The "Grand Slam for Non-US Residents" thread
Aug 20, 2011, 12:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 6,138
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Last year there was a lot of discussion about Grand Slam planning by and for non-US residents, especially Canadians.
I am happy to report that I was able to get the full 100,000 point bonus last year, even though I do not have a US residence, US Social Security Number or a credit card drawn on a US bank.
Some of the lowest hanging GS fruit requires an SSN, so lacking that definitely puts some of the cheaper hits out of reach.
However, many of the retail hits that "exclude" non-US residents can be "persuaded" into accepting you if you "look" American...
I have friends in the US, so that helps, but I don't want to be an imposition on them. I do have a good friend who allows me to use their home address as the billing address on one of my credit cards. That particular account gets only electronic statements, so my friend does not have access to my financial records, nor does he get any mail clogging up his box (he lives in an apartment).
Most Canadian banks will switch the primary billing address to an American address if you ask nicely and explain, for instance, you spend winters in the USA.
I've been using MBNA for my "American" card, but others I know use other banks. I've heard CIBC offers to change the "secondary" address, but many online retailers only verify primary, or billing addresses, so this may be problematic.
Once you have an American address on your credit card, you can start ordering goods, but many retailers only ship domestically.
I'm in the US a lot so I usually have things shipped to my hotel or a friend (again, I don't go to that well too often lest I wear out my welcome).
For larger items I use usaddressinc.com, which has a depot just across the border in New York state that will accept packages for me. I live about an hour's drive away and pick up the goods after they arrive.
Others have had success sending useful things directly to charities in the US...
I'm also open to arranging pickups from US Address if there is enough interest and I would be very interested in combining our efforts with an FT charity drive if possible...
Non-US residents, post your ideas here!
Last year there was a lot of discussion about Grand Slam planning by and for non-US residents, especially Canadians.
I am happy to report that I was able to get the full 100,000 point bonus last year, even though I do not have a US residence, US Social Security Number or a credit card drawn on a US bank.
Some of the lowest hanging GS fruit requires an SSN, so lacking that definitely puts some of the cheaper hits out of reach.
However, many of the retail hits that "exclude" non-US residents can be "persuaded" into accepting you if you "look" American...
I have friends in the US, so that helps, but I don't want to be an imposition on them. I do have a good friend who allows me to use their home address as the billing address on one of my credit cards. That particular account gets only electronic statements, so my friend does not have access to my financial records, nor does he get any mail clogging up his box (he lives in an apartment).
Most Canadian banks will switch the primary billing address to an American address if you ask nicely and explain, for instance, you spend winters in the USA.
I've been using MBNA for my "American" card, but others I know use other banks. I've heard CIBC offers to change the "secondary" address, but many online retailers only verify primary, or billing addresses, so this may be problematic.
Once you have an American address on your credit card, you can start ordering goods, but many retailers only ship domestically.
I'm in the US a lot so I usually have things shipped to my hotel or a friend (again, I don't go to that well too often lest I wear out my welcome).
For larger items I use usaddressinc.com, which has a depot just across the border in New York state that will accept packages for me. I live about an hour's drive away and pick up the goods after they arrive.
Others have had success sending useful things directly to charities in the US...
I'm also open to arranging pickups from US Address if there is enough interest and I would be very interested in combining our efforts with an FT charity drive if possible...
Non-US residents, post your ideas here!
Aug 20, 2011, 1:15 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 6,138
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Well, then allow me to be the first to welcome your tips!
Originally Posted by Zurich Flyer
wrong! it's about non-us address, not mainly about Canadians!
Aug 21, 2011, 6:29 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Migros Cumulus Platinum Hero
Posts: 1,628
what has "giving advice" with your wrong initial statement to do? --> nothing
besides, i gave more than enough advice and help last year --> don't remember your contribution!
ps: this, for instance, is a valualbe advice for non-us residents
besides, i gave more than enough advice and help last year --> don't remember your contribution!
ps: this, for instance, is a valualbe advice for non-us residents
Last edited by Zurich Flyer; Aug 21, 2011 at 6:35 am
Aug 21, 2011, 10:01 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 20
Poster from Canada here, namely the YOW region. I'll post relevant information about getting hits at low cost here when I can.
I already mentioned this in the planning thread, but if US-based Netflix is a hit this year, you might want to consider looking through this website, which explains how to get US Netflix streamed in Canada:
http://www.thereviewcrew.com/news/ho...of-usvideo-ca/
I already mentioned this in the planning thread, but if US-based Netflix is a hit this year, you might want to consider looking through this website, which explains how to get US Netflix streamed in Canada:
http://www.thereviewcrew.com/news/ho...of-usvideo-ca/
Aug 22, 2011, 2:14 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: QR Gold; EY Gold; Hilton Gold; IHG Plat Amb; Marriott Gold Elite; Hertz Pres Circ
Posts: 89
And us Australians? :-)
Hoping that other Aussies might like to occupy this thread to help each other out with Antipodean hits.
Aug 22, 2011, 5:55 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SYDNEY
Programs: *A Gold, HH dia,Hyatt plat,Sixt PLAT,QF , EY Gold
Posts: 1,890
Being in SYD I Need 20k bonus and I'm happy so I'm aiming for about 16 hits.
However I have 4 accounts so need to do this 4 times is going to be hard. I have stays coming up at Hilton maybe rent a car here and there. Also have 4 accounts in audience rewards hope that counts.
However I have 4 accounts so need to do this 4 times is going to be hard. I have stays coming up at Hilton maybe rent a car here and there. Also have 4 accounts in audience rewards hope that counts.
Aug 22, 2011, 2:30 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Here today, gone tomorrow
Programs: Nothing shiny :-(
Posts: 2,493
Wyndham European promotion
Wyndham are currently doing a promo in Europe whereby you get 15,000 additional points for two stays (you have to sign up for this promo). You need to book by the end of August and "stay" by the end of September.
If you don't currently have a Wyndham Rewards account, you get an additional 500 points if you enrol as part of the booking process. So it shouldn't be difficult to get to 16,000 points, which is two transfers of 8,000 Wyndham points (= 3,200 US DM each). In the UK, you can get a Days Inn room from a little over £25 with a bit of effort, £30/£32 without too much difficulty, which given I value each US DM at about 1p (more or less what you can buy them for in 50% extra miles US promos), means two free hits (assuming you are working on 2 US accounts). Bargain!
I should just add that when I tried to sign up for the promo I was told I was not eligible - though I am. A message through the Rewards website to Customer Services sorted that out without a problem.
If you don't currently have a Wyndham Rewards account, you get an additional 500 points if you enrol as part of the booking process. So it shouldn't be difficult to get to 16,000 points, which is two transfers of 8,000 Wyndham points (= 3,200 US DM each). In the UK, you can get a Days Inn room from a little over £25 with a bit of effort, £30/£32 without too much difficulty, which given I value each US DM at about 1p (more or less what you can buy them for in 50% extra miles US promos), means two free hits (assuming you are working on 2 US accounts). Bargain!
I should just add that when I tried to sign up for the promo I was told I was not eligible - though I am. A message through the Rewards website to Customer Services sorted that out without a problem.
Aug 23, 2011, 5:36 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: HAJ, Germany
Programs: Honors Diamond, IHG Platinum Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, LH SEN, TB Emerald
Posts: 312
Aug 23, 2011, 11:47 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,465
Can Canadians sign up for e-miles? This is the link:
https://www.e-miles.com/enroll.do?ic=emiv2
The enrollment form asks for a "Zip/Postal Code" which suggests a Canadian postal code should work. On the other hand, their Member Agreement says "Member must be a legal resident of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam or U.S. Virgin Islands to be eligible for participation in the e-Miles Service."
Any experience with this?
Or should I just use a fake US address?
https://www.e-miles.com/enroll.do?ic=emiv2
The enrollment form asks for a "Zip/Postal Code" which suggests a Canadian postal code should work. On the other hand, their Member Agreement says "Member must be a legal resident of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam or U.S. Virgin Islands to be eligible for participation in the e-Miles Service."
Any experience with this?
Or should I just use a fake US address?
Aug 24, 2011, 2:34 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 75
Wyndham are currently doing a promo in Europe whereby you get 15,000 additional points for two stays (you have to sign up for this promo). You need to book by the end of August and "stay" by the end of September.
If you don't currently have a Wyndham Rewards account, you get an additional 500 points if you enrol as part of the booking process. So it shouldn't be difficult to get to 16,000 points, which is two transfers of 8,000 Wyndham points (= 3,200 US DM each). In the UK, you can get a Days Inn room from a little over £25 with a bit of effort, £30/£32 without too much difficulty, which given I value each US DM at about 1p (more or less what you can buy them for in 50% extra miles US promos), means two free hits (assuming you are working on 2 US accounts). Bargain!
I should just add that when I tried to sign up for the promo I was told I was not eligible - though I am. A message through the Rewards website to Customer Services sorted that out without a problem.
If you don't currently have a Wyndham Rewards account, you get an additional 500 points if you enrol as part of the booking process. So it shouldn't be difficult to get to 16,000 points, which is two transfers of 8,000 Wyndham points (= 3,200 US DM each). In the UK, you can get a Days Inn room from a little over £25 with a bit of effort, £30/£32 without too much difficulty, which given I value each US DM at about 1p (more or less what you can buy them for in 50% extra miles US promos), means two free hits (assuming you are working on 2 US accounts). Bargain!
I should just add that when I tried to sign up for the promo I was told I was not eligible - though I am. A message through the Rewards website to Customer Services sorted that out without a problem.
Are you suggesting that you can 'no-show' and still get the credit?