Obtaining a US Credit Card | Credit card reward programs | Discussion forum

Save2Retire@55 said
As Canadian Credit Cards bonus are not as interesting as US ones, I came across this article which explains in details how to obtain a US CC. It might be beneficial to someone on the forum. I think I am going to give it a try.

https://princeoftravel.com/blog/getting-us-credit-cards-for-canadians  

It's a well written article, thanks for sharing. I don't personally want to go through all that work just to earn extra points. I think it's easier to churn credit cards and even bank accounts than to go through all that. Plus you're going to have to pay the bills through your US bank account in USD, so you will also lose on the exchange rate unless you have a source of US funds.

The process makes for some interesting reading, but it's not for the faint of heart!

Personally, I would not bother with it, and I definitely don't want to get involved with the IRS.

It might be worth noting that these card issuers may regard your application as fraudulent since you aren't an American resident or citizen. Ricky already mentioned that one route had been closed. Others might be also. I wouldn't want to have to deal with accusations of fraud.

I lived in the US for several years on a student visa. I was constantly receiving unsolicited credit card applications but, at that time, every solitary one of them had fine print that said the applicant had to be a US permanent resident, so I never applied for any. You could, however, at that time, get department store credit cards without difficulty by applying in person at the store. If that route is still available, it could also help with building a credit history in the US, I would think.

Let us know how you make out if you go ahead with it.

Loonie said
I don't disagree.
I also don't know what all the implications are of having a US SSN. For example, US citizens or dual citizens US/Can are not allowed to have TFSAs as the income is taxable in US. I wouldn't want the IRS to start poking around and assume I was a US citizen and then have to spend hours trying to convince them otherwise. I'm not saying this would happen, but it's not knowing the implications that bothers me. As a non-citizen, your rights are limited.

I'm just saying I wouldn't do it, and why. Others may view it differently, and that's fine.

Best of luck to all!  

You don't actually get a SSN, you just get an ITIN, which doesn't require you to file a tax return. You only need to file a tax return if you earn income in USA, and I don't think these cash back points count as income.

( ITIN is a tax identification number for those who don't qualify for a SSN )

Loonie said
Yes, you're right about the SSN, Briguy. I misremembered what I'd read.

However, personally, I would feel just as cautious about the ITIN. If I'm somehow identified with "tax" by the IRS, then somebody might start giving me hassles somewhere along the line. I've had both excellent and dreadful experiences crossing the US border. As I'm not fully informed on all the implications of having an ITIN, I would avoid it.  

I've had a lot of bad experiences at Canada/US border. If you think about it, goods in and out of USA should have been free by now, and border agents should only be checking for contraband like illicit drugs and guns.

I have family in USA and could have potentially become a dual citizen, but if you why would I want to? No free health care to speak of which becomes important as we age.

Background info on NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established a free-trade zone in North America; it was signed in 1992 by Canada, Mexico, and the United States and took effect on Jan. 1, 1994. NAFTA immediately lifted tariffs on the majority of goods produced by the signatory nations. It also calls for the gradual elimination, over a period of 15 years, of most remaining barriers to cross-border investment and to the movement of goods and services among the three countries.