEX letters over there in the USA, then open one up - it'll be like you 'are in the USA' as far as AMEX are concerned. Operate it normally, use it as if you were there, purchase on US websites, settle the account in full each month - that way they'll build up your US credit report/history as well as with themselves in AMEX.

Then after some time, ring them to say you now live in the UK, and that you want to 'transfer' the AMEX history over here to help you get a UK AMEX card and then do the above, use it, pay in full each month and UK AMEX will already know you have a good history with them and start to update the UK credit reference agencies with 'good history' feedback from them and helping you to boost your UK credit score from them, as quickly as possible.

I think you'll probably run into trouble in applying for a new USA AMEX account with UK address and details as if it was a 'new' application - what with tighter lending practices at the moment and of course the whole issue with opening up bank accounts in different countries etc  (much the same if I as a UK person, ring up MBNA, AMEX, BOA and say 'can i have a credit card please!')

Equestrian Nerd - 5X credit limit here in the UK compared to the USA one?! - summarises the UK's pathetic personal debt levels record really! - tip - to boost your UK credit rating (currently works!) ring up Amex and ask for a significant reduction in your credit limit - so perhaps if you have £15K of credit, ask them to chop it to £8K. Currently the credit reference agencies are looking at those who are actively appearing to be responsible with thier credit levels

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Equestrian Nerd - 5X credit limit here in the UK compared to the USA one?! - summarises the UK's pathetic personal debt levels record really! - tip - to boost your UK credit rating (currently works!) ring up Amex and ask for a significant reduction in your credit limit - so perhaps if you have £15K of credit, ask them to chop it to £8K. Currently the credit reference agencies are looking at those who are actively appearing to be responsible with thier credit levels

Thanks for the advice. I neglected to mention that the credit limit on my US card is extremely pathetic ($500). So the UK one having a limit of £2,500 is cool, but not exactly earth-shattering. I've been using it to purchase groceries/travel and paying it off each month, which ought to count as being responsible with credit.

Thanks for the advice Dennis and Equestrianerd