Credit Card churning from overseas?
 

I tried searching around for this but didn't have much luck finding a straight answer. I am currently backpacking across the globe (using all my free points and miles of course!) and I need to replenish my stock, so I wanted to sign up for another round of credit cards. Is it possible to sign up for US credit card offers while traveling or living abroad? What kind of challenges or problems might I face? I have only been on the road for 3 months, so I still have a US bank account, US Social Security number, US address and phone number, and the like. I also have a VPN incase I need to "pretend" I am still in the US in that regard. Any tips or comments? Thanks!

MM

I have done a couple of turns while living in Qatar. THe issue is more on the logisitics rather than the banks caring if you are actually in the U.S. or not. Since you have SS and U.S. address then the banks should approve you, with good credit of course, for the churns.

THe issue is getting the cards from the U.S. address to where you are. If you have a dependable persone at your U.S. address whom you trust to send you the cards then it is a matter of making sure the cards link up with you at whatever destination you may be at.

I have had my dependable person just tell me CC#, expiration date, and 3 digit number if I had a big off spend item which would meet min spend requirement for a card

Several Potential challenges:

1. Online apps may be subject to added security or even blocked from overseas IPs.

2. Follow-up calls for apps that don't get instant approval may also get added scrutiny since not made from home phone and are from overseas.

3. As noted already, getting physical possession of cards is tougher and takes longer.

4. Activating the cards-see #2 above. I've never tried it but I would think calling from out of the country to activate might really set off some alarms.

5. Meeting the minimum spend on cards with foreign exchange fees. Also, just spending enough since many overseas locations just don't offer the same level of cc spending opportunities.

I churn and am an expat living overseas. It really is no problem. The only logistical issue you may have is to have someone from the US send you your cards when they arrive (and you may not even need this!). I use my US address, etc. When they arrive, I have a trusted family member give me the card details over the phone and then they mail them to where ever it is I'm staying (can be hotel). I just make sure that they are sent FedEx or something that I can track world wide without any problem.

Applying from an IP address outside of the US has never been a problem I have done this from Asia, Europe and Middle East without VPN. If you get the "Pending decision" page when applying, just call the reconsideration line the next day. Don't wait for them to contact you.

Activating a card from a number outside of the US is no problem. When you call you just get a message from the bank stating that you are calling from an International number and that Int'l rates will apply. No issues.

Spending has not been a problem, even on Amex. Acceptance of credit cards just depends on the country you are in. But I have not had a problem.

From my experience (I have done 4 churns since overseas) the only issue you need to think about is having someone you can trust in the US forward the cards to you. You may not even need this. On one churn, I just had a family member give me the card info (acct number, exp date, CVC, activation number, and cust. service number) and I took care of the spend using internet transactions. Then pay your account online, and you are good to go. No need for the physical card. But it all depends on the spend requirement and your situation.

Just a quick tip: use Skype to make your phone calls. All 800-numbers are free to call through Skype. And of course you can also get a US phone number linked to your account in one of two ways: pay for the number through Skype, or just set Skype to link your US-based cell-phone or home number as your Caller ID.

I find this to be the best way of dealing with Financial Institutions and others while travelling, rather than calling their "collect" numbers. As far as they are concerned their system sees my Caller ID as if I'm calling from home. Meanwhile, I can be anywhere in the world.

I imagine Google Voice and other VOIP providers might offer the same.

Thank you to everyone that responded to my original question. You guys nailed the responses I was hoping for. I am still going to apply abroad, and take all this advice into play, and fortunately I have a lot of these tools at my disposal. Will let you guys know the success of my Churn. Thanks!

Credit Card churning from overseas?
 

Applied for four Chase cards, two Citi, and a Barcarly's while overseas. Most were cases where I was coming back relatively soon to get the physical cards, but had a family member send one to a colleague who I met in another country while still overseas.

If you have access to Google Voice, can be a good alternative to Skype for placing calls (and showing a US phone number for account verification/activation purposes.)

Having them sent to my Mom has worked well the past few years but I am wondering what to do when she is no longer able to do this (in her 80's). Is there anyway to get them to just send the card to me in Australia? I've had no problem activating or any phone related queries. They do seem to ask me a lot of questions, don't know if this is because the call originated overseas or more recently on Skype.

Sorry to pull up a thread that hasn't been posted in for a month, but figured better to do this than start a new one!

I get that a lot of people on here have had success in applying for US credit cards from overseas. My question has to do with how your income is verified... I'll want to apply for a couple of cards in the new year but am now earning my income in Australia (though I maintain a US permanent address). Has anyone who lives (and I'm assuming works) abroad and has successfully applied for a US credit card had any issues with the explanation and/or verification of your employment?

I've never had to go through any employment verification, although it can happen, I guess. Even if that's the case, why would it be a problem that you work overseas?

Maybe it's just that in the US I worked for a huge company that wouldn't have triggered any questions, whereas in Oz I'm working for a small boutique company that would've never been entered on any credit card application in the States, so I'm just wondering whether that raises any flags...

I'm in the same boat since I'm an Ex-Pat living in London.

I guess approving and obtaining the card information is the easy part, however I found it an issue (annoying more than inconvenience) of paying for my bills.

I often have to pay for a SWIFT transfer fee from Citibank UK for my AMEX bills in the US and due to the logistical issues (I have to phone them directly everytime or be in the branch to make a SWIFT transfer), I often neglect to use my US AMEX.

Hi guys

You do still need a US social security number right? This would not be possible if you are neither a US-citizen nor resident, correct?