augigi

I'm arriving in the US on an E3 visa in 13 days. I opened an aussie AmEx card about 6 months ago on advice so I can get a US card. I just called the US office to see how to go about organising a card in the US. The girl on the phone asked a few questions, checked my credit history in Australia, verified my US address and opened the card. It should be waiting for me when I arrive.

How easy was that!? I don't even have a SSN yet, which is why I'm surprised. Opening limit of $5000.

zargof

Does anyone know how I can get a bank to check my credit in the UK? Right now I'm in the "No credit history", "Can't get credit because I don't have any history" cycle and it's very frustrating.

Longy

For just a credit card I don't think its possible, unless you have an Amex which you can transfer over, there may be one or two others that do that as well.

Best bet is to get a Secured Credit Card - its a pain, but it does the job.

On the other hand if you want to get a mortgage you may be able to arrange something.

MsElui

for our morgage application they did an international credit check. Basically we had to give details of carious credit uses in the uk (ie utilities, credit cards etc) and they then made a conference call between us and the uk people . We explained who we were, told them we wanted them to answer the ladies questions and sat and listened whilst she asked stuff like last time we poaid, maximim spend, limit, date opened etc. They did this for about 6-8 sources (elec, gas, phone, etc.) Thats what we are using as a credit score.

NC Penguin

I don't think you can personally pull up your UK credit report after you've moved overseas. I tried myself some years ago (within about a year after moving to the US) and was unable to do so.

Patrick Hasler

Just apply for a store card, or car loan ... that will establish your credit ... providing you pay them

Patrick Hasler

I made the very big mistake of applying for and getting two Capitol one cards when I came here .... Visa and Mastercard

DON'T DO IT

I think I sent about $80 on one and $50 on the other during the first month then got about $200 in charges on each bill the very first statement

"Membership fee's and annual fee's" I was told by the nice lady on the phone.
"Well if I have to pay $400 for spending $130 they can stick the f**kin card"
Argued for months.... got no where... paid f**kin bill .... cut up cards and will never get another from one of those special offers

Tracym

Capital One certainly seems to vary for various people. I have one, as does my friend - no annual fees, and no problems.

But we do have established credit. I guess with any of them, one really does need to read the fine print.

augigi

Ugh, sounds bad. Luckily my Amex card is the "no fees" one!

Dan725

Capital One has been great for us. In fact, I'd actually recommend it anyone who uses US money whilst visiting the UK (or anywhere else overseas for that matter) - as they give you the exact interbank rate on the currency exchange and don't charge fees at all.

But we've also got established credit and pay the cards off in full every month.

BritGuyTN

My amex does have a fee but I more than recoup the benefit every year thankfully