U.S. credit cards based on your U.S. address ... issues

[Jingthing]

Many USA expats have U.S. based credit cards with their U.S. address.

I'm sure many USA expats maintain a U.S. address of record even if they haven't lived in the U.S. for many years, and don't tell their credit card companies.

What have your experiences been WHEN you inform your U.S. credit card companies that you are no longer a U.S. resident and want to change to a Thai address?

Don't they usually just close the accounts?

If so, wouldn't that mean if you ever move back to the U.S. your credit rating would be as INVISIBLE person?

Assuming most expats here don't have Thai credit cards (if that matters to your U.S. credit rating anyway).

Is there any way of knowing if your SPECIFIC credit card provider will cancel your account or not when changing to Thai address?

Any comments or tips appreciated.

Edited May 27, 2016 by Jingthing

[wpcoe]

Not all US credit card issuers require a US address. My credit union VISA card uses my Thailand address, but my Chase VISA card requires a US address. Since I just sold my house in the USA, I'm currently setting up Shipito.com to be my US address. I'm hoping Chase doesn't notice...

[CaptHaddock]

It really doesn't matter what a bank's current policy is toward expat customers since that policy may change in the future leaving those of us without a US residential address SOL. For that reason it would be foolish to be too forthcoming with them since if they close your account you will have no recourse.

I had an interesting interaction with Capital One when I applied for a credit card about a year after moving to Thailand. For some reason I had to complete the application with a phone call to a representative. When He asked me for my address, I gave him the address my mail forwarder provides me in Florida. Without missing a beat he said, "That's your mailing address, right?" "Correct," I replied waiting for the next question: so where do you live? But he never asked it. I got the card. However, I am pretty sure I would not be able to open a checking account with Cap One without a residential address.

[Smokin Joe]

I have two credit cards and a debit/ATM card with a credit union. My address with them is a mail forwarding service. They know I am overseas and don't have a problem with that at all.

The union is Navy Federal and although they are probably more used to overseas customers than many others they still have the same rules and regulations that they have to follow.

[Pib]

How a financial company such as a bank, credit card company, etc., implement the Customer Identification Program (CIP) driven by a provision of the Patriot Act varies from company to company. A lot of companies will take the easier road of enforcing the need to have a U.S. physical address (and many times a post office box address is a no-go) which probably reduces the manhours/administrative work to meet CIP requirements; others will not, especially those companies who have a lot of customers who may be prone to living all over the world. There is no one set of rules which the companies implement uniformly ...like strictly set by the govt; instead, the financial companies develop their own policies to meet the CIP requirements. This is why you see so many posts where some people are with financial companies that seem hard core regarding the mailing of cards to foreign addresses, while others have no problem.

[NeverSure]

I've mentioned before here that S. Dakota is the most friendly to expats/snowbirds/RVers etc. You can establish residence without actually living there a set number of days.

There are a number of businesses set up to give both a street and mailbox address and do mail forwarding for mail that needs a US address. You do have to go there in the beginning to get a D/L and you might have to return every 4 years to renew it - can't remember.

HERE's just one of many companies that offer the service.

Cheers.

PS S. Dakota has no income tax - an important consideration.

[GinBoy2]

I have 3 US based accounts.

Chase & BoA flat out say No to an out of country address, at least to me.

I also maintain an e-trade checking account. Customer rep told me on the phone it was OK, so I changed the address to Thailand online. I then spent the next two months trying to get a new ATM card only to finally be told by another rep that couldn't ship a card to a non US address.

I gave up changed it back to SD, and just have them shipped to me as needed by the forwarder

[taxout]

American Express accepts foreign addresses on cards they issue in the US. The annual fee is slightly higher and you don't get the rental car damage waiver coverage.

[Jingthing]

Thanks.

As I expected problematical short of credit unions and perhaps Amex which doesn't interest me.

Cheers.

[Gary A]

I have used Citibank for a lot of years. When I moved to Thailand I dutifully informed them of my new Thai address. They promptly cancelled my credit card. I also had a Bank of America Visa card. I had also notified them and expected the worst. They promptly changed my address and many years later, I still have the BoA Visa card.

[slipperylobster]

I have two credit cards and a debit/ATM card with a credit union. My address with them is a mail forwarding service. They know I am overseas and don't have a problem with that at all.

The union is Navy Federal and although they are probably more used to overseas customers than many others they still have the same rules and regulations that they have to follow.

You are correct, sir.

I do the same with Capital One. Your mailing address does not have to be a physical address.

However, you need to give them a physical address in the States.

No problem...I was trustee on a home there.

Others may want to use a relatives home.

I suppose, if you put your occupation as military, or military retired, most companies would assume you are stationed overseas.

In the Philippines, I used the Retired Activity Office and was give an APO number and Box Number. (Manila Embassy)

I used to put my rank before my name, and bam....they figured I was stationed in the Pacific. (I am retired)

I doubt they really cared, anyways. In any case...they know my mail goes to a mail forwarding company. Don't be fooled by those ones that give you a street address...the banks are wise to them all. There is still a number that is your box number. I guess they have a list. There is no immigration visa/permanent resident visa (for most of us) in Thailand...although you can renew a retirement extension. That is kind of a talking point. Tell them you take extended vacations at your wife's house here.

I did mine all over the internet and phone....and nobody really asked questions.

Edited June 2, 2016 by slipperylobster

[phuketrichard]

i have held us cc for over 30 years but have only really lived there 98-99, since 1982

I also has a Thai American express card back in the early 90's, when i moved to the states they transferred it to a US American express,

when i moved back to Thailand they reissued it to a Thai American express :-)

I just applied for ( an was accepted ) for a Charles Schwab atm checking account with atm card, there great as they refund any atm fees u pay overseas. did it all online an by phone

You do need a us address.

[55Jay]

When moving to Thailand, my 2 military-esque credit unions had no problem with my new Thai mailing address.

Schwab and Capital One both said they were closing my accounts if I insisted on using the new Thai mailing address. I backed off and used the same US physical address as my new mailing address, turned off paper and do everything online.

Schwab and Cap1 are my primary financial institutions for life in Thailand. Looking at my c/c transactions, ATM and ACH activity, it's so obvious where I am. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".

As to your other thread re: brokerages, same drill for the Schwab Brokerage accounts.