Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
#1
Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
Six weeks until we go!
...And we are starting to become embroiled in the chicken and egg problem
Amex have advised us to apply for new Amexs once we arrive in California (rather than transferring our existing cards), so that we have both US and UK Amexs.
But to do that, we need a US bank account.
To get the bank account, we need proof of address.
Due to a lack of credit rating we've gone down the sublet route (for the first two months), so no lease or utilities in our name...
... and to get utilities (well, a cellphone plan), you need a bank account!
Anyone else experience this?
This is my second time living in the US (2 years in NYC, 8 years ago), so I am sure I have experienced this before but I can't remember what I did!
...And we are starting to become embroiled in the chicken and egg problem
Amex have advised us to apply for new Amexs once we arrive in California (rather than transferring our existing cards), so that we have both US and UK Amexs.
But to do that, we need a US bank account.
To get the bank account, we need proof of address.
Due to a lack of credit rating we've gone down the sublet route (for the first two months), so no lease or utilities in our name...
... and to get utilities (well, a cellphone plan), you need a bank account!
Anyone else experience this?
This is my second time living in the US (2 years in NYC, 8 years ago), so I am sure I have experienced this before but I can't remember what I did!
#2
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
Use your UK card for a month or so before applying. Once you have your bank account open, use the sublet address, the address can be changed when you have a permanent place, apply for the US card.
Utilities, cable, deposits, etc. should all be payable by check. Which bank does the employer use? My last employer used Citibank and it afforded us free checking when we did direct deposit of our pay. Your employer will probably prefer you to have direct deposit and it should be far easier to open an account with the same bank they use. Remember you can always change banks later on.
Utilities, cable, deposits, etc. should all be payable by check. Which bank does the employer use? My last employer used Citibank and it afforded us free checking when we did direct deposit of our pay. Your employer will probably prefer you to have direct deposit and it should be far easier to open an account with the same bank they use. Remember you can always change banks later on.
#3
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
Register with the local library using your new address, or mail yourself a post card, which is usually accepted as sufficient evidence that you live at the address. .... Messing with the US Postal Service can be a serious offence in the US, so anything sent through the USPS has more credibility than you might initially expect.
#4
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
You may want to look at the Amex global transfer site. You can get a US phone number by switching to toggle mobile while still in the UK.
https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/
https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,834
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
We opened bank accounts while still in temporary accommodation using hubby's work address. The bank was very helpful and flexible and used some combination of passports, visas, job offer letter etc, to get the accounts open and get the cards/ checks mailed out. We then switched address to our residential one a few weeks later.
#6
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
You may want to look at the Amex global transfer site. You can get a US phone number by switching to toggle mobile while still in the UK.
https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/
https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/
#7
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
Register with the local library using your new address, or mail yourself a post card, which is usually accepted as sufficient evidence that you live at the address. .... Messing with the US Postal Service can be a serious offence in the US, so anything sent through the USPS has more credibility than you might initially expect.
Very smart - I will try it. Thanks!
#8
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
We opened bank accounts while still in temporary accommodation using hubby's work address. The bank was very helpful and flexible and used some combination of passports, visas, job offer letter etc, to get the accounts open and get the cards/ checks mailed out. We then switched address to our residential one a few weeks later.
#9
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
We can't open the account without the address, but you have got me thinking.... maybe we have UK Amex statement forwarded to the sublet address. Thanks !
#10
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
Yes, toggle is PAYG , but will enable you to have a your UK and US number on one phone while you get organized. All incoming calls are "free".
#11
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
I'm still trying to work out how I do this when I move to Portland next year. I am basically going to be without work / no bank account / living in hotel or some kind of temp accommodation until I get sorted. But how can I get an account without an address? Will a bank / credit union accept a hotel address?
Good info on the toggle sim for mobile - will use that when I visit in June to look around.
Good info on the toggle sim for mobile - will use that when I visit in June to look around.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 189
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
I'm still trying to work out how I do this when I move to Portland next year. I am basically going to be without work / no bank account / living in hotel or some kind of temp accommodation until I get sorted. But how can I get an account without an address? Will a bank / credit union accept a hotel address?.
The only difficulty i know I had was with the DMV for my driving license who needed 2 recently dated proofs of address. I couldn't comply. I used a letter from the bank (they sent out welcome stuff v promptly) and filled out an affidavit to say I didn't have further proofs. (I also had to do a SSN affidavit as I don't have a SSN).
My experience is these chicken and egg scenarios do occur at the beginning but there are usually work arounds in place.
Last edited by Chesten; Apr 26th 2017 at 10:49 am.
#14
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
Wife is US Citizen. Applying for Green Card later this year and moving over late next year. Just seeing out my contract in the military to get my pension at the moment. Spouse visa seems fairly straight forward from what I have read so far and I already have a SSN as I lived in Vegas for three years from 2012 (really should have kept that bank account open!).
#15
Re: Chicken and Egg - Credit Card, Bank Account, Address, everything
Your passport will satisfy everything but the address, and while the government issued identity number is commonly interpreted as a SSN, a passport number is (should be) perfectly acceptable.