How do you apply for a US credit card?

I have a fabulous score with experian, transunion, and equifax. Unfortunately it doesn't translate to jack s...t here.

What is the basis for your fabulous score with Experian? Presumably you must have a strong credit history in the US to have a high score with Experian--can you not use that to apply for a US credit card?

Experian cannot be based on your Canadian history as Experian closed their Canadian office in April 2009.

I moved to US on TN visa on March 2nd 2012. I went to Bank Of America within a week of moving, Opened an account with them. The are affiliated with Scotiabank in Canada not CIBC (maybe in past though). They got my SIN # and other financial information in Canada. The credit specialist told me she will call me in 2 days. Today on March 10th 2012, at 2:39pm she called me and told me that she had approved me a credit card with a limit of $5000 based on my credit report in Canada. Waiting for my card in the mail. After few months of using that card, I will apply for apply for Capital One card. Want to have at least one of each type of card, Visa, Amex and MC and build my credit in USA so financing a car or a house down the road can be easy.

A close friend of ours recently moved from Montréal to Wichita, Kansas. He had no U.S. credit history whatsoever but was able to easily get a U.S. Amex card once he got there.

American Express has a program for Amex card holders that move from one country to another country (any country where American Express conducts business). Therefore, obtaining a U.S. Amex card in the United States should be straightforward enough if you have a Canadian Amex card in Canada. Generally, the lack of U.S. credit history should not be a hindrance in getting a U.S. Amex card as long as you have a Canadian Amex card prior to moving.

After getting and using your new U.S. Amex card, you will start building a U.S. credit history, which will then allow you to apply for other bank credit cards and loans.


From the AMEX - Global Card Transfers Website:

http://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/

"PACK PEACE-OF-MIND WHEN YOU MOVE ABROAD
Transfer your Card when you move abroad. American Express aims to make the transfer process as quick and painless as possible. As each country has different regulations, tell us where you're moving to so we can direct you to the appropriate country to faciliate this transfer. Let's get started."

I have a credit limit on canadian cards of over 50k. I also have a USD credit card from TD for 10k. that's how i have made virtually all of my purchases.

I tried my level best to get a credit report from transunion, equifax and experian but it was a waste of time. My canadian SIN number credit report is worthless. Finally capital one gave me a secured credit card for $29 but i had to make a deposit. Now the only way i can get that money back is if i close the account. After 3 months of making purchases I still don't qualify for a rewards card with CDW. One aspect of the US you will hate is getting a credit card.
1. Open a USD bank account in canada
2. Get a USD card from a canadian bank before you go.
3. Mail cheques from your US bank account to your canadian USD account
4. pay off your usd credit card with your USD account in canada
5. To speed things up mail cheques in bulk to family and have them deposit it.

Many on VJ have had success with American Express!! They have a Cdn American Express card, and once they get to the USA, they phone up the American express and get it transferred to a USA Acct. Capital one used to have a CC that was pretty much suited for new people in the USA, was a small yearly fee, but usually by the time 1 had to renew, you could qualify for a CC with no annually fee.