I was wondering if any Canadians here tried to aquire US bonds for miles. I'm a Canadian working in the US and I'm looking to get some bonds but I can't seem to find a clear cut answer. My work does not provide a payroll purchase plan by the way. I do have a US bank account, credit cards, SSN, driver license, the works with a valid work Visa.

If that doesn't work, I was thinking about putting 25k in Ameritrade and getting the 20k starwood points. But buying the bonds seem like a better deal since I get 1:1 points to what I spend and I'll get to earn a good interest rate. Thanks!

HyperDude, noticed you're new. Welcome to FlyerTalk.

Unfortunately for you, you have to have an US Social Security number to purchase bonds.

I do have a social security number (SSN)

Oops, and thanks for the welcome. This site is awesome.

[This message has been edited by HyperDude (edited 09-26-2003).]

Hi!
I am a citizen of Spain and I have bought US bonds twice, for the miles. I have a US SSN, that seems to be the key, I think you would be fine. I am still holding them, but I don't expect problems redeeming them.

On the Finance page of my web site below, in the Savings Bond section, there is a link to a page that tells you who can own the bonds. I think Canadian citizens may not own them, but check the linked page to be sure.

But even if Canadians can't own them, I don't see how this could be enforced, so long as you provide a U.S. Social Security number and a U.S. address to which they can send the bonds. But think about how you will go about redeeming the bonds. If you plan to do this at a bank, you must have a U.S. bank account, probably with a U.S. address attached to it, at a bank that will accept they types of bonds you will be buying. (Caution: Many banks that accept EE Bonds do not accept I bonds.) If you intend to mail them in to the treasury, you should have a U.S. address to which they can send you the money.

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Especially if you have a U.S. address to which the bonds can be sent, all you'll need to buy Savings Bonds is a social security number. The government won't check if you're a citizen or not.

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-Otto

How does one earn AAmiles by buying Savings Bonds?

Simply by using an AA earning creditcard when purchasing the saving bonds.

Full info on this can be found on the Finance page of my web site below.

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I do have a SSN, a bank account, and a US address. I'll have to get myself some bonds right away then Thanks all!